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Langston H, Fortes Francisco A, Doidge C, Roberts CH, Khan AA, Jayawardhana S, Taylor MC, Kelly JM, Lewis MD. Dynamics of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in hamsters and novel association with progressive motor dysfunction. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012278. [PMID: 38905323 PMCID: PMC11221660 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012278] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a zoonosis caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Clinical outcomes range from long-term asymptomatic carriage to cardiac, digestive, neurological and composite presentations that can be fatal in both acute and chronic stages of the disease. Studies of T. cruzi in animal models, principally mice, have informed our understanding of the biological basis of this variability and its relationship to infection and host response dynamics. Hamsters have higher translational value for many human infectious diseases, but they have not been well developed as models of Chagas disease. We transposed a real-time bioluminescence imaging system for T. cruzi infection from mice into female Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). This enabled us to study chronic tissue pathology in the context of spatiotemporal infection dynamics. Acute infections were widely disseminated, whereas chronic infections were almost entirely restricted to the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Neither cardiac nor digestive tract disease were reproducible features of the model. Skeletal muscle had only sporadic parasitism in the chronic phase, but nevertheless displayed significant inflammation and fibrosis, features also seen in mouse models. Whereas mice had normal locomotion, all chronically infected hamsters developed hindlimb muscle hypertonia and a gait dysfunction resembling spastic diplegia. With further development, this model may therefore prove valuable in studies of peripheral nervous system involvement in Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Langston
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ciaran Doidge
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chrissy H. Roberts
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Archie A. Khan
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Bernardo L, Ibarra-Meneses AV, Douanne N, Corbeil A, Solana JC, Beaudry F, Carrillo E, Moreno J, Fernandez-Prada C. Potential selection of antimony and methotrexate cross-resistance in Leishmania infantum circulating strains. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012015. [PMID: 38422164 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012015] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) resolution depends on a wide range of factors, including the instauration of an effective treatment coupled to a functional host immune system. Patients with a depressed immune system, like the ones receiving methotrexate (MTX), are at higher risk of developing VL and refusing antileishmanial drugs. Moreover, the alarmingly growing levels of antimicrobial resistance, especially in endemic areas, contribute to the increasing the burden of this complex zoonotic disease. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS To understand the potential links between immunosuppressants and antileishmanial drugs, we have studied the interaction of antimony (Sb) and MTX in a Leishmania infantum reference strain (LiWT) and in two L. infantum clinical strains (LiFS-A and LiFS-B) naturally circulating in non-treated VL dogs in Spain. The LiFS-A strain was isolated before Sb treatment in a case that responded positively to the treatment, while the LiFS-B strain was recovered from a dog before Sb treatment, with the dog later relapsing after the treatment. Our results show that, exposure to Sb or MTX leads to an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in LiWT which correlates with a sensitive phenotype against both drugs in promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. LiFS-A was sensitive against Sb but resistant against MTX, displaying high levels of protection against ROS when exposed to MTX. LiFS-B was resistant to both drugs. Evaluation of the melting proteomes of the two LiFS, in the presence and absence of Sb and MTX, showed a differential enrichment of direct and indirect targets for both drugs, including common and unique pathways. CONCLUSION Our results show the potential selection of Sb-MTX cross-resistant parasites in the field, pointing to the possibility to undermine antileishmanial treatment of those patients being treated with immunosuppressant drugs in Leishmania endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Bernardo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Spanish National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Victoria Ibarra-Meneses
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
- The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Noelie Douanne
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
- The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Audrey Corbeil
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
- The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jose Carlos Solana
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Spanish National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francis Beaudry
- Département de Biomédecine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche sur le cerveau et l'apprentissage (CIRCA), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Eugenia Carrillo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Spanish National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Moreno
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Spanish National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
- The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
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Robledo SM, Pérez-Silanes S, Fernández-Rubio C, Poveda A, Monzote L, González VM, Alonso-Collado P, Carrión J. Neglected Zoonotic Diseases: Advances in the Development of Cell-Penetrating and Antimicrobial Peptides against Leishmaniosis and Chagas Disease. Pathogens 2023; 12:939. [PMID: 37513786 PMCID: PMC10383258 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2020, the WHO established the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030, which aims to control and eradicate 20 diseases, including leishmaniosis and Chagas disease. In addition, since 2015, the WHO has been developing a Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. In this context, the achievement of innovative strategies as an alternative to replace conventional therapies is a first-order socio-sanitary priority, especially regarding endemic zoonoses in poor regions, such as those caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. infections. In this scenario, it is worth highlighting a group of natural peptide molecules (AMPs and CPPs) that are promising strategies for improving therapeutic efficacy against these neglected zoonoses, as they avoid the development of toxicity and resistance of conventional treatments. This review presents the novelties of these peptide molecules and their ability to cross a whole system of cell membranes as well as stimulate host immune defenses or even serve as vectors of molecules. The efforts of the biotechnological sector will make it possible to overcome the limitations of antimicrobial peptides through encapsulation and functionalization methods to obtain approval for these treatments to be used in clinical programs for the eradication of leishmaniosis and Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Robledo
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales PECET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Silvia Pérez-Silanes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Celia Fernández-Rubio
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Poveda
- DNA Replication and Genome Instability Unit, Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Zoonosis y Salud Pública (GIBCIZ), Instituto de Investigación en Zoonosis-CIZ, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador
| | - Lianet Monzote
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kourí", Apartado Postal No. 601, Marianao 13, La Habana 10400, Cuba
| | - Víctor M González
- Grupo de Aptámeros, Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km. 9.100, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Alonso-Collado
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Carrión
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Morgado FN, Conceição-Silva F, Pimentel MIF, Porrozzi R. Advancement in Leishmaniasis Diagnosis and Therapeutics. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8050270. [PMID: 37235318 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8050270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a complex of clinical manifestations that affects thousands of people in the world each year according to WHO [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda N Morgado
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil
| | - Fátima Conceição-Silva
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil
| | - Maria Inês F Pimentel
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Renato Porrozzi
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Brazil
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Moreira POL, Nogueira PM, Monte-Neto RL. Next-Generation Leishmanization: Revisiting Molecular Targets for Selecting Genetically Engineered Live-Attenuated Leishmania. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041043. [PMID: 37110466 PMCID: PMC10145799 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041043] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research devoted to finding a vaccine against leishmaniasis, we are still lacking a safe and effective vaccine for humans. Given this scenario, the search for a new prophylaxis alternative for controlling leishmaniasis should be a global priority. Inspired by leishmanization-a first generation vaccine strategy where live L. major parasites are inoculated in the skin to protect against reinfection-live-attenuated Leishmania vaccine candidates are promising alternatives due to their robust elicited protective immune response. In addition, they do not cause disease and could provide long-term protection upon challenge with a virulent strain. The discovery of a precise and easy way to perform CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing allowed the selection of safer null mutant live-attenuated Leishmania parasites obtained by gene disruption. Here, we revisited molecular targets associated with the selection of live-attenuated vaccinal strains, discussing their function, their limiting factors and the ideal candidate for the next generation of genetically engineered live-attenuated Leishmania vaccines to control leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo O L Moreira
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Paula M Nogueira
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Rubens L Monte-Neto
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
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Araujo Flores GV, Sandoval Pacheco CM, Ferreira AF, Tomokane TY, Nunes JB, Colombo FA, Sosa-Ochoa WH, Zúniga C, Silveira FT, Corbett CEP, Laurenti MD. Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi isolated from skin lesions of patients affected by non-ulcerated cutaneous leishmaniasis lead to visceral lesion in hamsters. Parasitol Int 2023; 93:102723. [PMID: 36566911 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In Central America, Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi infection causes visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and non-ulcerated cutaneous leishmaniasis (NUCL). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the course of an experimental infection in hamsters caused by L. (L.) infantum chagasi isolated from patients affected by NUCL compared with a strain isolated from a patient with VL. Stationary phase parasites in culture were inoculated through subcutaneous and intraperitoneal routes in hamsters. Following the post-infection times, a histopathological study, parasite load and cytokine determination in skin from the cutaneous inoculation site and viscera were performed. Animals subcutaneously infected with the different strains did not develop macroscopic lesions at the inoculation site, and the histopathological changes in the dermis were very slight. Regarding the histopathological study of the viscera, we observed the portal mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate, the presence of nodules in the hepatic parenchyma and the proliferation of macrophages in the spleen, which increased over the infection course. Overall, the parasite load in the liver and spleen and in the total IgG titres in the sera of infected hamster showed an increase with the time of infection, regardless of the route of inoculation. Regarding cellular immunity, we did not observe an increase or decrease in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines compared to the healthy control, except for IL-10, which was evident in the infected animals. The data showed that strains isolated from NUCL cause visceral lesions in the hamsters regardless of the route of inoculation, and they were similar to parasites isolated from VL humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela V Araujo Flores
- Laboratório de Patologia de Moléstias Infecciosas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Carmen M Sandoval Pacheco
- Laboratório de Patologia de Moléstias Infecciosas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Aurea F Ferreira
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica, LIM50, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, HCFMUSP, SP, Brazil
| | - Thaise Yumie Tomokane
- Laboratório de Patologia de Moléstias Infecciosas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Wilfredo H Sosa-Ochoa
- Laboratório de Patologia de Moléstias Infecciosas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | - Concepción Zúniga
- Departamento de Vigilancia de la Salud, Hospital Escuela, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | - Fernando T Silveira
- Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém, PA, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Carlos E P Corbett
- Laboratório de Patologia de Moléstias Infecciosas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Márcia D Laurenti
- Laboratório de Patologia de Moléstias Infecciosas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Março KS, da Silva Borégio J, Jussiani GG, de Souza Ferreira LFE, Flores GVA, Pacheco CMS, Laurenti MD, Machado GF. Thymic alterations resulting from experimental visceral leishmaniasis in a Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2023; 257:110558. [PMID: 36758455 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2023.110558] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The thymus is a lymphoid organ responsible for the development and maturation of T cells, which are part of the Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg immune responses triggered by visceral leishmaniasis. The maturation and immunological development of T lymphocytes require a bidirectional interaction between the thymic microenvironment of epithelial cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages and the extracellular matrix with differentiating lymphocytes. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the morphological characteristics and tissue distribution of hematopoietic and stromal cells in the thymuses of hamsters experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum, aiming to gain an insight into the pathophysiology of the disease. METHODS Fifteen hamsters were subjected to intraperitoneal experimental infection with 107L. infantum promastigotes (MHOM/BR/1972/BH46). The animals were divided into three groups, each comprising five infected hamsters, and were then euthanized 15, 60, and 120 days postinfection. The control groups consisted of three groups of five healthy hamsters euthanized simultaneously with the infected ones. Thymic morphology was evaluated through histopathology and the cell composition through immunohistochemistry. We used antibodies to mark mesenchymal cells (anti-vimentin), epithelial cells (anti-cytokeratin), macrophages (anti-MAC387), B lymphocytes (anti-CD79a), and T lymphocytes (anti-CD3). Immunohistochemistry was also used to mark the parasite in the thymus. RESULTS Infected and control hamsters showed no difference in thymic morphology and degree of atrophy. After 15 days of infection, CD3 + T lymphocytes in the thymus showed an increase that stabilized over time. At 120 days of infection, we detected a significant decrease in CD79a+ B lymphocytes. The parasite was present in the medullary and corticomedullary regions of 9 out of 15 hamsters. These findings confirm that the presence of a parasite can cause changes in a thymus cell population. However, further studies are needed to evaluate these changes' effects on the immune response of infected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Santos Março
- Laboratory of Applied Pathology (LAPAP), Department of Animal Clinical, Surgical and Reproductive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline da Silva Borégio
- Laboratory of Applied Pathology (LAPAP), Department of Animal Clinical, Surgical and Reproductive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil
| | - Giulia Gonçalves Jussiani
- Laboratory of Applied Pathology (LAPAP), Department of Animal Clinical, Surgical and Reproductive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil
| | - Laura Flávia Esperança de Souza Ferreira
- Laboratory of Applied Pathology (LAPAP), Department of Animal Clinical, Surgical and Reproductive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Venicia Araujo Flores
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease Pathology (LIM/50), Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Carmen Maria Sandoval Pacheco
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease Pathology (LIM/50), Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcia Dalastra Laurenti
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease Pathology (LIM/50), Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gisele Fabrino Machado
- Laboratory of Applied Pathology (LAPAP), Department of Animal Clinical, Surgical and Reproductive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil.
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Immunotherapy Using Immunogenic Mimotopes Selected by Phage Display plus Amphotericin B Inducing a Therapeutic Response in Mice Infected with Leishmania amazonensis. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020314. [PMID: 36839586 PMCID: PMC9964457 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania amazonensis can cause cutaneous and visceral clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis in infected hosts. Once the treatment against disease is toxic, presents high cost, and/or there is the emergence of parasite-resistant strains, alternative means through which to control the disease must be developed. In this context, immunotherapeutics combining known drugs with immunogens could be applied to control infections and allow hosts to recover from the disease. In this study, immunotherapeutics protocols associating mimotopes selected by phage display and amphotericin B (AmpB) were evaluated in L. amazonensis-infected mice. Immunogens, A4 and A8 phages, were administered alone or associated with AmpB. Other animals received saline, AmpB, a wild-type phage (WTP), or WTP/AmpB as controls. Evaluations performed one and thirty days after the application of immunotherapeutics showed that the A4/AmpB and A8/AmpB combinations induced the most polarized Th1-type immune responses, which reflected in significant reductions in the lesion's average diameter and in the parasite load in the infected tissue and distinct organs of the animals. In addition, the combination also reduced the drug toxicity, as compared to values found using it alone. In this context, preliminary data presented here suggest the potential to associate A4 and A8 phages with AmpB to be applied in future studies for treatment against leishmaniasis.
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Lopes Valentim Di Paschoale Ostolin T, Rodrigues Gusmão M, Augusto Siqueira Mathias F, Mirelle de Oliveira Cardoso J, Mendes Roatt B, Dian de Oliveira Aguiar-Soares R, Conceição Ruiz J, de Melo Resende D, Cristiane Fortes de Brito R, Barbosa Reis A. A specific Leishmania infantum polyepitope vaccine triggers Th1-type immune response and protects against experimental visceral leishmaniasis. Cell Immunol 2022; 380:104592. [PMID: 36084402 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2022.104592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The development of an immunogenic, effective, and safe vaccine is essential as an alternative for disease control. The present study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity and efficacy potential of a polyepitope T-cell antigen candidate against visceral leishmaniasis in a murine model. BALB/c mice were immunized with three doses subcutaneously with Poly-T Leish alone or adjuvanted with Saponin plus Monophosphoryl lipid A, with 15-day intervals between doses, and challenged with 107 stationary-phase Leishmania infantum promastigotes via tail vein. Immunogenicity and parasitism in spleen and liver of immunized mice were evaluated 45 days post-challenge. Our results revealed that the immunization with Poly-T Leish and Poly-T Leish/SM increases the percentage of specific T (CD4+ and CD8+) lymphocytes proliferation in vitro after antigen-specific stimulation. Also, Poly-T Leish and Poly-T Leish/SM groups showed a high percentage of IFN-γ and TNF-α-producing T cells, meanwhile, the Poly-T Leish/SM group also showed an increased percentage of multifunctional T cells producing double and triple-positive (IFN-γ+TNF-α+IL-2+) cytokines. The immunization with Poly-T Leish or Poly-T Leish/SM stimulated a decreased IL-4 and IL-10 compared to the Saline and adjuvant group. Poly-T Leish/SM immunized mice exhibit a noteworthy reduction in the parasite burden (spleen and liver) through real-time PCR (96%). Moreover, we observed higher nitrite secretion in 120-hour stimulated-culture supernatant using Griess method. We demonstrated that the Poly-T Leish/SM candidate was potentially immunogenic, providing enhancement of protective immune mechanisms, and conferred protection reducing parasitism. Our candidate was considered potential against visceral leishmaniasis, and eventually, could be tested in phase I and II clinical trials in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miriã Rodrigues Gusmão
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernando Augusto Siqueira Mathias
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Grupo Informática de Biossistemas e Genômica, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jamille Mirelle de Oliveira Cardoso
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Centro Universitário Presidente Tancredo de Almeida Neves (UNIPTAN), São João del Rei, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bruno Mendes Roatt
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Dian de Oliveira Aguiar-Soares
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jeronimo Conceição Ruiz
- Grupo Informática de Biossistemas e Genômica, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela de Melo Resende
- Grupo Informática de Biossistemas e Genômica, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rory Cristiane Fortes de Brito
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Barbosa Reis
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciências e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
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10
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Ramalingam K, Gangwar S, Balodi DC, Anand A, Yadav S, Biswas S, Karunakaran Sasikala AK, Gupta KC, Batra S, Goyal N. Leishmania donovani Dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase Inhibitor as a Potential Oral Treatment for Visceral Leishmaniasis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0236121. [PMID: 35852367 PMCID: PMC9380552 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02361-21] [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: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is the key intervention to control visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a neglected tropical disease. Current regimens include not only a few drugs but also present several drawbacks, including moderate to severe toxicity, cost, long-term administration, patient compliance, and growing drug resistance. Thus, the need for better treatment options against VL is a priority. In an endeavor to find an orally active and affordable antileishmanial agent, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of compounds belonging to the (2Z,2'Z)-3,3'-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(azanediyl))bis(1-(4-halophenyl)-6-hydroxyhex-2-en-1-ones) series, identified as inhibitor(s) of Leishmania donovani dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase, a novel drug target. Among them, compound 3c exhibited best in vivo antileishmanial efficacy via both intraperitoneal and oral routes. Therefore, the present study led to the identification of compound 3c as the lead candidate for treating VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Ramalingam
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sonali Gangwar
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Deep Chandra Balodi
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Apeksha Anand
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shailendra Yadav
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Subhasish Biswas
- Division of Medicinal and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | | | - Sanjay Batra
- Division of Medicinal and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Neena Goyal
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
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11
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Immunoprophylaxis using polypeptide chimera vaccines plus adjuvant system promote Th1 response controlling the spleen parasitism in hamster model of visceral leishmaniasis. Vaccine 2022; 40:5494-5503. [PMID: 35963820 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, several advances have been observed in vaccinology especially for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). One of the tools employed is epitope prediction by immunoinformatic approaches that reduce the time and cost to develop a vaccine. In this scenario, immunoinformatics is being more often used to develop vaccines for NTDs, in particular visceral leishmaniasis (VL) which is proven not to have an effective vaccine yet. Based on that, in a previous study, two predicted T-cell multi-epitope chimera vaccines were experimentally validated in BALB/c mice to evaluate the immunogenicity, central and effector memory and protection against VL. Considering the results obtained in the mouse model, we assessed the immune response of these chimeras inMesocricetus auratushamster, which displays, experimentally, similar pathological status to human and dog VL disease. Our findings indicate that both chimeras lead to a dominant Th1 response profile, inducing a strong cellular response by increasing the production of IFN-γ and TNF-α cytokines associated with a decrease in IL-10. Also, the chimeras reduced the spleen parasite load and the weight a correlation between protector immunological mechanisms and consistent reduction of the parasitic load was observed. Our results demonstrate that both chimeras were immunogenic and corroborate with findings in the mouse model. Therefore, we reinforce the use of the hamster as a pre-clinical model in vaccination trials for canine and human VL and the importance of immunoinformatic to identify epitopes to design vaccines for this important neglected disease.
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12
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Augusto Sanches Roque G, Esteves Zorgi N, Janaína Soares Rocha F, Flóro E Silva M, Fernanda Araújo T, Ruiz Abánades D, Giorgio S. Evaluation of prime and prime-boost immunization strategies in BALB/c mice inoculated with Leishmania infantum transfected with toxic plasmids. Vaccine 2022; 40:4105-4115. [PMID: 35660330 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.05.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The etiologic agents of visceral leishmaniasis are Leishmania infantum and Leishmania donovani. Despite the variety of drugs available to treat leishmaniasis, most lead to serious adverse effects, and resistance to these drugs has been reported. Currently, no leishmaniasis vaccine is available for humans. That is why the group developed transgenic L. infantum promastigote lines, which express toxic proteins after differentiation into amastigotes. That is why group developed the pFL-AMA plasmid and transfected it into L. Infantum promastigotes. This plasmid was expressed only in the amastigote form of the parasite. Sequences encoding toxic proteins (active bovine trypsin and egg avidin) were inserted in this plasmid, and the transfected parasites died after the differentiation process. In this study, two immunization protocols were performed in BALB/c mice: prime and prime-boost immunization prior to challenge with the wild-type L. infantum (WT). The parasite burdens in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow were evaluated to verify immunological protection. Histopathological analysis of the spleen and liver and the humoral immune response were also performed. The data showed that the parasite burden was reduced in prime-boosted mice in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow, indicating that mice immunized with two doses of the transfected parasites were satisfactorily protected. High levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a antibodies were observed, as well as the presence of anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukine-10 and pro-inflammatory cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interferon-γ (IFN - γ) suggesting a Th1/Th2 mix response, in addition to the presence of multinucleated giant cells in the spleen and lymphocyte infiltration in the liver. Therefore, L. infantum transfected with a toxic plasmid is an excellent vaccine candidate against visceral leishmaniasis and the application of a boost before the challenge promotes greater protection against WT L. infantum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nahiara Esteves Zorgi
- Animal Biology Department, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Marina Flóro E Silva
- Animal Biology Department, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thalita Fernanda Araújo
- Animal Biology Department, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Ruiz Abánades
- Animal Biology Department, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Selma Giorgio
- Animal Biology Department, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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13
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Aljedaie MM. Epigenetic paradigms/exemplars of the macrophage: inflammasome axis in Leishmaniasis. Mol Cell Biochem 2022; 477:2553-2565. [PMID: 35595955 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04460-x] [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: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The infectious paradigms have recently led to the recognition interplay of complex phenomenon underpinning disease diagnosis and prognosis. Evidently, parasitic infection studies are depicting converging trends of the epigenetic, environmental, and microbiome contributions, assisting pathogen-directed modulations of host biological system. The molecular details of epigenetic variations and memory, along with the multi-omics data at the interface of the host-pathogen level becomes strong indicator of immune cell plasticity, differentiation, and pathogen survival. Despite being one of the most important aspects of the disease's etiopathology, the epigenetic regulation of host-pathogen interactions and evolutionary epigenetics have received little attention thus far. Recent evidence has focused on the growing need to link epigenetic and microbiome modulations on parasite phenotypic plasticity and pathogen-induced host phenotypic plasticity for designing futuristic therapeutic regimes. Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical illness with varying degrees of disease severity that is linked to a trans-species and epigenetic heredity process, including the pathogen-induced host and strain-specific modulations. The review configures research findings aligning to the epigenetic epidemiology niche, involving co-evolutionary epigenetic inheritance and plasticity disease models. The epigenetic exemplars focus on the host-pathogen interactome expanse at the macrophage-inflammasome axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manei M Aljedaie
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences and Humanities, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, PO Box 173, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia.
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14
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Bastos DSS, Silva AC, Novaes RD, Souza ACF, Santos EC, Gonçalves RV, Marques-Da-Silva EA. Could combination chemotherapy be more effective than monotherapy in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis? A systematic review of preclinical evidence. Parasitology 2022; 149:1-14. [PMID: 35346411 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022000142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
From a systematic review framework, we assessed the preclinical evidence on the effectiveness of drug combinations for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) treatment. Research protocol was based on the PRISMA guideline. Research records were identified from Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Animal models, infection and treatment protocols, parasitological and immunological outcomes were analysed. The SYRCLE's (SYstematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation) toll was used to evaluate the risk of bias in all studies reviewed. Fourteen papers using mice, hamster and dogs were identified. Leishmania donovani was frequently used to induce VL, which was treated with 23 drugs in 40 different combinations. Most combinations allowed to reduce the effective dose, cost and time of treatment, in addition to improving the parasitological control of Leishmania spp. The benefits achieved from drug combinations were associated with an increased drug's half-life, direct parasitic toxicity and improved immune defences in infected hosts. Selection, performance and detection bias were the main limitations identified. Current evidence indicates that combination chemotherapy, especially those based on classical drugs (miltefosine, amphotericin B antimony-based compounds) and new drugs (CAL-101, PAM3Cys, tufisin and DB766), develops additive or synergistic interactions, which trigger trypanocidal and immunomodulatory effects associated with reduced parasite load, organ damage and better cure rates in VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S S Bastos
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Adriana C Silva
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rômulo D Novaes
- Department of Structural Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia F Souza
- Department of Animal Biology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, 23897-000, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eliziária C Santos
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Diamantina39100-00, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Reggiani V Gonçalves
- Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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15
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Protective Efficacy in a Hamster Model of a Multivalent Vaccine for Human Visceral Leishmaniasis (MuLeVaClin) Consisting of the KMP11, LEISH-F3+, and LJL143 Antigens in Virosomes, Plus GLA-SE Adjuvant. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9112253. [PMID: 34835379 PMCID: PMC8618729 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe clinical form of leishmaniasis, fatal if untreated. Vaccination is the most cost-effective approach to disease control; however, to date, no vaccines against human VL have been made available. This work examines the efficacy of a novel vaccine consisting of the Leishmania membrane protein KMP11, LEISH-F3+ (a recombinant fusion protein, composed of epitopes of the parasite proteins nucleoside hydrolase, sterol-24-c-methyltransferase, and cysteine protease B), and the sand fly salivary protein LJL143, in two dose ratios. The inclusion of the TLR4 agonist GLA-SE as an adjuvant, and the use of virosomes (VS) as a delivery system, are also examined. In a hamster model of VL, the vaccine elicited antigen-specific immune responses prior to infection with Leishmania infantum. Of note, the responses were greater when higher doses of KMP11 and LEISH-F3+ proteins were administered along with the GLA-SE adjuvant and/or when delivered within VS. Remarkably, hamsters immunized with the complete combination (i.e., all antigens in VS + GLA-SE) showed significantly lower parasite burdens in the spleen compared to those in control animals. This protection was underpinned by a more intense, specific humoral response against the KMP11, LEISH-F3+, and LJL143 antigens in vaccinated animals, but a significantly less intense antibody response to the pool of soluble Leishmania antigens (SLA). Overall, these results indicate that this innovative vaccine formulation confers protection against L. infantum infection, supporting the advancement of the vaccine formulation into process development and manufacturing and the conduction of toxicity studies towards future phase I human clinical trials.
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16
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Repositioning of Tamoxifen in Surface-Modified Nanocapsules as a Promising Oral Treatment for Visceral Leishmaniasis. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13071061. [PMID: 34371752 PMCID: PMC8309129 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13071061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Standards of care for human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are based on drugs used parenterally, and oral treatment options are urgently needed. In the present study, a repurposing strategy was used associating tamoxifen (TMX) with polyethylene glycol-block-polylactide nanocapsules (NC) and its anti-leishmanial efficacy was reported in vivo. Stable surface modified-NC (5 mg/mL of TMX) exhibited 200 nm in size, +42 mV of zeta potential, and 98% encapsulation efficiency. Atomic force microscopy evidenced core-shell-NC. Treatment with TMX-NC reduced parasite-DNA quantified in liver and spleen compared to free-TMX; and provided a similar reduction of parasite burden compared with meglumine antimoniate in mice and hamster models. Image-guided biodistribution showed accumulation of NC in liver and spleen after 30 min post-administration. TMX-NC reduced the number of liver granulomas and restored the aspect of capsules and trabeculae in the spleen of infected animals. TMX-NC was tested for the first time against VL models, indicating a promising formulation for oral treatment.
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17
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Ostolin TLVDP, Gusmão MR, Mathias FAS, Cardoso JMDO, Roatt BM, Aguiar-Soares RDDO, Ruiz JC, Resende DDM, de Brito RCF, Reis AB. A chimeric vaccine combined with adjuvant system induces immunogenicity and protection against visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice. Vaccine 2021; 39:2755-2763. [PMID: 33875268 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In Brazil, canine visceral leishmaniasis is an important public health problem due to its alarming growth. The high prevalence of infected dogs reinforces the need for a vaccine for use in prophylactic vaccination campaigns. In the present study, we evaluate the immunogenicity and protection of the best dose of Chimera A selected through the screening of cytokines production important in disease. BALB/c mice were vaccinated subcutaneously with three doses and challenged intravenously with 1 × 107L. infantum promastigotes. Spleen samples were collected to assess the intracellular cytokine profile production, T cell proliferation and parasite load. At first, three different doses of Chimera A (5 μg, 10 μg and 20 μg) were evaluated through the production of IFN-γ and IL-10 cytokines. Since the dose of 20 μg showed the best results, it was chosen to continue the study. Secondarily, Chimera A at dose of 20 μg was formulated with Saponin plus Monophosphoryl lipid A. Vaccination with Chimera A alone and formulated with SM adjuvant system was able to increase the percentage of the proliferation of specific T lymphocytes and stimulated a Th1 response with increased levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-2, and decreased of IL-4 and IL-10. The vaccine efficacy through real-time PCR demonstrated a reduction in the splenic parasite load in animals that received Chimera A formulated with the SM adjuvant system (92%). Additionally, we observed increased levels of nitric oxide in stimulated-culture supernatants. The Chimera A formulated with the SM adjuvant system was potentially immunogenic, being able to induce immunoprotective mechanisms and reduce parasite load. Therefore, the use of T-cell multi-epitope vaccine is promising against visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miriã Rodrigues Gusmão
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Fernando Augusto Siqueira Mathias
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil; Grupo Informática de Biossistemas e Genômica, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno Mendes Roatt
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Salvador, Brazil
| | | | - Jeronimo Conceição Ruiz
- Grupo Informática de Biossistemas e Genômica, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Daniela de Melo Resende
- Grupo Informática de Biossistemas e Genômica, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rory Cristiane Fortes de Brito
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Barbosa Reis
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Salvador, Brazil.
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18
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Samant M, Sahu U, Pandey SC, Khare P. Role of Cytokines in Experimental and Human Visceral Leishmaniasis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:624009. [PMID: 33680991 PMCID: PMC7930837 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.624009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is the most fatal form of disease leishmaniasis. To date, there are no effective prophylactic measures and therapeutics available against VL. Recently, new immunotherapy-based approaches have been established for the management of VL. Cytokines, which are predominantly produced by helper T cells (Th) and macrophages, have received great attention that could be an effective immunotherapeutic approach for the treatment of human VL. Cytokines play a key role in forming the host immune response and in managing the formation of protective and non-protective immunities during infection. Furthermore, immune response mediated through different cytokines varies from different host or animal models. Various cytokines viz. IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12, and TNF-α play an important role during protection, while some other cytokines viz. IL-10, IL-6, IL-17, TGF-β, and others are associated with disease progression. Therefore, comprehensive knowledge of cytokine response and their interaction with various immune cells is very crucial to determine appropriate immunotherapies for VL. Here, we have discussed the role of cytokines involved in VL disease progression or host protection in different animal models and humans that will determine the clinical outcome of VL and open the path for the development of rapid and accurate diagnostic tools as well as therapeutic interventions against VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh Samant
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kumaun University, Almora, India
| | - Utkarsha Sahu
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India
| | - Satish Chandra Pandey
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kumaun University, Almora, India
| | - Prashant Khare
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India
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19
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Bernardo L, Solana JC, Romero-Kauss A, Sánchez C, Carrillo E, Moreno J. Effect of immunosuppressants on the parasite load developed in, and immune response to, visceral leishmaniasis: A comparative study in a mouse model. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009126. [PMID: 33524030 PMCID: PMC7877784 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing use of immunosuppressants in areas where visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic has increased the number of people susceptible to developing more severe forms of the disease. Few studies have examined the quality of the immune response in immunosuppressed patients or experimental animals with VL. The present work characterises the parasite load developed in, and immune response to, Leishmania infantum-induced VL in C57BL/6 mice that, prior to and during infection, received immunosuppressant treatment with methylprednisolone (MPDN), anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) antibodies, or methotrexate (MTX). The latter two treatments induced a significant reduction in the number of CD4+ T lymphocytes over the infection period. The anti-TNF treatment was also associated with a higher parasite load in the liver and a lower parasite load in the spleen. This, plus a possibly treatment-induced reduction in the number of cytokine-producing Th1 cells in the spleen, indicates the development of more severe VL. Interestingly, the MPDN and (especially) MTX treatments provoked a greater presence of soluble Leishmania antigen-specific multi-cytokine-producing T cells in the spleen and a lower liver parasite load than in control animals. These results highlight the need to better understand how immunosuppressant treatments might influence the severity of VL in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Bernardo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain
| | - Jose Carlos Solana
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain
| | - Alba Romero-Kauss
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain
| | - Carmen Sánchez
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain
| | - Eugenia Carrillo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain
| | - Javier Moreno
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain
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20
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Vasconcelos Gomes de Oliveira V, Angela Aranda de Souza M, Ramos Mororó Cavalcanti R, Veríssimo de Oliveira Cardoso M, Lima Leite AC, de Figueiredo RCBQ, Rogério de Freitas Silva S, Câmara Alves L, Amaro da Silva Junior V. Study of acute oral toxicity of the thiazole derivative N-(1-methyl-2-methyl-pyridine)-N-(p-bromophenylthiazol-2-yl)-hydrazine in a Syrian hamster. Toxicol Mech Methods 2021; 31:197-204. [PMID: 33349088 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2020.1867681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The thiazole derivative N-1-methyl-2-methyl-pyridine)-N-(p-bromophenylthiazol-2-yl)-hydrazine was used to evaluate the acute oral toxicity in Syrian hamsters. The concentration of the doses (300 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg) were based on the "Class Acute Toxicity Method" displayed in the OECD-423 guide. In addition, renal and liver biochemical tests were performed, as well as histopathological analysis. Our results showed that the compound's lethal dose (LD50) was 1000 mg/kg and classified as category 4 according to the criteria adopted in the experiment's protocol. Biochemical analysis of the liver function's parameters showed that the LD50 values in all animals were higher than the reference values. However, the analyze of the kidney injury parameters showed an increase in the urea's dosage but a decrease in the albumin's dosage in all animals when compared to the reference values. Kidney biochemical analysis also showed that creatinine's level was only higher than the reference values in one animal. Massive damages in the liver were observed, such as hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the hepatocyte, coagulation necrosis, the presence of mononuclear cells in the sinusoidal capillaries, steatosis, cholestasis, and congestion of sinusoidal capillaries and central-lobular veins. The animals presented renal injuries related to congestion of glomerular and interstitial capillaries, nephrosis of contorted proximal and distal tubules and congestion in the medullary region. In conclusion, the thiazole derivative was well tolerated although it caused acute liver and kidney damages. Therefore, these results showed the need of further investigation of this compound in vivo to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects with chronic models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius Vasconcelos Gomes de Oliveira
- Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil.,Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Leucio Câmara Alves
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil
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21
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Soto M, Ramírez L, Solana JC, Cook ECL, Hernández-García E, Charro-Zanca S, Redondo-Urzainqui A, Reguera RM, Balaña-Fouce R, Iborra S. Resistance to Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis in Mice Infected With Leishmania infantum Requires Batf3. Front Immunol 2020; 11:590934. [PMID: 33362772 PMCID: PMC7758202 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.590934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Unveiling the protective immune response to visceral leishmaniasis is critical for a rational design of vaccines aimed at reducing the impact caused by this fatal, if left untreated, vector-borne disease. In this study we sought to determine the role of the basic leucine zipper transcription factor ATF-like 3 (Batf3) in the evolution of infection with Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of human visceral leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean Basin and Latin America. For that, Batf3-deficient mice in C57BL/6 background were infected with an L. infantum strain expressing the luciferase gene. Bioluminescent imaging, as well as in vitro parasite titration, demonstrated that Batf3-deficient mice were unable to control hepatic parasitosis as opposed to wild-type C57BL/6 mice. The impaired microbicide capacities of L. infantum-infected macrophages from Batf3-deficient mice mainly correlated with a reduction of parasite-specific IFN-γ production. Our results reinforce the implication of Batf3 in the generation of type 1 immunity against infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Soto
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Ramírez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Carlos Solana
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emma C L Cook
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Hernández-García
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Charro-Zanca
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Redondo-Urzainqui
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa M Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | | | - Salvador Iborra
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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22
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André S, Rodrigues V, Picard M, Silvestre R, Estaquier J. Non-human primates and Leishmania immunity. Cytokine X 2020; 2:100038. [PMID: 33604562 PMCID: PMC7885871 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytox.2020.100038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the context of infectious diseases, non-human primates (NHP) provide the best animal models of human diseases due to the close phylogenetic relationship and the similar physiology and anatomical systems. Herein, we summarized the contribution of NHP models for understanding the immunity to leishmaniases, which are a group of diseases caused by infection with protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania and classified as one of the neglected tropical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia André
- INSERM-U1124, Paris University, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Ricardo Silvestre
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Jérôme Estaquier
- INSERM-U1124, Paris University, Paris, France
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Laval University, QC, Quebec, Canada
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23
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Central Asian Rodents as Model Animals for Leishmania major and Leishmania donovani Research. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091440. [PMID: 32962237 PMCID: PMC7563294 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical manifestation of leishmaniases depends on parasite species, host genetic background, and immune response. Manifestations of human leishmaniases are highly variable, ranging from self-healing skin lesions to fatal visceral disease. The scope of standard model hosts is insufficient to mimic well the wide disease spectrum, which compels the introduction of new model animals for leishmaniasis research. In this article, we study the susceptibility of three Asian rodent species (Cricetulus griseus, Lagurus lagurus, and Phodopus sungorus) to Leishmania major and L. donovani. The external manifestation of the disease, distribution, as well as load of parasites and infectiousness to natural sand fly vectors, were compared with standard models, BALB/c mice and Mesocricetus auratus. No significant differences were found in disease outcomes in animals inoculated with sand fly- or culture-derived parasites. All Asian rodent species were highly susceptible to L. major. Phodopus sungorus showed the non-healing phenotype with the progressive growth of ulcerative lesions and massive parasite loads. Lagurus lagurus and C. griseus represented the healing phenotype, the latter with high infectiousness to vectors, mimicking best the character of natural reservoir hosts. Both, L. lagurus and C. griseus were also highly susceptible to L. donovani, having wider parasite distribution and higher parasite loads and infectiousness than standard model animals.
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24
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de Carvalho CA, Ferrão TF, Cavalcante FS, de Freitas FRN, Meireles LR, de Andrade Júnior HF. Early high avidity specific IgG production in experimental hamster visceral leishmaniasis. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3881-3885. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06851-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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25
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Giorgio S, Gallo-Francisco PH, Roque GAS, Flóro E Silva M. Granulomas in parasitic diseases: the good and the bad. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3165-3180. [PMID: 32789534 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06841-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases affect more than one billion people worldwide, and most of them are chronic conditions in which the treatment and prevention are difficult. The appearance of granulomas, defined as organized and compact structures of macrophages and other immune cells, during various parasitic diseases is frequent, since these structures will only form when individual immune cells do not control the invading agent. Th2-typering various parasitic diseases are frequent, since these structures will only form when individual immune cells do not control the invading agent. The characterization of granulomas in different parasitic diseases, as well as recent findings in this field, is discussed in this review, in order to understand the significance of the granuloma and its modulation in the host-parasite interaction and in the immune, pathological, and parasitological aspects of this interaction. The parasitic granulomatous diseases granulomatous amebic encephalitis, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis, neurocysticercosis, and schistosomiasis mansoni are discussed as well as the mechanistic and dynamical aspects of the infectious granulomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma Giorgio
- Department of Animal Biology, Biology Institute, State University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083-865, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Marina Flóro E Silva
- Department of Animal Biology, Biology Institute, State University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083-865, Brazil
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26
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Experimental infection of Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis in BALB/c mice and Syrian golden hamsters. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3041-3051. [PMID: 32779021 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06842-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Our objective was to investigate clinical progression, presence of parasites and DNAs, parasite loads, and histological alterations in BALB/c mice and Syrian golden hamsters after intraperitoneal inoculation with Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis promastigotes with a goal to choosing an appropriate animal model for visceral leishmaniasis. Infections were monitored for 16 weeks. Infected BALB/c mice were asymptomatic during the infection course. Parasite DNAs were detected in the liver at week 8 of infection, followed by clearance in most animals at week 16; whereas in the spleen, parasite DNAs were detected until week 16. These results are correlated to those obtained measuring parasite loads in both organs. No parasite DNA and no alteration in the bone marrow were observed indicating that no dissemination occurred. These results suggest the control of visceralization of L. martiniquensis by BALB/c mice. In hamsters, weight loss, cachexia, and fatigue were observed after week 11. Leishmania martiniquensis parasites were observed in tissue smears of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow by week 16. Parasite loads correlated with those from the presence of parasites and DNAs in the examined tissues. Alterations in the liver with nuclear destruction and cytoplasmic degeneration of infected hepatocytes, presence of inflammatory infiltrates, necrosis of hepatocytes, and changes in splenic architecture and reduction and deformation of white pulp in the spleen were noted. These results indicate a chronic form of visceral leishmaniasis indicating that the hamster is a suitable animal model for the study of pathological features of chronic visceral leishmaniasis caused by L. martiniquensis.
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Mas A, Martínez-Rodrigo A, Orden JA, Molina R, Jiménez M, Jiménez MÁ, Carrión J, Domínguez-Bernal G. Properties of virulence emergence of Leishmania infantum isolates from Phlebotomus perniciosus collected during the human leishmaniosis outbreak in Madrid, Spain. Hepatic histopathology and immunological parameters as virulence markers in the mouse model. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:704-714. [PMID: 32668083 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent anthropic activity related to the construction of the Bosquesur Green Park in a large urban setting in Madrid (Spain) has resulted in the largest reported community outbreak of human leishmaniosis in Europe. Previous phylogenetic and molecular-typing studies of parasite isolates have implicated the Leishmania infantum ITS-Lombardi genotype in this outbreak. In an unusual scenario, visceral leishmaniosis (VL) is affecting a significant number of individuals, suggesting that an increase in parasite virulence has occurred. In this work, using an in vivo BALB/c model of VL, we aimed to investigate the properties of emergent virulence of the L. infantum POL2FL7 and BOS1FL1 isolates obtained from Phlebotomus perniciosus collected in the outbreak area and compare them with those of the well-characterized strain BCN150 MON-1 isolated from a dog. The P. perniciosus specimens were collected during an entomological survey conducted in the transmission season of 2012. We observed a range of virulence phenotypes from moderately to highly aggressive after 5 weeks of infection. IV challenge of mice with outbreak isolates from sand flies induced higher splenic and liver parasite burdens, higher serological titres of specific anti-Leishmania antibodies and impaired capacities to control infection, as revealed by the arginine metabolism and low ratios of Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles analysed, compared with the corresponding measures evaluated in mice infected with the BCN150 strain. The BOS1FL1 isolate showed the highest degree of virulence among the isolates, superior to that of POL2FL7, as evidenced by the analysed biomarkers and the histopathological severity of liver lesions. These results provide insight into how L. infantum isolates from sand flies collected in the outbreak area have been able to affect not only immunosuppressed patients but also middle-aged people with normal immunocompetence in the largest human VL outbreak in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Mas
- INMIVET, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Abel Martínez-Rodrigo
- INMIVET, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Antonio Orden
- INMIVET, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Molina
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Maribel Jiménez
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - María Ángeles Jiménez
- Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Facultad de Veterinaria, Hospital Clínico Veterinario, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Carrión
- INMIVET, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gustavo Domínguez-Bernal
- INMIVET, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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28
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Saini S, Rai AK. Hamster, a close model for visceral leishmaniasis: Opportunities and challenges. Parasite Immunol 2020; 42:e12768. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sheetal Saini
- Department of Biotechnology Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad Praygraj India
| | - Ambak K. Rai
- Department of Biotechnology Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad Praygraj India
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Eberhardt E, Bulté D, Van Bockstal L, Van den Kerkhof M, Cos P, Delputte P, Hendrickx S, Maes L, Caljon G. Miltefosine enhances the fitness of a non-virulent drug-resistant Leishmania infantum strain. J Antimicrob Chemother 2020; 74:395-406. [PMID: 30412253 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dky450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Miltefosine is currently the only oral drug for visceral leishmaniasis, and although deficiency in an aminophospholipid/miltefosine transporter (MT) is sufficient to elicit drug resistance, very few naturally miltefosine-resistant (MIL-R) strains have yet been isolated. This study aimed to make a detailed analysis of the impact of acquired miltefosine resistance and miltefosine treatment on in vivo infection. Methods Bioluminescent versions of a MIL-R strain and its syngeneic parental line were generated by integration of the red-shifted firefly luciferase PpyRE9. The fitness of both lines was compared in vitro (growth rate, metacyclogenesis and macrophage infectivity) and in BALB/c mice through non-invasive bioluminescence imaging under conditions with and without drug pressure. Results This study demonstrated a severe fitness loss of MT-deficient parasites, resulting in a complete inability to multiply and cause a typical visceral leishmaniasis infection pattern in BALB/c mice. The observed fitness loss could not be rescued by host immune suppression with cyclophosphamide, whereas episomal reconstitution with a wild-type MT restored parasite virulence, hence linking parasite fitness to MT mutation. Remarkably, in vivo miltefosine treatment or in vitro miltefosine pre-exposure significantly rescued MIL-R parasite virulence. The in vitro pre-exposed MIL-R promastigotes showed a longer and more slender morphology, suggesting an altered membrane composition. Conclusions The profound fitness loss of MT-deficient parasites most likely explains the low frequency of MIL-R clinical isolates. The observation that miltefosine can reverse this phenotype indicates a drug dependency of the MT-deficient parasites and emphasizes the importance of resistance profiling prior to miltefosine administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Eberhardt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Dimitri Bulté
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Lieselotte Van Bockstal
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Magali Van den Kerkhof
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Paul Cos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Peter Delputte
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sarah Hendrickx
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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Lewis MD, Paun A, Romano A, Langston H, Langner CA, Moore IN, Bock KW, Francisco AF, Brenchley JM, Sacks DL. Fatal progression of experimental visceral leishmaniasis is associated with intestinal parasitism and secondary infection by commensal bacteria, and is delayed by antibiotic prophylaxis. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008456. [PMID: 32282850 PMCID: PMC7179947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania donovani causes visceral leishmaniasis (VL), which is typically fatal without treatment. There is substantial variation between individuals in rates of disease progression, response to treatment and incidence of post-treatment sequelae, specifically post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). Nevertheless, the majority of infected people are asymptomatic carriers. Hamsters and mice are commonly used as models of fatal and non-fatal VL, respectively. Host and parasite genetics are likely to be important factors, but in general the reasons for heterogeneous disease presentation in humans and animal models are poorly understood. Host microbiota has become established as a factor in cutaneous forms of leishmaniasis but this has not been studied in VL. We induced intestinal dysbiosis in mice and hamsters by long-term treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics in their drinking water. There were no significant differences in disease presentation in dysbiotic mice. In contrast, dysbiotic hamsters infected with L. donovani had delayed onset and progression of weight loss. Half of control hamsters had a rapid progression phenotype compared with none of the ABX-treated animals and the nine-month survival rate was significantly improved compared to untreated controls (40% vs. 10%). Antibiotic-treated hamsters also had significantly less severe hepatosplenomegaly, which was accompanied by a distinct cytokine gene expression profile. The protective effect was not explained by differences in parasite loads or haematological profiles. We further found evidence that the gut-liver axis is a key aspect of fatal VL progression in hamsters, including intestinal parasitism, bacterial translocation to the liver, malakoplakia and iron sequestration, none of which occurred in non-progressing murine VL. Diverse bacterial genera were cultured from VL affected livers, of which Rodentibacter was specifically absent from ABX-treated hamsters, indicating this pathobiont may play a role in promoting disease progression. The results provide experimental support for antibiotic prophylaxis against secondary bacterial infections as an adjunct therapy in human VL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Andrea Paun
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Audrey Romano
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Harry Langston
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte A. Langner
- Barrier Immunity Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ian N. Moore
- Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kevin W. Bock
- Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jason M. Brenchley
- Barrier Immunity Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - David L. Sacks
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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Solana JC, Ramírez L, Cook ECL, Hernández-García E, Sacristán S, Martín ME, Manuel González V, Reguera RM, Balaña-Fouce R, Fresno M, Requena JM, Iborra S, Soto M. Subcutaneous Immunization of Leishmania HSP70-II Null Mutant Line Reduces the Severity of the Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis in BALB/c Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010141. [PMID: 32210040 PMCID: PMC7157689 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania infantum parasites cause a severe form of visceral leishmaniasis in human and viscerocutaneous leishmaniasis in dogs. Recently, we reported that immunization with an attenuated L. infantum cell line, lacking the hsp70-II gene, protects against the development of murine cutaneous leishmaniasis. In this work, we analyzed the vaccine potential of this cell line towards the long-term protection against murine visceral leishmaniasis. This model shows an organ-dependent evolution of the disease. The infection can resolve in the liver but chronically affect spleen and bone marrow. Twelve weeks after subcutaneous administration of attenuated L. infantum, Bagg Albino (BALB/c) mice were challenged with infective L. infantum parasites expressing the luciferase-encoding gene. Combining in vivo bioimaging techniques with limiting dilution experiments, we report that, in the initial phase of the disease, vaccinated animals presented lower parasite loads than unvaccinated animals. A reduction of the severity of liver damage was also detected. Protection was associated with the induction of rapid parasite-specific IFN-γ production by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. However, the vaccine was unable to control the chronic phase of the disease, since we did not find differences in the parasite burdens nor in the immune response at that time point.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Carlos Solana
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Ramírez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Emma C. L. Cook
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT. Complutense University School of Medicine and 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Hernández-García
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT. Complutense University School of Medicine and 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Sacristán
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Elena Martín
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Manuel González
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa María Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - José María Requena
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvador Iborra
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT. Complutense University School of Medicine and 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (S.I.); (M.S.); Tel.: +34-91-394-7220 (S.I.); +34-91-196-4647 (M.S.)
| | - Manuel Soto
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (S.I.); (M.S.); Tel.: +34-91-394-7220 (S.I.); +34-91-196-4647 (M.S.)
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Bastos DSS, Miranda BM, Fialho Martins TV, Guimarães Ervilha LO, Souza ACF, de Oliveira Emerick S, Carneiro da Silva A, Novaes RD, Neves MM, Santos EC, de Oliveira LL, Marques-da-Silva EDA. Lipophosphoglycan-3 recombinant protein vaccine controls hepatic parasitism and prevents tissue damage in mice infected by Leishmania infantum chagasi. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 126:110097. [PMID: 32203891 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS In this work, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the Leishmania infantum chagasi infection on the liver of vaccinated mice, considering parameters of tissue damage and the inflammatory response elicited by vaccination. MAIN METHODS We used recombinant LPG3 protein (rLPG3) as immunogen in BALB/c mice before challenge with promastigote forms of L. infantum chagasi. The animals were separated into five groups: NI: non-infected animals; NV: non-vaccinated; SAP: treated with saponin; rLPG3: immunized with rLPG3; rLPG3 + SAP: immunized with rLPG3 plus SAP. The experiment was conducted in replicate, and the vaccination protocol consisted of three subcutaneous doses of rLPG3 (40 μg + two boosters of 20 μg). The mice were challenged two weeks after the last immunization. KEY FINDINGS Our results showed that rLPG3 + SAP immunization decreased the parasite burden in 99 %, conferring immunological protection in the liver of the infected animals. Moreover, the immunization improved the antioxidant defenses, increasing CAT and GST activity, while reducing the levels of oxidative stress markers, such as H2O2 and NO3/NO2, and carbonyl protein in the organ. As a consequence, rLPG3 + SAP immunization preserved tissue integrity and reduced the granuloma formation, inflammatory infiltrate and serum levels of AST, ALT, and ALP. SIGNIFICANCE Taken together, these results showed that rLPG3 vaccine confers liver protection against L. infantum chagasi in mice, while maintaining the liver tissue protected against the harmful inflammatory effects caused by the vaccine followed by the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rômulo Dias Novaes
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, MG, Brazil
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Losada-Barragán M, Umaña-Pérez A, Rodriguez-Vega A, Cuervo-Escobar S, Azevedo R, Morgado FN, de Frias Carvalho V, Aquino P, Carvalho PC, Porrozzi R, Sánchez-Gómez M, Padron G, Cuervo P. Proteomic profiling of splenic interstitial fluid of malnourished mice infected with Leishmania infantum reveals defects on cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory response. J Proteomics 2019; 208:103492. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2019.103492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Dias BT, Dias-Teixeira KL, Godinho JP, Faria MS, Calegari-Silva T, Mukhtar MM, Lopes U, Mottram JC, Lima APCA. Neutrophil elastase promotes Leishmania donovani infection via interferon-β. FASEB J 2019; 33:10794-10807. [PMID: 31284755 PMCID: PMC6766642 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900524r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a deadly illness caused by Leishmania donovani that provokes liver and spleen inflammation and tissue destruction. In cutaneous leishmaniasis, the protein of L. major, named inhibitor of serine peptidases (ISP) 2, inactivates neutrophil elastase (NE) present at the macrophage surface, resulting in blockade of TLR4 activation, prevention of TNF-α and IFN-β production, and parasite survival. We report poor intracellular growth of L. donovani in macrophages from knockout mice for NE (ela-/-), TLR4, or TLR2. NE and TLR4 colocalized with the parasite in the parasitophorous vacuole. Parasite load in the liver and spleen of ela-/- mice were reduced and accompanied by increased NO and decreased TGF-β production. Expression of ISP2 was not detected in L. donovani, and a transgenic line constitutively expressing ISP2, displayed poor intracellular growth in macrophages and decreased burden in mice. Infected ela-/- macrophages displayed significantly lower IFN-β mRNA than background mice macrophages, and the intracellular growth was fully restored by exogenous IFN-β. We propose that L. donovani utilizes the host NE-TLR machinery to induce IFN-β necessary for parasite survival and growth during early infection. Low or absent expression of parasite ISP2 in L. donovani is necessary to preserve the activation of the NE-TLR pathway.-Dias, B. T., Dias-Teixeira, K. L., Godinho, J. P., Faria, M. S., Calegari-Silva, T., Mukhtar, M. M., Lopes, U. G., Mottram, J. C., Lima, A. P. C. A. Neutrophil elastase promotes Leishmania donovani infection via interferon-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna T Dias
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Karina Luisa Dias-Teixeira
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Joseane P Godinho
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marilia S Faria
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Teresa Calegari-Silva
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maowia M Mukhtar
- Bioscience Research Institute, Ibn Sina University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Ulisses Lopes
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jeremy C Mottram
- Department of Biology, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Paula C A Lima
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Murillo J, Montoya A, Carrillo-Bonilla L, Rodriguez B, Vélez ID, Robledo SM. Verification and monitoring of visceral leishmaniasis in hamsters caused by Leishmania infantum, using non-invasive approaches involving ultrasound imaging and blood gases. Exp Parasitol 2019; 201:78-89. [PMID: 31047987 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Hamsters are a suitable experimental model for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) because they mimic the features of the human disease. However, the infection after inoculation can only be verified after sacrifice of the animal or several months following infection, when obvious signs of the disease appear, compromising animal welfare in both cases. Unlike other studies, the present work used an inoculum of 5 × 108 promastigotes to induce Leishmania infantum infection, which are easier to produce than amastigotes, in in vitro culture. The infection in hamsters was detected using non-invasive methods such as ultrasound imaging (USG) and blood gases, in addition to alterations in hematological parameters and weight loss. USG imaging identified changes in the size and echogenicity of the spleen, liver, and kidney as early as week 9 (W9) after experimental inoculation. However, blood gases, specially lactate, was increased in response to the infection, with statistically significant differences between W9 and W0 (before infection) (p < 0.0001). The conventional hematological parameters showed progressive pancytopenia and weight loss of 15% and 10% in infected males and females respectively, at W9 versus W0 (p < 0.0001). Histological changes in the liver, kidney, and spleen correlated with changes detected by USG imaging and the number of parasites increased proportionately to the progression of infection, being higher at W24. In conclusion, USG imaging, lactate levels, hematocrit and hemoglobin parameters, along with weight loss allowed early detection of infection, which was then confirmed by the identification and quantification of parasites in the blood, liver, and spleen by qRT-PCR. In contrast, blood chemistry was not a useful tool in the early detection of VL infection because it did not correlate with alterations evident in other techniques. The use of non-invasive tools eliminates the need for animal sacrifice to confirm infection, thus reducing the number of animals required for a given study and eliminating the need to wait until the appearance of severe signs of infection, which affect animal welfare. These tools are therefore advantageous for use in preclinical studies, for studying pathogenesis as also for vaccine and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Murillo
- PECET-School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia-Udea, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Andrés Montoya
- PECET-School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia-Udea, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Lina Carrillo-Bonilla
- PECET-School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia-Udea, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia; Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia-Udea, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Berardo Rodriguez
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia-Udea, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Iván D Vélez
- PECET-School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia-Udea, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Sara M Robledo
- PECET-School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia-Udea, Calle 70 # 52-21, Medellín, Colombia.
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Priolo V, Martínez-Orellana P, Pennisi MG, Masucci M, Prandi D, Ippolito D, Bruno F, Castelli G, Solano-Gallego L. Leishmania infantum-specific IFN-γ production in stimulated blood from cats living in areas where canine leishmaniosis is endemic. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:133. [PMID: 30909952 PMCID: PMC6434818 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3386-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Feline leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is considered a rare disease in endemic areas, whereas subclinical infections are common. Immune response plays a key role in driving the course of L. infantum infection in other host species; however, the feline cell-mediated immune response to L. infantum infection has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the cell-mediated immune response specific to L. infantum by means of interferon (IFN)-γ release in whole blood assay from cats living in endemic areas (66 in Sicily and 113 in Catalonia) and to compare with antibody levels to L. infantum [enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT)], blood parasite load and retroviral infections. Results Most cats (n = 140) were L. infantum antibody negative and only 22% (n = 39) were positive. Only 9 and 2% of tested cats had a feline immunodeficency virus (FIV) infection or a feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection, respectively. Thirty-two cats out of 179 (18%) produced IFN-γ after stimulation with L. infantum soluble antigen (LSA) while the majority of cats (93%) produced IFN-γ after stimulation with concanavalin A (ConA). Six LSA-IFN-γ-producer cats were seropositive (three to ELISA and five to IFAT) but they were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negative, while only one cat was antibody- and PCR-positive. Significant positive correlations were found between IFN-γ concentrations after stimulation with LSA and ConA, and between serology and PCR testing. No association was found between FIV status and LSA or ConA-IFN-γ production. Combining PCR, serology and specific IFN-γ concentration results, we found that 36% of cats studied were exposed to L. infantum. Conclusions As expected, cats from endemic areas produce IFN-γ after ex vivo blood stimulation with LSA and therefore are able to activate a cell-mediated adaptive immune response against the parasite that is variably associated with antibody or blood PCR positivity. The association of this assay to serological and molecular tests provides a better estimate of cat exposure to L. infantum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Priolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Pamela Martínez-Orellana
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Marisa Masucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - David Prandi
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dorotea Ippolito
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Bruno
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Leishmaniosi (CReNaL), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Germano Castelli
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Leishmaniosi (CReNaL), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Laia Solano-Gallego
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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Stamper BD, Davis M, Scott-Collins S, Tran J, Ton C, Simidyan A, Roberts SC. Model-based Evaluation of Gene Expression Changes in Response to Leishmania Infection. GENE REGULATION AND SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2019; 13:1177625019828350. [PMID: 30792575 PMCID: PMC6376507 DOI: 10.1177/1177625019828350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Since the development of high-density microarray technology in the late 1990s, global host gene expression changes in response to various stimuli have been extensively studied. More than a dozen peer-reviewed publications have investigated the effect of Leishmania infection in various models since 2001. This review covers the transcriptional changes in macrophage models induced by various Leishmania species and summarizes the resulting impact these studies have on our understanding of the host response to leishmaniasis in vitro. Characterization of the similarities and differences between various model systems will not only further our understanding of Leishmania-induced changes to macrophage gene expression but also identify potential therapeutic targets in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Madison Davis
- School of Pharmacy, Pacific University Oregon, Hillsboro, OR, USA
| | | | - Julie Tran
- School of Pharmacy, Pacific University Oregon, Hillsboro, OR, USA
| | - Caryn Ton
- School of Pharmacy, Pacific University Oregon, Hillsboro, OR, USA
| | - Agapi Simidyan
- School of Pharmacy, Pacific University Oregon, Hillsboro, OR, USA
| | - Sigrid C Roberts
- School of Pharmacy, Pacific University Oregon, Hillsboro, OR, USA
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Ribeiro PA, Dias DS, Novais MV, Lage DP, Tavares GS, Mendonça DV, Oliveira JS, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Roatt BM, Duarte MC, Menezes-Souza D, Ludolf F, Tavares CA, Oliveira MC, Coelho EA. A Leishmania hypothetical protein-containing liposome-based formulation is highly immunogenic and induces protection against visceral leishmaniasis. Cytokine 2018; 111:131-139. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Montoya A, Yepes L, Bedoya A, Henao R, Delgado G, Vélez ID, Robledo SM. Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFβ1) and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) as Biomarkers of Leishmania (V) braziliensis Infection and Early Therapeutic Response in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Studies in Hamsters. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:350. [PMID: 30333964 PMCID: PMC6176012 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: In cutaneous leishmaniasis, the host immune response is responsible for the development of skin injuries but also for resolution of the disease especially after antileishmanial therapy. The immune factors that participate in the regulation of inflammation, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, cell proliferation and differentiation may constitute biomarkers of diseases or response to treatment. In this work, we analyzed the production of the growth factors EGF, TGFβ1, PDGF, and FGF during the infection by Leishmania parasites, the development of the injuries and the early response to treatment. Methodology: Golden hamsters were infected with L. (V) braziliensis. The growth factors were detected in skin scrapings and biopsies every 2 weeks after infected and then at day 7 of treatment with different drug candidates by RT-qPCR. The parasitic load was also quantified by RT-qPCR in skin biopsies sampled at the end of the study. Results: The infection by L. (V) braziliensis induced the expression of all the growth factors at day 15 of infection. One month after infection, EGF and TGFβ1 were expressed in all hamsters with inverse ratio. While the EGF and FGF levels decreased between day 15 and 30 of infection, the TGFβ1 increased and the PGDF levels did not change. The relative expression of EGF and TGFβ1 increased notably after treatment. However, the increase of EGF was associated with clinical cure while the increase of TGFβ1 was associated with failure to treatment. The amount of parasites in the cutaneous lesion at the end of the study decreased according to the clinical outcome, being lower in the group of cured hamsters and higher in the group of hamsters that had a failure to the treatment. Conclusions: A differential profile of growth factor expression occurred during the infection and response to treatment. Higher induction of TGFβ1 was associated with active disease while the higher levels of EGF are associated with adequate response to treatment. The inversely EGF/TGFβ1 ratio may be an effective biomarker to identify establishment of Leishmania infection and early therapeutic response, respectively. However, further studies are needed to validate the utility of the proposed biomarkers in field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Montoya
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Lina Yepes
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Alexander Bedoya
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Raúl Henao
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Gabriela Delgado
- Grupo de Investigación en Inmunotoxicología, Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Iván D Vélez
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Sara M Robledo
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Jaegger CF, Negrão F, Assis DM, Belaz KRA, Angolini CFF, Fernandes AMAP, Santos VG, Pimentel A, Abánades DR, Giorgio S, Eberlin MN, Rocha DFO. MALDI MS imaging investigation of the host response to visceral leishmaniasis. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2018; 13:1946-1953. [PMID: 28758666 DOI: 10.1039/c7mb00306d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) of animal tissues has become an important tool for in situ molecular analyses and biomarker studies in several clinical areas, but there are few applications in parasitological studies. Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease, and experimental mouse models have been essential to evaluate pathological and immunological processes and to develop diagnostic methods. Herein we have employed MALDI MSI to examine peptides and low molecular weight proteins (2 to 20 kDa) differentially expressed in the liver during visceral leishmaniasis in mice models. We analyzed liver sections of Balb/c mice infected with Leishmania infantum using the SCiLS Lab software for statistical analysis, which facilitated data interpretation and thus highlighted several key proteins and/or peptides. We proposed a decision tree classification for visceral leishmaniasis with distinct phases of the disease, which are named here as healthy, acute infection and chronic infection. Among others, the ion of m/z 4963 was the most important to identify acute infection and was tentatively identified as Thymosin β4. This peptide was previously established as a recovery factor in the human liver and might participate in the response of mice to Leishmania infection. This preliminary investigation shows the potential of MALDI MSI to complement classical compound selective imaging techniques and to explore new features not yet recognized by these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- C F Jaegger
- ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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Human Interleukin-32γ Plays a Protective Role in an Experimental Model of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Mice. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00796-17. [PMID: 29483288 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00796-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic parasitic disease caused by Leishmania infantum in the Americas. During VL, several proinflammatory cytokines are produced in spleen, liver, and bone marrow. However, the role of interleukin-32 (IL-32) has not been explored in this disease. IL-32 can induce production of proinflammatory cytokines in innate immune cells and polarize the adaptive immune response. Herein, we discovered that L. infantum antigens induced expression of mRNA mainly for the IL-32γ isoform but also induced low levels of the IL-32β transcript in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Furthermore, infection of human IL-32γ transgenic mice (IL-32γTg mice) with L. infantum promastigote forms increased IL-32γ expression in the spleen and liver. Interestingly, IL-32γTg mice harbored less parasitism in the spleen and liver than wild-type (WT) mice. In addition, IL-32γTg mice showed increased granuloma formation in the liver compared to WT mice. The protection against VL was associated with increased production of nitric oxide (NO), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), IL-17A, and tumor necrosis factor alpha by splenic cells restimulated ex vivo with L. infantum antigens. In parallel, there was an increase in the number of Th1 and Th17 T cells in the spleens of IL-32γTg mice infected with L. infantum IL-32γ induction of IFN-γ and IL-17A expression was found to be essential for NO production by splenic cells of infected animals. These data indicate that IL-32γ potentiates the Th1/Th17 immune response during experimental VL, thus contributing to the control of L. infantum infection.
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Using proteomics as a powerful tool to develop a vaccine against Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis. J Parasit Dis 2018; 42:162-170. [PMID: 29844618 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-018-0986-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a tropical infectious disease, which is called Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis (MVL) in the Mediterranean area. In spite of many attempts, no effective commercial vaccine exists for MVL. To find new targets for developing antileishmanial vaccines, knowing parasite antigens that provoke the immune system are on demand. Nowadays, proteomics methods are defined as approaches for analysis of protein profiling of different cells. Within this framework, detection of new antigens is becoming more facilitated. In this review, we aimed to introduce possible targets using proteomics so; they could be used as candidates for developing vaccines against MVL. It can shed new light in the near future on the development of promising vaccines for MVL.
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Salguero FJ, Garcia-Jimenez WL, Lima I, Seifert K. Histopathological and immunohistochemical characterisation of hepatic granulomas in Leishmania donovani-infected BALB/c mice: a time-course study. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:73. [PMID: 29386047 PMCID: PMC5793367 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2624-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease (NTD), caused by the intracellular protozoan parasites Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum. Symptomatic VL is considered fatal when left untreated. At present, there is no effective vaccine licensed for human use and available chemotherapies have limitations. Understanding the local immune mechanisms required for the control of infection is a key factor for developing effective vaccines and therapeutics. METHODS We have investigated the development of the typical granulomatous lesions in the liver in experimental VL over time, together with the local immune responses. BALB/c mice were infected intravenously with a dose of 2 × 107 L. donovani amastigotes (MHOM/ET/67/HU3) and sacrificed at 15, 35 and 63 days post-infection (dpi). Histopathology and immunohistochemical techniques were used for the detection of Leishmania antigen, selected cell types including B and T lymphocytes, macrophages and neutrophils (CD45R-B220+, CD3+, F4/80+ and Ly-6G+) and iNOS. RESULTS Granulomatous lesions were identified as early as 15 dpi in the livers of all infected animals. Three categories were used to classify liver granulomas (immature, mature and clear). Clear granulomas were exclusively detected from 35 dpi onwards. Kupffer cells (F4/80+) were predominant in immature granulomas, regardless of the dpi. Nonetheless, the highest expression was found 63 dpi. Positive staining for iNOS was mainly observed in the cytoplasm of fused Kupffer cells and the highest expression observed at 35 dpi. T cells (CD3+) and B cells (CD45R-B220+) were predominant in more advanced granuloma stages, probably related to the establishment of acquired immunity. Neutrophils (Ly-6G+) were predominantly observed in mature granulomas with the highest expression at 15 dpi. Neutrophils were lower in numbers compared to other cell types, particularly at later time points. CONCLUSIONS Our results reflect the role of macrophages during the early stage of infection and the establishment of a lymphocytic response to control the infection in more advanced stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Salguero
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Waldo L Garcia-Jimenez
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Isadora Lima
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Karin Seifert
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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Dias DS, Ribeiro PA, Martins VT, Lage DP, Ramos FF, Dias AL, Rodrigues MR, Portela ÁS, Costa LE, Caligiorne RB, Steiner BT, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Salles BC, Santos TT, Silveira JA, Magalhães-Soares DF, Roatt BM, Machado-de-Ávila RA, Duarte MC, Menezes-Souza D, Silva ES, Galdino AS, Coelho EA. Recombinant prohibitin protein of Leishmania infantum acts as a vaccine candidate and diagnostic marker against visceral leishmaniasis. Cell Immunol 2018; 323:59-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Abstract
The visceralizing potential of apparently dermotropic Leishmania donovani in Sri Lanka (L. donovani-SL) was investigated through long-term follow-up of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients and in vivo and in vitro experimental infection models. CL patients (n = 250) treated effectively with intra-lesional antimony therapy were followed-up six monthly for 4 years. There was no clinical evidence of visceralization of infection (VL) during this period. Infection of BALB/c mice with L. donovani-SL (test) through intra-dermal route led to the development of cutaneous lesions at the site of inoculation with no signs of systemic dissemination, in contrast to the observations made in animals similarly infected with a visceralizing strain of L. donovani-1S (control). Cytokine (IL-10, IFN-γ) release patterns of splenocytes and lymph node cell cultures derived from mice primed with experimental infections (with either test or control parasites) revealed significantly high IFN-γ response associated with test mice with CL, while prominent IL-10 levels were observed in association with control mice with VL. Furthermore, diminished infection efficiency, intracellular growth and survival of L. donovani-SL parasites compared with L. donovani-1S were evident through in vitro macrophage infection experiments. These studies confirm, for the first time, the essential dermotropic nature of L. donovani-SL suggesting natural attenuation of virulence of local parasite strains.
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Figueiredo WME, Viana SDM, Alves DT, Guerra PV, Coêlho ZCB, Barbosa HS, Teixeira MJ. Protection mediated by chemokine CXCL10 in BALB/c mice infected by Leishmania infantum. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2017; 112:561-568. [PMID: 28767981 PMCID: PMC5530548 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760160529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum is characterised by the loss of the ability of the host to generate an effective immune response. Chemokines have a direct involvement in the pathogenesis of leishmaniasis, causing a rapid change in the expression of these molecules during infection by Leishmania. OBJECTIVES Herein, it was investigated the role of CXCL10 in controlling infection by L. infantum. METHODS RAW 264.7 macrophages were infected with L. infantum in vitro and treated or not with CXCL10 (25, 50 and 100 ng/mL). Parasite load, as well as nitric oxide (NO), IL-4 and IL-10 production were assessed at 24 and 48 h after infection. In vivo, BALB/c mice were infected and treated or not with CXCL10 (5 μg/kg) at one, three and seven days of infection. Parasite load, IFN-g, IL-4, TGF-β and IL-10 were evaluated one, seven and 23 days post treatment. FINDINGS In vitro, CXCL10 reduced parasitic load, not dependent on NO, and inhibited IL-10 and IL-4 secretion. In vivo, CXCL10 was able to reduce the parasite load in both liver and spleen, four weeks after infection, representing a higher decrease in the number of parasites in these organs, also induced IFN-γ at day 23 after treatment, correlating with the decrease in parasite load, and reduced IL-10 and TGF-β. MAIN CONCLUSIONS This study suggests a partial protective role of CXCL10 against L. infantum, mediated by IFN-g, not dependent on NO, and with suppression of IL-10 and TGF-β. These data may provide information for the development of new approaches for future therapeutic interventions for VL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sayonara de Melo Viana
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Patologia e Medicina Legal, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | - Dorotheia Teixeira Alves
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Patologia e Medicina Legal, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | - Priscila Valera Guerra
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Patologia e Medicina Legal, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | - Zirlane Castelo Branco Coêlho
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Farmácia, Odontologia e Enfermagem, Departamento de Análise Clínica, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | - Helene Santos Barbosa
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Maria Jania Teixeira
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Patologia e Medicina Legal, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
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Domínguez-Bernal G, Martínez-Rodrigo A, Mas A, Blanco MM, Orden JA, De La Fuente R, Carrión J. Alternative strategy for visceral leishmaniosis control: HisAK70-Salmonella Choleraesuis-pulsed dendritic cells. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2017; 54:13-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Pandey RK, Mehrotra S, Sharma S, Gudde RS, Sundar S, Shaha C. Leishmania donovani-Induced Increase in Macrophage Bcl-2 Favors Parasite Survival. Front Immunol 2016; 7:456. [PMID: 27826299 PMCID: PMC5078497 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the Bcl-2 family are major regulators of apoptosis in mammalian cells, and hence infection-induced perturbations in their expression could result into elimination of the parasites or creation of a niche favoring survival. In this investigation, we uncover a novel role of host Bcl-2 in sustaining Leishmania donovani infection. A rapid twofold increase in Bcl-2 expression occurred in response to parasite challenge. Downregulation of post infection Bcl-2 increase using siRNA or functional inhibition using Bcl-2 small molecule inhibitors interfered with intracellular parasite survival confirming the necessity of elevated Bcl-2 during infection. An increased nitric oxide (NO) response and reduced parasitic burden was observed upon Bcl-2 inhibition, where restitution of the NO response accounted for parasite mortality. Mechanistic insights revealed a major role of elevated Th2 cytokine IL-13 in parasite-induced Bcl-2 expression via the transcription factor STAT-3, where blocking at the level of IL-13 receptor or downstream kinase JAK-2 dampened Bcl-2 induction. Increase in Bcl-2 was orchestrated through Toll like receptor (TLR)-2-MEK-ERK signaling, and changes in TLR-2 levels affected parasite uptake. In a mouse model of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), Bcl-2 inhibitors partially restored the antimicrobial NO response by at least a twofold increase that resulted in significantly reduced parasite burden. Interestingly, monocytes derived from the peripheral blood of six out of nine human VL subjects demonstrated Bcl-2 expression at significantly higher levels, and sera from these patients showed only marginally quantifiable nitrites. Collectively, our study for the first time reveals a pro-parasitic role of host Bcl-2 and the capacity of host-derived IL-13 to modulate NO levels during infection via Bcl-2. Here, we propose Bcl-2 inhibition as a possible therapeutic intervention for VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Kumar Pandey
- Cell Death and Differentiation Research Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology , New Delhi , India
| | - Sanjana Mehrotra
- Department of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University , Amritsar , India
| | - Smriti Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Infectious Disease Research Laboratory, Banaras Hindu University , Varanasi , India
| | | | - Shyam Sundar
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Infectious Disease Research Laboratory, Banaras Hindu University , Varanasi , India
| | - Chandrima Shaha
- Cell Death and Differentiation Research Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology , New Delhi , India
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Preclinical Studies Evaluating Subacute Toxicity and Therapeutic Efficacy of LQB-118 in Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:3794-801. [PMID: 27067332 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01787-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe form of leishmaniasis and is the second major cause of death by parasites, after malaria. The arsenal of drugs against leishmaniasis is small, and each has a disadvantage in terms of toxicity, efficacy, price, or treatment regimen. Our group has focused on studying new drug candidates as alternatives to current treatments. The pterocarpanquinone LQB-118 was designed and synthesized based on molecular hybridization, and it exhibited antiprotozoal and anti-leukemic cell line activities. Our previous work demonstrated that LQB-118 was an effective treatment for experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. In this study, we observed that treatment with 10 mg/kg of body weight/day LQB-118 orally inhibited the development of hepatosplenomegaly with a 99% reduction in parasite load. An in vivo toxicological analysis showed no change in the clinical, biochemical, or hematological parameters. Histologically, all of the analyzed organs were normal, with the exception of the liver, where focal points of necrosis with leukocytic infiltration were observed at treatment doses 5 times higher than the therapeutic dose; however, these changes were not accompanied by an increase in transaminases. Our findings indicate that LQB-118 is effective at treating different clinical forms of leishmaniasis and presents no relevant signs of toxicity at therapeutic doses; thus, this framework is demonstrated suitable for developing promising drug candidates for the oral treatment of leishmaniasis.
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Moreira NDD, Vitoriano-Souza J, Roatt BM, Vieira PMDA, Coura-Vital W, Cardoso JMDO, Rezende MT, Ker HG, Giunchetti RC, Carneiro CM, Reis AB. Clinical, hematological and biochemical alterations in hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum through different routes of inoculation. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:181. [PMID: 27030128 PMCID: PMC4815141 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1464-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmaniasis remains among the most important parasitic diseases in the developing world and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most fatal. The hamster Mesocricetus auratus is a susceptible model for the characterization of the disease, since infection of hamsters with L. infantum reproduces the clinical and pathological features of human VL. In this context, it provides a unique opportunity to study VL in its active form. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical, biochemical, and hematological changes in male hamsters infected through different routes and strains of L. infantum. Methods In the current study, hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were infected with the L. infantum strains (WHO/MHOM/BR/74/PP75 and MCAN/BR/2008/OP46) by intradermal, intraperitoneal and intracardiac routes. The animals were monitored for a nine month follow-up period. Results The hamsters showed clinical signs similar to those observed in classical canine and human symptomatic VL, including splenomegaly, severe weight loss, anemia, and leucopenia. Therefore the OP46 strain was more infective, clinical signs were more frequent and more exacerbated in IC group with 80 to 100 % of the animals showing splenomegaly, in the last month infection. Additionally, desquamation, hair loss and external mucocutaneous lesions and ulcers localized in the snout, accompanied by swelling of the paws in all animals, were observed. Consequently, the animals presented severe weight loss/cachexia, hunched posture, an inability to eat or drink, and non-responsiveness to external stimuli. Furthermore, regardless of strain, route of inoculum and time assessed, the animals showed renal and hepatic alterations, with increased serum levels of urea and creatinine as well as elevated serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Conclusions These results strongly suggest that the inoculation through the intracardiac route resulted in a higher severity among infections, especially in the sixth and ninth month after infection via intracardiac, exhibited clinical manifestations and biochemical/hematological findings similar to human visceral leishmaniasis. Therefore, we suggest that this route must be preferentially used in experimental infections for pathogenesis studies of VL in the hamster model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nádia das Dores Moreira
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas/NUPEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil.,Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Juliana Vitoriano-Souza
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas/NUPEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Bruno Mendes Roatt
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas/NUPEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Paula Melo de Abreu Vieira
- Laboratório de Morfopatologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Wendel Coura-Vital
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Jamille Mirelle de Oliveira Cardoso
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas/NUPEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Mariana Trevisan Rezende
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas/NUPEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Henrique Gama Ker
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Rodolfo Cordeiro Giunchetti
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Claudia Martins Carneiro
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas/NUPEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil.,Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Alexandre Barbosa Reis
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas/NUPEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil. .,Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
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