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Seyed N, Taheri T, Rafati S. Live attenuated-nonpathogenic Leishmania and DNA structures as promising vaccine platforms against leishmaniasis: innovations can make waves. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1326369. [PMID: 38633699 PMCID: PMC11021776 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1326369] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by the protozoan parasite of Leishmania genus and is a complex disease affecting mostly tropical regions of the world. Unfortunately, despite the extensive effort made, there is no vaccine available for human use. Undoubtedly, a comprehensive understanding of the host-vector-parasite interaction is substantial for developing an effective prophylactic vaccine. Recently the role of sandfly saliva on disease progression has been uncovered which can make a substantial contribution in vaccine design. In this review we try to focus on the strategies that most probably meet the prerequisites of vaccine development (based on the current understandings) including live attenuated/non-pathogenic and subunit DNA vaccines. Innovative approaches such as reverse genetics, CRISP/R-Cas9 and antibiotic-free selection are now available to promisingly compensate for intrinsic drawbacks associated with these platforms. Our main goal is to call more attention toward the prerequisites of effective vaccine development while controlling the disease outspread is a substantial need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Seyed
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Noroozbeygi M, Keshavarzian N, Haji Molla Hoseini M, Haghdoust S, Yeganeh F. Comparison of the long-term and short-term protection in mouse model of Leishmania major infection following vaccination with Live Iranian Lizard Leishmania mixed with chitin microparticles. Parasite Immunol 2024; 46:e13018. [PMID: 37987175 DOI: 10.1111/pim.13018] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Inducing long-term immunity is the primary goal of vaccination. Leishmanisation using non-pathogenic to human Leishmania spp. could be considered a reliable approach to immunising subjects against Leishmania infection. Here, we evaluated the long-term immune responses (14 weeks) after immunisation with either live- or killed-Iranian Lizard Leishmania (ILL) mixed with chitin microparticles (CMPs) against L. major infection in BALB/c mice. In total, nine groups of mice were included in the study. To evaluate short-term immunity, mice were immunised with live-ILL and CMPs and 3 weeks later were challenged with L. majorEGFP . To evaluate the long-term immunity, mice were immunised with either live- or killed-ILL both mixed with CMPs, and 14 weeks after immunisation, mice were challenged with L. majorEGFP . A group of healthy mice who received no injection was also included in the study. Eight weeks after the challenge with L. majorEGFP , all subjects were sacrificed and the parasite burden (quantitative real-time PCR and in vivo imaging), cytokines levels (IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10), Leishmania-specific antibody concentration, and total levels of IgG1 and IgG2a were measured. In addition, nitric oxide concentration and arginase activity were evaluated. Results showed that in mice that were immunised using live-ILL+CMP, the induced protective immune response lasted at least 14 weeks; since they were challenged with L. majorEGFP at the 14th -week post-immunisation, no open lesion was formed during the 8-week follow-up, and the footpad swelling was significantly lower than controls. They also showed a significant reduction in the parasite burden in splenocytes, compared to the control groups including the group that received killed-ILL+CMP. The observed protection was associated with a higher IFN-γ and a lower IL-10 production by splenocytes. Additionally, the results demonstrated that arginase activity was decreased in the ILL+CMP group compared to other groups. Immunisation with ILL alone reduced the parasite burden compared to non-immunised control; however, it was still significantly higher than the parasite burden in the ILL+CMP groups. In conclusion, the long-term immune response against L. major infection induced by Live-ILL+CMP was more competent than the response elicited by killed-ILL+CMP to protect mice against infection with L. majorEGFP .
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Noroozbeygi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nafiseh Keshavarzian
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Haji Molla Hoseini
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Haghdoust
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farshid Yeganeh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Zauli RC, de Souza Perez IC, de Morais ACC, Ciaccio AC, Vidal AS, Soares RP, Torrecilhas AC, Batista WL, Xander P. Extracellular Vesicles Released by Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis Promastigotes with Distinct Virulence Profile Differently Modulate the Macrophage Functions. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2973. [PMID: 38138117 PMCID: PMC10746037 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122973] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania spp. is the aetiologic agent of leishmaniasis, a disease endemic in several developing countries. The parasite expresses and secretes several virulence factors that subvert the macrophage function and immune response. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can carry molecules of the parasites that show immunomodulatory effects on macrophage activation and disease progression. In the present work, we detected a significantly higher expression of lpg3 and gp63 genes in Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes recovered after successive experimental infections (IVD-P) compared to those cultured for a long period (LT-P). In addition, we observed a significantly higher percentage of infection and internalized parasites in groups of macrophages infected with IVD-P. Macrophages previously treated with EVs from LT-P showed higher percentages of infection and production of inflammatory cytokines after the parasite challenge compared to the untreated ones. However, macrophages infected with parasites and treated with EVs did not reduce the parasite load. In addition, no synergistic effects were observed in the infected macrophages treated with EVs and reference drugs. In conclusion, parasites cultured for a long period in vitro and recovered from animals' infections, differently affected the macrophage response. Furthermore, EVs produced by these parasites affected the macrophage response in the early infection of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogéria Cristina Zauli
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Biologia-Química, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil; (R.C.Z.)
| | - Isabelle Carlos de Souza Perez
- Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline Correia Costa de Morais
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Biologia-Química, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil; (R.C.Z.)
| | - Ana Carolina Ciaccio
- Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil
| | - Andrey Sladkevicius Vidal
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Biologia-Química, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil; (R.C.Z.)
| | - Rodrigo Pedro Soares
- Biotecnologia Aplicada a Patógenos (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Belo Horizonte 30190-002, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia Torrecilhas
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil (W.L.B.)
| | - Wagner Luiz Batista
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil (W.L.B.)
| | - Patricia Xander
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Biologia-Química, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil; (R.C.Z.)
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil (W.L.B.)
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e Protozoários, Unidade José Alencar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo campus Diadema, 4° andar, Rua São Nicolau, 210, Centro, Diadema 09913-030, SP, Brazil
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Rosa LB, Galuppo C, Lima RLA, Fontes JV, Siqueira FS, Júdice WAS, Abbehausen C, Miguel DC. Antileishmanial activity and insights into the mechanisms of action of symmetric Au(I) benzyl and aryl-N-heterocyclic carbenes. J Inorg Biochem 2022; 229:111726. [PMID: 35065320 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2022.111726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania amazonensis and L. braziliensis are the main etiological agents of the American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL). Taking into account the limited effectiveness and high toxicity of the current drug arsenal to treat ATL, novel options are urgently needed. Inspired by the fact that gold-based compounds are promising candidates for antileishmanial drugs, we studied the biological action of a systematic series of six (1)-(6) symmetric Au(I) benzyl and aryl-N-heterocyclic carbenes. All compounds were active at low micromolar concentrations with 50% effective concentrations ranging from 1.57 to 8.30 μM against Leishmania promastigotes. The mesityl derivative (3) proved to be the best candidate from this series, with a selectivity index ~13 against both species. The results suggest an effect of the steric and electronic parameters of the N-substituent in the activity. Intracellular infections were drastically reduced after 24h of (2)-(5) incubation in terms of infection rate and amastigote burden. Further investigations showed that our compounds induced significant parasites' morphological alterations and membrane permeability. Also, (3) and (6) were able to reduce the residual activity of three Leishmania recombinant cysteine proteases, known as possible targets for Au(I) complexes. Our promising results open the possibility of exploring gold complexes as leishmanicidal molecules to be further screened in in vivo models of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia B Rosa
- Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Carolina Galuppo
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rochanna L A Lima
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Josielle V Fontes
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Fábio S Siqueira
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biochemical Research, University of Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi das Cruzes, SP, Brazil
| | - Wagner A S Júdice
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biochemical Research, University of Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi das Cruzes, SP, Brazil
| | - Camilla Abbehausen
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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Haghdoust S, Noroozbeygi M, Hajimollahoseini M, Masooleh MM, Yeganeh F. A candidate vaccine composed of live nonpathogenic Iranian Lizard Leishmania mixed with Chitin microparticles protects mice against Leishmania major infection. Acta Trop 2022; 227:106298. [PMID: 34971566 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The protective effect of immunization using Iranian Lizard Leishmania (ILL) mixed with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) was demonstrated in a previous study. Here, we report the effect of leishmanization using ILL mixed with chitin microparticles (CMPs) as an adjuvant against L. major infection in BALB/c mice. METHODS Briefly, 2 × 107 live ILL were mixed with 10 µg CMPs (<40 μm in size) (ILL+CMP) and were injected subcutaneously into the right footpad of BALB/c mice. Three control groups were included in the study and received ILL, chitin, and PBS respectively. Three weeks later, mice were challenged with 2 × 105 live L. majorEGFP promastigotes, which were inoculated into the left footpad. The infection course was monitored using footpad swelling measurement and in vivo imaging. Eleven weeks after the challenge, all mice were sacrificed and parasite burden was measured in the spleen and the draining lymph node using three different methods including real-time PCR, flow cytometry, and direct fluorescent microscopy. In addition, cytokines levels (IFN-γ and IL-10), and nitric oxide production were assayed in splenocytes. RESULTS Mice immunized with ILL+CMP had a smaller footpad diameter in comparison to control groups and notably, no lesion was developed at the inoculation site. Additionally, in vivo imaging study revealed that there was no detectable fluorescence in the ILL+CMP group footpad by the end of the tenth week. This finding was confirmed by three methods used for parasite burden assays. Moreover, higher IFN-γ level was observed in mice immunized with ILL+CMP in comparison with other groups. On the other hand, nitric oxide concentration was higher in the ILL control group. CONCLUSION ILL mixed with chitin microparticles is an effective vaccine against leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice. This vaccine is able to induce an adequate immune response to decrease the parasite burden and prevent lesion formation. Further studies are needed to evaluate long-lasting immunity, especially in experimental outbreed models.
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Pissarra J, Pagniez J, Petitdidier E, Séveno M, Vigy O, Bras-Gonçalves R, Lemesre JL, Holzmuller P. Proteomic Analysis of the Promastigote Secretome of Seven Leishmania Species. J Proteome Res 2021; 21:30-48. [PMID: 34806897 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the most impactful parasitic diseases worldwide, endangering the lives of 1 billion people every year. There are 20 different species of Leishmania able to infect humans, causing cutaneous (CL), visceral (VL), and/or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL). Leishmania parasites are known to secrete a plethora of proteins to establish infection and modulate the host's immune system. In this study, we analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry the total protein content of the secretomes produced by promastigote forms from seven Leishmania species grown in serum-free in vitro cultures. The core secretome shared by all seven Leishmania species corresponds to up to one-third of total secreted proteins, suggesting conserved mechanisms of adaptation to the vertebrate host. The relative abundance confirms the importance of known virulence factors and some proteins uniquely present in CL- or VL-causing species and may provide further insight regarding their pathogenesis. Bioinformatic analysis showed that most proteins were secreted via unconventional mechanisms, with an important role for vesicle-based secretion for all species. Gene Ontology annotation and enrichment analyses showed a high level of functional conservation among species. This study contributes to the current knowledge on the biological significance of differently secreted proteins and provides new information on the correlation of Leishmania secretome to clinical outcomes and species-specific pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Pissarra
- UMR 177 INTERTRYP, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Julie Pagniez
- UMR 177 INTERTRYP, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Elodie Petitdidier
- UMR 177 INTERTRYP, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Martial Séveno
- BCM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Oana Vigy
- IGF, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Rachel Bras-Gonçalves
- UMR 177 INTERTRYP, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Loup Lemesre
- UMR 177 INTERTRYP, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Holzmuller
- UMR ASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, University of Montpellier (I-MUSE), 34090 Montpellier, France
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Feiz Haddad MH, Lomei J, Shokri A, Habibpour H, Rezvan H, Nourian A, Mahmoudi MR. Review of Development of Live Vaccines against Leishmaniasis. JOURNAL OF CHILD SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1731336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AbstractLeishmaniasis is a serious public health problem in both tropical and temperate regions, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of leishmaniasis worldwide. After recovery from the initial infection in most of the patients, a long-lasting natural immunity will be established. In individuals with HIV infection or in immune deficient patients, the more dangerous forms can occur. Despite many attempts, there is no efficient vaccine for leishmaniasis. The main concern for live-attenuated vaccines is the possibility of returning to the virulent form. Therefore, the safety is an important point in designing a successful vaccine. Nonvirulent parasites as vaccine candidates are achievable through gamma-irradiation, long-term culture, random mutations induced by chemical agents, and temperature-sensitive mutations. The type of change(s) in such parasites is not known well and drawbacks such as reversion to virulent forms was soon realized. Leishmania tarentolae with capacity of adaptation to mammalian system has a potential to be used as nonpathogenic vector in vaccine programs. Due to its nonpathogenic intrinsic property, it does not have the ability to replace with the pathogen form. Moreover, the main problems are associated with the production of live vaccines, including lyophilization, storage, standards, and quality control that must be considered. In this review, we focused on the importance of different approaches concerning the development of a live vaccine against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hossein Feiz Haddad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Jalal Lomei
- Division of Integrative Physiology, Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Azar Shokri
- Vector-borne Disease Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Habib Habibpour
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Hossein Rezvan
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Alireza Nourian
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Mahmoudi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
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Genome mutations of the Turkish strain Leishmania infantum_TR01. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 92:104907. [PMID: 33971306 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Today, almost 15 years have passed since the whole genome sequence (WGS) of a Leishmania parasite was completed for the first time. However, information on the genetics of these parasites remains to be elucidated. Genome-based studies may contribute to control strategies for leishmaniasis. The increase in genetically based studies, particularly whole-genome sequencing studies on Leishmania, will contribute to the control of leishmaniasis, which is a common and neglected disease worldwide. Our previous study obtained the Leishmania infantum_TR01 (Lin_TR01) genome sequence (Guldemir et al., 2020). In the present study, we focused on the mutations detected in the genome and aimed to investigate the effects of these mutations. METHODS In our previous study, the whole-genome sequence of the L. infantum_TR01 strain was obtained (Guldemir et al., 2020). In the present study, 3153 polymorphisms were detected in bioinformatics analysis performed on the Geneious 11.0.5. (www.geneious.com) platform. Herein, the L. infantum JPCM5 strain was used as the reference genome for genome mapping. Polymorphic regions were determined using the Find Variations/SNPs program on the Geneious platform. We further analyzed these polymorphisms detected in the previous study. Additionally, a literature review was performed by searching the PubMed database for proteins with polymorphisms. RESULTS In our previous study (Guldemir et al., 2020), the genomic DNA sequence was submitted to the NCBI GenBank (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) database and registered under the name Leishmania infantum_TR01 (Lin_TR01) and project accession number PRJNA437593. As a result of the annotation of the genome, 3153 polymorphisms were identified. In this study, 166 protein-coding polymorphisms were found among the 3153 polymorphisms, affecting 63 different proteins. Fourteen of them were studied, and the remaining 49 proteins were not studied. The 14 proteins examined in terms of the mutations detected in this study were related to virulence (n = 5), vaccine candidates (n = 2), diagnosis/typing (n = 4), drug resistance (n = 2), drug targets (n = 3) and vital function (n = 1). CONCLUSION As mentioned previously, the acquisition of the Lin_TR01 genome was described in our previous study (Guldemir et al., 2020). The present meta-analytical study is the first comparison report of whole-genome sequence-based polymorphisms between the Turkish strain Leishmania infantum_TR01 and reference Leishmania infantum JPCM5 strain and evaluated polymorphisms and proteins. In this study, we focused on the mutations detected in the genome, and the effects of these mutations were investigated and evaluated together with the current literature. In our previous study, a high-quality WGS of Leishmania infantum was successfully obtained for the first time in Turkey (1). In this study, the comparison of both genomes will contribute to providing the scientific community with a solid infrastructure for postgenomic investigations of the parasite.
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Pombi M, Giacomi A, Barlozzari G, Mendoza-Roldan J, Macrì G, Otranto D, Gabrielli S. Molecular detection of Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae in human blood and Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in Sergentomyia minuta: unexpected host-parasite contacts. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 34:470-475. [PMID: 32710462 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The detection of atypical Kinetoplastida in vertebrate hosts and vectors might suggest unexpected host-parasite contacts. Aside to major vectors of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in Italy (e.g. Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus perfiliewi), the sand fly fauna also includes Sergentomyia minuta, herpetophilic and proven vector of Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae, in which records of blood meal on mammals and detection of L. infantum DNA are increasing. This study was conducted in Central Italy aiming to molecularly detect potential atypical Leishmania host-vector contacts. Detection of Leishmania spp. DNA was performed by polymerase chain reaction (SSU rRNA, ITS1 targets) on field-collected sand fly females (N = 344), blood samples from humans (N = 185) and dogs (N = 125). Blood meal identification was also performed on engorged sand flies. Leishmania spp. DNA was found in 13.1% sand flies, 3.7% humans and 14.4% dogs. Sequence analysis identified L. infantum in S. minuta (4.4%), P. perniciosus (9.1%), humans (2.2%) and dogs (14.4%). Leishmania tarentolae was detected in S. minuta (12.6%), P. perfiliewi (6.6%) and human (1.6%) samples. Of 28 S. minuta examined for blood meal, 3.6 and 21.4% scored positive for human and lizard DNA, respectively. These results indicate the importance of one-health approach to explore new potential routes of transmission of leishmaniasis involving S. minuta.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pombi
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - A Giacomi
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - G Barlozzari
- Department of Direzione Operativa Sierologia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, Rome, Italy
| | - J Mendoza-Roldan
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - G Macrì
- Department of Direzione Operativa Sierologia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, Rome, Italy
| | - D Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - S Gabrielli
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
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Klatt S, Simpson L, Maslov DA, Konthur Z. Leishmania tarentolae: Taxonomic classification and its application as a promising biotechnological expression host. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007424. [PMID: 31344033 PMCID: PMC6657821 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we summarize the current knowledge concerning the eukaryotic protozoan parasite Leishmania tarentolae, with a main focus on its potential for biotechnological applications. We will also discuss the genus, subgenus, and species-level classification of this parasite, its life cycle and geographical distribution, and similarities and differences to human-pathogenic species, as these aspects are relevant for the evaluation of biosafety aspects of L. tarentolae as host for recombinant DNA/protein applications. Studies indicate that strain LEM-125 but not strain TARII/UC of L. tarentolae might also be capable of infecting mammals, at least transiently. This could raise the question of whether the current biosafety level of this strain should be reevaluated. In addition, we will summarize the current state of biotechnological research involving L. tarentolae and explain why this eukaryotic parasite is an advantageous and promising human recombinant protein expression host. This summary includes overall biotechnological applications, insights into its protein expression machinery (especially on glycoprotein and antibody fragment expression), available expression vectors, cell culture conditions, and its potential as an immunotherapy agent for human leishmaniasis treatment. Furthermore, we will highlight useful online tools and, finally, discuss possible future applications such as the humanization of the glycosylation profile of L. tarentolae or the expression of mammalian recombinant proteins in amastigote-like cells of this species or in amastigotes of avirulent human-pathogenic Leishmania species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Klatt
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
- * E-mail: (SK); (ZK)
| | - Larry Simpson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Dmitri A. Maslov
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Zoltán Konthur
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
- * E-mail: (SK); (ZK)
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11
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Vale DL, Dias DS, Machado AS, Ribeiro PAF, Lage DP, Costa LE, Steiner BT, Tavares GSV, Ramos FF, Martínez-Rodrigo A, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Caligiorne RB, de Magalhães-Soares DF, Silveira JAG, Machado-de-Ávila RA, Teixeira AL, Coelho EAF. Diagnostic evaluation of the amastin protein from Leishmania infantum in canine and human visceral leishmaniasis and immunogenicity in human cells derived from patients and healthy controls. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 95:134-143. [PMID: 31155395 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2019.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) presents problems due to the toxicity and/or high cost of drugs. In addition, no vaccine exists to protect against human disease. In this study, the antigenicity and immunogenicity of amastin protein were evaluated in L. infantum-infected dogs and humans. For the diagnosis, besides the recombinant protein, 1 linear B-cell epitope was synthetized and evaluated in serological assays. Results showed high sensitivity and specificity values to detect the disease when both antigens were employed against a canine and human serological panel. By contrast, when using rA2 and a soluble Leishmania antigenic preparation, sensitivity and specificity values proved to be lower. A preliminary immunogenicity study showed that the amastin protein induced high IFN-γ and low IL-10 production in stimulated PBMC derived from treated VL patients and healthy subjects, thus suggesting a potential use of this protein as an immunogen to protect against human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danniele L Vale
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniel S Dias
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Amanda S Machado
- Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte. Rua Domingos Vieira, 590, Santa Efigênia, 30150-240, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Patrícia A F Ribeiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela P Lage
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lourena E Costa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bethina T Steiner
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, 88806-000, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Grasiele S V Tavares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Ramos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Abel Martínez-Rodrigo
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Chávez-Fumagalli
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rachel B Caligiorne
- Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte. Rua Domingos Vieira, 590, Santa Efigênia, 30150-240, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Danielle F de Magalhães-Soares
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Julia A G Silveira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ricardo A Machado-de-Ávila
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, 88806-000, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Antônio L Teixeira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Neuropsychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; 1941 East Road, Houston, TX, 77041
| | - Eduardo A F Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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12
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Geroldinger G, Rezk M, Idris R, Gruber V, Tonner M, Moldzio R, Staniek K, Monzote L, Gille L. Techniques to study phagocytosis and uptake of Leishmania tarentolae by J774 macrophages. Exp Parasitol 2019; 197:57-64. [PMID: 30677395 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector borne parasitic disease affecting millions of people worldwide and is spreading into further areas because of global warming. The development of new active substances against these single-cell eukaryotic parasites is of great importance. Leishmania tarentolae promastigotes (LtP) are non-pathogenic for mammals and serve as model organisms for pathogenic Leishmania in basic research. However, it is important to refine methods to study the process of the infection of mammalian macrophages by LtP and pathogenic Leishmania. Important stages of the infection are phagocytosis by macrophages and multiplication of Leishmania amastigotes in the phagolysosome of macrophages. In this study, advanced methods using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and genetically manipulated LtP were used to monitor the infection of adherent J774 macrophages with LtP. An ESR method was established to detect the formation of superoxide radicals directly in adherent J774 cells and to investigate the effect of LtP on this activity. J774 cells responded with a burst of superoxide radicals in the presence of phorbol myristate acetate as positive control. In contrast, challenging J774 cells with LtP resulted in a much lower burst of superoxide radicals. To facilitate LtP detection in the phagolysosome of J774 macrophages, LtP expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP-LtP) were constructed. After different infection times with EGFP-LtP, the J774 cells were visualized by phase contrast microscopy and the cell number was determined. The intramacrophage Leishmania tarentolae amastigotes (LtA) expressing EGFP were detected by fluorescence microscopy and then counted with ImageJ. These experiments showed that LtP are taken up by J774 cells and form intraphagolysosomal amastigotes. LtA under our conditions multiplied intracellularly and were able to persist about 48 h in J774 cells. These experiments showed that ESR spectroscopy of attached macrophages and the use of the EGFP-LtP are suitable methods to study the initial phase of Leishmania infection in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Geroldinger
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marlene Rezk
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rugaia Idris
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Victoria Gruber
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Tonner
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Moldzio
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katrin Staniek
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lianet Monzote
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kourí", Havana, Cuba
| | - Lars Gille
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
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13
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New insights to structure and immunological features of Leishmania lipophosphoglycan3. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 95:1369-1374. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.09.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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Pech-Canul ÁDLC, Monteón V, Solís-Oviedo RL. A Brief View of the Surface Membrane Proteins from Trypanosoma cruzi. J Parasitol Res 2017; 2017:3751403. [PMID: 28656101 PMCID: PMC5474541 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3751403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causal agent of Chagas' disease which affects millions of people around the world mostly in Central and South America. T. cruzi expresses a wide variety of proteins on its surface membrane which has an important role in the biology of these parasites. Surface molecules of the parasites are the result of the environment to which the parasites are exposed during their life cycle. Hence, T. cruzi displays several modifications when they move from one host to another. Due to the complexity of this parasite's cell surface, this review presents some membrane proteins organized as large families, as they are the most abundant and/or relevant throughout the T. cruzi membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel de la Cruz Pech-Canul
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Nottingham, University Park, University Blvd, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Victor Monteón
- Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Patricio Trueba s/n, Col. Lindavista, 24039 Campeche, CAM, Mexico
| | - Rosa-Lidia Solís-Oviedo
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Nottingham, University Park, University Blvd, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Patricio Trueba s/n, Col. Lindavista, 24039 Campeche, CAM, Mexico
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15
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Leishmania-based expression systems. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:7377-85. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7712-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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16
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NOVO SPC, LELES D, BIANUCCI R, ARAUJO A. THE PROCESS OF Leishmania INFECTION - DISEASE AND NEW PERSPECTIVES OF PALEOPARASITOLOGY. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2016; 58:45. [PMID: 27253747 PMCID: PMC4880002 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946201658045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Species of the genus Leishmania (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) are causative agents of leishmaniasis, a complex disease with variable clinical spectrum and epidemiological diversity, constituting, in some countries, a serious public health problem. The origin and evolution of leishmaniasis has been under discussion regarding some clinical and parasitological aspects. After the introduction of paleoparasitology, molecular methods and immunodiagnostic techniques have been applied allowing the recovery of parasite remains, as well as the diagnosis of past infections in humans and other hosts. The dating of archaeological samples has allowed the parasitological analysis in time and space. This manuscript presents the state of the art of leishmaniasis and prospects related to paleoparasitology studies and their contribution to the evolutionary and phylogenetic clarification of parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania, and the leishmaniasis caused by them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shênia Patrícia Corrêa NOVO
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sérgio
Arouca, ENSP, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, DCB, Laboratório de
Paleoparasitologia. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. E-mail:
| | - Daniela LELES
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, UFF, Departamento de Microbiologia e
Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasito. Rio
de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. E-mail:
| | - Raffaella BIANUCCI
- Department of Public Health and Paediatric Sciences, Laboratory of
Physical Anthropology, University of Turin. Italy
- Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of
Biosciences, University of Oslo. Oslo, Norway
- Anthropologie bioculturelle, Droit, Ethique et Santé, Aix-Marseille
Université, 15, boulevard Pierre Dramard, Faculté de Médecine-Nord, Marseille, France.
E-mail:
| | - Adauto ARAUJO
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sérgio
Arouca, ENSP, Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, DENSP, Laboratório de
Paleoparasitologia. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. E-mail:
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17
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A non-commercial approach for the generation of transgenic Leishmania tarentolae and its application in antileishmanial drug discovery. Parasitology 2016; 143:1133-42. [PMID: 27174193 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016000585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection caused by several species of the genus Leishmania that is considered as a neglected disease. Drug development process requires a robust and updated high-throughput technology to the evaluation of candidate compounds that imply the manipulation of the pathogenic species of the parasite in the laboratory. Therefore, it is restricted to trained personal and level II biosafety environments. However, it has been established the utility of Leishmania tarentolae as a model for in vitro screening of antileishmanial agents without the necessity of level II biosafety setups. In parallel the transfection of Leishmania parasites with reporter genes as the eGFP using non-commercial integration vectors like the pIRmcs3(-) has proved to be a powerful tool for the implementation of semi automatized high-throughput platforms for the evaluation of antileishmanial compounds. Here we report the generation of a new L. tarentolae strain overexpressing the eGFP gene harboured by the non-commercial vector pIR3(-). We also demonstrate its utility for the semi-automatized screening of antileshmanial compounds in intracellular forms of the L. tarentolae parasite.
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18
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Novo SPC, Leles D, Bianucci R, Araujo A. Leishmania tarentolae molecular signatures in a 300 hundred-years-old human Brazilian mummy. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:72. [PMID: 25649153 PMCID: PMC4328655 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0666-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND L. tarentolae, the lizard-infecting species of Old World geckos, has been classified as non-pathogenic to man. While it has been demonstrated that L. tarentolae is capable of infecting human phagocytic cells and to differentiate into amastigote-like forms, there is no clear evidence for its efficient replication within macrophages. Here we provide first evidence for L. tarentolae ancient DNA sequences from bone marrow and intestines of a 300yo adult male. METHODS We identified molecular signatures of Leishmania tarentolae, the lizard-infecting species of Old World geckos, in hard and soft tissue biopsies from a Brazilian mummy (A74) uncovered in Itacambira (Brazil) and dating to the Colonial Period (end of 18th/beginning of the 19th century). RESULTS Our results imply that efficient replication of the parasite occurred within human macrophage and to lead to a systemic spread and visceralization in this individual. The ancient sequences show a 100% similarity with those of isolated L. tarentolae parasites grown on artificial nutrient media and a 99% similarity with two modern sequences isolated from reptiles. CONCLUSIONS De facto, our findings re-open the debate about the potential survival of ancient L. tarentolae strain within human macrophage and its ability to spread systemically. They also raise ecological issues since it is unknown whether this parasite circulates in the reptilian reservoir in modern day Brazil or not. Investigations on fossil fauna and arthropods are needed to shed light on the interactions between saurian Leishmania and lizards in Brazil's remote and recent past.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shênia P C Novo
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, rua Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480, Térreo, Manguinhos, 21041-210, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
| | - Daniela Leles
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos, Rua Professor Hernani Melo 101, São domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 24210-130, Brazil.
| | - Raffaella Bianucci
- Department of Public Health and Paediatric Sciences, Laboratory of Physical Anthropology, University of Turin, Corso Galileo Galilei, 22, 10126, Turin, Italy. .,Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066, Blindern, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway. .,Anthropologie bioculturelle, Droit, Ethique et Santé, Aix-Marseille Université, 15, boulevard Pierre Dramard, Faculté de Médecine-Nord, Cedex 15, 13344, Marseille, France.
| | - Adauto Araujo
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, rua Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480, Térreo, Manguinhos, 21041-210, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
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19
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Saljoughian N, Taheri T, Rafati S. Live vaccination tactics: possible approaches for controlling visceral leishmaniasis. Front Immunol 2014; 5:134. [PMID: 24744757 PMCID: PMC3978289 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination with durable immunity is the main goal and fundamental to control leishmaniasis. To stimulate the immune response, small numbers of parasites are necessary to be presented in the mammalian host. Similar to natural course of infection, strategy using live vaccine is more attractive when compared to other approaches. Live vaccines present the whole spectrum of antigens to the host immune system in the absence of any adjuvant. Leishmanization was the first effort for live vaccination and currently used in a few countries against cutaneous leishmaniasis, in spite of their obstacle and safety. Then, live attenuated vaccines developed with similar promotion of creating long-term immunity in the host with lower side effect. Different examples of attenuated strains are generated through long-term in vitro culturing, culturing under drug pressure, temperature sensitivity, and chemical mutagenesis, but none is safe enough and their revision to virulent form is possible. Attenuation through genetic manipulation and disruption of virulence factors or essential enzymes for intracellular survival are among other approaches that are intensively under study. Other designs to develop live vaccines for visceral form of leishmaniasis are utilization of live avirulent microorganisms such as Lactococcus lactis, Salmonella enterica, and Leishmania tarentolae called as vectored vaccine. Apparently, these vaccines are intrinsically safer and can harbor the candidate antigens in their genome through different genetic manipulation and create more potential to control Leishmania parasite as an intracellular pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noushin Saljoughian
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahareh Taheri
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Rafati
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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20
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da Fonseca Pires S, Fialho LC, Silva SO, Melo MN, de Souza CC, Tafuri WL, Bruna Romero O, de Andrade HM. Identification of virulence factors in Leishmania infantum strains by a proteomic approach. J Proteome Res 2014; 13:1860-72. [PMID: 24617796 DOI: 10.1021/pr400923g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge of Leishmania virulence is essential for understanding how the contact between the pathogen and host cells can lead to pathogenesis. Virulence in two L. infantum strains was characterized using macrophages and hamsters. Next, we used difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE) and mass spectrometry to identify the differentially expressed proteins. A total of 63 spots were identified corresponding to 36 proteins; 20 were up-regulated, in which 16 had been previously associated with Leishmania virulence. Considering our results and what has been reported before, we suggest the hypothesis that L. infatum virulence could be a result of the increased expression of KMP-11 and metallopeptidase, associated with an improved parasite-host interacting efficiency and degradation of the protective host proteins and peptides, respectively. Other factors are tryparedoxin peroxidase and peroxidoxin, which protect the parasite against the stress response, and 14-3-3 protein-like, which can prolong infected host cell lifetime. Proteins as chaperones and endoribonuclease L-PSP can increase parasite survival. Enolase is able to perform versatile functions in the cell, acting as a chaperone or in the transcription process, or as a plasminogen receptor or in cell migration events. As expected in more invasive cells with high replication rates, energy consumption and protein synthesis are higher, with up-regulation of Rieske iron-sulfur protein precursor, EF-2, S-adenosylhomocysteine, and phosphomannomutase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone da Fonseca Pires
- Departamento de Parasitologia, ‡Departamento de Patologia, and §Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , 31270-910, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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21
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Fernandes AP, Canavaci AMC, McCall LI, Matlashewski G. A2 and other visceralizing proteins of Leishmania: role in pathogenesis and application for vaccine development. Subcell Biochem 2014; 74:77-101. [PMID: 24264241 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-7305-9_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a re-emergent disease and a significant cause of morbidity worldwide. Amongst the more than 20 Leishmania species, Leishmania donovani, Leishmania infantum and more rarely Leishmania amazonensis are associated with visceral leishmaniasis. A major question in leishmaniasis research is how these species migrate to and infect visceral organs whereas other species such as Leishmania major and Leishmania braziliensis remain in the skin, causing tegumentary leishmaniasis. Here we present the more recent advances and approaches towards the identification of species-specific visceralizing factors of Leishmania, such as the A2 protein, leading to a better understanding of parasite biology. We also discuss their potential use for the development of a vaccine for visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Fernandes
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Campus Pampulha, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270901, Brazil,
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22
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Real F, Vidal RO, Carazzolle MF, Mondego JMC, Costa GGL, Herai RH, Würtele M, de Carvalho LM, Carmona e Ferreira R, Mortara RA, Barbiéri CL, Mieczkowski P, da Silveira JF, Briones MRDS, Pereira GAG, Bahia D. The genome sequence of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis: functional annotation and extended analysis of gene models. DNA Res 2013; 20:567-81. [PMID: 23857904 PMCID: PMC3859324 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dst031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
We present the sequencing and annotation of the Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis genome, an etiological agent of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Amazon region of Brazil. L. (L.) amazonensis shares features with Leishmania (L.) mexicana but also exhibits unique characteristics regarding geographical distribution and clinical manifestations of cutaneous lesions (e.g. borderline disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis). Predicted genes were scored for orthologous gene families and conserved domains in comparison with other human pathogenic Leishmania spp. Carboxypeptidase, aminotransferase, and 3′-nucleotidase genes and ATPase, thioredoxin, and chaperone-related domains were represented more abundantly in L. (L.) amazonensis and L. (L.) mexicana species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these two species share groups of amastin surface proteins unique to the genus that could be related to specific features of disease outcomes and host cell interactions. Additionally, we describe a hypothetical hybrid interactome of potentially secreted L. (L.) amazonensis proteins and host proteins under the assumption that parasite factors mimic their mammalian counterparts. The model predicts an interaction between an L. (L.) amazonensis heat-shock protein and mammalian Toll-like receptor 9, which is implicated in important immune responses such as cytokine and nitric oxide production. The analysis presented here represents valuable information for future studies of leishmaniasis pathogenicity and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Real
- 1Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - EPM/UNIFESP, Rua Botucatu 862, 6 andar, 04023-062 São Paulo, Brazil
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Saljoughian N, Taheri T, Zahedifard F, Taslimi Y, Doustdari F, Bolhassani A, Doroud D, Azizi H, Heidari K, Vasei M, Namvar Asl N, Papadopoulou B, Rafati S. Development of novel prime-boost strategies based on a tri-gene fusion recombinant L. tarentolae vaccine against experimental murine visceral leishmaniasis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2174. [PMID: 23638195 PMCID: PMC3630202 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease affecting humans and domestic animals that constitutes a serious public health problem in many countries. Although many antigens have been examined so far as protein- or DNA-based vaccines, none of them conferred complete long-term protection. The use of the lizard non-pathogenic to humans Leishmania (L.) tarentolae species as a live vaccine vector to deliver specific Leishmania antigens is a recent approach that needs to be explored further. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of live vaccination in protecting BALB/c mice against L. infantum infection using prime-boost regimens, namely Live/Live and DNA/Live. As a live vaccine, we used recombinant L. tarentolae expressing the L. donovani A2 antigen along with cysteine proteinases (CPA and CPB without its unusual C-terminal extension (CPB-CTE)) as a tri-fusion gene. For DNA priming, the tri-fusion gene was encoded in pcDNA formulated with cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (cSLN) acting as an adjuvant. At different time points post-challenge, parasite burden and histopathological changes as well as humoral and cellular immune responses were assessed. Our results showed that immunization with both prime-boost A2-CPA-CPB-CTE-recombinant L. tarentolae protects BALB/c mice against L. infantum challenge. This protective immunity is associated with a Th1-type immune response due to high levels of IFN-γ production prior and after challenge and with lower levels of IL-10 production after challenge, leading to a significantly higher IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio compared to the control groups. Moreover, this immunization elicited high IgG1 and IgG2a humoral immune responses. Protection in mice was also correlated with a high nitric oxide production and low parasite burden. Altogether, these results indicate the promise of the A2-CPA-CPB-CTE-recombinant L. tarentolae as a safe live vaccine candidate against VL. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe form of leishmaniasis and has emerged as an opportunistic infection in HIV-1 infected patients in many parts of the world. Drug-resistant forms have developed so emergence and increased the need for advanced preventive strategies. Using live avirulent organisms as a vaccine has been proven to be more effective than other regimens. The lizard protozoan parasite Leishmania tarentolae is considered as nonpathogenic to humans. In our previous work, a recombinant L. tarentolae strain expressing the amastigote-specific L. donovani A2 antigen as a vaccine candidate elicited protection against L. infantum challenge in mice. Furthermore, combinations of CPA/CPB cysteine proteinases were more protective against visceral and cutaneous Leishmania infections than the individual forms. Herein, we used DNA/Live and Live/Live prime-boost vaccination strategies against visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice consisting of the A2-CPA-CPB-CTE tri-fusion genes formulated with cationic solid lipid nanoparticles and a recombinant L. tarentolae expressing the tri-fusion. Assessments of cytokine production, humoral responses, parasite burden and histopathological studies support that the recombinant L. tarentolae A2-CPA-CPB-CTE candidate vaccine elicits a protective response against visceral leishmaniasis in mice and represents an important step forward in the development of new vaccine combinations against Leishmania infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noushin Saljoughian
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Taheri
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farnaz Zahedifard
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasaman Taslimi
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Doustdari
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Delaram Doroud
- Department of Quality Control, Research and Production Complex, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hiva Azizi
- Research Centre in Infectious Disease, CHUL Research Centre and Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Immunology, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kazem Heidari
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Vasei
- Department of Pathology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nabiollah Namvar Asl
- Department of Laboratory of Animal Sciences, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Barbara Papadopoulou
- Research Centre in Infectious Disease, CHUL Research Centre and Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Immunology, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail: (BP); (SR)
| | - Sima Rafati
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- * E-mail: (BP); (SR)
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Cruz MC, Souza-Melo N, da Silva CV, DaRocha WD, Bahia D, Araújo PR, Teixeira SR, Mortara RA. Trypanosoma cruzi: role of δ-amastin on extracellular amastigote cell invasion and differentiation. PLoS One 2012; 7:e51804. [PMID: 23272170 PMCID: PMC3525664 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2012] [Accepted: 11/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite that comprises different phylogenetic groups and is the causative agent of Chagas’ disease. Different T. cruzi strains present differences in infectivity in in vitro and in vivo experimental models, which are likely related to the expression of different virulence factors. Amastin is a surface glycoprotein abundantly expressed on the intracellular mammalian amastigote form of the parasite. In this study, we showed that a highly infective strain (G strain) of extracellular amastigote (EA) invasive forms expressed reduced RNA levels of amastin compared to a less infective strain (CL). The treatment of HeLa cells with recombinant δ-amastin reduced infectivity of EA forms. However, the ectopic expression of δ-amastin accelerated amastigote differentiation into trypomastigotes. Corroborating the virulence behavior in association with amastin expression, the EAs overexpressing amastin were precociously and robustly observed in the liver of susceptible mouse strains (A/JUnib), whereas parasitemia was never detected in in vivo assays. This is the first report on the regulatory role of amastin in the course of both in vitro and in vivo T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mário C. Cruz
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina–UNIFESP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Normanda Souza-Melo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Claudio Vieira da Silva
- Disciplina de Imunologia - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Wanderson Duarte DaRocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Diana Bahia
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina–UNIFESP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia R. Araújo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Santuza R. Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Renato A. Mortara
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina–UNIFESP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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25
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Rafati S, Mizbani A, Taheri T, Zahedifard F, Taslimi Y, Papadopoulou B. Novel strategy using live non-pathogenic Leishmania expressing selected parasite antigens as a candidate vaccine for leishmaniasis. BMC Proc 2011. [DOI: 10.1186/1753-6561-5-s1-o6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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26
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Evans KJ, Kedzierski L. Development of Vaccines against Visceral Leishmaniasis. J Trop Med 2011; 2012:892817. [PMID: 21912561 PMCID: PMC3170777 DOI: 10.1155/2012/892817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2011] [Accepted: 05/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease resulting in a global morbidity of 2,090 thousand Disability-Adjusted Life Years and a mortality rate of approximately 60,000 per year. Among the three clinical forms of leishmaniasis (cutaneous, mucosal, and visceral), visceral leishmaniasis (VL) accounts for the majority of mortality, as if left untreated VL is almost always fatal. Caused by infection with Leishmania donovani or L. infantum, VL represents a serious public health problem in endemic regions and is rapidly emerging as an opportunistic infection in HIV patients. To date, no vaccine exists for VL or any other form of leishmaniasis. In endemic areas, the majority of those infected do not develop clinical symptoms and past infection leads to robust immunity against reinfection. Thus the development of vaccine for Leishmania is a realistic public health goal, and this paper summarizes advances in vaccination strategies against VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystal J. Evans
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, The University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Lukasz Kedzierski
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, The University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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27
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Costa CHN, Peters NC, Maruyama SR, de Brito EC, de Miranda Santos IKF. Vaccines for the leishmaniases: proposals for a research agenda. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e943. [PMID: 21468307 PMCID: PMC3066138 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nathan C. Peters
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sandra Regina Maruyama
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Eldo Cardoso de Brito
- Natan Portella Institute for Tropical Diseases, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Isabel Kinney Ferreira de Miranda Santos
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- National Center for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brazilian Enterprise for Agricultural Research, Brasília, Brazil
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28
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Mizbani A, Taslimi Y, Zahedifard F, Taheri T, Rafati S. Effect of A2 gene on infectivity of the nonpathogenic parasite Leishmania tarentolae. Parasitol Res 2011; 109:793-9. [PMID: 21442256 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2325-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2011] [Accepted: 02/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Several species of protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania are pathogenic to mammals and cause a wide spectrum of pathologies in human. However, the genus includes some species which infect reptiles. Leishmania tarentolae is a lizard pathogen absolutely nonpathogenic to mammals. Recent studies have shown that among some major virulence factors, A2 is absent in this species. First identified as an amastigote-specific gene in Leishmania donovani, A2 has been proved to play a major role in parasite virulence and visceralization capability. In this study, we have transfected A2 episomally into L. tarentolae and evaluated its effect on infectivity and survival of the parasites, in vitro and in vivo. During infection of in vitro-cultured intraperitoneal macrophages of BALB/c mice, A2-expressing L. tarentolae parasites demonstrated significantly higher level of infectivity in days 3 and 4 post-infection in comparison with the wild-type strain as control. Furthermore, in vivo infection showed that A2 has significantly increased the ability of L. tarentolae to survive in the liver of BALB/c mice. Altogether, our results show that A2 is functional in L. tarentolae, although through an unknown mechanism, and loss of A2 has been one of the factors partly contributing to the loss of virulence of L. tarentolae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Mizbani
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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29
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Oliveira TMFDS, de Vasconcelos EJR, Nakaghi ACH, Defina TPA, Jusi MMG, Baldani CD, Cruz AK, Machado RZ. A novel A2 allele found in Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2011; 20:42-48. [PMID: 21439231 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612011000100009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2010] [Accepted: 11/05/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a widely spread zoonotic disease. In Brazil the disease is caused by Leishmania (Leishmania)infantum chagasi. Peridomestic sandflies acquire the etiological agent by feeding on blood of infected reservoir animals, such as dogs or wildlife. The disease is endemic in Brazil and epidemic foci have been reported in densely populated cities all over the country. Many clinical features of Leishmania infection are related to the host-parasite relationship, and many candidate virulence factors in parasites that cause VL have been studied such as A2 genes. The A2 gene was first isolated in 1994 and then in 2005 three new alleles were described in Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. In the present study we amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced the A2 gene from the genome of a clonal population of L. (L.) infantum chagasi VL parasites. The L. (L.) infantum chagasi A2 gene was amplified, cloned, and sequenced in. The amplified fragment showed approximately 90% similarity with another A2 allele amplified in Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani and in L. (L.) infantum described in literature. However, nucleotide translation shows differences in protein amino acid sequence, which may be essential to determine the variability of A2 genes in the species of the L. (L.) donovani complex and represents an additional tool to help understanding the role this gene family may have in establishing virulence and immunity in visceral leishmaniasis. This knowledge is important for the development of more accurate diagnostic tests and effective tools for disease control.
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30
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Kovtun O, Mureev S, Johnston W, Alexandrov K. Towards the construction of expressed proteomes using a Leishmania tarentolae based cell-free expression system. PLoS One 2010; 5:e14388. [PMID: 21203562 PMCID: PMC3006200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2010] [Accepted: 11/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The adaptation of organisms to a parasitic life style is often accompanied by the emergence of novel biochemical pathways absent in free-living organisms. As a result, the genomes of specialized parasitic organisms often code for a large number (>50%) of proteins with no detectable homology or predictable function. Although understanding the biochemical properties of these proteins and their roles in parasite biogenesis is the next challenge of molecular parasitology, analysis tools developed for free-living organisms are often inadequate for this purpose. Here we attempt to solve some of these problems by developing a methodology for the rapid production of expressed proteomes in cell-free systems based on parasitic organisms. To do so we take advantage of Species Independent Translational Sequences (SITS), which can efficiently mediate translation initiation in any organism. Using these sequences we developed a single-tube in vitro translation system based on the parasitic protozoan Leishmania tarentolae. We demonstrate that the system can be primed directly with SITS containing templates constructed by overlap extension PCR. To test the systems we simultaneously amplified 31 of L. tarentolae's putative translation initiation factors and phosphatases directly from the genomic DNA and subjected them to expression, purification and activity analysis. All of the amplified products produced soluble recombinant proteins, and putative phosphatases could be purified to at least 50% purity in one step. We further compared the ability of L. tarentolae and E. coli based cell-free systems to express a set of mammalian, L. tarentolae and Plasmodium falciparum Rab GTPases in functional form. We demonstrate that the L. tarentolae cell-free system consistently produced higher quality proteins than E. coli-based system. The differences were particularly pronounced in the case of open reading frames derived from P. falciparum. The implications of these developments are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksiy Kovtun
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sergey Mureev
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Wayne Johnston
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kirill Alexandrov
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
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31
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Mizbani A, Taheri T, Zahedifard F, Taslimi Y, Azizi H, Azadmanesh K, Papadopoulou B, Rafati S. Recombinant Leishmania tarentolae expressing the A2 virulence gene as a novel candidate vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis. Vaccine 2009; 28:53-62. [PMID: 19818721 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.09.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2009] [Revised: 09/21/2009] [Accepted: 09/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is the most severe form of leishmaniasis. To date, there is no effective vaccine against this disease. Many antigens have been examined so far as protein- or DNA-based vaccines, but none of them conferred complete long-term protection. The use of live attenuated vaccines has recently emerged as a promising vaccination strategy. In this study, we stably expressed the Leishmania donovani A2 antigen in Leishmania tarentolae, a non-pathogenic member of the genus Leishmania, and evaluated its protective efficacy as a live vaccine against L. infantum challenge. Our results show that a single intraperitoneal administration of the A2-recombinant L. tarentolae strain protects BALB/c mice against L. infantum challenge and that protective immunity is associated with high levels of IFN-gamma production prior and after challenge. This is accompanied by reduced levels of IL-5 production after challenge, leading to a potent Th1 immune response. In contrast, intravenous injection elicited a Th2 type response, characterized by higher levels of IL-5 and high humoral immune response, resulting in a less efficient protection. All together, these results indicate the promise of A2-expressing L. tarentolae as a safe live vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Mizbani
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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