1
|
Carrero JC, Espinoza B, Huerta L, Silva-Miranda M, Guzmán-Gutierrez SL, Dorazco-González A, Reyes-Chilpa R, Espitia C, Sánchez S. Introducing the NUATEI Consortium: A Mexican Research Program for the Identification of Natural and Synthetic Antimicrobial Compounds for Prevalent Infectious Diseases. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:957. [PMID: 39065807 PMCID: PMC11280322 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The need for new drugs to treat human infections is a global health concern. Diseases like tuberculosis, trypanosomiasis, amoebiasis, and AIDS remain significant problems, especially in developing countries like Mexico. Despite existing treatments, issues such as resistance and adverse effects drive the search for new alternatives. Herein, we introduce the NUATEI research consortium, made up of experts from the Institute of Biomedical Research at UNAM, who identify and obtain natural and synthetic compounds and test their effects against human pathogens using in vitro and in vivo models. The consortium has evaluated hundreds of natural extracts and compounds against the pathogens causing tuberculosis, trypanosomiasis, amoebiasis, and AIDS, rendering promising results, including a patent with potential for preclinical studies. This paper presents the rationale behind the formation of this consortium, as well as its objectives and strategies, emphasizing the importance of natural and synthetic products as sources of antimicrobial compounds and the relevance of the diseases studied. Finally, we briefly describe the methods of the evaluation of the compounds in each biological model and the main achievements. The potential of the consortium to screen numerous compounds and identify new therapeutic agents is highlighted, demonstrating its significant contribution to addressing these infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julio César Carrero
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (B.E.); (L.H.); (C.E.)
| | - Bertha Espinoza
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (B.E.); (L.H.); (C.E.)
| | - Leonor Huerta
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (B.E.); (L.H.); (C.E.)
| | - Mayra Silva-Miranda
- CONAHCyT-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (M.S.-M.); (S.-L.G.-G.)
| | - Silvia-Laura Guzmán-Gutierrez
- CONAHCyT-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (M.S.-M.); (S.-L.G.-G.)
| | - Alejandro Dorazco-González
- Departmento de Química Inorgánica, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Ricardo Reyes-Chilpa
- Departamento de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Clara Espitia
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (B.E.); (L.H.); (C.E.)
| | - Sergio Sánchez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jasni N, Saidin S, Kin WW, Arifin N, Othman N. Entamoeba histolytica: Membrane and Non-Membrane Protein Structure, Function, Immune Response Interaction, and Vaccine Development. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:1079. [PMID: 36363634 PMCID: PMC9695907 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12111079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite that is the causative agent of amoebiasis. This parasite has caused widespread infection in India, Africa, Mexico, and Central and South America, and results in 100,000 deaths yearly. An immune response is a body's mechanism for eradicating and fighting against substances it sees as harmful or foreign. E. histolytica biological membranes are considered foreign and immunogenic to the human body, thereby initiating the body's immune responses. Understanding immune response and antigen interaction are essential for vaccine development. Thus, this review aims to identify and understand the protein structure, function, and interaction of the biological membrane with the immune response, which could contribute to vaccine development. Furthermore, the current trend of vaccine development studies to combat amoebiasis is also reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nurhana Jasni
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia
| | - Syazwan Saidin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjung Malim 35900, Malaysia
| | - Wong Weng Kin
- School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia
| | - Norsyahida Arifin
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia
| | - Nurulhasanah Othman
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Evaluation of the PE ΔIII-LC3-KDEL3 Chimeric Protein of Entamoeba histolytica-Lectin as a Vaccine Candidate against Amebic Liver Abscess. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:6697900. [PMID: 33824880 PMCID: PMC8007359 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6697900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is an intestinal parasite that causes dysentery and amebic liver abscess. E. histolytica has the capability to invade host tissue by union of virulence factor Gal/GalNAc lectin; this molecule induces an adherence-inhibitory antibody response as well as to protect against amebic liver abscess (ALA). The present work showed the effect of the immunization with PEΔIII-LC3-KDEL3 recombinant protein. In vitro, this candidate vaccine inhibited adherence of E. histolytica trophozoites to HepG2 cell monolayer, avoiding the cytolysis, and in a hamster model, we observed a vaccine-induced protection against the damage to tissue liver and the inhibition of uncontrolled inflammation. PEΔIII-LC3-KDEL3 reduced the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB in all immunized groups at 4- and 7-day postinfection. The levels of IL-10, FOXP3, and IFN-γ were elevated at 7 days. The immunohistochemistry assay confirmed this result, revealing an elevated quantity of +IFN-γ cells in the liver tissue. ALA formation in hamsters immunized was minimal, and few trophozoites were identified. Hence, immunization with PEΔIII-LC3-KDEL3 herein prevented invasive amebiasis, avoided an acute proinflammatory response, and activated a protective response within a short time. Finally, this recombinant protein induced an increase of serum IgG.
Collapse
|
4
|
Miao J, Chard LS, Wang Z, Wang Y. Syrian Hamster as an Animal Model for the Study on Infectious Diseases. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2329. [PMID: 31632404 PMCID: PMC6781508 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases still remain one of the biggest challenges for human health. In order to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of infectious diseases and develop effective diagnostic tools, therapeutic agents, and preventive vaccines, a suitable animal model which can represent the characteristics of infectious is required. The Syrian hamster immune responses to infectious pathogens are similar to humans and as such, this model is advantageous for studying pathogenesis of infection including post-bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens, along with assessing the efficacy and interactions of medications and vaccines for those pathogens. This review summarizes the current status of Syrian hamster models and their use for understanding the underlying mechanisms of pathogen infection, in addition to their use as a drug discovery platform and provides a strong rationale for the selection of Syrian hamster as animal models in biomedical research. The challenges of using Syrian hamster as an alternative animal model for the research of infectious diseases are also addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinxin Miao
- Department of Science and Technology, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Sino-British Research Center for Molecular Oncology, National Center for the International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Louisa S. Chard
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zhimin Wang
- Sino-British Research Center for Molecular Oncology, National Center for the International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaohe Wang
- Sino-British Research Center for Molecular Oncology, National Center for the International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|