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Camargo PG, Dos Santos CR, Girão Albuquerque M, Rangel Rodrigues C, Lima CHDS. Py-CoMFA, docking, and molecular dynamics simulations of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis arginase inhibitors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11575. [PMID: 38773273 PMCID: PMC11109165 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62520-2] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by a protozoan of the genus Leishmania, affecting millions of people, mainly in tropical countries, due to poor social conditions and low economic development. First-line chemotherapeutic agents involve highly toxic pentavalent antimonials, while treatment failure is mainly due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Leishmania arginase (ARG) enzyme is vital in pathogenicity and contributes to a higher infection rate, thus representing a potential drug target. This study helps in designing ARG inhibitors for the treatment of leishmaniasis. Py-CoMFA (3D-QSAR) models were constructed using 34 inhibitors from different chemical classes against ARG from L. (L.) amazonensis (LaARG). The 3D-QSAR predictions showed an excellent correlation between experimental and calculated pIC50 values. The molecular docking study identified the favorable hydrophobicity contribution of phenyl and cyclohexyl groups as substituents in the enzyme allosteric site. Molecular dynamics simulations of selected protein-ligand complexes were conducted to understand derivatives' interaction modes and affinity in both active and allosteric sites. Two cinnamide compounds, 7g and 7k, were identified, with similar structures to the reference 4h allosteric site inhibitor. These compounds can guide the development of more effective arginase inhibitors as potential antileishmanial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Goes Camargo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carine Ribeiro Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular (LabMMol), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Magaly Girão Albuquerque
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular (LabMMol), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos Rangel Rodrigues
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Fármacos e Medicamentos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Camilo Henrique da Silva Lima
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular (LabMMol), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Silva TF, Detoni MB, Concato-Lopes VM, Tomiotto-Pellissier F, Miranda-Sapla MM, Bortoleti BTDS, Gonçalves MD, Rodrigues ACJ, Sanfelice RA, Cruz EMS, Silva MSDS, Carloto ACM, Bidoia DL, Costa IN, Pavanelli WR, Conchon-Costa I. Leishmania amazonensis infection regulates oxidate stress in hyperglycemia and diabetes impairing macrophage's function and immune response. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167078. [PMID: 38364941 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a group of infectious diseases caused by protozoa of the Leishmania genus and its immunopathogenesis results from an unbalanced immune response during the infection. Diabetes is a chronic disease resulting from dysfunction of the body's production of insulin or the ability to use it properly, leading to hyperglycemia causing tissue damage and impairing the immune system. AIMS The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of hyperglycemia and diabetes during Leishmania amazonensis infection and how these conditions alter the immune response to the parasite. METHODS An in vitro hyperglycemic stimulus model using THP-1-derived macrophages and an in vivo experimental diabetes with streptozotocin (STZ) in C57BL/6 mice was employed to investigate the impact of diabetes and hyperglicemia in Leishmania amazonensis infection. RESULTS We observed that hyperglycemia impair the leishmanicidal capacity of macrophages derived from THP-1 cells and reverse the resistance profile that C57BL/6 mice have against infection by L. amazonensis, inducing more exacerbated lesions compared to non-diabetic animals. In addition, the hyperglycemic stimulus favored the increase of markers related to the phenotype of M2 macrophages. The induction of experimental diabetes in C57BL/6 mice resulted in a failure in the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the face of infection and macrophages from diabetic animals failed to process and present Leishmania antigens, being unable to activate and induce proliferation of antigen-specific lymphocytes. CONCLUSION Together, these data demonstrate that diabetes and hyperglycemia can impair the cellular immune response, mainly of macrophages, against infection by parasites of the genus Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylon Felipe Silva
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
| | - Mariana Barbosa Detoni
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Virgínia Márcia Concato-Lopes
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Tomiotto-Pellissier
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil; Department of Medical Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Milena Menegazzo Miranda-Sapla
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vale do Itajaí, Itajaí, SC, Brazil
| | - Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil; Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, United States
| | - Manoela Daiele Gonçalves
- Biotransformation and Phytochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Jacob Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil; Biosciences and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Raquel Arruda Sanfelice
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Ellen Mayara Souza Cruz
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Maria Stacy Dos Santos Silva
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Amanda Cristina Machado Carloto
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Danielle Lazarin Bidoia
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Idessania Nazareth Costa
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Wander Rogério Pavanelli
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Ivete Conchon-Costa
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
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Zhang K, Wang W, Yang Q. Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Regulation of Aureobasidium pullulans under Different pH Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16103. [PMID: 38003294 PMCID: PMC10671783 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Aureobasidium pullulans (A. pullulans), a commonly found yeast-like fungus, exhibits adaptability to a wide range of pH environments. However, the specific mechanisms and regulatory pathways through which A. pullulans respond to external pH remain to be fully understood. In this study, we first sequenced the whole genome of A. pullulans using Nanopore technology and generated a circle map. Subsequently, we explored the biomass, pullulan production, melanin production, and polymalic acid production of A. pullulans when cultivated at different pH levels. We selected pH 4.0, pH 7.0, and pH 10.0 to represent acidic, neutral, and alkaline environments, respectively, and examined the morphological characteristics of A. pullulans using SEM and TEM. Our observations revealed that A. pullulans predominantly exhibited hyphal growth with thicker cell walls under acidic conditions. In neutral environments, it primarily displayed thick-walled spores and yeast-like cells, while in alkaline conditions, it mainly assumed an elongated yeast-like cell morphology. Additionally, transcriptome analysis unveiled that A. pullulans orchestrates its response to shifts in environmental pH by modulating its cellular morphology and the expression of genes involved in pullulan, melanin, and polymalic acid synthesis. This research enhances the understanding of how A. pullulans regulates itself in diverse pH settings and offers valuable guidance for developing and applying engineered strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150006, China
| | - Wan Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150006, China
| | - Qian Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150006, China
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
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Oljuskin T, Azodi N, Volpedo G, Bhattacharya P, Markle HL, Hamano S, Matlashewski G, Satoskar AR, Gannavaram S, Nakhasi HL. Leishmania major centrin knock-out parasites reprogram tryptophan metabolism to induce a pro-inflammatory response. iScience 2023; 26:107593. [PMID: 37744403 PMCID: PMC10517402 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that is prevalent in 90 countries, and yet no licensed human vaccine exists against it. Toward control of leishmaniasis, we have developed Leishmania major centrin gene deletion mutant strains (LmCen-/-) as a live attenuated vaccine, which induces a strong IFN-γ-mediated protection to the host. However, the immune mechanisms of such protection remain to be understood. Metabolomic reprogramming of the host cells following Leishmania infection has been shown to play a critical role in pathogenicity and shaping the immune response following infection. Here, we applied untargeted mass spectrometric analysis to study the metabolic changes induced by infection with LmCen-/- and compared those with virulent L. major parasite infection to identify the immune mechanism of protection. Our data show that immunization with LmCen-/- parasites, in contrast to virulent L. major infection promotes a pro-inflammatory response by utilizing tryptophan to produce melatonin and downregulate anti-inflammatory kynurenine-AhR and FICZ-AhR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timur Oljuskin
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Nazli Azodi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Greta Volpedo
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Parna Bhattacharya
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Hannah L. Markle
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Shinjiro Hamano
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), The Joint Usage/Research Center on Tropical Disease, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership Program, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - 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
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Hira L. Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
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Barazorda-Ccahuana HL, Goyzueta-Mamani LD, Candia Puma MA, Simões de Freitas C, de Sousa Vieria Tavares G, Pagliara Lage D, Ferraz Coelho EA, Chávez-Fumagalli MA. Computer-aided drug design approaches applied to screen natural product's structural analogs targeting arginase in Leishmania spp. F1000Res 2023; 12:93. [PMID: 37424744 PMCID: PMC10323282 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.129943.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a disease with high mortality rates and approximately 1.5 million new cases each year. Despite the new approaches and advances to fight the disease, there are no effective therapies. Methods: Hence, this study aims to screen for natural products' structural analogs as new drug candidates against leishmaniasis. We applied Computer-aided drug design (CADD) approaches, such as virtual screening, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, molecular mechanics-generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) binding free estimation, and free energy perturbation (FEP) aiming to select structural analogs from natural products that have shown anti-leishmanial and anti-arginase activities and that could bind selectively against the Leishmania arginase enzyme. Results: The compounds 2H-1-benzopyran, 3,4-dihydro-2-(2-methylphenyl)-(9CI), echioidinin, and malvidin showed good results against arginase targets from three parasite species and negative results for potential toxicities. The echioidinin and malvidin ligands generated interactions in the active center at pH 2.0 conditions by MM-GBSA and FEP methods. Conclusions: This work suggests the potential anti-leishmanial activity of the compounds and thus can be further in vitro and in vivo experimentally validated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruna Luz Barazorda-Ccahuana
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria de Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Luis Daniel Goyzueta-Mamani
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria de Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru
- Sustainable Innovative Biomaterials Department, Le Qara Research Center, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Mayron Antonio Candia Puma
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria de Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru
- Universidad Católica de Santa María, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Bioquímicas y Biotecnológicas, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Camila Simões de Freitas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Grasiele de Sousa Vieria Tavares
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela Pagliara Lage
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Antonio Ferraz Coelho
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Miguel Angel Chávez-Fumagalli
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria de Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru
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Amini SM, Hadighi R, Najm M, Alipour M, Hasanpour H, Vosoogh M, Vosough A, Hajizadeh M, Badirzadeh A. The Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin-coated Gold Nanoparticle Against Leishmania Major Causative Agent of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL): An In Vitro and In Vivo Study. Curr Microbiol 2023; 80:104. [PMID: 36781499 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-03172-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
We synthesized and characterized curcumin-coated gold nanoparticles (Cur@AuNPs) and investigated their stability, cytotoxicity, leishmanicidal activity in in vitro and in in vivo experiments. Cur@AuNPs synthesized through a simple one-pot green chemistry technique. The in vitro leishmanicidal activity of curcumin-coated gold nanoparticles against extracellular promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of protozoan parasite Leishmania major (L. major) was determined by applying the tetrazolium reduction colorimetric quantitative MTT technique. For in vivo assessment, the footpad lesion size and parasite burden in two infection site organs including lymph nodes and footpads of susceptible BALB/c mice infected with L. major were measured. Mice immune responses in all study groups were quantified by measuring the levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Viability of Leishmania promastigotes significantly diminished with the inhibition in promastigotes growth (IC50) of 64.79 μg/mL and 29.89 μg/mL for 24 h and 48 h, respectively. In vitro nanoparticles treatment efficiently cleared the L. major amastigotes explanted in macrophages but had no harmful toxicity on the mice cells. In the in vivo condition, in the treated infected BALB/c mice the CL lesion size, Leishmania parasite burden, and IL-4 were decreased, while IFN-γ was significantly increased. The results suggest that Cur@AuNP was an effective compound against Leishmania parasite in vitro and in vivo, efficiently induced T-helper 1 (Th1) responses and augmented host cellular immune responses, and ending in a reduced Leishmania parasite burden. Therefore, it may be identified as a novel potential therapeutic approach for the local therapy of zoonotic CL treatment with high cure rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mohammad Amini
- Radiation Biology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramtin Hadighi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Najm
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Lahijan Branch Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran
| | - Maryam Alipour
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Hasanpour
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Mehran Vosoogh
- Center of Experimental and Comparative Studies, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Araz Vosough
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Garmsar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran
| | - Maryam Hajizadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Badirzadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Gupta AK, Das S, Kamran M, Ejazi SA, Ali N. The Pathogenicity and Virulence of Leishmania - interplay of virulence factors with host defenses. Virulence 2022; 13:903-935. [PMID: 35531875 PMCID: PMC9154802 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2074130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a group of disease caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania. Infection by different species of Leishmania results in various host immune responses, which usually lead to parasite clearance and may also contribute to pathogenesis and, hence, increasing the complexity of the disease. Interestingly, the parasite tends to reside within the unfriendly environment of the macrophages and has evolved various survival strategies to evade or modulate host immune defense. This can be attributed to the array of virulence factors of the vicious parasite, which target important host functioning and machineries. This review encompasses a holistic overview of leishmanial virulence factors, their role in assisting parasite-mediated evasion of host defense weaponries, and modulating epigenetic landscapes of host immune regulatory genes. Furthermore, the review also discusses the diagnostic potential of various leishmanial virulence factors and the advent of immunomodulators as futuristic antileishmanial drug therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Kumar Gupta
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Sonali Das
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Mohd Kamran
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Sarfaraz Ahmad Ejazi
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Nahid Ali
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata 700032, India
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Carter NS, Kawasaki Y, Nahata SS, Elikaee S, Rajab S, Salam L, Alabdulal MY, Broessel KK, Foroghi F, Abbas A, Poormohamadian R, Roberts SC. Polyamine Metabolism in Leishmania Parasites: A Promising Therapeutic Target. Med Sci (Basel) 2022; 10:24. [PMID: 35645240 PMCID: PMC9149861 DOI: 10.3390/medsci10020024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania cause a variety of devastating and often fatal diseases in humans and domestic animals worldwide. The need for new therapeutic strategies is urgent because no vaccine is available, and treatment options are limited due to a lack of specificity and the emergence of drug resistance. Polyamines are metabolites that play a central role in rapidly proliferating cells, and recent studies have highlighted their critical nature in Leishmania. Numerous studies using a variety of inhibitors as well as gene deletion mutants have elucidated the pathway and routes of transport, revealing unique aspects of polyamine metabolism in Leishmania parasites. These studies have also shed light on the significance of polyamines for parasite proliferation, infectivity, and host-parasite interactions. This comprehensive review article focuses on the main polyamine biosynthetic enzymes: ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, and spermidine synthase, and it emphasizes recent discoveries that advance these enzymes as potential therapeutic targets against Leishmania parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sigrid C. Roberts
- School of Pharmacy, Pacific University Oregon, Hillsboro, OR 97123, USA; (N.S.C.); (Y.K.); (S.S.N.); (S.E.); (S.R.); (L.S.); (M.Y.A.); (K.K.B.); (F.F.); (A.A.); (R.P.)
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9
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Muller J, Attia R, Zedet A, Girard C, Pudlo M. An Update on Arginase Inhibitors and Inhibitory Assays. Mini Rev Med Chem 2021; 22:1963-1976. [PMID: 34967285 DOI: 10.2174/1389557522666211229105703] [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: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Arginase, which converts arginine into ornithine and urea, is a promising therapeutic target. Arginase is involved in cardiovascular diseases, parasitic infections and, through a critical role in immunity, in some cancers. There is a need to develop effective arginase inhibitors and therefore efforts to identify and optimize new inhibitors are increasing. Several methods of evaluating arginase activity are available, but few directly measure the product. Radiometric assays need to separate urea and dying reactions require acidic conditions and sometimes heating. Hence, there are a variety of different approaches available, and each approach has its own limits and benefits. In this review, we provide an update on arginase inhibitors, followed by a discussion on available arginase assays and alternative methods, with a focus on the intrinsic biases and parameters that are likely to impact results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Muller
- PEPITE EA4267, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25030 Besançon, France
| | - Rym Attia
- PEPITE EA4267, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25030 Besançon, France
| | - Andy Zedet
- PEPITE EA4267, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25030 Besançon, France
| | - Corine Girard
- PEPITE EA4267, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25030 Besançon, France
| | - Marc Pudlo
- PEPITE EA4267, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25030 Besançon, France
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Kumari D, Singh K. Exploring the paradox of defense between host and Leishmania parasite. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 102:108400. [PMID: 34890999 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, still remains a global concern for the healthcare sector. The primary causative agents of the disease comprise diverse leishmanial species, leading to recurring failures in disease diagnosis and delaying the initiation of appropriate chemotherapy. Various species of the Leishmania parasite cause diverse clinical manifestations ranging from skin ulcers to systemic infections. Therefore, host immunity in response to different forms of infecting species of Leishmania becomes pivotal in disease progression or regression. Thus, understanding the paradox of immune arsenals during host and parasite interface becomes crucial to eliminate this deadly disease. In the present review, we have elaborated on the immunological perspectives of the disease and discussed primary host immune cells that form a defense line to counteract parasite infection. Furthermore, we also have shed light on the immune cells and effector molecules responsible for parasite survival in host lethal milieu/ environment. Next, we have highlighted recent molecules/compounds showing potent leishmanicidal activities pertaining to their pro-oxidant and immuno-modulatory mechanisms. This review addresses an immuno-biological overview of the factors influencing the parasitic disease, as this knowledge can aid in the unraveling/ identification of potential biomarkers, novel therapeutics, and vaccine candidates against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diksha Kumari
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Kuljit Singh
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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11
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Barros-Gonçalves TDD, Saavedra AF, da Silva-Couto L, Ribeiro-Romão RP, Bezerra-Paiva M, Gomes-Silva A, Carvalho VF, Da-Cruz AM, Pinto EF. Increased levels of cortisol are associated with the severity of experimental visceral leishmaniasis in a Leishmania (L.) infantum-hamster model. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009987. [PMID: 34813597 PMCID: PMC8651114 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several infectious diseases are associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis disorders by elevating circulating glucocorticoids (GCs), which are known to have an immunosuppressive potential. We conducted this study in golden hamsters, a suitable model for human visceral leishmaniasis (VL), to investigate the relationship of Leishmania (L.) infantum infection on cortisol production and VL severity. Methods L. infantum-infected (n = 42) and uninfected hamsters (n = 30) were followed-up at 30, 120, and 180 days post-infection (dpi). Plasma cortisol was analyzed by radioimmunoassay and cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and arginase by RT-qPCR. Results All hamsters showed splenomegaly at 180 dpi. Increased parasite burden was associated with higher arginase expression and lower iNOS induction. Cortisol levels were elevated in infected animals in all-time points evaluated. Except for monocytes, all other leucocytes showed a strong negative correlation with cortisol, while transaminases were positively correlated. Immunological markers as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and transforming growth-factor-β (TGF-β) were positively correlated to cortisol production, while interferon-γ (IFN-γ) presented a negative correlation. A network analysis showed cortisol as an important knot linking clinical status and immunological parameters. Conclusions These results suggest that L. infantum increases the systemic levels of cortisol, which showed to be associated with hematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters associated to VL severity. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an infectious disease that is common in most tropical countries. VL has high morbidity and leads to death if not properly treated. In Brazil, Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum is the main causative agent of VL. Golden hamsters have proven to be a suitable model for VL. Despite the importance of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis disturbances in infectious disease, few studies have addressed this issue in VL. In this study, we showed that L. infantum-infected hamsters present augmented levels of plasmatic cortisol in association with increased spleen parasite burden. Indeed, a strong positive correlation was observed between cortisol and biochemical parameters (AST/ALT/ALP) related to liver damage, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-1β), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β), and the arginase enzyme that may favor the progression of infection. On the other side, cortisol was negatively correlated with leucocytes, except monocytes, and with IFN-γ and iNOS, which are involved in parasite-killing macrophage function. These results shed light on an unexplored aspect of VL pathogenesis, which is the importance of cortisol production in the disease-associated immune dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea F. Saavedra
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luzinei da Silva-Couto
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Raquel P. Ribeiro-Romão
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Milla Bezerra-Paiva
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Adriano Gomes-Silva
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vinicius F. Carvalho
- Laboratório de Inflamação, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Neuroimunomodulação (INCT-NIM), CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alda Maria Da-Cruz
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Neuroimunomodulação (INCT-NIM), CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Disciplina de Parasitologia-DMIP, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rede de Pesquisas em Saúde do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eduardo F. Pinto
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rede de Pesquisas em Saúde do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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12
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Tomiotto-Pellissier F, Miranda-Sapla MM, Silva TF, Bortoleti BTDS, Gonçalves MD, Concato VM, Rodrigues ACJ, Detoni MB, Costa IN, Panis C, Conchon-Costa I, Bordignon J, Pavanelli WR. Murine Susceptibility to Leishmania amazonensis Infection Is Influenced by Arginase-1 and Macrophages at the Lesion Site. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:687633. [PMID: 34660334 PMCID: PMC8517480 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.687633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a zoonotic infectious disease broadly distributed worldwide, causing a range of diseases with clinical outcomes ranging from self-healing infections to chronic disfiguring disease. The effective immune response to this infection is yet to be more comprehensively understood and is fundamental for developing drugs and vaccines. Thus, we used experimental models of susceptibility (BALB/c) and partial resistance (C57BL/6) to Leishmania amazonensis infection to investigate the local profile of mediators involved in the development of cutaneous leishmaniasis. We found worse disease outcome in BALB/c mice than in C57BL/6 mice, with almost 15 times higher parasitic load, ulcerated lesion formation, and higher levels of IL-6 in infected paws. In contrast, C57BL/6 presented higher levels of IFN-γ and superoxide anion (•O2−) after 11 weeks of infection and no lesion ulcerations. A peak of local macrophages appeared after 24 h of infection in both of the studied mice strains, followed by another increase after 240 h, detected only in C57BL/6 mice. Regarding M1 and M2 macrophage phenotype markers [iNOS, MHC-II, CD206, and arginase-1 (Arg-1)], we found a pronounced increase in Arg-1 levels in BALB/c after 11 weeks of infection, whereas C57BL/6 showed an initial predomination of markers from both profiles, followed by an M2 predominance, coinciding with the second peak of macrophage infiltration, 240 h after the infection. Greater deposition of type III collagen and lesion resolution was also observed in C57BL/6 mice. The adoptive transfer of macrophages from C57BL/6 to infected BALB/c at the 11th week showed a reduction in both edema and the number of parasites at the lesion site, in addition to lower levels of Arg-1. Thus, C57BL/6 mice have a more effective response against L. amazonensis, based on a balance between inflammation and tissue repair, while BALB/c mice have an excessive Arg-1 production at late infection. The worst evolution seems to be influenced by recruitment of Arg-1 related macrophages, since the adoptive transfer of macrophages from C57BL/6 mice to BALB/c resulted in better outcomes, with lower levels of Arg-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Tomiotto-Pellissier
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil.,Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Milena Menegazzo Miranda-Sapla
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Taylon Felipe Silva
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil.,Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Manoela Daiele Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Biotransformation and Phytochemistry, Department of Chemistry, State University of Londrina, Universitary Hospital, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Virginia Márcia Concato
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Jacob Rodrigues
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil.,Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Mariana Barbosa Detoni
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Idessania Nazareth Costa
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Carolina Panis
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, State University of Western Paraná (UNIOESTE), Francisco Beltrão, Brazil
| | - Ivete Conchon-Costa
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Juliano Bordignon
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil.,Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Wander Rogério Pavanelli
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil.,Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer (LIDNC), Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
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13
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Phenotypical and genotypical differences among Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis isolates that caused different clinical frames in humans and dogs: A systematic review. Acta Trop 2021; 221:106018. [PMID: 34157292 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis is an important etiological agent of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in Brazil. The species causes a large spectrum of clinical manifestations in humans and dogs, ranging from cutaneous, cutaneous diffuse, mucocutaneous, and visceral involvement, however, the factors that drive the development of different disease forms by the same species are not yet fully known. In the present work, it was systematically reviewed the studies addressing phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis isolates causing cutaneous and visceral clinical frames in humans and dogs, comparing the results observed. For this, four research databases were searched for the following keywords: (Leishmania amazonensis AND visceral leishmaniasis) AND (tropism OR virulence OR visceralization OR adaptations OR mutation OR clinical presentation OR resistance OR survival OR wide spectrum). The results revealed that the complexity disease seems to involve the combination of genetic factors of the parasite (as modifications in molecules related to the virulence and metabolism) and also of the host's immune background and status. Nonetheless, the exact mechanism that leads to different clinical manifestations between strains of the same species is still uncertain and future studies must be developed to better elucidate this phenomenon.
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14
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Magalhães LS, Bomfim LGS, Santos CNO, Dos Santos PL, Tanajura DM, Lipscomb MW, de Jesus AR, de Almeida RP, de Moura TR. Antimony resistance associated with persistence of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum infection in macrophages. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2959-2964. [PMID: 34272999 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07231-7] [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: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a severe disease caused by protozoan parasites that include Leishmania (L.) infantum. The disease is established when parasites subvert the immune response of the host. Notably, chemotherapy-based use of antimonial compounds can partially alleviate disease burden. Unfortunately, the resistance to drug treatments is increasing in areas endemic to the disease. In this report, we investigated immune responses within macrophages infected with antimony-resistant L. infantum isolates from patients with a relapse in the disease. Results revealed that antimony-resistant parasites persist in the first 24 h of infection. Activation of macrophage or blocking of thiol production during infection shows enhanced clearance of parasites, which is coordinately associated with increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, these results suggest that the mechanism of antimony resistance in L. infantum isolates may be related to a decrease in macrophage microbicidal functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Sousa Magalhães
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil
| | | | | | - Priscila Lima Dos Santos
- Health Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil.,Department of Health Education, Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto, Brazil
| | | | | | - Amélia Ribeiro de Jesus
- Health Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil.,Instituto de Investigação Em Imunologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roque Pacheco de Almeida
- Health Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil.,Instituto de Investigação Em Imunologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Rodrigues de Moura
- Health Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil. .,Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil.
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15
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Paiva MB, Ribeiro-Romão RP, Resende-Vieira L, Braga-Gomes T, Oliveira MP, Saavedra AF, Silva-Couto L, Albuquerque HG, Moreira OC, Pinto EF, Da-Cruz AM, Gomes-Silva A. A Cytokine Network Balance Influences the Fate of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis Infection in a Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Hamster Model. Front Immunol 2021; 12:656919. [PMID: 34276650 PMCID: PMC8281932 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.656919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The golden hamster is a suitable model for studying cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Immunopathological mechanisms are well established in the L. (L.) major-mouse model, in which IL-4 instructs a Th2 response towards progressive infection. In the present study, we evaluated the natural history of L. braziliensis infection from its first stages up to lesion establishment, with the aim of identifying immunological parameters associated with the disease outcome and parasitism fate. To this end, hamsters infected with 104, 105, or 106 promastigotes were monitored during the first hours (4h, 24h), early (15 days, 30 days) and late (50 days) post-infection (pi) phases. Cytokines, iNOS and arginase gene expression were quantified in the established lesions by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Compared to the 105 or 106 groups, 104 animals presented lower lesions sizes, less tissue damage, and lower IgG levels. Basal gene expression in normal skin was high for TGF-β, and intermediary for TNF, IL-6, and IL-4. At 4hpi, no cytokine induction was observed in the 104 group, while an upregulation of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-4 was observed in the 106 group. At 15dpi, lesion appearance was accompanied by an increased expression of all assessed cytokines, markedly in the 105 and 106 groups. Upregulation of all investigated cytokines was observed in the late phase, although less expressive in the 104 group. IFN-γ was the depending variable influencing tissue damage, while IL-6 was associated to parasite load. The network correlating gene expression and clinical and laboratorial parameters indicated inoculum-independent associations at 15 and 30dpi. A strong positive network correlation was observed in the 104 group, but not in the 105 or 106 groups. In conclusion, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-β are linked o L. braziliensis progression. However, a balanced cytokine network is the key for an immune response able to reduce the ongoing infection and reduce pathological damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milla B Paiva
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Larissa Resende-Vieira
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thais Braga-Gomes
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcia P Oliveira
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andrea F Saavedra
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luzinei Silva-Couto
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hermano G Albuquerque
- Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacilio C Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Fonseca Pinto
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Rede de Pesquisas em Saúde do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alda Maria Da-Cruz
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Rede de Pesquisas em Saúde do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Disciplina de Parasitologia-DMIP, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,The National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Adriano Gomes-Silva
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Micobacterioses, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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16
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Elmahallawy EK, Alkhaldi AAM, Saleh AA. Host immune response against leishmaniasis and parasite persistence strategies: A review and assessment of recent research. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 139:111671. [PMID: 33957562 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a neglected parasitic disease caused by a unicellular protozoan of the genus Leishmania, is transmitted through the bite of a female sandfly. The disease remains a major public health problem and is linked to tropical and subtropical regions, with an endemic picture in several regions, including East Africa, the Mediterranean basin and South America. The different causative species display a diversity of clinical presentations; therefore, the immunological data on leishmaniasis are both scarce and controversial for the different forms and infecting species of the parasite. The present review highlights the main immune parameters associated with leishmaniasis that might contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenicity of the parasite and the clinical outcomes of the disease. Our aim was to provide a concise overview of the immunobiology of the disease and the factors that influence it, as this knowledge may be helpful in developing novel chemotherapeutic and vaccine strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt.
| | | | - Amira A Saleh
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zgazig, Egypt
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17
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Garcia AR, Oliveira DMP, Jesus JB, Souza AMT, Sodero ACR, Vermelho AB, Leal ICR, Souza ROMA, Miranda LSM, Pinheiro AS, Rodrigues IA. Identification of Chalcone Derivatives as Inhibitors of Leishmania infantum Arginase and Promising Antileishmanial Agents. Front Chem 2021; 8:624678. [PMID: 33520939 PMCID: PMC7841069 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.624678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Arginase catalyzes the hydrolysis of l-arginine into l-ornithine and urea, acting as a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of polyamines. Leishmania growth and survival is dependent on polyamine biosynthesis; therefore, inhibition of Leishmania arginase may be a promising therapeutic strategy. Here, we evaluated a series of thirty-six chalcone derivatives as potential inhibitors of Leishmania infantum arginase (LiARG). In addition, the activity of selected inhibitors against L. infantum parasites was assessed in vitro. Seven compounds exhibited LiARG inhibition above 50% at 100 μM. Among them, compounds LC41, LC39, and LC32 displayed the greatest inhibition values (72.3 ± 0.3%, 71.9 ± 11.6%, and 69.5 ± 7.9%, respectively). Molecular docking studies predicted hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions between the most active chalcones (LC32, LC39, and LC41) and specific residues from LiARG's active site, such as His140, Asn153, His155, and Ala193. Compound LC32 showed the highest activity against L. infantum promastigotes (IC50 of 74.1 ± 10.0 μM), whereas compounds LC39 and LC41 displayed the best results against intracellular amastigotes (IC50 of 55.2 ± 3.8 and 70.4 ± 9.6 μM, respectively). Moreover, compound LC39 showed more selectivity against parasites than host cells (macrophages), with a selectivity index (SI) of 107.1, even greater than that of the reference drug Fungizone®. Computational pharmacokinetic and toxicological evaluations showed high oral bioavailability and low toxicity for the most active compounds. The results presented here support the use of substituted chalcone skeletons as promising LiARG inhibitors and antileishmanial drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreza R Garcia
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Danielle M P Oliveira
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jessica B Jesus
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alessandra M T Souza
- Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina R Sodero
- Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alane B Vermelho
- Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Goes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ivana C R Leal
- Department of Natural Products and Food, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Octavio M A Souza
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leandro S M Miranda
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Anderson S Pinheiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Igor A Rodrigues
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Natural Products and Food, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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18
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Natural Products That Target the Arginase in Leishmania Parasites Hold Therapeutic Promise. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020267. [PMID: 33525448 PMCID: PMC7911663 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania cause a variety of devastating and often fatal diseases in humans worldwide. Because a vaccine is not available and the currently small number of existing drugs are less than ideal due to lack of specificity and emerging drug resistance, the need for new therapeutic strategies is urgent. Natural products and their derivatives are being used and explored as therapeutics and interest in developing such products as antileishmanials is high. The enzyme arginase, the first enzyme of the polyamine biosynthetic pathway in Leishmania, has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. The flavonols quercetin and fisetin, green tea flavanols such as catechin (C), epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and cinnamic acid derivates such as caffeic acid inhibit the leishmanial enzyme and modulate the host’s immune response toward parasite defense while showing little toxicity to the host. Quercetin, EGCG, gallic acid, caffeic acid, and rosmarinic acid have proven to be effective against Leishmania in rodent infectivity studies. Here, we review research on these natural products with a focus on their promise for the development of treatment strategies as well as unique structural and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic features of the most promising agents.
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19
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Rückerl D. Macrophages and parasites: Mortal enemies or partners in crime? Parasite Immunol 2020; 42:e12725. [PMID: 32350886 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Rückerl
- Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology and Infection, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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