1
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Pérez-Gordones MC, Ramírez-Iglesias JR, Benaim G, Mendoza M. Molecular, immunological, and physiological evidences of a sphingosine-activated plasma membrane Ca 2+-channel in Trypanosoma equiperdum. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:166. [PMID: 38506929 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08188-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The hemoparasite Trypanosoma equiperdum belongs to the Trypanozoon subgenus and includes several species that are pathogenic to animals and humans in tropical and subtropical areas across the world. As with all eukaryotic organisms, Ca2+ is essential for these parasites to perform cellular processes thus ensuring their survival across their life cycle. Despite the established paradigm to study proteins related to Ca2+ homeostasis as potential drug targets, so far little is known about Ca2+ entry into trypanosomes. Therefore, in the present study, the presence of a plasma membrane Ca2+-channel in T. equiperdum (TeCC), activated by sphingosine and inhibited by verapamil, is described. The TeCC was cloned and analyzed using bioinformatic resources, which confirmed the presence of several domains, motifs, and a topology similar to the Ca2+ channels found in higher eukaryotes. Biochemical and confocal microscopy assays using antibodies raised against an internal region of human L-type Ca2+ channels indicate the presence of a protein with similar predicted molar mass to the sequence analyzed, located at the plasma membrane of T. equiperdum. Physiological assays based on Fura-2 signals and Mn2+ quenching performed on whole parasites showed a unidirectional Ca2+ entry, which is activated by sphingosine and blocked by verapamil, with the distinctive feature of insensitivity to nifedipine and Bay K 8644. This suggests a second Ca2+ entry for T. equiperdum, different from the store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) previously described. Moreover, the evidence presented here for the TeCC indicates molecular and pharmacological differences with their mammal counterparts, which deserve further studies to evaluate the potential of this channel as a drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Pérez-Gordones
- Instituto de Biología Experimental (IBE), Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Caracas, Venezuela.
| | - J R Ramírez-Iglesias
- Group of Emerging Diseases, Epidemiology & Biodiversity, Master School of Biomedicine, Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad Internacional SEK (UISEK), Quito, Ecuador
| | - G Benaim
- Instituto de Biología Experimental (IBE), Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Caracas, Venezuela
- Instituto de Estudios Avanzados (IDEA), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - M Mendoza
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos y Veterinarios, Instituto de Estudios Científicos y Tecnológicos (IDECYT), Universidad Nacional Experimental Simón Rodríguez, Caracas, Venezuela
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2
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Bharadava K, Upadhyay TK, Kaushal RS, Ahmad I, Alraey Y, Siddiqui S, Saeed M. Genomic Insight of Leishmania Parasite: In-Depth Review of Drug Resistance Mechanisms and Genetic Mutations. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:12500-12514. [PMID: 38524425 PMCID: PMC10955595 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, which is caused by a parasitic protozoan of the genus Leishmania, is still a major threat to global health, impacting millions of individuals worldwide in endemic areas. Chemotherapy has been the principal method for managing leishmaniasis; nevertheless, the evolution of drug resistance offers a significant obstacle to therapeutic success. Drug-resistant behavior in these parasites is a complex phenomenon including both innate and acquired mechanisms. Resistance is frequently related to changes in drug transportation, drug target alterations, and enhanced efflux of the drug from the pathogen. This review has revealed specific genetic mutations in Leishmania parasites that are associated with resistance to commonly used antileishmanial drugs such as pentavalent antimonials, miltefosine, amphotericin B, and paromomycin, resulting in changes in gene expression along with the functioning of various proteins involved in drug uptake, metabolism, and efflux. Understanding the genetic changes linked to drug resistance in Leishmania parasites is essential for creating approaches for tackling and avoiding the spread of drug-resistant variants. Based on which specific treatments focus on mutations and pathways could potentially improve treatment efficacy and help long-term leishmaniasis control. More study is needed to uncover the complete range of genetic changes generating medication resistance and to develop new therapies based on available information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krupanshi Bharadava
- Biophysics
& Structural Biology, Research & Development Cell, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat 391760, India
| | - Tarun Kumar Upadhyay
- Department
of Life Sciences, Parul Institute of Applied Sciences & Research
and Development Cell, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat 391760, India
| | - Radhey Shyam Kaushal
- Biophysics
& Structural Biology, Research & Development Cell, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat 391760, India
- Department
of Life Sciences, Parul Institute of Applied Sciences & Research
and Development Cell, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat 391760, India
| | - Irfan Ahmad
- Department
of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasser Alraey
- Department
of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samra Siddiqui
- Department
of Health Service Management, College of Public Health and Health
Informatics, University of Hail, Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohd Saeed
- Department
of Biology, College of Science, University
of Hail, Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
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3
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Khandibharad S, Singh S. Synthetic biology for combating leishmaniasis. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1338749. [PMID: 38362504 PMCID: PMC10867266 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1338749] [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: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. Despite the efforts to control and treat the disease, it still remains a major public health problem in many countries. Synthetic biology is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field that combines biology, engineering, and computer science to design and construct novel biological systems. In recent years, synthetic biology approaches have shown great promise for developing new and effective strategies to combat leishmaniasis. In this perspective, we summarize the recent advances in the use of synthetic biology for the development of vaccines, diagnostic tools, and novel therapeutics for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shailza Singh
- Systems Medicine Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
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4
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Robledo SM, Pérez-Silanes S, Fernández-Rubio C, Poveda A, Monzote L, González VM, Alonso-Collado P, Carrión J. Neglected Zoonotic Diseases: Advances in the Development of Cell-Penetrating and Antimicrobial Peptides against Leishmaniosis and Chagas Disease. Pathogens 2023; 12:939. [PMID: 37513786 PMCID: PMC10383258 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2020, the WHO established the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030, which aims to control and eradicate 20 diseases, including leishmaniosis and Chagas disease. In addition, since 2015, the WHO has been developing a Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. In this context, the achievement of innovative strategies as an alternative to replace conventional therapies is a first-order socio-sanitary priority, especially regarding endemic zoonoses in poor regions, such as those caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. infections. In this scenario, it is worth highlighting a group of natural peptide molecules (AMPs and CPPs) that are promising strategies for improving therapeutic efficacy against these neglected zoonoses, as they avoid the development of toxicity and resistance of conventional treatments. This review presents the novelties of these peptide molecules and their ability to cross a whole system of cell membranes as well as stimulate host immune defenses or even serve as vectors of molecules. The efforts of the biotechnological sector will make it possible to overcome the limitations of antimicrobial peptides through encapsulation and functionalization methods to obtain approval for these treatments to be used in clinical programs for the eradication of leishmaniosis and Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Robledo
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales PECET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Silvia Pérez-Silanes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Celia Fernández-Rubio
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Poveda
- DNA Replication and Genome Instability Unit, Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Zoonosis y Salud Pública (GIBCIZ), Instituto de Investigación en Zoonosis-CIZ, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador
| | - Lianet Monzote
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kourí", Apartado Postal No. 601, Marianao 13, La Habana 10400, Cuba
| | - Víctor M González
- Grupo de Aptámeros, Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km. 9.100, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Alonso-Collado
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Carrión
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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5
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Fernández-García M, Mesquita I, Ferreira C, Araújo M, Saha B, Rey-Stolle MF, García A, Silvestre R, Barbas C. Leishmania donovani Induces Multiple Dynamic Responses in the Metabolome Associated with Amastigote Differentiation and Maturation Inside the Human Macrophage. J Proteome Res 2023. [PMID: 37339249 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00845] [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: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania donovani infection of macrophages drives profound changes in the metabolism of both the host macrophage and the parasite, which undergoes different phases of development culminating in replication and propagation. However, the dynamics of this parasite-macrophage cometabolome are poorly understood. In this study, a multiplatform metabolomics pipeline combining untargeted, high-resolution CE-TOF/MS and LC-QTOF/MS with targeted LC-QqQ/MS was followed to characterize the metabolome alterations induced in L. donovani-infected human monocyte-derived macrophages from different donors at 12, 36, and 72 h post-infection. The set of alterations known to occur during Leishmania infection of macrophages, substantially expanded in this investigation, characterized the dynamics of the glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid, purine, pentose phosphate, glycolytic, TCA, and amino acid metabolism. Our results showed that only citrulline, arginine, and glutamine exhibited constant trends across all studied infection time points, while most metabolite alterations underwent a partial recovery during amastigote maturation. We determined a major metabolite response pointing to an early induction of sphingomyelinase and phospholipase activities and correlated with amino acid depletion. These data represent a comprehensive overview of the metabolome alterations occurring during promastigote-to-amastigote differentiation and maturation of L. donovani inside macrophages that contributes to our understanding of the relationship between L. donovani pathogenesis and metabolic dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Fernández-García
- Centro de Metabolómica y Bioanálisis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, España
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, España
| | - Inês Mesquita
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Carolina Ferreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Marta Araújo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Bhaskar Saha
- National Centre for Cell Science, 411007 Pune, India
| | - Ma Fernanda Rey-Stolle
- Centro de Metabolómica y Bioanálisis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, España
| | - Antonia García
- Centro de Metabolómica y Bioanálisis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, España
| | - Ricardo Silvestre
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Coral Barbas
- Centro de Metabolómica y Bioanálisis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, España
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6
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Duschak VG, Paniz Mondolfi AE, Benaim G. Editorial: Chagas disease novel drug targets and treatments. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1199715. [PMID: 37305423 PMCID: PMC10250960 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1199715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vilma G. Duschak
- National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) and National Institute of Parasitology (INP), “Dr.Mario Fatala Chaben”, Administración Nacional de Laboratorios de Institutos de Salud (ANLIS)-Malbrán, National Health Department, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alberto E. Paniz Mondolfi
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Incubadora Venezolana de la Ciencia (IVC), Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas IDB, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
| | - Gustavo Benaim
- Unidad de Señalización Celular y Bioquímica de Parásitos, Instituto de Estudios Avanzados (IDEA), Caracas, Venezuela
- Instituto de Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
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7
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Yadagiri G, Singh A, Arora K, Mudavath SL. Immunotherapy and immunochemotherapy in combating visceral leishmaniasis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1096458. [PMID: 37265481 PMCID: PMC10229823 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1096458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a vector-borne disease, is caused by an obligate intramacrophage, kinetoplastid protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania. Globally, VL is construed of diversity and complexity concerned with high fatality in tropics, subtropics, and Mediterranean regions with ~50,000-90,000 new cases annually. Factors such as the unavailability of licensed vaccine(s), insubstantial measures to control vectors, and unrestrained surge of drug-resistant parasites and HIV-VL co-infections lead to difficulty in VL treatment and control. Furthermore, VL treatment, which encompasses several problems including limited efficacy, emanation of drug-resistant parasites, exorbitant therapy, and exigency of hospitalization until the completion of treatment, further exacerbates disease severity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of safe and efficacious therapies to control and eliminate this devastating disease. In such a scenario, biotherapy/immunotherapy against VL can become an alternative strategy with limited side effects and no or nominal chance of drug resistance. An extensive understanding of pathogenesis and immunological events that ensue during VL infection is vital for the development of immunotherapeutic strategies against VL. Immunotherapy alone or in combination with standard anti-leishmanial chemotherapeutic agents (immunochemotherapy) has shown better therapeutic outcomes in preclinical studies. This review extensively addresses VL treatment with an emphasis on immunotherapy or immunochemotherapeutic strategies to improve therapeutic outcomes as an alternative to conventional chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Yadagiri
- Infectious Disease Biology Laboratory, Chemical Biology Unit, Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, Punjab, India
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Aakriti Singh
- Infectious Disease Biology Laboratory, Chemical Biology Unit, Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Kanika Arora
- Infectious Disease Biology Laboratory, Chemical Biology Unit, Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Shyam Lal Mudavath
- Infectious Disease Biology Laboratory, Chemical Biology Unit, Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, Punjab, India
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8
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Evaluation of the inhibitory effects and the mechanism of terpenoids on Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. Acta Trop 2023; 237:106741. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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9
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Swinney DC. Why medicines work. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 238:108175. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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10
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A new immunochemotherapy schedule for visceral leishmaniasis in a hamster model. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2849-2860. [PMID: 35997843 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07628-y] [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: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment with a recombinant cysteine proteinase from Leishmania, rldccys1, associated with allopurinol or miltefosine on Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi-infected hamsters. Golden Syrian hamsters infected with L. (L.) infantum chagasi were treated with either miltefosine (46 mg/kg) or allopurinol (460 mg/kg) alone by oral route or associated with rldccys1 (150 µg/hamster) by subcutaneous route for 30 days. Infected hamsters were also treated with miltefosine (46 mg/kg) plus rldccys1 (150 µg/hamster) for 30 days (phase 1) followed by two additional doses of rldccys1 (250 µg/hamster) (phase 2). After the end of treatment, the animals were analyzed for parasite load, body weight, serum levels of immunoglobulins, cytokine expression, and drug toxicity. The data showed a significant decrease of parasite load in infected hamsters treated with allopurinol or miltefosine alone or associated with rldccys1, as well as in those treated with rldccys1 alone. Significantly lower levels of serum IgG were detected in hamsters treated with allopurinol plus rldccys1. The treatment with miltefosine associated with rldccys1 prevented relapse observed in animals treated with miltefosine alone. A significant loss of body weight was detected only in some hamsters treated with miltefosine for 1 month and deprived of this treatment for 15 days. There were no significant differences in transcript expression of IFN-γ and IL-10 in any of treated groups. Neither hepatotoxicity nor nephrotoxicity was observed among controls and treated groups. These findings open perspectives to further explore this immunochemotherapeutic schedule as an alternative for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.
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11
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Jain S, Sahu U, Kumar A, Khare P. Metabolic Pathways of Leishmania Parasite: Source of Pertinent Drug Targets and Potent Drug Candidates. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081590. [PMID: 36015216 PMCID: PMC9416627 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a tropical disease caused by a protozoan parasite Leishmania that is transmitted via infected female sandflies. At present, leishmaniasis treatment mainly counts on chemotherapy. The currently available drugs against leishmaniasis are costly, toxic, with multiple side effects, and limitations in the administration route. The rapid emergence of drug resistance has severely reduced the potency of anti-leishmanial drugs. As a result, there is a pressing need for the development of novel anti-leishmanial drugs with high potency, low cost, acceptable toxicity, and good pharmacokinetics features. Due to the availability of preclinical data, drug repurposing is a valuable approach for speeding up the development of effective anti-leishmanial through pointing to new drug targets in less time, having low costs and risk. Metabolic pathways of this parasite play a crucial role in the growth and proliferation of Leishmania species during the various stages of their life cycle. Based on available genomics/proteomics information, known pathways-based (sterol biosynthetic pathway, purine salvage pathway, glycolysis, GPI biosynthesis, hypusine, polyamine biosynthesis) Leishmania-specific proteins could be targeted with known drugs that were used in other diseases, resulting in finding new promising anti-leishmanial therapeutics. The present review discusses various metabolic pathways of the Leishmania parasite and some drug candidates targeting these pathways effectively that could be potent drugs against leishmaniasis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surbhi Jain
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal 462026, Madhya Pradesh, India; (S.J.); (U.S.)
| | - Utkarsha Sahu
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal 462026, Madhya Pradesh, India; (S.J.); (U.S.)
- Division of Synthetic Biology, Absolute Foods, Plot 68, Sector 44, Gurugram 122003, Haryana, India
| | - Awanish Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Raipur 492010, Chhattisgarh, India
- Correspondence: or (A.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Prashant Khare
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal 462026, Madhya Pradesh, India; (S.J.); (U.S.)
- Division of Synthetic Biology, Absolute Foods, Plot 68, Sector 44, Gurugram 122003, Haryana, India
- Correspondence: or (A.K.); (P.K.)
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12
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Wijnant GJ, Dumetz F, Dirkx L, Bulté D, Cuypers B, Van Bocxlaer K, Hendrickx S. Tackling Drug Resistance and Other Causes of Treatment Failure in Leishmaniasis. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.837460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a tropical infectious disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania parasite. The disease is transmitted by female sand flies and, depending on the infecting parasite species, causes either cutaneous (stigmatizing skin lesions), mucocutaneous (destruction of mucous membranes of nose, mouth and throat) or visceral disease (a potentially fatal infection of liver, spleen and bone marrow). Although more than 1 million new cases occur annually, chemotherapeutic options are limited and their efficacy is jeopardized by increasing treatment failure rates and growing drug resistance. To delay the emergence of resistance to existing and new drugs, elucidating the currently unknown causes of variable drug efficacy (related to parasite susceptibility, host immunity and drug pharmacokinetics) and improved use of genotypic and phenotypic tools to define, measure and monitor resistance in the field are critical. This review highlights recent progress in our understanding of drug action and resistance in Leishmania, ongoing challenges (including setbacks related to the COVID-19 pandemic) and provides an overview of possible strategies to tackle this public health challenge.
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13
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Vicente-Barrueco A, Román ÁC, Ruiz-Téllez T, Centeno F. In Silico Research of New Therapeutics Rotenoids Derivatives against Leishmania amazonensis Infection. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11010133. [PMID: 35053132 PMCID: PMC8772715 DOI: 10.3390/biology11010133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Yearly, 1,500,000 cases of leishmaniasis are diagnosed, causing thousands of deaths. To advance in its therapy, we present an interdisciplinary protocol that unifies ethnobotanical knowledge of natural compounds and the latest bioinformatics advances to respond to an orphan disease such as leishmaniasis and specifically the one caused by Leishmania amazonensis. The use of ethnobotanical information serves as a basis for the development of new drugs, a field in which computer-aided drug design (CADD) has been a revolution. Taking this information from Amazonian communities, located in the area with a high prevalence of this disease, a protocol has been designed to verify new leads. Moreover, a method has been developed that allows the evaluation of lead molecules, and the improvement of their affinity and specificity against therapeutic targets. Through this approach, deguelin has been identified as a good lead to treat the infection due to its potential as an ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitor, a key enzyme in Leishmania development. Using an in silico-generated combinatorial library followed by docking approaches, we have found deguelin derivatives with better affinity and specificity against ODC than the original compound, suggesting that this approach could be adapted for developing new drugs against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Vicente-Barrueco
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain;
| | - Ángel Carlos Román
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain;
- Correspondence: (Á.C.R.); (F.C.)
| | - Trinidad Ruiz-Téllez
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Ecología y Ciencias de la Tierra, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain;
| | - Francisco Centeno
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain;
- Correspondence: (Á.C.R.); (F.C.)
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14
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Bustamante C, Muskus C, Ochoa R. Rational computational approaches to predict novel drug candidates against leishmaniasis. ANNUAL REPORTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.armc.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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15
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Kumari D, Perveen S, Sharma R, Singh K. Advancement in leishmaniasis diagnosis and therapeutics: An update. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 910:174436. [PMID: 34428435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is regarded as a neglected tropical disease by World Health Organization (WHO) and is ranked next to malaria as the deadliest protozoan disease. The primary causative agents of the disease comprise of diverse leishmanial species sharing clinical features ranging from skin abrasions to lethal infection in the visceral organs. As several Leishmania species are involved in infection, the role of accurate diagnosis becomes pivotal in adding new dimensions to anti-leishmanial therapy. Diagnostic methods must be fast, reliable, easy to perform, highly sensitive, and specific to differentiate among similar parasitic diseases. Herein, we present the conventional and recent approaches impended for the disease diagnosis and their sensitivity, specificity, and clinical application in parasite detection. Furthermore, we have also elaborated various new methods to cure leishmaniasis, which include host-directed therapies, drug repurposing, nanotechnology, and combinational therapy. This review addresses novel techniques and innovations in leishmaniasis, which can aid in unraveling new strategies to fight against the deadly infection.
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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
| | - Summaya Perveen
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Rashmi Sharma
- 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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16
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Parreira de Aquino G, Mendes Gomes MA, Köpke Salinas R, Laranjeira-Silva MF. Lipid and fatty acid metabolism in trypanosomatids. MICROBIAL CELL 2021; 8:262-275. [PMID: 34782859 PMCID: PMC8561143 DOI: 10.15698/mic2021.11.764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomiases and leishmaniases are neglected tropical diseases that have been spreading to previously non-affected areas in recent years. Identification of new chemotherapeutics is needed as there are no vaccines and the currently available treatment options are highly toxic and often ineffective. The causative agents for these diseases are the protozoan parasites of the Trypanosomatidae family, and they alternate between invertebrate and vertebrate hosts during their life cycles. Hence, these parasites must be able to adapt to different environments and compete with their hosts for several essential compounds, such as amino acids, vitamins, ions, carbohydrates, and lipids. Among these nutrients, lipids and fatty acids (FAs) are essential for parasite survival. Trypanosomatids require massive amounts of FAs, and they can either synthesize FAs de novo or scavenge them from the host. Moreover, FAs are the major energy source during specific life cycle stages of T. brucei, T. cruzi, and Leishmania. Therefore, considering the distinctive features of FAs metabolism in trypanosomatids, these pathways could be exploited for the development of novel antiparasitic drugs. In this review, we highlight specific aspects of lipid and FA metabolism in the protozoan parasites T. brucei, T. cruzi, and Leishmania spp., as well as the pathways that have been explored for the development of new chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Roberto Köpke Salinas
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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17
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Manchola Varón NC, Dos Santos GRRM, Colli W, Alves MJM. Interaction With the Extracellular Matrix Triggers Calcium Signaling in Trypanosoma cruzi Prior to Cell Invasion. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:731372. [PMID: 34671568 PMCID: PMC8521164 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.731372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease in humans, infects a wide variety of vertebrates. Trypomastigotes, the parasite infective forms, invade mammalian cells by a still poorly understood mechanism. Adhesion of tissue culture- derived trypomastigotes to the extracellular matrix (ECM) prior to cell invasion has been shown to be a relevant part of the process. Changes in phosphorylation, S-nitrosylation, and nitration levels of proteins, in the late phase of the interaction (2 h), leading to the reprogramming of both trypomastigotes metabolism and the DNA binding profile of modified histones, were described by our group. Here, the involvement of calcium signaling at a very early phase of parasite interaction with ECM is described. Increments in the intracellular calcium concentrations during trypomastigotes-ECM interaction depends on the Ca2+ uptake from the extracellular medium, since it is inhibited by EGTA or Nifedipine, an inhibitor of the L-type voltage gated Ca2+ channels and sphingosine-dependent plasma membrane Ca2+ channel, but not by Vanadate, an inhibitor of the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase. Furthermore, Nifedipine inhibits the invasion of host cells by tissue culture- derived trypomastigotes in a dose-dependent manner, reaching 95% inhibition at 100 µM Nifedipine. These data indicate the importance of both Ca2+ uptake from the medium and parasite-ECM interaction for host-cell invasion. Previous treatment of ECM with protease abolishes the Ca2+ uptake, further reinforcing the possibility that these events may be connected. The mitochondrion plays a relevant role in Ca2+ homeostasis in trypomastigotes during their interaction with ECM, as shown by the increment of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in the presence of Antimycin A, in contrast to other calcium homeostasis disruptors, such as Cyclopiazonic acid for endoplasmic reticulum and Bafilomycin A for acidocalcisome. Total phosphatase activity in the parasite decreases in the presence of Nifedipine, EGTA, and Okadaic acid, implying a role of calcium in the phosphorylation level of proteins that are interacting with the ECM in tissue culture- derived trypomastigotes. In summary, we describe here the increment of Ca2+ at an early phase of the trypomastigotes interaction with ECM, implicating both nifedipine-sensitive Ca2+ channels in the influx of Ca2+ and the mitochondrion as the relevant organelle in Ca2+ homeostasis. The data unravel a complex sequence of events prior to host cell invasion itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nubia Carolina Manchola Varón
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Parasites, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Walter Colli
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Parasites, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Julia M Alves
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Parasites, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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18
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Arya R, Dhembla C, Makde RD, Sundd M, Kundu S. An overview of the fatty acid biosynthesis in the protozoan parasite Leishmania and its relevance as a drug target against leishmaniasis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2021; 246:111416. [PMID: 34555376 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the fast-growing parasitic diseases worldwide. The treatment of this fatal disease presents a daunting challenge because of its adverse effects, necessity for long-term treatment regime, unavailability of functional drugs, emergence of drug resistance and the related expenditure. This calls for an urgent need for novel drugs and the evaluation of new targets. Proteins of the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway are validated as drug targets in pathogenic bacteria and certain viruses. Likewise, this pathway has been speculated as a suitable target against parasite infections. Fatty acid synthesis in parasites seems to be very complex and distinct from the counterpart mammalian host due to the presence of unique mechanisms for fatty acid biosynthesis and acquisition. In recent times, there have been few evidences of the existence of this pathway in the bloodstream form of some pathogens. The fatty acid biosynthesis thus presents a viable and attractive target for emerging therapeutics. Understanding the mechanisms underlying fatty acid metabolism is key to identifying a potential drug target. However, investigations in this direction are still limited and this article attempts to outline the existing knowledge, while highlighting the scope and relevance of the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway as a drug target. This review highlights the advances in the treatment of leishmaniasis, the importance of lipids in the pathogen, known facts about the fatty acid biosynthesis in Leishmania and how this pathway can be manipulated to combat leishmaniasis, suggesting novel drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Arya
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India.
| | - Chetna Dhembla
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India.
| | - Ravindra D Makde
- High Pressure and Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India.
| | - Monica Sundd
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Suman Kundu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India.
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19
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In vitro efficacy of polymer coated miltefosine drug against leishmania tropica. J Parasit Dis 2021; 46:366-376. [DOI: 10.1007/s12639-021-01452-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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20
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More K, Klinger CM, Barlow LD, Dacks JB. Evolution and Natural History of Membrane Trafficking in Eukaryotes. Curr Biol 2021; 30:R553-R564. [PMID: 32428497 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.03.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The membrane-trafficking system is a defining facet of eukaryotic cells. The best-known organelles and major protein families of this system are largely conserved across the vast diversity of eukaryotes, implying both ancient organization and functional unity. Nonetheless, intriguing variation exists that speaks to the evolutionary forces that have shaped the endomembrane system in eukaryotes and highlights ways in which membrane trafficking in protists differs from that in our well-understood models of mammalian and yeast cells. Both parasites and free-living protists possess specialized trafficking organelles, some lineage specific, others more widely distributed - the evolution and function of these organelles begs exploration. Novel members of protein families are present across eukaryotes but have been lost in humans. These proteins may well hold clues to understanding differences in cellular function in organisms that are of pressing importance for planetary health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira More
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 1-124 Clinical Sciences Building, 11350-83 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, P217 Biological Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Christen M Klinger
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 1-124 Clinical Sciences Building, 11350-83 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Lael D Barlow
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 1-124 Clinical Sciences Building, 11350-83 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, P217 Biological Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Joel B Dacks
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 1-124 Clinical Sciences Building, 11350-83 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada; Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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21
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Screening of Chemical Libraries for New Antifungal Drugs against Aspergillus fumigatus Reveals Sphingolipids Are Involved in the Mechanism of Action of Miltefosine. mBio 2021; 12:e0145821. [PMID: 34372704 PMCID: PMC8406317 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01458-21] [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] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an important fungal pathogen and the main etiological agent of aspergillosis, a disease characterized by a noninvasive process that can evolve to a more severe clinical manifestation, called invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), in immunocompromised patients. The antifungal arsenal to threat aspergillosis is very restricted. Azoles are the main therapeutic approach to control IPA, but the emergence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates has significantly increased over recent decades. Therefore, new strategies are necessary to combat aspergillosis, and drug repurposing has emerged as an efficient and alternative approach for identifying new antifungal drugs. Here, we used a screening approach to analyze A. fumigatus in vitro susceptibility to 1,127 compounds. A. fumigatus was susceptible to 10 compounds, including miltefosine, a drug that displayed fungicidal activity against A. fumigatus. By screening an A. fumigatus transcription factor null library, we identified a single mutant, which has the smiA (sensitive to miltefosine) gene deleted, conferring a phenotype of susceptibility to miltefosine. The transcriptional profiling (RNA-seq) of the wild-type and ΔsmiA strains and chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to next-generation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) of an SmiA-tagged strain exposed to miltefosine revealed genes of the sphingolipid pathway that are directly or indirectly regulated by SmiA. Sphingolipid analysis demonstrated that the mutant has overall decreased levels of sphingolipids when growing in the presence of miltefosine. The identification of SmiA represents the first genetic element described and characterized that plays a direct role in miltefosine response in fungi. IMPORTANCE The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus causes a group of diseases named aspergillosis, and their development occurs after the inhalation of conidia dispersed in the environment. Very few classes of antifungal drugs are available for aspergillosis treatment, e.g., azoles, but the emergence of global resistance to azoles in A. fumigatus clinical isolates has increased over recent decades. Repositioning or repurposing drugs already available on the market is an interesting and faster opportunity for the identification of novel antifungal agents. By using a repurposing strategy, we identified 10 different compounds that impact A. fumigatus survival. One of these compounds, miltefosine, demonstrated fungicidal activity against A. fumigatus. The mechanism of action of miltefosine is unknown, and, aiming to get more insights about it, we identified a transcription factor, SmiA (sensitive to miltefosine), important for miltefosine resistance. Our results suggest that miltefosine displays antifungal activity against A. fumigatus, interfering in sphingolipid biosynthesis.
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22
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Zhang K. Balancing de novo synthesis and salvage of lipids by Leishmania amastigotes. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 63:98-103. [PMID: 34311265 PMCID: PMC8463422 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites replicate as flagellated, extracellular promastigotes in the sand fly vector and then differentiate into non-flagellated, intracellular amastigotes in the vertebrate host. Promastigotes rely on de novo synthesis to produce the majority of their lipids including glycerophospholipids, sterols and sphingolipids. In contrast, amastigotes acquire most of their lipids from the host although they retain some capacity for de novo synthesis. The switch from de novo synthesis to salvage reflects the transition of Leishmania from fast-replicating promastigotes to slow-growing, metabolically quiescent amastigotes. Future studies will reveal the uptake and remodeling of host lipids by amastigotes at the cellular and molecular levels. Blocking the lipid transfer from host to parasites may present a novel strategy to control Leishmania growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA.
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23
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Pérez-Gordones MC, Ramírez-Iglesias JR, Benaim G, Mendoza M. A store-operated Ca 2+-entry in Trypanosoma equiperdum: Physiological evidences of its presence. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2021; 244:111394. [PMID: 34216677 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The Trypanosomatidae family encompasses many unicellular organisms responsible of several tropical diseases that affect humans and animals. Livestock tripanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T. brucei), Trypanosoma equiperdum (T. equiperdum) and Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi), have a significant socio-economic impact and limit animal protein productivity throughout the intertropical zones of the world. Similarly, to all organisms, the maintenance of Ca2+ homeostasis is vital for these parasites, and the mechanism involved in the intracellular Ca2+ regulation have been widely described. However, the evidences related to the mechanisms responsible for the Ca2+ entry are scarce. Even more, to date the presence of a store-operated Ca2+ channel (SOC) has not been reported. Despite the apparent absence of Orai and STIM-like proteins in these parasites, in the present work we demonstrate the presence of a store-operated Ca2+-entry (SOCE) in T. equiperdum, using physiological techniques. This Ca2+-entry is induced by thapsigargin (TG) and 2,5-di-t-butyl-1,4-benzohydroquinone (BHQ), and inhibited by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB). Additionally, the use of bioinformatics techniques allowed us to identify putative transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, present in members of the Trypanozoon family, which would be possible candidates responsible for the SOCE described in the present work in T. equiperdum.
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Affiliation(s)
- María C Pérez-Gordones
- Instituto de Biología Experimental (IBE), Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - José R Ramírez-Iglesias
- Group of Neglected and Emerging Diseases, Epidemiology and Biodiversity, Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad Internacional SEK (UISEK), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Gustavo Benaim
- Instituto de Biología Experimental (IBE), Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Caracas, Venezuela; Instituto de Estudios Avanzados (IDEA), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Marta Mendoza
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos y Veterinarios, Instituto de Estudios Científicos y Tecnológicos (IDECYT), Universidad Nacional Experimental Simón Rodríguez, Caracas, Venezuela.
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24
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Benaim G, Paniz-Mondolfi AE, Sordillo EM. The Rationale for Use of Amiodarone and its Derivatives for the Treatment of Chagas' Disease and Leishmaniasis. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1825-1833. [PMID: 32988342 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200928161403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The repurposing or repositioning of previously-approved drugs has become an accepted strategy for the expansion of the pharmacopeia for neglected diseases. Accordingly, amiodarone, an inexpensive and extensively- used class III antiarrhythmic has been proposed as a treatment for Chagas' disease and leishmaniasis. Amiodarone has a potent trypanocidal and leishmanicidal action, mainly acting through the disruption of parasite intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, which is a recognized target of different drugs that have activity against trypanosomatids. Amiodarone collapses the mitochondrial electrochemical potential (Δφm) and induces the rapid alkalinization of parasite acidocalcisomes, driving a large increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Amiodarone also inhibits oxidosqualene cyclase activity, a key enzyme in the ergosterol synthesis pathway that is essential for trypanosomatid survival. In combination, these three effects lead to parasite death. Dronedarone, a drug synthesized to minimize some of the adverse effects of amiodarone, displays trypanocidal and leishmanicidal activity through the same mechanisms, but curiously, being more potent on Leishmaniasis than its predecessor. In vitro studies suggest that other recently-synthesized benzofuran derivatives can act through the same mechanisms, and produce similar effects on different trypanosomatid species. Recently, the combination of amiodarone and itraconazole has been used successfully to treat 121 dogs naturally-infected by T. cruzi, strongly supporting the potential therapeutic use of this combination against human trypanosomatid infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Benaim
- Instituto de Estudios Avanzados (IDEA) , Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | - Emilia Mia Sordillo
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States
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25
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Londero VS, Costa-Silva TA, Antar GM, Baitello JB, de Oliveira LVF, Camilo FF, Batista ANL, Batista JM, Tempone AG, Lago JHG. Antitrypanosomal Lactones from Nectandra barbellata. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2021; 84:1489-1497. [PMID: 33857368 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c01303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Twigs of Nectandra barbellata were extracted using a solution of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (BMImBr) in H2O, assisted by microwave (MAE). After successive chromatographic steps, one sesquiterpene, costic acid, and three new related lactones, (R)-3(7)-Z-3-hexadec-21-enylidene-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-one (1), (R)-3(7)-Z-3-hexadecylidene-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-one (2), and (R)-3(7)-Z-3-docosylidene-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-one (3), were isolated. After structural elucidation using IR, UV, HRESIMS, NMR, ECD, and VCD, compounds 1-3 were tested against trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. The mechanism of action of bioactive isolated compounds was studied using different fluorescent-based approaches to investigate alterations of the plasma membrane, permeability/electric potential (ΔΨp), reactive oxygen species levels, mitochondria (electric membrane potential, ΔΨm/ATP levels), Ca2+ levels, and pH of the acidocalcisomes. In addition, in silico studies predicted no resemblance to pan assay interference compounds (PAINS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius S Londero
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Thais A Costa-Silva
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo 09210-170, Brazil
| | - Guilherme M Antar
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - João B Baitello
- Dasonomy Division, Instituto Florestal, São Paulo 02377-000, Brazil
| | - Larissa V F de Oliveira
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Camilo
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Andrea N L Batista
- Institute of Chemistry, Fluminense Federal University, Rio de Janeiro 24220-900, Brazil
| | - Joao M Batista
- Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 12231-280, Brazil
| | - Andre G Tempone
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo 01246-902, Brazil
| | - Joao Henrique G Lago
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo 09210-170, Brazil
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26
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Gupta Y, Goicoechea S, Pearce CM, Mathur R, Romero JG, Kwofie SK, Weyenberg MC, Daravath B, Sharma N, Poonam, Akala HM, Kanzok SM, Durvasula R, Rathi B, Kempaiah P. The emerging paradigm of calcium homeostasis as a new therapeutic target for protozoan parasites. Med Res Rev 2021; 42:56-82. [PMID: 33851452 DOI: 10.1002/med.21804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Calcium channels (CCs), a group of ubiquitously expressed membrane proteins, are involved in many pathophysiological processes of protozoan parasites. Our understanding of CCs in cell signaling, organelle function, cellular homeostasis, and cell cycle control has led to improved insights into their structure and functions. In this article, we discuss CCs characteristics of five major protozoan parasites Plasmodium, Leishmania, Toxoplasma, Trypanosoma, and Cryptosporidium. We provide a comprehensive review of current antiparasitic drugs and the potential of using CCs as new therapeutic targets. Interestingly, previous studies have demonstrated that human CC modulators can kill or sensitize parasites to antiparasitic drugs. Still, none of the parasite CCs, pumps, or transporters has been validated as drug targets. Information for this review draws from extensive data mining of genome sequences, chemical library screenings, and drug design studies. Parasitic resistance to currently approved therapeutics is a serious and emerging threat to both disease control and management efforts. In this article, we suggest that the disruption of calcium homeostasis may be an effective approach to develop new anti-parasite drug candidates and reduce parasite resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yash Gupta
- Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, USA
| | - Steven Goicoechea
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Catherine M Pearce
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Raman Mathur
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jesus G Romero
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Samuel K Kwofie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Matthew C Weyenberg
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Bharathi Daravath
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Neha Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Hansraj College University Enclave, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Poonam
- Department of Chemistry, Miranda House University Enclave, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | | | - Stefan M Kanzok
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ravi Durvasula
- Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, USA
| | - Brijesh Rathi
- Department of Chemistry, Hansraj College University Enclave, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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27
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Gutierrez Guarnizo SA, Tikhonova EB, Zabet-Moghaddam M, Zhang K, Muskus C, Karamyshev AL, Karamysheva ZN. Drug-Induced Lipid Remodeling in Leishmania Parasites. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9040790. [PMID: 33918954 PMCID: PMC8068835 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites efficiently develop resistance against several types of drugs including antimonials, the primary antileishmanial drug historically implemented. The resistance to antimonials is considered to be a major risk factor for effective leishmaniasis treatment. To detect biomarkers/biopatterns for the differentiation of antimony-resistant Leishmania strains, we employed untargeted global mass spectrometry to identify intracellular lipids present in antimony sensitive and resistant parasites before and after antimony exposure. The lipidomic profiles effectively differentiated the sensitive and resistant phenotypes growing with and without antimony pressure. Resistant phenotypes were characterized by significant downregulation of phosphatidylcholines, sphingolipid decrease, and lysophosphatidylcholine increase, while sensitive phenotypes were characterized by the upregulation of triglycerides with long-chain fatty acids and a tendency toward the phosphatidylethanolamine decrease. Our findings suggest that the changes in lipid composition in antimony-resistant parasites contribute to the physiological response conducted to combat the oxidative stress unbalance caused by the drug. We have identified several lipids as potential biomarkers associated with the drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneider Alexander Gutierrez Guarnizo
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (S.A.G.G.); (E.B.T.)
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia;
| | - Elena B. Tikhonova
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (S.A.G.G.); (E.B.T.)
| | | | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA;
| | - Carlos Muskus
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia;
| | - Andrey L. Karamyshev
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (S.A.G.G.); (E.B.T.)
- Correspondence: (A.L.K.); (Z.N.K.); Tel.: +1-806-743-4102 (A.L.K.); +1-806-834-5075 (Z.N.K.)
| | - Zemfira N. Karamysheva
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA;
- Correspondence: (A.L.K.); (Z.N.K.); Tel.: +1-806-743-4102 (A.L.K.); +1-806-834-5075 (Z.N.K.)
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Leishmaniasis: where are we and where are we heading? Parasitol Res 2021; 120:1541-1554. [PMID: 33825036 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07139-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease in humans caused by the bite of a parasite-infected sandfly. The disease, widely referred to as "poor man's disease," affects millions of people worldwide. The clinical manifestation of the disease depends upon the species of the parasite and ranges from physical disfigurement to death if left untreated. Here, we review the past, present, and future of leishmaniasis in detail. The life cycle of Leishmania sp., along with its epidemiology, is discussed, and in addition, the line of therapeutics available for treatment currently is examined. The current status of the disease is critically evaluated, keeping emerging threats like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection and post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) into consideration. In summary, the review proposes a dire need for new therapeutics and reassessment of the measures and policies concerning emerging threats. New strategies are essential to achieve the goal of leishmaniasis eradication in the next few decades.
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Moitra S, Basu S, Pawlowic M, Hsu FF, Zhang K. De Novo Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine Is Essential for the Promastigote But Not Amastigote Stage in Leishmania major. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:647870. [PMID: 33777852 PMCID: PMC7996062 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.647870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the most abundant type of phospholipids in eukaryotes constituting ~30% of total lipids in Leishmania. PC synthesis mainly occurs via the choline branch of the Kennedy pathway (choline ⇒ choline-phosphate ⇒ CDP-choline ⇒ PC) and the N-methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). In addition, Leishmania parasites can acquire PC and other lipids from the host or culture medium. In this study, we assessed the function and essentiality of choline ethanolamine phosphotransferase (CEPT) in Leishmania major which is responsible for the final step of the de novo synthesis of PC and PE. Our data indicate that CEPT is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and possesses the activity to generate PC from CDP-choline and diacylglycerol. Targeted deletion of CEPT is only possible in the presence of an episomal CEPT gene in the promastigote stage of L. major. These chromosomal null parasites require the episomal expression of CEPT to survive in culture, confirming its essentiality during the promastigote stage. In contrast, during in vivo infection of BALB/c mice, these chromosomal null parasites appeared to lose the episomal copy of CEPT while maintaining normal levels of virulence, replication and cellular PC. Therefore, while the de novo synthesis of PC/PE is indispensable for the proliferation of promastigotes, intracellular amastigotes appear to acquire most of their lipids through salvage and remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Somrita Basu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Mattie Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Lipid research, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
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Martinez-Peinado N, Cortes-Serra N, Sherman J, Rodriguez A, Bustamante JM, Gascon J, Pinazo MJ, Alonso-Padilla J. Identification of Trypanosoma cruzi Growth Inhibitors with Activity In Vivo within a Collection of Licensed Drugs. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020406. [PMID: 33669310 PMCID: PMC7920067 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020406] [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: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), affects more than six million people worldwide, with its greatest burden in Latin America. Available treatments present frequent toxicity and variable efficacy at the chronic phase of the infection, when the disease is usually diagnosed. Hence, development of new therapeutic strategies is urgent. Repositioning of licensed drugs stands as an attractive fast-track low-cost approach for the identification of safer and more effective chemotherapies. With this purpose we screened 32 licensed drugs for different indications against T. cruzi. We used a primary in vitro assay of Vero cells infection by T. cruzi. Five drugs showed potent activity rates against it (IC50 < 4 µmol L−1), which were also specific (selectivity index >15) with respect to host cells. T. cruzi inhibitory activity of four of them was confirmed by a secondary anti-parasitic assay based on NIH-3T3 cells. Then, we assessed toxicity to human HepG2 cells and anti-amastigote specific activity of those drugs progressed. Ultimately, atovaquone-proguanil, miltefosine, and verapamil were tested in a mouse model of acute T. cruzi infection. Miltefosine performance in vitro and in vivo encourages further investigating its use against T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Martinez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
| | - Nuria Cortes-Serra
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
| | - Julian Sherman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA; (J.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA; (J.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Juan M. Bustamante
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
| | - Maria-Jesus Pinazo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
- Correspondence: (M.-J.P.); (J.A.-P.); Tel.: +1-0034-932275400 (ext. 1802) (M.-J.P.); +1-0034-932275400 (ext. 4569) (J.A.-P.)
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
- Correspondence: (M.-J.P.); (J.A.-P.); Tel.: +1-0034-932275400 (ext. 1802) (M.-J.P.); +1-0034-932275400 (ext. 4569) (J.A.-P.)
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Knuplez E, Kienzl M, Trakaki A, Schicho R, Heinemann A, Sturm EM, Marsche G. The anti-parasitic drug miltefosine suppresses activation of human eosinophils and ameliorates allergic inflammation in mice. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:1234-1248. [PMID: 33450054 PMCID: PMC9328393 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15368] [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: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Miltefosine is an alkylphosphocholine drug with proven effectiveness against various types of parasites and cancer cells. Miltefosine is not only able to induce direct parasite killing but also modulates host immunity, for example by reducing the severity of allergies in patients. To date, there are no reports on the effect of miltefosine on eosinophils, central effector cells involved in allergic inflammation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We tested the effect of miltefosine on the activation of human eosinophils and their effector responses in vitro and in mouse models of eosinophilic migration and ovalbumin-induced allergic lung inflammation. KEY RESULTS The addition of miltefosine suppressed several eosinophilic effector reactions such as CD11b up-regulation, degranulation, chemotaxis and downstream signalling. Miltefosine significantly reduced the infiltration of immune cells into the respiratory tract of mice in an allergic cell recruitment model. Finally, in a model of allergic inflammation, treatment with miltefosine resulted in an improvement of lung function parameters. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our observations suggest a strong modulatory activity of miltefosine in the regulation of eosinophilic inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Our data underline the potential efficacy of miltefosine in the treatment of allergic diseases and other eosinophil-associated disorders and may raise important questions regarding the immunomodulatory effect of miltefosine in patients treated for leishmania infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Knuplez
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Melanie Kienzl
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Athina Trakaki
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Rudolf Schicho
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Akos Heinemann
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Eva M Sturm
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gunther Marsche
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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Antifungal Susceptibility Profiles and Drug Resistance Mechanisms of Clinical Lomentospora prolificans Isolates. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.00318-20. [PMID: 32816726 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00318-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lomentospora prolificans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen with low susceptibility to current antifungal drugs. Here, we tested the in vitro susceptibility of 8 drugs against 42 clinical L. prolificans isolates. All isolates showed high MICs to voriconazole (MIC90>16 μg/ml), itraconazole (MIC90>16 μg/ml), posaconazole (MIC90>16 μg/ml), isavuconazole (MIC90>16 μg/ml), amphotericin B (MIC90>16 μg/ml), and terbinafine (MIC90>64 μg/ml) and high minimum effective concentrations (MECs) to micafungin (MEC90>8 μg/ml), with the exception of miltefosine showing an MIC90 value of 4 μg/ml. We examined six different in vitro drug combinations and found that the combination of voriconazole and terbinafine achieved the most synergistic effort against L. prolificans We then annotated the L. prolificans whole genome and located its Cyp51 and Fks1 genes. We completely sequenced the two genes to determine if any mutation would be related to azole and echinocandin resistance in L. prolificans We found no amino acid changes in Cyp51 protein and no tandem repeats in the 5' upstream region of the Cyp51 gene. However, we identified three intrinsic amino acid residues (G138S, M220I, and T289A) in the Cyp51 protein that were linked to azole resistance. Likewise, two intrinsic amino acid residues (F639Y, W695F) that have reported to confer echinocandin resistance were found in Fks1 hot spot regions. In addition, three new amino acid alterations (D440A, S634R, and H1245R) were found outside Fks1 hot spot regions, and their contributions to echinocandin resistance need future investigation. Overall, our findings support the notion that L. prolificans is intrinsically resistant to azoles and echinocandins.
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Banoth KK, Faheem, ChandraSekhar KVG, Adinarayana N, Murugesan S. Recent evolution on synthesis strategies and anti-leishmanial activity of β-carboline derivatives - An update. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04916. [PMID: 32995612 PMCID: PMC7501441 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is the most widespread pathogenic disease in several countries. Currently, no effective vaccines are available, and the control of Leishmaniasis primarily relies on decade-old chemotherapy. The treatment for the Leishmaniasis is not up to the mark. Current therapy for Leishmaniasis is ancient and requires hospitalization for the administration. These medications are also highly toxic and resistant. β-carboline, a natural indole containing alkaloid, holds a vital position in the field of medicinal chemistry with a diversified pharmacological action. The current review focuses mainly on the anti-leishmanial effects of β-carboline analogs and their synthetic strategies, structural activity relationship studies (SAR). The past ten years alterations unveiled by β-carboline analogs present in phytoconstituents and various derivatives of synthesized analogs with the mechanism of action were briefly shortlisted and illustrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karan Kumar Banoth
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, Rajasthan, India
| | - Faheem
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, Rajasthan, India
| | | | - Nandikolla Adinarayana
- Department of Chemistry, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shameerpet Mandal, R.R. Dist. Hyderabad, 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Sankaranarayanan Murugesan
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, Rajasthan, India
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Evaluation of the Ability of Miltefosine Associated with Topical GM-CSF in Modulating the Immune Response of Patients with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. J Immunol Res 2020; 2020:2789859. [PMID: 32851099 PMCID: PMC7439779 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2789859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) due to L. braziliensis is associated with an exaggerated inflammatory response and tissue damage. Miltefosine is more effective than pentavalent antimony (Sbv) in the treatment of CL, and here, we evaluate the ability of Sbv, miltefosine, and GM-CSF administered intravenously, orally, or topically, respectively, to modify the immune response. Patients were treated with miltefosine plus GM-CSF, miltefosine plus placebo, or Sbv. Mononuclear cells were stimulated with soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA) on day 0 and day 15 of therapy, and cytokine levels were determined in supernatants by ELISA. The lymphocyte proliferation and oxidative burst were evaluated by flow cytometry, and the degree of infection and Leishmania killing by optical microscopy. Proliferation of CD4+ T cells were enhanced in patients using miltefosine and in CD8+ T cells when GM-CSF was associated. Enhancement in the oxidative burst occurred in the miltefosine plus GM-CSF group on day 15 of therapy. Moreover, the number of L. braziliensis in infected monocytes on day 15 as well as the percentage of infected cells was lower after 48- and 72-hour culture in cells from patients treated with miltefosine plus GM-CSF. In addition to the ability of miltefosine to kill Leishmania, the changes in the immune response caused by miltefosine and GM-CSF may increase the cure rate of CL patients using these drugs.
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Assessing the composition of the plasma membrane of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum and L. (L.) amazonensis using label-free proteomics. Exp Parasitol 2020; 218:107964. [PMID: 32822697 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania are causative agents of leishmaniasis, a wide range of diseases affecting 12 million people worldwide. The species L. infantum and L. amazonensis are etiologic agents of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, respectively. Most proteome analyses of Leishmania have been carried out on whole-cell extracts, but such an approach tends to underrepresent membrane-associated proteins due to their high hydrophobicity and low solubility. Considering the relevance of this category of proteins in virulence, invasiveness and the host-parasite interface, this study applied label-free proteomics to assess the plasma membrane sub-proteome of L. infantum and L. amazonensis. The number of proteins identified in L. infantum and L. amazonensis promastigotes was 1168 and 1455, respectively. After rigorous data processing and mining, 157 proteins were classified as putative plasma membrane-associated proteins, of which 56 proteins were detected in both species, six proteins were detected only in L. infantum and 39 proteins were exclusive to L. amazonensis. The quantitative analysis revealed that two proteins were more abundant in L. infantum, including the glucose transporter 2, and five proteins were more abundant in L. amazonensis. The identified proteins associated with distinct processes and functions. In this regard, proteins of L. infantum were linked to metabolic processes whereas L. amazonensis proteins were involved in signal transduction. Moreover, transmembrane transport was a significant process among the group of proteins detected in both species and members of the superfamily of ABC transporters were highly represented. Interestingly, some proteins of this family were solely detected in L. amazonensis, such as ABCA9. GP63, a well-known virulence factor, was the only GPI-anchored protein identified in the membrane preparations of both species. Finally, we found several proteins with uncharacterized functions, including differentially abundant ones, highlighting a gap in the study of Leishmania proteins. Proteins characterization could provide a better biological understanding of these parasites and deliver new possibilities regarding the discovery of therapeutic targets, drug resistance and vaccine candidates.
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Can We Harness Immune Responses to Improve Drug Treatment in Leishmaniasis? Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8071069. [PMID: 32709117 PMCID: PMC7409143 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8071069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease that has been neglected in priority for control and eradication of malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. Collectively, over one seventh of the world’s population is at risk of being infected with 0.7–1.2 million new infections reported annually. Clinical manifestations range from self-healing cutaneous lesions to fatal visceral disease. The first anti-leishmanial drugs were introduced in the 1950′s and, despite several shortcomings, remain the mainstay for treatment. Regardless of this and the steady increase in infections over the years, particularly among populations of low economic status, research on leishmaniasis remains under funded. This review looks at the drugs currently in clinical use and how they interact with the host immune response. Employing chemoimmunotherapeutic approaches may be one viable alternative to improve the efficacy of novel/existing drugs and extend their lifespan in clinical use.
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Lopes DDS, Dos Santos UR, Dos Anjos DO, da Silva Júnior LJC, de Paula VF, Vannier-Santos MA, Silva-Jardim I, Castro-Gomes T, Pirovani CP, Lima-Santos J. Ethanolic Extract of the Fungus Trichoderma asperelloides Induces Ultrastructural Effects and Death on Leishmania amazonensis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:306. [PMID: 32760675 PMCID: PMC7373754 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Trichoderma genus comprises several species of fungi whose diversity of secondary metabolites represents a source of potential molecules with medical application. Because of increased pathogen resistance and demand for lower production costs, the search for new pharmacologically active molecules effective against pathogens has become more intense. This is particularly evident in the case of American cutaneous leishmaniasis due to the high toxicity of current treatments, parenteral administration, and increasing rate of refractory cases. We have previously shown that a fungus from genus Trichoderma can be used for treating cerebral malaria in mouse models and inhibit biofilm formation. Here, we evaluated the effect of the ethanolic extract of Trichoderma asperelloides (Ext-Ta) and its fractions on promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis, a major causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the New World. Ext-Ta displayed leishmanicidal action on L. amazonensis parasites, and its pharmacological activity was associated with the low-molecular-weight fraction (LMWF) of Ext-Ta. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated morphological alterations in the mitochondria and the flagellar pocket of promastigotes, with increased lipid body and acidocalcisome formation, microtubule disorganization of the cytoplasm, and intense vacuolization of the cytoplasm when amastigotes were present. We suggest the antiparasitic activity of Trichoderma fungi as a promising tool for developing chemotherapeutic leishmanicidal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle de Sousa Lopes
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz-UESC, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Marcos André Vannier-Santos
- Laboratório de Inovações em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Izaltina Silva-Jardim
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz-UESC, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - Thiago Castro-Gomes
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Parasitos Intracelulares, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais-UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Jane Lima-Santos
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz-UESC, Ilhéus, Brazil
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Raj S, Sasidharan S, Balaji SN, Dubey VK, Saudagar P. Review on natural products as an alternative to contemporary anti-leishmanial therapeutics. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42485-020-00035-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Bhowmik D, Jagadeesan R, Rai P, Nandi R, Gugan K, Kumar D. Evaluation of potential drugs against leishmaniasis targeting catalytic subunit of Leishmania donovani nuclear DNA primase using ligand based virtual screening, docking and molecular dynamics approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:1838-1852. [PMID: 32141397 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1739557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania donovani, causes leishmaniasis, a global health trouble with around 89 different countries and its population under its risk. Replication initiation events have been instrumental in regulating the DNA duplication and as the small subunit of L. donovani nuclear DNA primase (Ld-PriS) inherits the catalytic site, it plays a vital role in DNA replication. In this study we have aimed Ld-PriS for the first time as a prospective target for the application of drug against Leishmania parasite. 3-D structures of Ld-PriS were built and ligand-based virtual screening was performed using hybrid similarity recognition techniques. Ligands from the ZINC database were used for the screening purposes based on known DNA primase inhibitor Sphingosine as a query. Top 150 ligands were taken into consideration for molecular docking against the query protein (Ld-PriS) using PyRx and iGEMDOCK softwares. Top five compounds with the best docking score were selected for pharmacokinetic investigation and molecular dynamic simulation. These top five screened inhibitors showed very poor binding affinity toward the catalytic subunit of human primase indicating their safety toward the host normal replication mechanism. The top five compounds showed good pharmacokinetic profiles and ADMET predictions revealed good absorption, solubility, permeability, uniform distribution, proper metabolism, minimal toxicity and good bioavailability. Simulation studies upto 50 ns revealed the three leads ZINC000009219046, ZINC000025998119 and ZINC000004677901 bind with Ld-PriS throughout the simulation and there were no huge variations in their backbone suggesting that these three may play as potential lead compounds for developing new drug against leishmaniasis.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deep Bhowmik
- Department of Microbiology, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India
| | - Rahul Jagadeesan
- CAS in Crystallography and Biophysics, Guindy Campus, University of Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Praveen Rai
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, India
| | - Rajat Nandi
- Department of Microbiology, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India
| | - Kothandan Gugan
- CAS in Crystallography and Biophysics, Guindy Campus, University of Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Diwakar Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India
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Benaim G, Paniz-Mondolfi AE, Sordillo EM, Martinez-Sotillo N. Disruption of Intracellular Calcium Homeostasis as a Therapeutic Target Against Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:46. [PMID: 32133302 PMCID: PMC7040492 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is no effective cure for Chagas disease, which is caused by infection with the arthropod-borne parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. In the search for new drugs to treat Chagas disease, potential therapeutic targets have been identified by exploiting the differences between the mechanisms involved in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, both in humans and in trypanosomatids. In the trypanosomatid, intracellular Ca2+ regulation requires the concerted action of three intracellular organelles, the endoplasmic reticulum, the single unique mitochondrion, and the acidocalcisomes. The single unique mitochondrion and the acidocalcisomes also play central roles in parasite bioenergetics. At the parasite plasma membrane, a Ca2+-−ATPase (PMCA) with significant differences from its human counterpart is responsible for Ca2+ extrusion; a distinctive sphingosine-activated Ca2+ channel controls Ca2+ entrance to the parasite interior. Several potential anti-trypansosomatid drugs have been demonstrated to modulate one or more of these mechanisms for Ca2+ regulation. The antiarrhythmic agent amiodarone and its derivatives have been shown to exert trypanocidal effects through the disruption of parasite Ca2+ homeostasis. Similarly, the amiodarone-derivative dronedarone disrupts Ca2+ homeostasis in T. cruzi epimastigotes, collapsing the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and inducing a large increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) from this organelle and from the acidocalcisomes in the parasite cytoplasm. The same general mechanism has been demonstrated for SQ109, a new anti-tuberculosis drug with potent trypanocidal effect. Miltefosine similarly induces a large increase in the [Ca2+]i acting on the sphingosine-activated Ca2+ channel, the mitochondrion and acidocalcisomes. These examples, in conjunction with other evidence we review herein, strongly support targeting Ca2+ homeostasis as a strategy against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Benaim
- Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Venezuela.,Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biología Experimental, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Alberto E Paniz-Mondolfi
- Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Venezuela.,Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Emilia Mia Sordillo
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.,Institute for Health Sciences, Mount Sinai St. Luke's & Mount Sinai West, New York, NY, United States
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Abstract
AbstractDuring three decades, only about 20 new drugs have been developed for malaria, tuberculosis and all neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This critical situation was reached because NTDs represent only 10% of health research investments; however, they comprise about 90% of the global disease burden. Computational simulations applied in virtual screening (VS) strategies are very efficient tools to identify pharmacologically active compounds or new indications for drugs already administered for other diseases. One of the advantages of this approach is the low time-consuming and low-budget first stage, which filters for testing experimentally a group of candidate compounds with high chances of binding to the target and present trypanocidal activity. In this work, we review the most common VS strategies that have been used for the identification of new drugs with special emphasis on those applied to trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis. Computational simulations based on the selected protein targets or their ligands are explained, including the method selection criteria, examples of successful VS campaigns applied to NTDs, a list of validated molecular targets for drug development and repositioned drugs for trypanosomatid-caused diseases. Thereby, here we present the state-of-the-art of VS and drug repurposing to conclude pointing out the future perspectives in the field.
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Gil Z, Martinez-Sotillo N, Pinto-Martinez A, Mejias F, Martinez JC, Galindo I, Oldfield E, Benaim G. SQ109 inhibits proliferation of Leishmania donovani by disruption of intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis, collapsing the mitochondrial electrochemical potential (ΔΨ m) and affecting acidocalcisomes. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:649-657. [PMID: 31897791 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06560-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania donovani is the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis. Annually, 500 million new cases of infection are reported mainly in poor communities, decreasing the interest of the pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, the repositioning of new drugs is an ideal strategy to fight against these parasites. SQ109, a compound in phase IIb/III of clinical trials to treat resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has a potent effect against Trypanosoma cruzi, responsible for Chagas' disease, and on Leishmania mexicana, the causative agent of cutaneous and muco-cutaneous leishmaniasis. In the latter, the toxic dose against intramacrophagic amastigotes is very low (IC50 ~ 11 nM). The proposed mechanism of action on L. mexicana involves the disruption of the parasite intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis through the collapse of the mitochondrial electrochemical potential (ΔΨm). In the present work, we show a potent effect of SQ109 on L. donovani, the parasite responsible for visceral leishmaniasis, the more severe and uniquely lethal form of these infections, obtaining a toxic effect on amastigotes inside macrophages even lower to that obtained in L. mexicana (IC50 of 7.17 ± 0.09 nM) and with a selectivity index > 800, even higher than in L. mexicana. We also demonstrated for first time that SQ109, besides collapsing ΔΨm of the parasite, induced a very rapid damage to the parasite acidocalcisomes, essential organelles involved in the bioenergetics and many other important functions, including Ca2+ homeostasis. Both effects of the drug on these organelles generated a dramatic increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, causing parasite death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zain Gil
- Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | | | - Fabiola Mejias
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | - Ivan Galindo
- Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Eric Oldfield
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Gustavo Benaim
- Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Venezuela. .,Instituto de Biologia Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
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Capela R, Moreira R, Lopes F. An Overview of Drug Resistance in Protozoal Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5748. [PMID: 31731801 PMCID: PMC6888673 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Protozoan diseases continue to be a worldwide social and economic health problem. Increased drug resistance, emerging cross resistance, and lack of new drugs with novel mechanisms of action significantly reduce the effectiveness of current antiprotozoal therapies. While drug resistance associated to anti-infective agents is a reality, society seems to remain unaware of its proportions and consequences. Parasites usually develops ingenious and innovative mechanisms to achieve drug resistance, which requires more research and investment to fight it. In this review, drug resistance developed by protozoan parasites Plasmodium, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Capela
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.M.); (F.L.)
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Braga SS. Multi-target drugs active against leishmaniasis: A paradigm of drug repurposing. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 183:111660. [PMID: 31514064 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This mini-review focuses on leishmanicidal drugs that were sourced from small molecules previously approved for other diseases. The mechanisms of action of these molecules are herein explored, to probe the origins of their inter-species growth inhibitory activities. It is shown how the transversal action of the azoles - fluconazole, posaconazole and itraconazole - in both fungi and Leishmania is due to the occurrence of the same target, lanosterol 14-α-demethylase, in these two groups of species. In turn, the drugs miltefosine and amphotericin B are presented as truly multi-target agents, acting on small molecules, proteins, genes and even organelles. Steps towards future leishmanicidal drug candidates based on the multi-target strategy and on drug repurposing are also briefly presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Santos Braga
- QOPNA & LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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De Annunzio SR, Costa NCS, Mezzina RD, Graminha MAS, Fontana CR. Chlorin, Phthalocyanine, and Porphyrin Types Derivatives in Phototreatment of Cutaneous Manifestations: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20163861. [PMID: 31398812 PMCID: PMC6719085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent scientific research has shown the use of chlorin, phthalocyanines, and porphyrins derivatives as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy in the treatment of various pathologies, including some of the major skin diseases. Thus, the main goal of this critical review is to catalog the papers that used these photosensitizers in the treatment of acne vulgaris, psoriasis, papillomavirus infections, cutaneous leishmaniasis, and skin rejuvenation, and to explore the photodynamic therapy mechanisms against these conditions alongside their clinical benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Raquel De Annunzio
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Araraquara, Rod. Araraquara-Jaú, km 01, Campus Ville, Araraquara 14800-903, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natalia Caroline Silva Costa
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Araraquara, Rod. Araraquara-Jaú, km 01, Campus Ville, Araraquara 14800-903, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Dalbello Mezzina
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Araraquara, Rod. Araraquara-Jaú, km 01, Campus Ville, Araraquara 14800-903, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Márcia A S Graminha
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Araraquara, Rod. Araraquara-Jaú, km 01, Campus Ville, Araraquara 14800-903, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Raquel Fontana
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Araraquara, Rod. Araraquara-Jaú, km 01, Campus Ville, Araraquara 14800-903, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Ortega HE, Ferreira LLG, Melo WGP, Oliveira ALL, Ramos Alvarenga RF, Lopes NP, Bugni TS, Andricopulo AD, Pupo MT. Antifungal compounds from Streptomyces associated with attine ants also inhibit Leishmania donovani. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007643. [PMID: 31381572 PMCID: PMC6695191 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial strains isolated from attine ants showed activity against the insect specialized fungal pathogen Escovopsis and also against the human protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani. The bioassay guided fractionation of extracts from cultures of Streptomyces sp. ICBG292, isolated from the exoskeleton of Cyphomyrmex workers, led to the isolation of Mer-A2026B (1), piericidin-A1 (2) and nigericin (3). Nigericin (3) presented high activity against intracellular amastigotes of L. donovani (IC50 0.129 ± 0.008 μM). Streptomyces puniceus ICBG378, isolated from workers of Acromyrmex rugosus rugosus, produced dinactin (4) with potent anti-L. donovani activity against intracellular amastigotes (IC50 0.018 ± 0.003 μM). Compounds 3 and 4 showed good selectivity indexes, 88.91 and 656.11 respectively, and were more active than positive control, miltefosine. Compounds 1–4 were also active against some Escovopsis strains. Compounds 1 and 2 were also produced by Streptomyces sp. ICBG233, isolated from workers of Atta sexdens, and detected in ants’ extracts by mass spectrometry, suggesting they are produced in the natural environment as defensive compounds involved in the symbiotic interaction. Visceral leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania infantum and L. donovani, is characterized by high rate mortality worldwide. Current treatments for this disease suffer from toxicity, variable efficacy, requirements for parenteral administration and length of treatment regimens. New chemical entities and development of new drugs are important to overcome the impact of this protozoan disease. Actinobacterial strains, such as Streptomyces, have been a source of most naturally derived antibiotics, as well as anticancer, anthelmintic, and antifungal drugs. These microorganisms also produce small molecules important in symbiotic interactions with insects, such as fungus-growing ants, fungus-growing termites, beetles and wasps against pathogens. Several novel compounds have been reported from these microorganisms with promising biological activities. In this work we show an interesting ecologic approach for drug discovery that also shows promise for the identification of antileishmanial natural products from fungus-growing ant ecosystem. Two compounds isolated from Streptomyces strains showed potent activity against L. donovani, higher than the positive control (miltefosine) with high selectivity indexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humberto E. Ortega
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Leonardo L. G. Ferreira
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal e Computacional, Centro de Pesquisa e Inovação em Biodiversidade e Fármacos, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos-SP, Brazil
| | - Weilan G. P. Melo
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Ligia L. Oliveira
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - René F. Ramos Alvarenga
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Norberto P. Lopes
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Tim S. Bugni
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Adriano D. Andricopulo
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal e Computacional, Centro de Pesquisa e Inovação em Biodiversidade e Fármacos, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos-SP, Brazil
| | - Mônica T. Pupo
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Goodenough U, Heiss AA, Roth R, Rusch J, Lee JH. Acidocalcisomes: Ultrastructure, Biogenesis, and Distribution in Microbial Eukaryotes. Protist 2019; 170:287-313. [DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Chu CC, Zhao SZ. Pathophysiological Role and Drug Modulation of Calcium Transport in Ocular Surface Cells. Curr Med Chem 2019; 27:5078-5091. [PMID: 31237195 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190619114848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The ocular surface structure and extraocular accessory organs constitute the ocular surface system, which includes the cornea, conjunctiva, eyelids, lacrimal organs, and lacrimal passages. This system is composed of, and stabilized by, the corneal epithelium, conjunctival cells, conjunctival goblet cells, lacrimal acinar cells and Tenon's fibroblasts, all of which maintain the healthy eyeball surface system. Ocular surface diseases are commonly referred to corneal and conjunctival disease and external ocular disease, resulting from damage to the ocular surface structure. A growing body of evidence has indicated that abnormal activation of the KCa3.1 channel and Ca2+/ calmodulin-dependent kinase initiates ocular injury. Signaling pathways downstream of the irregular Ca2+ influx induce cell progression and migration, and impair tight junctions, epithelial transport and secretory function. In this overview, we summarize the current knowledge regarding ocular surface disease in terms of physical and pathological alteration of the ocular system. We dissect in-depth, the mechanisms underlying disease progression, and we describe the current calcium transport therapeutics and the obstacles that remain to be solved. Finally, we summarize how to integrate the research results into clinical practice in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Chen Chu
- Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin Medical University Eye Institute, College of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300384, China
| | - Shao-Zhen Zhao
- Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin Medical University Eye Institute, College of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300384, China
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Abstract
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a group of zoonotic diseases caused by a trypanosomatid parasite mostly in impoverished populations of low-income countries. In their different forms, leishmaniasis is prevalent in more than 98 countries all over the world and approximately 360-million people are at risk. Since no vaccine is currently available to prevent any form of the disease, the control strategy of leishmaniasis mainly relies on early case detection followed by adequate pharmacological treatment that may improve the prognosis and can reduce transmission. A handful of compounds and formulations are available for the treatment of leishmaniasis in humans, but only few of them are currently in use since most of these agents are associated with toxicity problems such as nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity in addition to resistance problems. In recent decades, very few novel drugs, new formulations of standard drugs or combinations of them have been approved against leishmaniasis. This review highlights the current drugs and combinations that are used medical practice and recent advances in new treatments against leishmaniasis that were pointed out in the recent 2nd Conference, Global Challenges in Neglected Tropical Diseases, held in San Juan, Puerto Rico in June 2018, emphasizing the plethora of new families of molecules that are bridging the gap between preclinical and first-in-man trials in next future.
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