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Centanni A, Diotallevi A, Buffi G, Olivieri D, Santarém N, Lehtinen A, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Kiuru P, Lucarini S, Galluzzi L. Exploring hydrophilic 2,2-di(indol-3-yl)ethanamine derivatives against Leishmania infantum. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301901. [PMID: 38870204 PMCID: PMC11175440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Herein we report the design and the synthesis of a library of new and more hydrophilic bisindole analogues based on our previously identified antileishmanial compound URB1483 that failed the preliminary in vivo test. The novel bisindoles were phenotypically screened for efficacy against Leishmania infantum promastigotes and simultaneously for toxicity on human macrophage-like THP-1 cells. Among the less toxic compounds, eight bisindoles showed IC50 below 10 μM. The most selective compound 1h (selectivity index = 10.1, comparable to miltefosine) and the most potent compound 2c (IC50 = 2.7 μM) were tested for their efficacy on L. infantum intracellular amastigotes. The compounds also demonstrated their efficacy in the in vitro infection model, showing IC50 of 11.1 and 6.8 μM for 1h and 2c, respectively. Moreover, 1h showed a better toxicity profile than the commercial drug miltefosine. For all these reasons, 1h could be a possible new starting point for hydrophilic antileishmanial agents with low cytotoxicity on human macrophage-like cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Centanni
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aurora Diotallevi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Italy
| | - Gloria Buffi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Italy
| | - Diego Olivieri
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Italy
| | - Nuno Santarém
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, R. Alfredo Allen, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Antti Lehtinen
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, R. Alfredo Allen, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Kiuru
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Simone Lucarini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Italy
| | - Luca Galluzzi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Italy
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2
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Exertier C, Salerno A, Antonelli L, Fiorillo A, Ocello R, Seghetti F, Caciolla J, Uliassi E, Masetti M, Fiorentino E, Orsini S, Di Muccio T, Ilari A, Bolognesi ML. Fragment Merging, Growing, and Linking Identify New Trypanothione Reductase Inhibitors for Leishmaniasis. J Med Chem 2024; 67:402-419. [PMID: 38164929 PMCID: PMC10788915 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Trypanothione reductase (TR) is a suitable target for drug discovery approaches against leishmaniasis, although the identification of potent inhibitors is still challenging. Herein, we harnessed a fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) strategy to develop new TR inhibitors. Previous crystallographic screening identified fragments 1-3, which provided ideal starting points for a medicinal chemistry campaign. In silico investigations revealed critical hotspots in the TR binding site, guiding our structure- and ligand-based structure-actvity relationship (SAR) exploration that yielded fragment-derived compounds 4-14. A trend of improvement in Leishmania infantum TR inhibition was detected along the optimization and confirmed by the crystal structures of 9, 10, and 14 in complex with Trypanosoma brucei TR. Compound 10 showed the best TR inhibitory profile (Ki = 0.2 μM), whereas 9 was the best one in terms of in vitro and ex vivo activity. Although further fine-tuning is needed to improve selectivity, we demonstrated the potentiality of FBDD on a classic but difficult target for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Exertier
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM) of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salerno
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Antonelli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Annarita Fiorillo
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ocello
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
- Computational and Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Francesca Seghetti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Jessica Caciolla
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Matteo Masetti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Eleonora Fiorentino
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Roma 00161, Italy
| | - Stefania Orsini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Roma 00161, Italy
| | - Trentina Di Muccio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Roma 00161, Italy
| | - Andrea Ilari
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM) of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
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3
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Carvalho DT, Teixeira M, Luelmo S, Santarém N, Pinto E, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Sousa E. Synthesis and Evaluation of Marine-Inspired Compounds Result in Hybrids with Antitrypanosomal and Antileishmanial Activities. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:551. [PMID: 37999375 PMCID: PMC10671849 DOI: 10.3390/md21110551] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural products are a very rich source for obtaining new compounds with therapeutic potential. In the search for new antiparasitic and antimicrobial agents, molecular hybrids were designed based on the structures of antimicrobial marine quinazolinones and eugenol, a natural phenolic compound. Following reports of the therapeutic potential of quinazolinones and eugenol derivatives, it was expected that the union of these pharmacophores could generate biologically relevant substances. The designed compounds were obtained by classical synthetic procedures and were characterized by routine spectrometric techniques. Nine intermediates and final products were then evaluated in vitro against Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania infantum. Antifungal and antibacterial activity were also evaluated. Six compounds (9b, 9c, 9d, 10b, 10c, and 14) showed mild activity against T. brucei with IC50 in the range of 11.17-31.68 μM. Additionally, intermediate 9c showed anti-Leishmania activity (IC50 7.54 μM) and was six times less cytotoxic against THP-1 cells. In conclusion, novel derivatives with a simple quinazolinone scaffold showing selectivity against parasites without antibacterial and antifungal activities were disclosed, paving the way for new antitrypanosomal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Teixeira Carvalho
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- Laboratory of Research in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Food and Drugs, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva 700, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Melissa Teixeira
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (N.S.); (E.P.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
| | - Sara Luelmo
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Nuno Santarém
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (N.S.); (E.P.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Eugénia Pinto
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (N.S.); (E.P.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (N.S.); (E.P.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Emília Sousa
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
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4
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Roussaki M, Magoulas GE, Fotopoulou T, Santarem N, Barrias E, Pöhner I, Luelmo S, Afroudakis P, Georgikopoulou K, Nevado PT, Eick J, Bifeld E, Corral MJ, Jiménez-Antón MD, Ellinger B, Kuzikov M, Fragiadaki I, Scoulica E, Gul S, Clos J, Prousis KC, Torrado JJ, Alunda JM, Wade RC, de Souza W, Cordeiro da Silva A, Calogeropoulou T. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of antiparasitic dinitroaniline-ether phospholipid hybrids. Bioorg Chem 2023; 138:106615. [PMID: 37244229 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
A series of nine novel ether phospholipid-dinitroaniline hybrids were synthesized in an effort to deliver more potent antiparasitic agents with improved safety profile compared to miltefosine. The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antiparasitic activity against L. infantum, L.donovani, L. amazonensis, L. major and L. tropica promastigotes, L. infantum and L. donovani intracellular amastigotes, Trypanosoma brucei brucei and against different developmental stages of Trypanosoma cruzi. The nature of the oligomethylene spacer between the dinitroaniline moiety and the phosphate group, the length of the side chain substituent on the dinitroaniline and the choline or homocholine head group were found to affect both the activity and toxicity of the hybrids. The early ADMET profile of the derivatives did not reveal major liabilities. Hybrid 3, bearing an 11-carbon oligomethylene spacer, a butyl side chain and a choline head group, was the most potent analogue of the series. It exhibited a broad spectrum antiparasitic profile against the promastigotes of New and Old World Leishmania spp., against intracellular amastigotes of two L. infantum strains and L. donovani, against T. brucei and against T. cruzi Y strain epimastigotes, intracellular amastigotes and trypomastigotes. The early toxicity studies revealed that hybrid 3 showed a safe toxicological profile while its cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) against THP-1 macrophages being >100 μM. Computational analysis of binding sites and docking indicated that the interaction of hybrid 3 with trypanosomatid α-tubulin may contribute to its mechanism of action. Furthermore, compound 3 was found to interfere with the cell cycle in T. cruzi epimastigotes, while ultrastructural studies using SEM and TEM in T. cruzi showed that compound 3 affects cellular processes that result in changes in the Golgi complex, the mitochondria and the parasite's plasma membrane. The snapshot pharmacokinetic studies showed low levels of 3 after 24 h following oral administration of 100 mg/Kg, while, its homocholine congener compound 9 presented a better pharmacokinetic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Roussaki
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
| | - George E Magoulas
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
| | - Theano Fotopoulou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
| | - Nuno Santarem
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Parasite Disease Group, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Emile Barrias
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho s/n, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Ina Pöhner
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Sara Luelmo
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Pantelis Afroudakis
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
| | - Kalliopi Georgikopoulou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
| | - Paloma Tejera Nevado
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Leishmania Genetics Group, Bernhard Nocht St 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Julia Eick
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Leishmania Genetics Group, Bernhard Nocht St 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Eugenia Bifeld
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Leishmania Genetics Group, Bernhard Nocht St 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - María J Corral
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - María Dolores Jiménez-Antón
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Irini Fragiadaki
- University of Crete, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Voutes University Campus, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
| | - Effie Scoulica
- University of Crete, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Voutes University Campus, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Joachim Clos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Leishmania Genetics Group, Bernhard Nocht St 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Kyriakos C Prousis
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
| | - Juan J Torrado
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28240 Madrid, Spain.
| | - José María Alunda
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rebecca C Wade
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany; Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, and Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho s/n, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Anabela Cordeiro da Silva
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Parasite Disease Group, Porto, Portugal; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Departmento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Theodora Calogeropoulou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
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5
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Coelho LD, Souza MMD, Cassali GD, Silva RA, Paiva MJN, Barros ALB, Teixeira EM, Silveira JN, Coelho PMZ, Aguiar MMG, Oliveira MC. Emetic Tartar-Loaded Liposomes as a New Strategy for Leishmaniasis Treatment. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030904. [PMID: 36986765 PMCID: PMC10056186 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Emetic tartar (ET), was used in the treatment of leishmaniasis but its use was discontinued due to its low therapeutic index. Liposomes have been shown to be a promising strategy for delivery of bioactive substances in the region of interest, in order to reduce and/or eliminate undesirable effects. In the present study, liposomes containing ET were prepared and characterized to evaluate acute toxicity as well as their leishmanicidal action using BALB/c mice with an inoculum of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. Liposomes were composed of egg phosphatidylcholine and 3ß-[N-(N′,N′-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl]cholesterol, with an average diameter of 200 nm, zeta potential of +18 mV, and ET encapsulated into liposomes at a concentration near 2 g/L. Healthy mice were treated with ET or liposome containing ET (Lip-ET) in a single dose of 16 mg/kg of Sb3+ intravenously and observed for 14 days. The death of two animals in the ET-treated group and no deaths in the Lip-ET-treated group was observed. Higher hepatic and cardiac toxicity were observed in animals treated with ET when compared to animals treated with Lip-ET, blank liposomes (Blank-Lip) and PBS. The study of antileishmanial efficacy was conducted by intraperitoneal administration of Lip-ET, for ten consecutive days. It was observed by limiting dilution that treatments with liposomal formulations containing ET, as well as Glucantime®, led to a significant reduction in parasitic load in spleen and liver (p < 0.05) when compared to the untreated control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa D. Coelho
- Department of Pharmaceutical Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Mirna M. D. Souza
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Geovanni D. Cassali
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Raphaela A. Silva
- Department of Pharmaceutical Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria J. N. Paiva
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - André L. B. Barros
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Eliane M. Teixeira
- Clinical Research and Public Policy Group on Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, René Rachou Institute, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz—FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, MG, Brazil
| | - Josianne N. Silveira
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Paulo M. Z. Coelho
- Rene Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Belo Horizonte 30190-009, MG, Brazil
| | - Marta M. G. Aguiar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
- Correspondence: (M.M.G.A.); or (M.C.O.); Tel.: +55-31-3409-6942 (M.M.G.A.); +55-31-3409-6945 (M.C.O.)
| | - Mônica C. Oliveira
- Department of Pharmaceutical Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
- Correspondence: (M.M.G.A.); or (M.C.O.); Tel.: +55-31-3409-6942 (M.M.G.A.); +55-31-3409-6945 (M.C.O.)
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6
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Kumari P, Mamud A, Jha AN. Review on the Drug Intolerance and Vaccine Development for the Leishmaniasis. Curr Drug Targets 2023; 24:1023-1031. [PMID: 37823567 DOI: 10.2174/0113894501254585230927100440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), a zoonotic disease of vector-borne nature that is caused by a protozoan parasite Leishmania. This parasite is transmitted by the vector sandfly into the human via a bite. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also called kala-azar, is the most fatal among the types of leishmaniasis, with high mortality mostly spread in the East Africa and South Asia regions. WHO report stated that approximately 3.3 million disabilities occur every year due to the disease along with approximately 50,000 annual deaths. The real matter of concern is that there is no particular effective medicine/vaccine available against leishmaniasis to date except a few approved drugs and chemotherapy for the infected patient. The current selection of small compounds was constrained, and their growing drug resistance had been a major worry. Additionally, the serious side effects on humans of the available therapy or drugs have made it essential to discover efficient and low-cost methods to speed up the development of new drugs against leishmaniasis. Ideally, the vaccine could be a low risk and effective alternative for both CL and VL and elicit long-lasting immunity against the disease. There are a number of vaccine candidates at various stages of clinical development and preclinical stage. However, none has successfully passed all clinical trials. But, the successful development and approval of commercially available vaccines for dogs against canine leishmaniasis (CanL) provides evidence that it can be possible for humans in distant future. In the present article, the approaches used for the development of vaccines for leishmaniasis are discussed and the progress being made is briefly reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Kumari
- Centre of Sustainable Polymers, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Afrin Mamud
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Anupam Nath Jha
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam, India
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7
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Pöhner I, Quotadamo A, Panecka-Hofman J, Luciani R, Santucci M, Linciano P, Landi G, Di Pisa F, Dello Iacono L, Pozzi C, Mangani S, Gul S, Witt G, Ellinger B, Kuzikov M, Santarem N, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Costi MP, Venturelli A, Wade RC. Multitarget, Selective Compound Design Yields Potent Inhibitors of a Kinetoplastid Pteridine Reductase 1. J Med Chem 2022; 65:9011-9033. [PMID: 35675511 PMCID: PMC9289884 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The optimization
of compounds with multiple targets is a difficult
multidimensional problem in the drug discovery cycle. Here, we present
a systematic, multidisciplinary approach to the development of selective
antiparasitic compounds. Computational fragment-based design of novel
pteridine derivatives along with iterations of crystallographic structure
determination allowed for the derivation of a structure–activity
relationship for multitarget inhibition. The approach yielded compounds
showing apparent picomolar inhibition of T. brucei pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1), nanomolar inhibition of L.
major PTR1, and selective submicromolar inhibition of parasite
dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) versus human DHFR. Moreover, by combining
design for polypharmacology with a property-based on-parasite optimization,
we found three compounds that exhibited micromolar EC50 values against T. brucei brucei while retaining
their target inhibition. Our results provide a basis for the further
development of pteridine-based compounds, and we expect our multitarget
approach to be generally applicable to the design and optimization
of anti-infective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Pöhner
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antonio Quotadamo
- Tydock Pharma srl, Strada Gherbella 294/B, 41126 Modena, Italy.,Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Joanna Panecka-Hofman
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rosaria Luciani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Matteo Santucci
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Pasquale Linciano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giacomo Landi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Flavio Di Pisa
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Dello Iacono
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Pozzi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Stefano Mangani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gesa Witt
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nuno Santarem
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria P Costi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Alberto Venturelli
- Tydock Pharma srl, Strada Gherbella 294/B, 41126 Modena, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Rebecca C Wade
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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8
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Periferakis A, Caruntu A, Periferakis AT, Scheau AE, Badarau IA, Caruntu C, Scheau C. Availability, Toxicology and Medical Significance of Antimony. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084669. [PMID: 35457536 PMCID: PMC9030621 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Antimony has been known and used since ancient times, but its applications have increased significantly during the last two centuries. Aside from its few medical applications, it also has industrial applications, acting as a flame retardant and a catalyst. Geologically, native antimony is rare, and it is mostly found in sulfide ores. The main ore minerals of antimony are antimonite and jamesonite. The extensive mining and use of antimony have led to its introduction into the biosphere, where it can be hazardous, depending on its bioavailability and absorption. Detailed studies exist both from active and abandoned mining sites, and from urban settings, which document the environmental impact of antimony pollution and its impact on human physiology. Despite its evident and pronounced toxicity, it has also been used in some drugs, initially tartar emetics and subsequently antimonials. The latter are used to treat tropical diseases and their therapeutic potential for leishmaniasis means that they will not be soon phased out, despite the fact the antimonial resistance is beginning to be documented. The mechanisms by which antimony is introduced into human cells and subsequently excreted are still the subject of research; their elucidation will enable us to better understand antimony toxicity and, hopefully, to improve the nature and delivery method of antimonial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argyrios Periferakis
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (A.-T.P.); (I.A.B.); (C.C.)
- Akadimia of Ancient Greek and Traditional Chinese Medicine, 16675 Athens, Greece
| | - Ana Caruntu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The “Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, 031593 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Aristodemos-Theodoros Periferakis
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (A.-T.P.); (I.A.B.); (C.C.)
| | - Andreea-Elena Scheau
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Ioana Anca Badarau
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (A.-T.P.); (I.A.B.); (C.C.)
| | - Constantin Caruntu
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (A.-T.P.); (I.A.B.); (C.C.)
- Department of Dermatology, Prof. N.C. Paulescu National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, 011233 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Scheau
- Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (A.-T.P.); (I.A.B.); (C.C.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (C.S.)
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9
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Gonçalves G, Campos MP, Gonçalves AS, Medeiros LCS, Figueiredo FB. Increased Leishmania infantum resistance to miltefosine and amphotericin B after treatment of a dog with miltefosine and allopurinol. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:599. [PMID: 34886876 PMCID: PMC8656069 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05100-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmania infantum is the most important etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas and Mediterranean region, and the dog is the main host. Miltefosine was authorized to treat canine leishmaniasis (CanL) in Brazil in 2017, but there is a persistent fear of the emergence of parasites resistant not only to this drug but, through cross-resistance mechanisms, also to meglumine antimoniate and amphotericin B. Additionally, the literature shows that acquisition of resistance is followed by increased parasite fitness, with higher rates of proliferation, infectivity and metacyclogenesis, which are drivers of parasite virulence. In this context, the aim of this study was to analyze the impact of treating a dog with miltefosine and allopurinol on the generation of parasites resistant to miltefosine, amphotericin B and meglumine antimoniate. Methods In vitro susceptibility tests were conducted against miltefosine, amphotericin B and meglumine antimoniate with T0 (parasites isolated from a dog before treatment with miltefosine plus allopurinol), T1 (after 1 course of treatment) and T2 (after 2 courses of treatment) isolates. The rates of cell proliferation, infectivity and metacyclogenesis of the isolates were also evaluated. Results The results indicate a gradual increase in parasite resistance to miltefosine and amphotericin B with increasing the number of treatment courses. An increasing trend in the metacyclogenesis rate of the parasites was also observed as drug resistance increased. Conclusion The data indicates an increased L. infantum resistance to miltefosine and amphotericin B after the treatment of a dog with miltefosine plus allopurinol. Further studies with a larger number of L. infantum strains isolated from dogs with varied immune response profiles and undergoing different treatment regimes, are advocated. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Gonçalves
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Paraná, 81310-020, Brazil.
| | - Monique Paiva Campos
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Paraná, 81310-020, Brazil
| | | | - Lia Carolina Soares Medeiros
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Paraná, 81310-020, Brazil
| | - Fabiano Borges Figueiredo
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Paraná, 81310-020, Brazil
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10
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Dias-Lopes G, Zabala-Peñafiel A, de Albuquerque-Melo BC, Souza-Silva F, Menaguali do Canto L, Cysne-Finkelstein L, Alves CR. Axenic amastigotes of Leishmania species as a suitable model for in vitro studies. Acta Trop 2021; 220:105956. [PMID: 33979642 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania spp. are etiological agents of infection diseases, which in some cases can be fatal. The main forms of their biological cycle, promastigotes and amastigotes, can be maintained in vitro. While promastigotes are easier to maintain, amastigotes are more complex and can be obtained through different ways, including infection assays of tissues or in vitro cells, and differentiation from promastigotes to axenic amastigotes. Several protocols have been proposed for in vitro differentiation for at least 12 Leishmania spp. of both subgenera, Leishmania and Viannia. In this review we propose a critical summary of axenic amastigotes induction, as well as the impact of these strategies on metabolic pathways and regulatory networks analyzed by omics approaches. The parameters used by different research groups show considerable variations in temperature, pH and induction stages, as highlighted here for Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Therefore, a consensus on strategies for inducing amastigogenesis is necessary to improve accuracy and even define stage-specific biomarkers. In fact, the axenic amastigote model has contributed to elucidate several aspects of the parasite cycle, however, since it does not reproduce the intracellular environment, its use requires several precautions. In addition, we present a discussion about using axenic amastigotes for drug screening, suggesting the need of a more sensitive methodology to verify cell viability in these tests. Collectively, this review explores the advantages and limitations found in studies with axenic amastigotes, done for more than 30 years, and discuss the gaps that impair their use as a suitable model for in vitro studies.
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11
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Magoulas GE, Afroudakis P, Georgikopoulou K, Roussaki M, Borsari C, Fotopoulou T, Santarem N, Barrias E, Tejera Nevado P, Hachenberg J, Bifeld E, Ellinger B, Kuzikov M, Fragiadaki I, Scoulica E, Clos J, Gul S, Costi MP, de Souza W, Prousis KC, Cordeiro da Silva A, Calogeropoulou T. Design, Synthesis and Antiparasitic Evaluation of Click Phospholipids. Molecules 2021; 26:4204. [PMID: 34299479 PMCID: PMC8305768 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A library of seventeen novel ether phospholipid analogues, containing 5-membered heterocyclic rings (1,2,3-triazolyl, isoxazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl and 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl) in the lipid portion were designed and synthesized aiming to identify optimised miltefosine analogues. The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antiparasitic activity against Leishmania infantum and Leishmania donovani intracellular amastigotes, against Trypanosoma brucei brucei and against different developmental stages of Trypanosoma cruzi. The nature of the substituents of the heterocyclic ring (tail) and the oligomethylene spacer between the head group and the heterocyclic ring was found to affect the activity and toxicity of these compounds leading to a significantly improved understanding of their structure-activity relationships. The early ADMET profile of the new derivatives did not reveal major liabilities for the potent compounds. The 1,2,3-triazole derivative 27 substituted by a decyl tail, an undecyl spacer and a choline head group exhibited broad spectrum antiparasitic activity. It possessed low micromolar activity against the intracellular amastigotes of two L. infantum strains and T. cruzi Y strain epimastigotes, intracellular amastigotes and trypomastigotes, while its cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) against THP-1 macrophages ranged between 50 and 100 μM. Altogether, our work paves the way for the development of improved ether phospholipid derivatives to control neglected tropical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- George E. Magoulas
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
| | - Pantelis Afroudakis
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
| | - Kalliopi Georgikopoulou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
| | - Marina Roussaki
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
| | - Chiara Borsari
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4058 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Theano Fotopoulou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
| | - Nuno Santarem
- i3S–Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (N.S.); (A.C.d.S.)
- Parasite Disease Group, IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Emile Barrias
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (E.B.); (W.d.S.)
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Paloma Tejera Nevado
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (P.T.N.); (J.H.); (E.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Julia Hachenberg
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (P.T.N.); (J.H.); (E.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Eugenia Bifeld
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (P.T.N.); (J.H.); (E.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525 Hamburg, Germany; (B.E.); (M.K.); (S.G.)
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525 Hamburg, Germany; (B.E.); (M.K.); (S.G.)
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Irini Fragiadaki
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece; (I.F.); (E.S.)
| | - Effie Scoulica
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece; (I.F.); (E.S.)
| | - Joachim Clos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (P.T.N.); (J.H.); (E.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525 Hamburg, Germany; (B.E.); (M.K.); (S.G.)
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department of Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (E.B.); (W.d.S.)
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Kyriakos C. Prousis
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
| | - Anabela Cordeiro da Silva
- i3S–Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (N.S.); (A.C.d.S.)
- Parasite Disease Group, IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
- Departmento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Theodora Calogeropoulou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
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12
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Bamorovat M, Sharifi I, Tavakoli Oliaee R, Jafarzadeh A, Khosravi A. Determinants of Unresponsiveness to Treatment in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Focus on Anthroponotic Form Due to Leishmania tropica. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:638957. [PMID: 34140933 PMCID: PMC8203913 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.638957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a curable disease; however, due to various risk factors, unresponsiveness to CL treatments is inevitable. The treatment of CL has been firmly correlated with multiple determinants, such as demographical, clinical, and environmental factors, the host’s immune response, poor treatment adherence, the parasite’s genetic make-up, and Leishmania RNA virus. This study primarily focuses on the risk factors associated with different therapeutic outcomes following meglumine antimoniate (MA; Glucantime®) treatment and policy approaches to prevent unresponsiveness in CL patients with a focus on anthroponotic form (ACL). Findings suggest that effective preventive and therapeutic measures should be more vigorously implemented, particularly in endemic areas. Accordingly, extensive training is essential to monitor drug unresponsiveness regularly, especially in tropical regions where the disease is prevalent. Since humans are the fundamental reservoir host of ACL due to L. tropica, prompt detection, early diagnosis, and timely and effective treatment could help control this disease. Furthermore, major challenges and gaps remain: efficacious vaccine, new tools, and expert staff are crucial before CL can be definitively controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Abdollah Jafarzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Medical School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ahmad Khosravi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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13
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Eslami G, Hatefi S, Ramezani V, Tohidfar M, Churkina TV, Orlov YL, Hosseini SS, Boozhmehrani MJ, Vakili M. Molecular characteristic of treatment failure clinical isolates of Leishmania major. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10969. [PMID: 33763300 PMCID: PMC7956003 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10969] [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: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmaniasis is a prevalent tropical disease caused by more than 20 Leishmania species (Protozoa, Kinetoplastida and Trypanosomatidae). Among different clinical forms of the disease, cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form, with an annual 0.6–1 million new cases reported worldwide. This disease’s standard treatment is pentavalent antimonial (SbV) that have been used successfully since the first half of the 20th century as a first-line drug. However, treatment failure is an increasing problem that is persistently reported from endemic areas. It is important to define and standardize tests for drug resistance in cutaneous leishmaniasis. SbV must be reduced to its trivalent active form (SbIII). This reduction occurs within the host macrophage, and the resultant SbIIIenters amastigotes via the aquaglyceroporin1 (AQP1) membrane carrier. Overexpression of AQP1 results in hypersensitivity of the parasites to SbIII, but resistant phenotypes accompany reduced expression, inactivation mutations, or deletion of AQP1. Hence, in this study, a phylogenetic analysis using barcode gene COXII and kDNA minicircle and expression analysis of AQP1 were performed in treatment failure isolates to assess the isolates’ molecular characteristics and to verify possible association with drug response. Methods Samples in this study were collected from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis referred to the Diagnosis Laboratory Center in Isfahan Province, Iran, from October 2017 to December 2019. Among them, five isolates (code numbers 1–5) were categorized as treatment failures. The PCR amplification of barcode gene COXII and kDNA minicircle were done and subsequently analyzed using MEGA (10.0.5) to perform phylogenetics analysis of Treatment failures (TF) and Treatment response (TR) samples. Relative quantification of the AQP1 gene expression of TF and TR samples was assessed by real-time PCR. Results All samples were classified as L. major. No amplification failure was observed in the cases of barcode gene COXII and kDNA minicircle amplification. Having excluded the sequences with complete homology using maximum parsimony with the Bootstrap 500 method, four major groups were detected to perform phylogenetic analysis using COXII. The phylogenetic analysis using the barcode target of minicircle showed that all five treatment failure isolates were grouped in a separate sub-clade. Conclusions We concluded that the barcode gene COXII and the minicircle kDNA were suitable for identification, differentiation and phylogenetic analysis in treatment failure clinical isolates of Leishmania major. Also, AQP1 gene expression analyses showed that treatment failure isolates had less expression than TR isolates. The isolate with TF and overexpression of the AQP1 gene of other molecular mechanisms such as overexpression of ATP-binding cassette may be involved in the TR, such as overexpression of ATP-binding cassette which requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Eslami
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Samira Hatefi
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Vahid Ramezani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,Pharmaceutical Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Masoud Tohidfar
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tatyana V Churkina
- Insitute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Yuriy L Orlov
- Insitute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia.,The Digital Health Institute, I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Saeedeh Sadat Hosseini
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Boozhmehrani
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mahmood Vakili
- Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Health Monitoring Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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14
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Rosa LB, Aires RL, Oliveira LS, Fontes JV, Miguel DC, Abbehausen C. A "Golden Age" for the discovery of new antileishmanial agents: Current status of leishmanicidal gold complexes and prospective targets beyond the trypanothione system. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1681-1695. [PMID: 33615725 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected diseases worldwide and is considered a serious public health issue. The current therapeutic options have several disadvantages that make the search for new therapeutics urgent. Gold compounds are emerging as promising candidates based on encouraging in vitro and limited in vivo results for several AuI and AuIII complexes. The antiparasitic mechanisms of these molecules remain only partially understood. However, a few studies have proposed the trypanothione redox system as a target, similar to the mammalian thioredoxin system, pointed out as the main target for several gold compounds with significant antitumor activity. In this review, we present the current status of the investigation and design of gold compounds directed at treating leishmaniasis. In addition, we explore potential targets in Leishmania parasites beyond the trypanothione system, taking into account previous studies and structure modulation performed for gold-based compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia B Rosa
- Institute of Biology, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rochanna L Aires
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
| | - Laiane S Oliveira
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
| | - Josielle V Fontes
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Institute of Biology, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Camilla Abbehausen
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
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15
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Mule SN, Saad JS, Fernandes LR, Stolf BS, Cortez M, Palmisano G. Protein glycosylation inLeishmaniaspp. Mol Omics 2020; 16:407-424. [DOI: 10.1039/d0mo00043d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Protein glycosylation is a co- and post-translational modification that, inLeishmaniaparasites, plays key roles in vector–parasite–vertebrate host interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Ngao Mule
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory
- Department of Parasitology
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences
- University of Sao Paulo
- Sao Paulo - 05508-000
| | - Joyce Silva Saad
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory
- Department of Parasitology
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences
- University of Sao Paulo
- Sao Paulo - 05508-000
| | - Livia Rosa Fernandes
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory
- Department of Parasitology
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences
- University of Sao Paulo
- Sao Paulo - 05508-000
| | - Beatriz S. Stolf
- Department of Parasitology
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences
- University of Sao Paulo
- Sao Paulo
- Brazil
| | - Mauro Cortez
- Department of Parasitology
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences
- University of Sao Paulo
- Sao Paulo
- Brazil
| | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory
- Department of Parasitology
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences
- University of Sao Paulo
- Sao Paulo - 05508-000
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16
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In vitro and in vivo anti-parasitic activity of biogenic antimony sulfide nanoparticles on Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER). Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2669-2678. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06382-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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17
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Transport and detoxification of metalloids in plants in relation to plant-metalloid tolerance. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plgene.2019.100171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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18
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Mohebali M, Kazemirad E, Hajjaran H, Kazemirad E, Oshaghi MA, Raoofian R, Teimouri A. Gene expression analysis of antimony resistance in Leishmania tropica using quantitative real-time PCR focused on genes involved in trypanothione metabolism and drug transport. Arch Dermatol Res 2018; 311:9-17. [PMID: 30390113 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-018-1872-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pentavalent antimonials remain the treatment of choice for all the clinical forms of leishmaniasis. The increasing rates of antimony resistance are becoming a serious health problem in treatment of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). Accordingly, unraveling molecular markers is crucial for improving medication strategies and monitoring of drug-resistant parasites. Different studies have suggested the importance of genes involved in trypanothione metabolism and drug transport. In this regard, present study was designed to investigate the RNA expression level of five genes including γ-GCS, ODC, TRYR (involved in trypanothione metabolism), AQP1 (acts in drug uptake) and MRPA (involved in sequestration of drug) in sensitive and resistant Leishmania tropica isolates. Seven antimony-resistant and seven antimony-sensitive L. tropica clinical isolates were collected from ACL patients. Drug sensitivity test was performed on the samples as well as reference strains; afterwards, gene expression analysis was performed on clinical isolates by quantitative real-time PCR. The results revealed that the average expression level of AQP1 gene was decreased (0.47-fold) in resistant isolates compared to sensitive ones whereas MRPA (2.45), γ-GCS (2.1) and TRYR (1.97) was upregulated in resistant isolates. The average expression of ODC (1.24-fold) gene was not different significantly between sensitive and resistant isolates. Our findings suggest that AQP1, MRPA, GSH1 and TRYR can be considered as potential molecular markers for screening of antimony resistance in some L. tropica clinical isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Mohebali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Kazemirad
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Homa Hajjaran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elaheh Kazemirad
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Oshaghi
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Raoofian
- Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aref Teimouri
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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19
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Nourizadeh E, Zargar SJ, Alimohammadian MH, Ajdary S, Mahdavi M. Development of monoclonal antibodies against axenic amastigotes of Leishmania infantum strain in Iran: implication for diagnosis of Kala-azar. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2018; 21:388-394. [PMID: 29796222 PMCID: PMC5960755 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2018.25355.6264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Leishmaniasis is endemic in 88 countries. Amastigote forms of Leishmania are experts at exploiting host cell processes to establish infection. Monoclonal antibodies are key reagents used in the diagnosis of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to produce monoclonal antibodies against axenic amastigotes of the Leishmaniainfantum strain in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS First, standard strains were cultured and axenic amastigote antigens of L. infantum were obtained. Since then, BALB/c smice were immunized and antibody titers were determined. For hybridoma cell formation, lymphocytes isolated from spleen of immunized mice and myeloma cells were fused at a ratio of 10 to 1 in the presence of polyethylene glycol, followed by limiting dilution for the isolation of monoclones. Subsequently, antibody isotypes were determined by using the isotyping kit. The best clone was injected intraperitoneally to pristane-primed mice for large scale production of monoclonal antibodies. The specificity of antibody was determined with Western blotting. RESULTS Approximately 25 positive monoclones were obtained, of which four hybrids producing anti-amastigotes L. infantum monoclonal antibodies with high optical density (OD), selected and designated as 8D2 FVI6, 8D2 FVI3, 6G2 FV4 and 6G2 FV3. Results from isotype determination showed the IgG2b sub-class in 6G2FV2 and 8D2FVI6 monoclones. CONCLUSION This study produced monoclonal antibody against amastigotes of Iranian strain of L. infantum for the first time. These antibodies have reactivity against Iranian strain of L. infantum and can be used in the diagnosis of Kala-azar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezzat Nourizadeh
- School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Faculty of Biology, College of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Seyed Jalal Zargar
- School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Soheila Ajdary
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Mahdavi
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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20
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Sarwar HS, Ashraf S, Akhtar S, Sohail MF, Hussain SZ, Rafay M, Yasinzai M, Hussain I, Shahnaz G. Mannosylated thiolated polyethylenimine nanoparticles for the enhanced efficacy of antimonial drug against Leishmaniasis. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2017; 13:25-41. [PMID: 29173059 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2017-0255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Our aim was to inhibit trypanothione reductase (TR) and P-gp efflux pump of Leishmania by the use of thiolated polymers. Thus, increasing the intracellular accumulation and therapeutic effectiveness of antimonial compounds. METHODS Mannosylated thiolated chitosan and mannosylated thiolated chitosan-polyethyleneimine graft were synthesized and characterized. Meglumine antimoniate-loaded nanoparticles were prepared and evaluated for TR and P-gp efflux pump inhibition, biocompatibility, macrophage uptake and antileishmanial potential. RESULTS Thiomers inhibited TR with Ki 2.021. The macrophage uptake was 33.7- and 18.9-fold higher with mannosylated thiolated chitosan-polyethyleneimine graft and mannosylated thiolated chitosan nanoparticles, respectively, as compared with the glucantime. Moreover, the in vitro antileishmanial activity showed 14.41- and 7.4-fold improved IC50 for M-TCS-g-PEI and M-TCS, respectively as compared with glucantime. CONCLUSION These results encouraged the concept that TR and P-gp inhibition by the use of thiomers improves the therapeutic efficacy of antimonial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz S Sarwar
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Sehreen Ashraf
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Sohail Akhtar
- Department of Entomology, University College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad F Sohail
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.,Department of Medicine, Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Syed Z Hussain
- Department of Chemistry, SBA School of Science & Engineering (SBASSE), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore, 54792, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Rafay
- Department of Forestry, Range & Wild Life Management, University College of Agriculture, Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Masoom Yasinzai
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biological Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Irshad Hussain
- Department of Chemistry, SBA School of Science & Engineering (SBASSE), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore, 54792, Pakistan.,US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E), University of Engineering & Technology (UET), Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Gul Shahnaz
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.,Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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21
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Meglumine Antimoniate (Glucantime) Causes Oxidative Stress-Derived DNA Damage in BALB/c Mice Infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.02360-16. [PMID: 28320726 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02360-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by >20 species of the protozoan parasite Leishmania Meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime) is the first-choice drug recommended by the World Health Organization for the treatment of all types of leishmaniasis. However, the mechanisms of action and toxicity of pentavalent antimonials, including genotoxic effects, remain unclear. Therefore, the mechanism by which meglumine antimoniate causes DNA damage was investigated for BALB/c mice infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum and treated with meglumine antimoniate (20 mg/kg for 20 days). DNA damage was analyzed by a comet assay using mouse leukocytes. Furthermore, comet assays were followed by treatment with formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase and endonuclease III, which remove oxidized DNA bases. In addition, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the animals' sera were assessed. To investigate mutagenicity, we carried out a micronucleus test. Our data demonstrate that meglumine antimoniate, as well as L. infantum infection, induces DNA damage in mammalian cells by the oxidation of nitrogenous bases. Additionally, the antileishmanial increased the frequency of micronucleated cells, confirming its mutagenic potential. According to our data, both meglumine antimoniate treatment and L. infantum infection promote oxidative stress-derived DNA damage, which promotes overactivation of the SOD-CAT axis, whereas the SOD-GPx axis is inhibited as a probable consequence of glutathione (GSH) depletion. Finally, our data enable us to suggest that a meglumine antimoniate regimen, as recommended by the World Health Organization, would compromise GPx activity, leading to the saturation of antioxidant defense systems that use thiol groups, and might be harmful to patients under treatment.
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22
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Insight into the mechanism of action of temporin-SHa, a new broad-spectrum antiparasitic and antibacterial agent. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174024. [PMID: 28319176 PMCID: PMC5358776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising drugs to kill resistant pathogens. In contrast to bacteria, protozoan parasites, such as Leishmania, were little studied. Therefore, the antiparasitic mechanism of AMPs is still unclear. In this study, we sought to get further insight into this mechanism by focusing our attention on temporin-SHa (SHa), a small broad-spectrum AMP previously shown to be active against Leishmania infantum. To improve activity, we designed analogs of SHa and compared the antibacterial and antiparasitic mechanisms. [K3]SHa emerged as a highly potent compound active against a wide range of bacteria, yeasts/fungi, and trypanosomatids (Leishmania and Trypanosoma), with leishmanicidal intramacrophagic activity and efficiency toward antibiotic-resistant strains of S. aureus and antimony-resistant L. infantum. Multipassage resistance selection demonstrated that temporins-SH, particularly [K3]SHa, are not prone to induce resistance in Escherichia coli. Analysis of the mode of action revealed that bacterial and parasite killing occur through a similar membranolytic mechanism involving rapid membrane permeabilization and depolarization. This was confirmed by high-resolution imaging (atomic force microscopy and field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy). Multiple combined techniques (nuclear magnetic resonance, surface plasmon resonance, differential scanning calorimetry) allowed us to detail peptide-membrane interactions. [K3]SHa was shown to interact selectively with anionic model membranes with a 4-fold higher affinity (KD = 3 x 10−8 M) than SHa. The amphipathic α-helical peptide inserts in-plane in the hydrophobic lipid bilayer and disrupts the acyl chain packing via a detergent-like effect. Interestingly, cellular events, such as mitochondrial membrane depolarization or DNA fragmentation, were observed in L. infantum promastigotes after exposure to SHa and [K3]SHa at concentrations above IC50. Our results indicate that these temporins exert leishmanicidal activity via a primary membranolytic mechanism but can also trigger apoptotis-like death. The many assets demonstrated for [K3]SHa make this small analog an attractive template to develop new antibacterial/antiparasitic drugs.
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23
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Borsari C, Santarem N, Torrado J, Olías AI, Corral MJ, Baptista C, Gul S, Wolf M, Kuzikov M, Ellinger B, Witt G, Gribbon P, Reinshagen J, Linciano P, Tait A, Costantino L, Freitas-Junior LH, Moraes CB, Bruno Dos Santos P, Alcântara LM, Franco CH, Bertolacini CD, Fontana V, Tejera Nevado P, Clos J, Alunda JM, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Ferrari S, Costi MP. Methoxylated 2'-hydroxychalcones as antiparasitic hit compounds. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 126:1129-1135. [PMID: 28064141 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Chalcones display a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. Herein, a series of 2'-hydroxy methoxylated chalcones was synthesized and evaluated towards Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum. Among the synthesized library, compounds 1, 3, 4, 7 and 8 were the most potent and selective anti-T. brucei compounds (EC50 = 1.3-4.2 μM, selectivity index >10-fold). Compound 4 showed the best early-tox and antiparasitic profile. The pharmacokinetic studies of compound 4 in BALB/c mice using hydroxypropil-β-cyclodextrins formulation showed a 7.5 times increase in oral bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Borsari
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Nuno Santarem
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto and Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180, Porto, Portugal
| | - Juan Torrado
- Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Olías
- Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Jesús Corral
- Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Catarina Baptista
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto and Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wolf
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gesa Witt
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Philip Gribbon
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Jeanette Reinshagen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Pasquale Linciano
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tait
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Costantino
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Carolina B Moraes
- Brazilian Centre for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Vanessa Fontana
- Brazilian Centre for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Joachim Clos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, D-20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - José María Alunda
- Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto and Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180, Porto, Portugal
| | - Stefania Ferrari
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy.
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24
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Borsari C, Luciani R, Pozzi C, Poehner I, Henrich S, Trande M, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Santarem N, Baptista C, Tait A, Di Pisa F, Dello Iacono L, Landi G, Gul S, Wolf M, Kuzikov M, Ellinger B, Reinshagen J, Witt G, Gribbon P, Kohler M, Keminer O, Behrens B, Costantino L, Tejera Nevado P, Bifeld E, Eick J, Clos J, Torrado J, Jiménez-Antón MD, Corral MJ, Alunda JM, Pellati F, Wade RC, Ferrari S, Mangani S, Costi MP. Profiling of Flavonol Derivatives for the Development of Antitrypanosomatidic Drugs. J Med Chem 2016; 59:7598-616. [PMID: 27411733 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Flavonoids represent a potential source of new antitrypanosomatidic leads. Starting from a library of natural products, we combined target-based screening on pteridine reductase 1 with phenotypic screening on Trypanosoma brucei for hit identification. Flavonols were identified as hits, and a library of 16 derivatives was synthesized. Twelve compounds showed EC50 values against T. brucei below 10 μM. Four X-ray crystal structures and docking studies explained the observed structure-activity relationships. Compound 2 (3,6-dihydroxy-2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one) was selected for pharmacokinetic studies. Encapsulation of compound 2 in PLGA nanoparticles or cyclodextrins resulted in lower in vitro toxicity when compared to the free compound. Combination studies with methotrexate revealed that compound 13 (3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one) has the highest synergistic effect at concentration of 1.3 μM, 11.7-fold dose reduction index and no toxicity toward host cells. Our results provide the basis for further chemical modifications aimed at identifying novel antitrypanosomatidic agents showing higher potency toward PTR1 and increased metabolic stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Borsari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Rosaria Luciani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Pozzi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena , Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Ina Poehner
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies , 69118 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Henrich
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies , 69118 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matteo Trande
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto and Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology , 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Santarem
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto and Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology , 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina Baptista
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto and Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology , 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Annalisa Tait
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Flavio Di Pisa
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena , Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Dello Iacono
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena , Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giacomo Landi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena , Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort , Schnackenburgallee 114 D-22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wolf
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort , Schnackenburgallee 114 D-22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort , Schnackenburgallee 114 D-22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort , Schnackenburgallee 114 D-22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jeanette Reinshagen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort , Schnackenburgallee 114 D-22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gesa Witt
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort , Schnackenburgallee 114 D-22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Philip Gribbon
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort , Schnackenburgallee 114 D-22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Kohler
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort , Schnackenburgallee 114 D-22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Keminer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort , Schnackenburgallee 114 D-22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Birte Behrens
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort , Schnackenburgallee 114 D-22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luca Costantino
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | | | - Eugenia Bifeld
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine , D-20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Eick
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine , D-20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Clos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine , D-20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Juan Torrado
- Complutense University of Madrid , 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María D Jiménez-Antón
- Complutense University of Madrid , 28040 Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre , 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - María J Corral
- Complutense University of Madrid , 28040 Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre , 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Ma Alunda
- Complutense University of Madrid , 28040 Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre , 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Federica Pellati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Rebecca C Wade
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies , 69118 Heidelberg, Germany.,Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University , 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University ,69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefania Ferrari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Stefano Mangani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena , Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
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25
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Alvarenga BM, Melo MN, Frézard F, Demicheli C, Gomes JMM, Borba da Silva JB, Speziali NL, Corrêa Junior JD. Nanoparticle phosphate-based composites as vehicles for antimony delivery to macrophages: possible use in leishmaniasis. J Mater Chem B 2015; 3:9250-9259. [DOI: 10.1039/c5tb00376h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Nontoxic NPC containing Sb(v) boosts the infected macrophage recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betânia Mara Alvarenga
- Departamento de Morfologia
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
- 31270-901 Belo Horizonte
- Brazil
| | - Maria Norma Melo
- Departamento de Parasitologia
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
- 31270-901 Belo Horizonte
- Brazil
| | - Fréderic Frézard
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
- 31270-901 Belo Horizonte
- Brazil
| | - Cynthia Demicheli
- Departamento de Química
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
- 31270-901 Belo Horizonte
- Brazil
| | - Juliana Moreira Mendonça Gomes
- Departamento de Morfologia
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
- 31270-901 Belo Horizonte
- Brazil
| | - José Bento Borba da Silva
- Departamento de Química
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
- 31270-901 Belo Horizonte
- Brazil
| | - Nivaldo Lucio Speziali
- Departamento de Física
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
- 31270-901 Belo Horizonte
- Brazil
| | - José Dias Corrêa Junior
- Departamento de Morfologia
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
- 31270-901 Belo Horizonte
- Brazil
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26
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Frézard F, Monte-Neto R, Reis PG. Antimony transport mechanisms in resistant leishmania parasites. Biophys Rev 2014; 6:119-132. [PMID: 28509965 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-013-0134-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimonial compounds have been used for more than a century in the treatment of the parasitic disease leishmaniasis. Although pentavalent antimonials are still first-line drugs in several developing countries, this class of drugs is no longer recommended in the Indian sub-continent because of the emergence of drug resistance. The precise mechanisms involved in the resistance of leishmania parasites to antimony are still subject to debate. It is now well documented that drug resistance in leishmania parasites is a multifactorial phenomenon involving multiple genes whose expression pattern synergistically leads to the resistance phenotype. The reduction of intracellular antimony accumulation is a frequent change observed in resistant leishmania cells; however, no comprehensive transport model has been presented so far to explain this change and its contribution to Leishmania resistance. The present review firstly covers the actual knowledge on the metabolism of antimonial drugs, the mechanisms of their transmembrane transport and intracellular processing in Leishmania. It further describes both the functional and molecular changes associated with Sb resistance in this organism. Possible transport models based on the actual knowledge are then presented, as well as their functional implications. Biophysical and pharmacological strategies are finally proposed for the precise identification of the transport pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Frézard
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Pampulha, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Rubens Monte-Neto
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, RC-709, G1V 4G2, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Priscila G Reis
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Pampulha, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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27
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Najim RA, Sharquie KE, Al-Zubaidy SAA. Possible mechanisms of action of the compounds injected intralesionally in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis, in addition to their direct effects on the parasites. ANNALS OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND PARASITOLOGY 2013; 100:33-8. [PMID: 16417711 DOI: 10.1179/136485906x78472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
By injecting uninfected rabbits intradermally with one of the test compounds or the isotonic saline (0.9% NaCl) used as a control, the possible mechanisms of the indirect action of some drugs used intralesionally in the treatment of human cutaneous leishmaniasis [sodium stibogluconate, 2% zinc sulphate, and hypertonic (7% NaCL) saline] were explored. The 24 injected rabbits (six for the control and six for each test compound) were followed up for 30 days, both macroscopically, with checks for erythema and increases in skin thickness, and microscopically, with the histopathological examination of sections of biopsies from the injection sites. Although the microscopy revealed inflammatory-cell infiltration, beginning with eosinophils, followed by lymphocytes and finally by the proliferation of fibroblasts, at all of the injection sites, these changes were most intense with the sodium stibogluconate and 2% zinc sulphate, less marked with the hypertonic saline, and minimal and relatively short-lived with the isotonic saline. Presumably as a result of their metal content, sodium stibogluconate and zinc sulphate each probably induce tissue damage and, subsequently, severe inflammatory changes. The antileishmanial activity of hypertonic saline, however, may be entirely attributable to its osmotic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Najim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, P.O. Box 61208, Baghdad 12114, Iraq.
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28
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Nosratabadi SJ, Sharifi I, Sharififar F, Bamorovat M, Daneshvar H, Mirzaie M. In vitro antileishmanial activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis against Leishmania major. J Parasit Dis 2013; 39:18-21. [PMID: 25698853 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-013-0377-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 10/18/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pentavalent antimony compounds are expensive, toxic and drug resistance is prevalent, whereas the plant extract derivatives are safe. In the present study, the effect of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on the promastigotes of Leishmania major was evaluated. The methanolic and aqueous extracts of E. camaldulensis leaves were prepared. The compounds were dried and powdered. Serial dilutions of the extracts and control drugs in phosphate buffer solution were prepared. The stationary phase promastigotes of L. major were incubated to the methanolic and aqueous extractions in vitro. Tartar emetic was used as the positive control drug. After 72 h of incubation the activity of the extracts was measured, using MTT method. The IC50 values (50 % inhibitory concentration) were 586.2 ± 47.6 and 1,108.6 ± 51.9 μg/ml for methanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively, whereas it was 32.5 ± 6.8 μg/ml for tartar emetic. The results indicated that the methanolic extract was more effective than aqueous extract, although there was no significant difference. The extracts were less effective as compared to the control drug. Further investigation is required to evaluate these extracts on clinical stage in macrophage-amastigote model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, 76169-14115 Kerman, Iran
| | - Fariba Sharififar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Herbal and Traditional Medicines Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, 76169-14115 Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamid Daneshvar
- Immunology Department, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mirzaie
- Pathobiology Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
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29
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Kazemi-Rad E, Mohebali M, Khadem-Erfan MB, Saffari M, Raoofian R, Hajjaran H, Hadighi R, Khamesipour A, Rezaie S, Abedkhojasteh H, Heidari M. Identification of antimony resistance markers in Leishmania tropica field isolates through a cDNA-AFLP approach. Exp Parasitol 2013; 135:344-9. [PMID: 23928349 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2013.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Pentavalent antimonial compounds have been the first line therapy for leishmaniasis; unfortunately the rate of treatment failure of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is increasing due to emerging of drug resistance. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms operating in antimony resistance is critical for development of new strategies for treatment. Here, we used a cDNA-AFLP approach to identify gene(s) which are differentially expressed in resistant and sensitive Leishmania tropica field isolates. We identified five genes, aquaglyceroporin (AQP1) acts in drug uptake, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter (MRPA) involved in sequestration of drug, phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) implicated in glycolysis metabolism, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) responsible for phosphorylation pathway. The results were confirmed using real time RT-PCR which revealed an upregulation of MRPA, PTP and PGK genes and downregulation of AQP1 and MAPK genes in resistant isolate. To our knowledge, this is the first report of identification of PTP and PGK genes potentially implicated in resistance to antimonials. Our findings support the idea that distinct biomolecules might be involved in antimony resistance in L. tropica field isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Kazemi-Rad
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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30
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Comparison of a high-throughput high-content intracellular Leishmania donovani assay with an axenic amastigote assay. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 57:2913-22. [PMID: 23571538 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02398-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease with significant health impact. The current treatments are poor, and there is an urgent need to develop new drugs. Primary screening assays used for drug discovery campaigns have typically used free-living forms of the Leishmania parasite to allow for high-throughput screening. Such screens do not necessarily reflect the physiological situation, as the disease-causing stage of the parasite resides inside human host cells. Assessing the drug sensitivity of intracellular parasites on scale has recently become feasible with the advent of high-content screening methods. We describe here a 384-well microscopy-based intramacrophage Leishmania donovani assay and compare it to an axenic amastigote system. A panel of eight reference compounds was tested in both systems, as well as a human counterscreen cell line, and our findings show that for most clinically used compounds both axenic and intramacrophage assays report very similar results. A set of 15,659 diverse compounds was also screened using both systems. This resulted in the identification of seven new antileishmanial compounds and revealed a high false-positive rate for the axenic assay. We conclude that the intramacrophage assay is more suited as a primary hit-discovery platform than the current form of axenic assay, and we discuss how modifications to the axenic assay may render it more suitable for hit-discovery.
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31
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Mukherjee A, Boisvert S, Monte-Neto RLD, Coelho AC, Raymond F, Mukhopadhyay R, Corbeil J, Ouellette M. Telomeric gene deletion and intrachromosomal amplification in antimony-resistant Leishmania. Mol Microbiol 2013; 88:189-202. [PMID: 23421749 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Antimonials are still the mainstay of treatment against leishmaniasis but drug resistance is increasing. We carried out short read next-generation sequencing (NGS) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) of three independent Leishmania major antimony-resistant mutants. Copy number variations were consistently detected with both NGS and CGH. A major attribute of antimony resistance was a novel terminal deletion of variable length (67 kb to 204 kb) of the polyploid chromosome 31 in the three mutants. Terminal deletions in two mutants occurred at the level of inverted repeated sequences. The AQP1 gene coding for an aquaglyceroporin was part of the deleted region and its transfection into resistant mutants reverted resistance to SbIII. We also highlighted an intrachromosomal amplification of a subtelomeric locus on chromosome 34 in one mutant. This region encoded for ascorbate-dependent peroxidase (APX) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). Overexpression of these genes in revertant backgrounds demonstrated resistance to SbIII and protection from reactive oxygen species (ROS). Generation of a G6PDH null mutant in one revertant exhibited SbIII sensitivity and a decreased protection of ROS. Our genomic analyses and functional validation highlighted novel genomic rearrangements, functionally important resistant loci and the implication of new genes in antimony resistance in Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angana Mukherjee
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada, G1V 4G2
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32
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Abbassi F, Raja Z, Oury B, Gazanion E, Piesse C, Sereno D, Nicolas P, Foulon T, Ladram A. Antibacterial and leishmanicidal activities of temporin-SHd, a 17-residue long membrane-damaging peptide. Biochimie 2012; 95:388-99. [PMID: 23116712 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2012.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 10/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Temporins are a family of short antimicrobial peptides (8-17 residues) that mostly show potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Herein, we demonstrate that temporin-SHd, a 17-residue peptide with a net charge of +2 (FLPAALAGIGGILGKLF(amide)), expressed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. This peptide displayed potent antibacterial activities against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, as well as antiparasitic activity against promastigote and the intracellular stage (amastigote) of Leishmania infantum, at concentration not toxic for the macrophages. Temporin-SHd that is structured in a non-amphipathic α-helix in anionic membrane-mimetic environments, strongly and selectively perturbs anionic bilayer membranes by interacting with the polar head groups and acyl region of the phospholipids, with formation of regions of two coexisting phases: one phase rich in peptide and the other lipid-rich. The disruption of lipid packing within the bilayer may lead to the formation of transient pores and membrane permeation/disruption once a threshold peptide accumulation is reached. To our knowledge, Temporin-SHd represents the first known 17-residue long temporin expressing such broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity including members of the trypanosomatidae family. Additionally, since only a few shorter members (13 residues) of the temporin family are known to display antileishmanial activity (temporins-TA, -TB and -SHa), SHd is an interesting tool to analyze the antiparasitic mechanism of action of temporins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feten Abbassi
- UPMC Univ Paris 06, ER3 Biogenèse des Signaux Peptidiques, F-75005 Paris, France
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33
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Canuto GAB, Castilho-Martins EA, Tavares M, López-Gonzálvez A, Rivas L, Barbas C. CE-ESI-MS metabolic fingerprinting of Leishmania resistance to antimony treatment. Electrophoresis 2012; 33:1901-10. [PMID: 22740478 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201200007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Metabolomics has become an invaluable tool to unveil biology of pathogens, with immediate application to chemotherapy. It is currently accepted that there is not one single technique capable of obtaining the whole metabolic fingerprint of a biological system either due to their different physical-chemical properties or concentrations. In this work, we have explored the capability of capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry with a sheathless interface with electrospray ionization (CE-ESI-TOF-MS) to separate metabolites in order to be used as a complementary technique to LC. As proof of concept, we have compared the metabolome of Leishmania infantum promastigotes BCN 150 (Sb (III) IC(50) = 20.9 μM) and its variation when treated with 120 μM of Sb(III) potassium tartrate for 12 h, as well as with its Sb(III) resistant counterpart obtained by growth of the parasites under increasing Sb(III) in a step-wise manner up to 180 μM. The number of metabolites compared were of 264 for BCN150 Sb(III) treated versus nontreated and of 195 for Sb(III) resistant versus susceptible parasites. After successive data filtering, differences in seven metabolites identified in databases for Leishmania pathways, showed the highest significant differences, corresponding mainly to amino acids or their metabolite surrogates. Most of them were assigned to sulfur containing amino acids and polyamine biosynthetic pathways, of special relevance considering the deterioration of the thiol-dependent redox metabolism in Leishmania by Sb(III). Given the low concentrations typical for most of these metabolites, the assay can be considered a success that should be explored for new biological questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisele A B Canuto
- Center for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Monteprincipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
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34
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Singh N, Kumar M, Singh RK. Leishmaniasis: current status of available drugs and new potential drug targets. ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2012; 5:485-97. [PMID: 22575984 DOI: 10.1016/s1995-7645(12)60084-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2012] [Revised: 03/15/2012] [Accepted: 04/15/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The control of Leishmania infection relies primarily on chemotherapy till date. Resistance to pentavalent antimonials, which have been the recommended drugs to treat cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, is now widespread in Indian subcontinents. New drug formulations like amphotericin B, its lipid formulations, and miltefosine have shown great efficacy to treat leishmaniasis but their high cost and therapeutic complications limit their usefulness. In addition, irregular and inappropriate uses of these second line drugs in endemic regions like state of Bihar, India threaten resistance development in the parasite. In context to the limited drug options and unavailability of either preventive or prophylactic candidates, there is a pressing need to develop true antileishmanial drugs to reduce the disease burden of this debilitating endemic disease. Notwithstanding significant progress of leishmanial research during last few decades, identification and characterization of novel drugs and drug targets are far from satisfactory. This review will initially describe current drug regimens and later will provide an overview on few important biochemical and enzymatic machineries that could be utilized as putative drug targets for generation of true antileishmanial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Singh
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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35
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Translational control through eIF2alpha phosphorylation during the Leishmania differentiation process. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35085. [PMID: 22693545 PMCID: PMC3365078 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2011] [Accepted: 03/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The parasitic protozoan Leishmania alternates between an invertebrate and a mammalian host. Upon their entry to mammalian macrophages, Leishmania promastigotes differentiate into amastigote forms within the harsh environment of the phagolysosomal compartment. Here, we provide evidence for the importance of translational control during the Leishmania differentiation process. We find that exposure of promastigotes to a combined elevated temperature and acidic pH stress, a key signal triggering amastigote differentiation, leads to a marked decrease in global translation initiation, which is associated with eIF2α phosphorylation. Interestingly, we show that amastigotes adapted to grow in a cell-free medium exhibit lower levels of protein synthesis in comparison to promastigotes, suggesting that amastigotes have to enter a slow growth state to adapt to the stressful conditions encountered inside macrophages. Reconversion of amastigotes back to promastigote growth results in upregulation of global translation and a decrease in eIF2α phosphorylation. In addition, we show that while general translation is reduced during amastigote differentiation, translation of amastigote-specific transcripts such as A2 is preferentially upregulated. We find that A2 developmental gene regulation is triggered by temperature changes in the environment and that occurs mainly at the level of translation. Upon elevated temperature, the A2 transcript is stabilized through its association with polyribosomes leading to high levels of translation. When temperature decreases during amastigote to promastigote differentiation, the A2 transcript is not longer associated with translating polyribosomes and is being gradually degraded. Overall, these findings contribute to our better understanding of the adaptive responses of Leishmania to stress during its development and highlight the importance of translational control in promastigote to amastigote differentiation and vice-versa.
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Discovery of factors linked to antimony resistance in Leishmania panamensis through differential proteome analysis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2012; 183:166-76. [PMID: 22449941 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2012.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2011] [Revised: 03/05/2012] [Accepted: 03/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The rate of treatment failure to antileishmanial chemotherapy in Latin America is up to 64%. Parasite drug resistance contributes to an unknown proportion of treatment failures. Identification of clinically relevant molecular mechanisms responsible for parasite drug resistance is critical to the conservation of available drugs and to the discovery of novel targets to reverse the resistant phenotype. We conducted comparative proteomic-based analysis of Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis lines selected in vitro for resistance to trivalent antimony (Sb(III)) to identify factors associated with antimony resistance. Using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, two distinct sub-proteomes (soluble in NP-40/urea and Triton X-114, respectively) of promastigotes of WT and Sb(III)-resistant lines were generated. Overall, 9 differentially expressed putative Sb-resistance factors were detected and identified by mass spectrometry. These constituted two major groups: (a) proteins involved in general stress responses and (b) proteins with highly specific metabolic and transport functions, potentially directly contributing to the Sb-resistance mechanism. Notably, the sulfur amino acid-metabolizing enzymes S-adenosylmethionine synthetase (SAMS) and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) were over-expressed in Sb(III)-resistant lines and Sb(III)-resistant clinical isolates. These enzymes play a central role in the upstream synthesis of precursors of trypanothione, a key molecule involved in Sb-resistance in Leishmania parasites, and suggest involvement of epigenetic regulation in response to drug exposure. These data re-enforce the importance of thiol metabolism in Leishmania Sb resistance, reveal previously unrecognized steps in the mechanism(s) of Sb tolerance, and suggest a cross-talk between drug resistance, metabolism and virulence.
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37
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Hansen C, Hansen EW, Hansen HR, Gammelgaard B, Stürup S. Reduction of Sb(V) in a human macrophage cell line measured by HPLC-ICP-MS. Biol Trace Elem Res 2011; 144:234-43. [PMID: 21618006 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-011-9079-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2011] [Accepted: 05/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Drugs based on pentavalent antimony are first-line treatment of the parasite disease leishmaniasis. It is generally believed that Sb(V) acts as a prodrug, which is activated by reduction to Sb(III); however, the site of reduction is not known. It has been hypothesised that the reduction takes place in the parasites' host cells, the macrophages. In this study, the human macrophage cell line Mono Mac 6 was exposed to Sb(V) in form of the drug sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam™). Cell extracts were analysed for Sb species by high-performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry detection. We found that Sb(V) is actually reduced to Sb(III) in the macrophages; up to 23% of the intracellular Sb was found as Sb(III). Transfer of the cells to Sb-free medium rapidly decreased their Sb(V) and Sb(III) content. Induction of the cell's production of reactive oxygen species did not have any marked effect on the intracellular amounts of Sb(III).
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Affiliation(s)
- Claus Hansen
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Analytical Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
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38
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Antimony resistance in leishmania, focusing on experimental research. J Trop Med 2011; 2011:695382. [PMID: 22174724 PMCID: PMC3235892 DOI: 10.1155/2011/695382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2011] [Revised: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 09/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases are parasitic diseases that spread in many countries with a prevalence of 12 million cases. There are few available treatments and antimonials are still of major importance in the therapeutic strategies used in most endemic regions. However, resistance toward these compounds has recently emerged in areas where the replacement of these drugs is mainly limited by the cost of alternative molecules. In this paper, we reviewed the studies carried out on antimonial resistance in Leishmania. Several common limitations of these works are presented before prevalent approaches to evidence antimonial resistance are related. Afterwards, phenotypic determination of resistance is described, then confronted to clinical outcome. Finally, we detail molecular mechanisms and targets involved in resistance and already identified in vitro within selected mutant strains or in clinical isolates.
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Haldar AK, Sen P, Roy S. Use of antimony in the treatment of leishmaniasis: current status and future directions. Mol Biol Int 2011; 2011:571242. [PMID: 22091408 PMCID: PMC3196053 DOI: 10.4061/2011/571242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2011] [Accepted: 03/05/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In the recent past the standard treatment of kala-azar involved the use of pentavalent antimonials Sb(V). Because of progressive rise in treatment failure to Sb(V) was limited its use in the treatment program in the Indian subcontinent. Until now the mechanism of action of Sb(V) is not very clear. Recent studies indicated that both parasite and hosts contribute to the antimony efflux mechanism. Interestingly, antimonials show strong immunostimulatory abilities as evident from the upregulation of transplantation antigens and enhanced T cell stimulating ability of normal antigen presenting cells when treated with Sb(V) in vitro. Recently, it has been shown that some of the peroxovanadium compounds have Sb(V)-resistance modifying ability in experimental infection with Sb(V) resistant Leishmania donovani isolates in murine model. Thus, vanadium compounds may be used in combination with Sb(V) in the treatment of Sb(V) resistance cases of kala-azar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Kumar Haldar
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata West Bengal 700032, India
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Chow C, Cloutier S, Dumas C, Chou MN, Papadopoulou B. Promastigote to amastigote differentiation of Leishmania is markedly delayed in the absence of PERK eIF2alpha kinase-dependent eIF2alpha phosphorylation. Cell Microbiol 2011; 13:1059-77. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2011.01602.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Leishmania tarentolae: Utility as an in vitro model for screening of antileishmanial agents. Exp Parasitol 2010; 126:471-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2009] [Revised: 05/19/2010] [Accepted: 05/21/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Brotherton MC, Racine G, Foucher AL, Drummelsmith J, Papadopoulou B, Ouellette M. Analysis of Stage-Specific Expression of Basic Proteins in Leishmania infantum. J Proteome Res 2010; 9:3842-53. [DOI: 10.1021/pr100048m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Christine Brotherton
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHUL and Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Gina Racine
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHUL and Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Aude L. Foucher
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHUL and Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Jolyne Drummelsmith
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHUL and Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Barbara Papadopoulou
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHUL and Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Marc Ouellette
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHUL and Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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Vigna E, De Vivo A, Gentile M, Morelli R, Lucia E, Mazzone C, Recchia A, Vianelli N, Morabito F. Liposomal amphotericin B in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in immunocompromised patients. Transpl Infect Dis 2010; 12:428-31. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2010.00519.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Liarte DB, Murta SMF. Selection and phenotype characterization of potassium antimony tartrate-resistant populations of four New World Leishmania species. Parasitol Res 2010; 107:205-12. [PMID: 20372925 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-1852-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 03/18/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we selected in vitro populations of Leishmania Viannia guyanensis, L.V. braziliensis, L. Leishmania amazonensis and L.L. infantum chagasi that were resistant to potassium antimony tartrate (SbIII). The resistance index of these populations varied from 4- to 20-fold higher than that of their wild-type counterparts. To evaluate the stability of the resistance phenotype, these four resistant populations were passaged 37 to 47 times in a culture medium without SbIII. No change was observed in the resistance indexes of L.V. guyanensis (19-fold) and L.L. infantum chagasi (4-fold). In contrast, a decrease in the resistance index was observed for L.V. braziliensis (from 20- to 10-fold) and L.L. amazonensis (from 6- to 3-fold). None of the antimony-resistant populations exhibited cross-resistance to amphotericin B and miltefosine. However, the resistant populations of L.V. braziliensis, L.L. amazonensis and L.L. infantum chagasi were also resistant to paromomycin. A drastic reduction was observed in the infectivity in mice for the resistant L.V. guyanensis, L.L. amazonensis and L.V. braziliensis populations. The SbIII-resistant phenotype of L.V. braziliensis was stable after one passage in mice. Although the protocol of induction was the same, the SbIII-resistant populations showed different degrees of tolerance, stability, infectivity in mice and cross-resistance to antileishmanial drugs, depending on the Leishmania species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Liarte
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou-CPqRR/Fiocruz, Av. Augusto de Lima 1715, Caixa Postal 1743, CEP 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Kumar P, Lodge R, Trudel N, Ouellet M, Ouellette M, Tremblay MJ. Nelfinavir, an HIV-1 protease inhibitor, induces oxidative stress-mediated, caspase-independent apoptosis in Leishmania amastigotes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2010; 4:e642. [PMID: 20361030 PMCID: PMC2846936 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2009] [Accepted: 02/09/2010] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral leishmaniasis has now emerged as an important opportunistic disease in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). Although the effectiveness of HIV-1 protease inhibitors, such as nelfinavir, in antiretroviral therapies is well documented, little is known of the impact of these drugs on Leishmania in coinfected individuals. Methodology and Principal Findings Here, we show that nelfinavir generates oxidative stress in the parasite, leading to altered physiological parameters such as an increase in the sub-G1 DNA content, nuclear DNA fragmentation and loss of mitochondrial potential, which are all characteristics of apoptosis. Pretreatment of axenic amastigotes with the caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk did not inhibit the increase in sub-G1 DNA content in nelfinavir-treated parasites, suggesting therefore that this antiviral agent does not kill Leishmania amastigotes in a caspase-dependent manner. Furthermore, we observed that the mitochondrial resident protein endonuclease G is involved. We also demonstrate that parasites overexpressing GSH1 (the rate limiting enzyme of glutathione biosynthesis) were more resistant to nelfinavir when compared to untransfected controls. Conclusions and Significance These data suggest that nelfinavir induces oxidative stress in Leishmania amastigotes, culminating in caspase-independent apoptosis, in which DNA is degraded by endonuclease G. This study provides a rationale for future, long-term design of new therapeutic strategies to test nelfinavir as a potential antileishmanial agent as well as for possible future use in Leishmania/HIV-1 coinfections. Visceral leishmaniasis is the most severe form of disease caused by the parasite Leishmania. It is a major concern in South America, Africa, India and the Middle East. Additionally, it has now emerged as an important opportunistic disease in patients coinfected with HIV-1. This is due, in part, to the increasing overlap between urban centers and rural areas endemic for Leishmania. Although more efficient combinatorial antiviral drug regimens for treating HIV-1 infection have been developed, the impact of such therapies on HIV-1/Leishmania coinfection is yet to be explored. In this study, we investigated the effect of nelfinavir, a well-characterized anti-HIV-1 drug, on Leishmania. Treating the parasite with nelfinavir activates events that are hallmarks of programmed cell death (also called apoptosis). Among these are oxidative stress, changes in DNA replication and fragmentation, and release of mitochondrial enzymes. Furthermore, these events occur without the participation of caspases, which are classically linked to apoptosis; however, this atypical apoptosis requires the translocation of endonuclease G from mitochondria to the cytoplasm. These findings provide insights for the design of new anti-parasitic therapies, particularly in the case of Leishmania/HIV-1 coinfections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranav Kumar
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, and Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Robert Lodge
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, and Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Nathalie Trudel
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, and Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Michel Ouellet
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, and Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Marc Ouellette
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, and Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Michel J. Tremblay
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, and Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Mandal S, Maharjan M, Singh S, Chatterjee M, Madhubala R. Assessing aquaglyceroporin gene status and expression profile in antimony-susceptible and -resistant clinical isolates of Leishmania donovani from India. J Antimicrob Chemother 2010; 65:496-507. [PMID: 20067981 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkp468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Clinical resistance to pentavalent antimonials results from an interplay between uptake, efflux and sequestration in Leishmania. Aquaglyceroporins (AQPs) have been shown to facilitate uptake of trivalent metalloids. Down-regulation of AQP1 in Leishmania results in resistance to trivalent antimony, whereas overexpression of AQP1 in drug-resistant parasites can reverse the resistance. The present work investigates the role of AQP1 in monitoring antimonial resistance in Indian leishmaniasis. METHODS AND RESULTS Susceptibility to trivalent antimony as determined in vitro with intracellular amastigotes from both visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) patients correlated well with the clinical response. Higher accumulation of trivalent antimony (SbIII) was observed in all susceptible isolates compared with resistant isolates. Reduced accumulation of SbIII correlated, with a few exceptions, with down-regulation of AQP1 RNA as determined by real-time PCR. Cloning and sequencing of the AQP1 gene from both VL and PKDL isolates showed sequence variation in four of the clinical isolates. None of the isolates had an alteration of Glu152 and Arg230, which have been previously shown to affect metalloid transport. Transfection of the AQP1 gene in a sodium antimony gluconate-resistant field isolate conferred susceptibility to the resistant isolate. CONCLUSIONS Our studies indicate genetic variation in VL and PKDL isolates. Down-regulation of AQP1 correlates well with clinical drug resistance in a majority of Indian VL and PKDL isolates. AQP1 gene expression at both the genetic and transcriptional level showed positive correlation with SbIII accumulation, with some exceptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Mandal
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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Metalloid transport by aquaglyceroporins: consequences in the treatment of human diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2010; 679:57-69. [PMID: 20666224 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-6315-4_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Metalloids can severely harm human physiology in a toxicological sense if taken up from the environment in acute high doses or chronically. However, arsenic or antimony containing drugs are still being used as treatment and are often the sole regime for certain forms of cancer, mainly types of leukemia and diseases caused by parasites, such as sleeping sickness or leishmaniasis. In this chapter, we give an outline of the positive effects of arsenicals and antimonials against such diseases, we summarize data on uptake pathways through human and parasite aquaglyceroporins and we discuss the progress and options in the development of therapeutic aquaporin and aquaglyceroporin inhibitor compounds.
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In vitro sensitivity testing of Leishmania clinical field isolates: preconditioning of promastigotes enhances infectivity for macrophage host cells. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2009; 53:5197-203. [PMID: 19752271 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00866-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Diagnostic material from patients with leishmaniasis is generally available as promastigotes, and proper testing for susceptibility to first-line drugs by the intracellular amastigote assay is frequently hampered by the poor infectivity of the promastigotes for the macrophage host cell. Several conditions for optimization of the in vitro metacyclogenesis and cell infectivity of Leishmania donovani, L. guyanensis, and L. braziliensis field strains obtained from patients receiving standard antimony medication were investigated. Triggering log-phase promastigotes to become amastigote-like by increasing the temperature or acidifying the culture medium was not successful. Adequate metacyclogenesis and the highest levels of macrophage infection were obtained after 5-day-old late-log-phase promastigote cultures were preconditioned at 25 degrees C to pH 5.4 for 24 h in Schneider's medium prior to infection. The susceptibility assay with primary peritoneal mouse macrophages included pentavalent antimony (Sb(V); sodium stibogluconate), trivalent antimony (Sb(III); potassium antimonyl tartrate), miltefosine, and the experimental drug PX-6518. All strains were sensitive to miltefosine (50% inhibitory concentration [IC(50)] < 10 microM) and PX-6518 (IC(50) < 2 microg/ml) but showed distinct susceptibility to Sb(V) and/or Sb(III), depending on whether they were derived from cured, relapse, or nonresponder patients. Within the available set of Leishmania species and strains, simultaneous Sb(V)-Sb(III) resistance was clearly associated with treatment failure; however, a larger set of isolates is still needed to judge the predictive value of Sb(V)-Sb(III) susceptibility profiling on treatment outcome. In conclusion, the proposed conditioning protocol further contributes toward a more standardized laboratory model for evaluation of the drug sensitivities of field isolates.
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In vitro susceptibilities of Leishmania donovani promastigote and amastigote stages to antileishmanial reference drugs: practical relevance of stage-specific differences. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2009; 53:3855-9. [PMID: 19546361 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00548-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro susceptibilities of the reference strain Leishmania donovani MHOM/ET/67/L82 to sodium stibogluconate, amphotericin B, miltefosine, and the experimental compound PX-6518 were determined for extracellular log-phase promastigotes, established axenic amastigotes, fresh spleen-derived amastigotes, and intracellular amastigotes in primary mouse peritoneal macrophages. Susceptibility to amphotericin B did not differ across the various axenic models (50% inhibitory concentrations [IC50], 0.6 to 0.7 microM), and amphotericin B showed slightly higher potency against intracellular amastigotes (IC50, 0.1 to 0.4 microM). A similar trend was observed for miltefosine, with comparable efficacies against the extracellular (IC50, 0.4 to 3.8 microM) and intracellular (IC50, 0.9 to 4.3 microM) stages. Sodium stibogluconate, used either as Pentostam or as a crystalline substance, was inactive against all axenic stages (IC50, >64 microg SbV/ml) but showed good efficacy against intracellular amastigotes (IC50, 22 to 28 microg SbV/ml); the crystalline substance was about two to three times more potent (IC50, 9 to 11 microg SbV/ml). The activity profile of PX-6518 was comparable to that of sodium stibogluconate, but at a much higher potency (IC50, 0.1 microg/ml). In conclusion, the differential susceptibility determines which in vitro models are appropriate for either drug screening or resistance monitoring of clinical field isolates. Despite the more complex and labor-intensive protocol, the current results support the intracellular amastigote model as the gold standard for in vitro Leishmania drug discovery research and for evaluation of the resistance of field strains, since it also includes host cell-mediated effects. Axenic systems can be recommended only for compounds for which no cellular mechanisms are involved, for example, amphotericin B and miltefosine.
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Singh N, Gupta R, Jaiswal AK, Sundar S, Dube A. Transgenic Leishmania donovani clinical isolates expressing green fluorescent protein constitutively for rapid and reliable ex vivo drug screening. J Antimicrob Chemother 2009; 64:370-4. [PMID: 19525291 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkp206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Several Leishmania strains with episomal expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) require constant drug pressure for its continuous expression and hence limit its use in ex vivo or in vivo systems. The aim of this study was to alleviate this problem by stably integrating the GFP gene into the parasite genome, so as to use these transfectants for ex vivo and in vivo drug screening. METHODS The GFP gene was integrated downstream of the 18S ribosomal promoter region of Leishmania donovani. After initial selection, GFP-expressing parasites-both sodium stibogluconate (SAG)-susceptible (2001) and -resistant (2039) isolates-were grown without adding G418. The infectivity of these transfectants to macrophages (J774.1) as well as to hamsters was checked. The ex vivo screening assay was standardized using standard antileishmanial drugs. RESULTS A constitutive and enhanced expression of GFP in promastigote and amastigote stages was achieved for approximately 12 months without any need for drug pressure. These transfectants were highly infective to macrophage cell lines as well as to hamsters, as observed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry (FACS). GFP-tagged promastigotes as well as intracellular amastigotes were found to be highly susceptible to miltefosine, amphotericin B and pentamidine, in a concentration-dependent manner. SAG was inactive against the GFP-promastigotes, as well as SAG-resistant intracellular amastigotes, correlating well with earlier reports. CONCLUSIONS The GFP-transfectants were found to be suitable for FACS-based ex vivo screening assays. They were also infective to hamsters up to day 60 post-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasib Singh
- Division of Parasitology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
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