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Yanase R, Pruzinova K, Owino BO, Rea E, Moreira-Leite F, Taniguchi A, Nonaka S, Sádlová J, Vojtkova B, Volf P, Sunter JD. Discovery of essential kinetoplastid-insect adhesion proteins and their function in Leishmania-sand fly interactions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6960. [PMID: 39138209 PMCID: PMC11322530 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51291-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmania species, members of the kinetoplastid parasites, cause leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, in millions of people worldwide. Leishmania has a complex life cycle with multiple developmental forms, as it cycles between a sand fly vector and a mammalian host; understanding their life cycle is critical to understanding disease spread. One of the key life cycle stages is the haptomonad form, which attaches to insect tissues through its flagellum. This adhesion, conserved across kinetoplastid parasites, is implicated in having an important function within their life cycles and hence in disease transmission. Here, we discover the kinetoplastid-insect adhesion proteins (KIAPs), which localise in the attached Leishmania flagellum. Deletion of these KIAPs impairs cell adhesion in vitro and prevents Leishmania from colonising the stomodeal valve in the sand fly, without affecting cell growth. Additionally, loss of parasite adhesion in the sand fly results in reduced physiological changes to the fly, with no observable damage of the stomodeal valve and reduced midgut swelling. These results provide important insights into a comprehensive understanding of the Leishmania life cycle, which will be critical for developing transmission-blocking strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuji Yanase
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
| | - Katerina Pruzinova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Barrack O Owino
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Edward Rea
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Flávia Moreira-Leite
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, Central Oxford Structural Molecular Imaging Centre (COSMIC), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Atsushi Taniguchi
- Laboratory for Spatiotemporal Regulations, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Research Center of Mathematics for Social Creativity, Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shigenori Nonaka
- Laboratory for Spatiotemporal Regulations, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Spatiotemporal Regulations Group, Exploratory Research Center for Life and Living Systems, Okazaki, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Jovana Sádlová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Barbora Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia.
| | - Jack D Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
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Zafari S, Motavallihaghi S, Salehzadeh A, Zahirnia A, Sazmand A, Maghsood AH. Molecular investigation of Leishmania in sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) and rodents (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Nahavand, west of Iran. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:253. [PMID: 38922451 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08265-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by different species of Leishmania is transmitted by Phlebotominae sandflies. This disease remains a public health concern in Iran. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine Leishmania infection in sandflies and reservoir rodents in six rural regions of Nahavand, located in western Iran. From May to October 2022, sandflies and rodents were collected and identified at the species level. Additionally, rodents' skin lesions and earlobe specimens were collected separately for microscopic and molecular examination. All specimens were tested for Leishmania DNA by PCRs targeting the parasite's ITS-2 and 18S rRNA gene and positive were Sanger sequenced. A total of 3396 sandflies belonging to seven subgenera and 11 species, i.e., Phlebotomus papatasi (42.7%), P. major (20.6%), P. mascitti (0.3%), P. neglectus (0.2%), P. alexandri (0.2%), P. turanicus (0.3%), Sergentomyia murgabiensis (18.1%), S. dentata (10.5%), S. theodori (5.8%), S. antennata (1.1%), and S. pawlowski (0.1%) were identified. Based on the species population, 29 pools of sandflies were examined for the presence of Leishmania DNA using conventional PCR (cPCR), and individual DNAs were tested when positive. Leishmania major DNA was detected in two P. papatasi and Leishmania sp. in one P. major individual sandfly. This is the first report of Leishmania infection in sandflies from Hamadan province. The captured rodents (n = 61) belonged to four families and seven species, i.e., Arvicola amphibius (37.7%), Mus musculus (29.5%), Microtus socialis (13.1%), Apodemus sylvaticus (11.5%), Talpa davidiana (4.9%), Apodemus witherbyi (1.6%), and Rattus norvegicus (1.6%). Microscopic and molecular examinations of the rodent lesions and earlobes scored negative results. The presence of Leishmania in the Phlebotominae sandflies in Nahavand indicates a potential threat to humans and animals in the region. Regular monitoring and examination of the sandflies' population and timely diagnosis and treatment of new patients are strongly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salman Zafari
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Seyedmousa Motavallihaghi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Aref Salehzadeh
- Department of Medical Entomology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Zahirnia
- Department of Medical Entomology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Alireza Sazmand
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, 6517658978, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Maghsood
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
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Chang L, Li M, Zhu Y, Fu Y, Li T, Zhao J, Lv Y, Zhang C, Zhu M, Li Z, Zhao W. Omics-based investigation of pathological liver injury induced by Echinococcus multilocularis infection in mice. Acta Trop 2024; 250:107083. [PMID: 38070722 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107083] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) can cause severe liver injury and be fatal if left untreated. Currently, there are no effective therapeutic options for AE-induced liver injury. Therefore, by exploring the changes of gene proteins in mice with damaged liver, we attempted to identify the key molecules of liver damage, and provide data that will enable the development of drugs targeting hepatic AE. METHODS BALB/c mice were inoculated with protoscoleces via the hepatic portal vein. Three months later, B-ultrasound examination and Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining were used to confirm liver damage in mice. RNA sequencing and Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were used to screen differentially expressed molecules associated with liver damage through bioinformatics, and Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to verify their expression. RESULTS B-ultrasound examination showed liver lesions in the infected group, and H&E staining showed liver inflammation, fibrosis and liver necrosis. RNA sequencing and LC-MS results showed changes in the levels of more than 1000 genes and proteins, with upregulation of immune and inflammation pathways. By contrast, the downregulated genes and proteins were mostly involved in various metabolic reactions. Correlation analysis was conducted between the transcriptome data and proteome data. The results revealed 240 differentially expressed genes, of which 192 were upregulated, and 48 were downregulated. Many of these genes were involved in metabolic reactions, such as Catalase (Cat), fatty acid synthase (Fasn), and IL-16 genes, which may have relevance to liver injury. The results of qRT-PCR were consistent with those of bioinformatics analysis. CONCLUSIONS The mechanisms of liver injury in mice infected with Echinococcus multilocularis are complex, involving abnormal metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and many other factors. This study provides the data for preliminary exploration for the development of targeted therapies against AE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangliang Chang
- School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China
| | - Yazhou Zhu
- School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China
| | - Yong Fu
- Qinghai University, Xining Qinghai China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China
| | - Jiaqing Zhao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China
| | - Yongxue Lv
- School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China
| | - Cuiying Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China
| | - Mingxing Zhu
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China
| | - Zihua Li
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China
| | - Wei Zhao
- School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Ningxia China.
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Divenuto F, Marascio N, Quirino A, Giancotti A, Filice S, Gigliotti S, Campolo MP, Campolo M, Barreca GS, Lamberti AG, Castelli G, Bruno F, Matera G. Cellular mediators in human leishmaniasis: Critical determinants in parasite killing or disease progression. Acta Trop 2023; 248:107037. [PMID: 37805040 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107037] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Data on cellular immunity mediators in the early phase of human leishmaniasis are still limited and controversial. In order to mimic the changes of humoral mediators during the early phase of human natural infection, some Th1, Th2, Treg, and Breg cytokines, MCP-1, and the nitric oxide (NO) from human PBMC, stimulated by Leishmania infantum, Leishmania major, Leishmania donovani and Leishmania tropica infective metacyclic promastigotes, were determined. After 4 h of L. major, L. donovani, and L. tropica challenge, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6 levels were significantly higher than negative control cultures with saline (SF) instead of Leishmania promastigotes, unlike L. infantum-stimulated TNFα and L. major-stimulated IL-1β. We obtained higher levels of IL-4 and IL-10 cytokines after stimulation of human PBMCs by L. infantum and L. donovani, compared to those observed after the challenge of PBMCs by L. major and L. tropica. Regarding IL-35, such cytokine levels were significantly increased following infection with L. infantum and L. donovani, in contrast to L. major and L. tropica. Up to our knowledge, we are the first to study the effect of four different species of Leishmania on IL-35 levels in human cells. Our study highlights how several Leishmania species can up-regulate different groups of cytokines (Th1, Th2, Treg and Breg) and modulate NO release in a different way. This original aspect can be explained by different Leishmania cell products, such as LPG, obtained from different strains/species of live parasites. Our findings would contribute to the development of new therapeutics or vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Divenuto
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - N Marascio
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - A Quirino
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - A Giancotti
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - S Filice
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - S Gigliotti
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - M P Campolo
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - M Campolo
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - G S Barreca
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - A G Lamberti
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - G Castelli
- National Reference Center for Leishmaniasis (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - F Bruno
- National Reference Center for Leishmaniasis (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - G Matera
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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Nemati Haravani T, Parvizi P, Hejazi SH, Sedaghat MM, Eskandarian A, Nateghi Rostami M. Evaluation of expression variations in virulence-related genes of Leishmania major after several culture passages compared with Phlebotomus papatasi isolated promastigotes. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284240. [PMID: 37053214 PMCID: PMC10101501 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a prevalent infectious disease with considerable morbidity annually. Here, we aimed to investigate the likely variations in gene expression of glycoprotein63 (gp63), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), histone, arginase, cysteine protease B (CPB), Leishmania homologue of receptors for activated C kinase (LACK), small hydrophilic endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein (SHERP) in metacyclic promastigotes of L. major isolated from Phlebotomus papatasi sand flies and promastigotes excessively cultured in culture medium. The parasites were collected from suspected CL cases in Pasteur Institute of Iran, cultured and inoculated into the female BALB/c mice (2×106 promastigotes). Sand flies were trapped in Qom province, fed with the blood of euthanized infected mice and subsequently dissected in order to isolate the midgut including stomodeal valve. The metacyclic promastigotes were isolated from Ph. papatasi (Pro-Ppap) using peanut agglutinin test (PNA), then continuously cultured in RPMI-1640 medium enriched with fetal bovine serum, penicillin (100 U/ml) and streptomycin (100 mg/ml) to reach stationary phase (Pro-Stat). The gene expression was evaluated in both parasitic stages (Pro-Ppap and Pro-Stat) using qRT-PCR. Out results showed a significant increased gene expression at Pro-Ppap stage for gp63 (P = 0.002), SHERP (P = 0.001) and histone (P = 0.026) genes, in comparison with Pro-Stat stage. Noticeably, significant changes were, also, demonstrated in 10th to 15th passages [gp63 (P = 0.041), arginase (P = 0.016), LACK (P = 0.025)] and in 5th to 20th passage (SHERP) (P = 0.029). In conclusion, the findings of the present study seem to be essential in designing Leishmania studies, in particular regarding host-parasite interaction, immunization and infectivity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taher Nemati Haravani
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Parviz Parvizi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Hossein Hejazi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbasali Eskandarian
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Cortazzo da Silva L, Aoki JI, Floeter-Winter LM. Finding Correlations Between mRNA and Protein Levels in Leishmania Development: Is There a Discrepancy? Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:852902. [PMID: 35903202 PMCID: PMC9318571 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.852902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple genes and proteins have been identified as differentially expressed in the stages of the Leishmania life cycle. The differentiation processes are implicated in specific transcriptional and proteomic adjustments driven by gene expression regulation mechanisms. Leishmania parasites lack gene-specific transcriptional control, and gene expression regulation mostly depends on posttranscriptional mechanisms. Due to the lack of transcriptional regulation, criticism regarding the relevance of transcript quantification as a possible and efficient prediction of protein levels is recurrent in studies that use transcriptomic information. The advent of high-throughput technologies has improved the analysis of genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes for different organisms under several conditions. Nevertheless, defining the correlation between transcriptional and proteomic profiles requires arduous and expensive work and remains a challenge in Leishmania. In this review, we analyze transcriptomic and proteomic data for several Leishmania species in two different stages of the parasite life cycle: metacyclogenesis and amastigogenesis (amastigote differentiation). We found a correlation between mRNA and protein levels of 60.9% and 69.8% for metacyclogenesis and amastigogenesis, respectively; showing that majority mRNA and protein levels increase or decrease concomitantly. Among the analyzed genes that did not present correlation indicate that transcriptomic data should be carefully interpreted as protein expression. We also discuss possible explanations and mechanisms involved for this lack of correlation.
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Alonso A, Larraga J, Loayza FJ, Martínez E, Valladares B, Larraga V, Alcolea PJ. Stable Episomal Transfectant Leishmania infantum Promastigotes Over-Expressing the DEVH1 RNA Helicase Gene Down-Regulate Parasite Survival Genes. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11070761. [PMID: 35890006 PMCID: PMC9323391 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The compartmentalization of untranslated mRNA molecules in granules occurring in many eukaryotic organisms including trypanosomatids involves the formation of complexes between mRNA molecules and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). The putative ATP-dependent DEAD/H RNA helicase (DEVH1) from Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) is one such proteins. The objective of this research is finding differentially expressed genes in a stable episomal transfectant L. infantum promastigote line over-expressing DEVH1 in the stationary phase of growth in axenic culture to get insight into the biological roles of this RNA helicase in the parasite. Interestingly, genes related to parasite survival and virulence factors, such as the hydrophilic surface protein/small hydrophilic endoplasmic reticulum protein (HASP/SHERP) gene cluster, an amastin, and genes related to reactive oxygen species detoxification are down-regulated in DEVH1 transfectant promastigotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Alonso
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology and Vaccines, Biological, Immunological, and Chemical Drug Development for Global Health Unit (BICS), Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Biological Research Margarita Salas, Spanish Research Council (CIBMS-CSIC), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.A.); (J.L.); (F.J.L.); (V.L.)
| | - Jaime Larraga
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology and Vaccines, Biological, Immunological, and Chemical Drug Development for Global Health Unit (BICS), Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Biological Research Margarita Salas, Spanish Research Council (CIBMS-CSIC), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.A.); (J.L.); (F.J.L.); (V.L.)
| | - Francisco Javier Loayza
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology and Vaccines, Biological, Immunological, and Chemical Drug Development for Global Health Unit (BICS), Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Biological Research Margarita Salas, Spanish Research Council (CIBMS-CSIC), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.A.); (J.L.); (F.J.L.); (V.L.)
| | - Enrique Martínez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology, Legal and Forensic Medicine and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Institute of Public Health of the Canary Islands (IUETSPC), University of La Laguna (ULL), Avda, Astrofísico Francisco, Sánchez s/n, Campus de Anchieta, 38207 La Laguna, Spain; (E.M.); (B.V.)
| | - Basilio Valladares
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology, Legal and Forensic Medicine and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Institute of Public Health of the Canary Islands (IUETSPC), University of La Laguna (ULL), Avda, Astrofísico Francisco, Sánchez s/n, Campus de Anchieta, 38207 La Laguna, Spain; (E.M.); (B.V.)
| | - Vicente Larraga
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology and Vaccines, Biological, Immunological, and Chemical Drug Development for Global Health Unit (BICS), Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Biological Research Margarita Salas, Spanish Research Council (CIBMS-CSIC), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.A.); (J.L.); (F.J.L.); (V.L.)
| | - Pedro José Alcolea
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology and Vaccines, Biological, Immunological, and Chemical Drug Development for Global Health Unit (BICS), Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Biological Research Margarita Salas, Spanish Research Council (CIBMS-CSIC), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.A.); (J.L.); (F.J.L.); (V.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-9-1837-3112; Fax: +34-9-1536-0432
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Larraga J, Alcolea PJ, Alonso AM, Martins LTC, Moreno I, Domínguez M, Larraga V. Leishmania infantum UBC1 in Metacyclic Promastigotes from Phlebotomus perniciosus, a Vaccine Candidate for Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020231. [PMID: 35214689 PMCID: PMC8877641 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites cause outstanding levels of morbidity and mortality in many developing countries in tropical and subtropical regions. Numerous gene expression profiling studies have been performed comparing different Leishmania species’ life-cycles and stage forms in regard to their distinct infective ability. Based on expression patterns, homology to human orthologues, in silico HLA-binding predictions, and annotated functions, we were able to select several vaccine candidates which are currently under study. One of these candidates is the Leishmania infantum ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 (LiUBC1), whose relative levels, subcellular location, in vitro infectivity in the U937 myeloid human cell model, and protection levels in Syrian hamsters against L. infantum infection were studied herein. LiUBC1 displays a low level of similarity with the mammalian orthologs and relevant structure differences, such as the C-terminal domain, which is absent in the human ortholog. LiUBC1 is present in highly infective promastigotes. Knock-in parasites overexpressing the enzyme increased their infectivity, according to in vitro experiments. Syrian hamsters immunized with the recombinant LiUBC1 protein did not show any parasite burden in the spleen, unlike the infection control group. The IFN-γ transcript levels in splenocytes were significantly higher in the LiUBC1 immunized group. Therefore, LiUBC1 induced partial protection against L. infantum in the Syrian hamster model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Larraga
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.L.); (P.J.A.); (A.M.A.); (L.T.C.M.)
| | - Pedro J. Alcolea
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.L.); (P.J.A.); (A.M.A.); (L.T.C.M.)
| | - Ana M. Alonso
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.L.); (P.J.A.); (A.M.A.); (L.T.C.M.)
| | - Luis T. C. Martins
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.L.); (P.J.A.); (A.M.A.); (L.T.C.M.)
| | - Inmaculada Moreno
- Unidad de Inmunología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Virología e Inmunología Sanitarias (Instituto de Salud Carlos III), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (I.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Mercedes Domínguez
- Unidad de Inmunología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Virología e Inmunología Sanitarias (Instituto de Salud Carlos III), 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (I.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Vicente Larraga
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.L.); (P.J.A.); (A.M.A.); (L.T.C.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Santi AMM, Murta SMF. Impact of Genetic Diversity and Genome Plasticity of Leishmania spp. in Treatment and the Search for Novel Chemotherapeutic Targets. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:826287. [PMID: 35141175 PMCID: PMC8819175 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.826287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the major public health concerns in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. The absence of vaccines for human use and the lack of effective vector control programs make chemotherapy the main strategy to control all forms of the disease. However, the high toxicity of available drugs, limited choice of therapeutic agents, and occurrence of drug-resistant parasite strains are the main challenges related to chemotherapy. Currently, only a small number of drugs are available for leishmaniasis treatment, including pentavalent antimonials (SbV), amphotericin B and its formulations, miltefosine, paromomycin sulphate, and pentamidine isethionate. In addition to drug toxicity, therapeutic failure of leishmaniasis is a serious concern. The occurrence of drug-resistant parasites is one of the causes of therapeutic failure and is closely related to the diversity of parasites in this genus. Owing to the enormous plasticity of the genome, resistance can occur by altering different metabolic pathways, demonstrating that resistance mechanisms are multifactorial and extremely complex. Genetic variability and genome plasticity cause not only the available drugs to have limitations, but also make the search for new drugs challenging. Here, we examined the biological characteristics of parasites that hinder drug discovery.
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10
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Telleria EL, Azevedo-Brito DA, Kykalová B, Tinoco-Nunes B, Pitaluga AN, Volf P, Traub-Csekö YM. Leishmania infantum Infection Modulates the Jak-STAT Pathway in Lutzomyia longipalpis LL5 Embryonic Cells and Adult Females, and Affects Parasite Growth in the Sand Fly. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2021.747820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) belonging to the Lutzomyia genus transmit zoonoses in the New World. Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania infantum, which is the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. To identify key molecular aspects involved in the interaction between vector and pathogens and contribute to developing disease transmission controls, we investigated the sand fly innate immunity mediated by the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (Jak-STAT) pathway in response to L. infantum infection. We used two study models: L. longipalpis LL5 embryonic cells co-cultured with L. infantum and sand fly females artificially infected with the parasite. We used qPCR to follow the L. longipalpis gene expression of molecules involved in the Jak-STAT pathway. Also, we modulated the Jak-STAT mediated immune response to understand its role in Leishmania parasite infection. For that, we used RNAi to silence the pathway regulators, protein inhibitor of activated STATs (PIAS) in LL5 cells, and STAT in adult females. In addition, the pathway suppression effect on parasite development within the vector was assessed by light microscopy in late-phase infection. The silencing of the repressor PIAS in LL5 cells led to a moderate increase in a protein tyrosine phosphatase 61F (PTP61F) expression. It suggests a compensatory regulation between these two repressors. L. infantum co-culture with LL5 cells upregulated repressors PIAS, suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS), and PTP61F. It also downmodulated virus-induced RNA-1 (VIR-1), a pathway effector, indicating that the parasite could repress the Jak-STAT pathway in LL5 cells. In Leishmania-infected L. longipalpis females, STAT and the antimicrobial peptide attacin were downregulated on the third day post-infection, suggesting a correlation that favors the parasite survival at the end of blood digestion in the sand fly. The antibiotic treatment of infected females showed that the reduction of gut bacteria had little effect on the Jak-STAT pathway regulation. STAT gene silencing mediated by RNAi reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and favored Leishmania growth in sand flies on the first day post-infection. These results indicate that STAT participated in the iNOS regulation with subsequent effect on parasite survival.
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11
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Leishmaniasis: the act of transmission. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:976-987. [PMID: 34389215 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The contribution of vector transmission to pathogen establishment is largely underrated. For Leishmania, transmission by sand flies is critical to early survival involving an irreproducible myriad of parasite, vector, and host molecules acting in concert to promote infection at the bite site. Here, we review recent breakthroughs that provide consequential insights into how vector transmission of Leishmania unfolds. We focus on recent work pertaining to the effect of gut microbiota, sand fly immunity, and changes in metacyclogenesis upon multiple blood meals, on Leishmania development and transmission. We also explore how sand fly saliva, egested parasite molecules and vector gut microbiota, and bleeding have been implicated in modulating the early innate host response to Leishmania, affecting the phenotype of neutrophils and monocytes arriving at the bite site.
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12
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Zhang K. Balancing de novo synthesis and salvage of lipids by Leishmania amastigotes. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 63:98-103. [PMID: 34311265 PMCID: PMC8463422 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites replicate as flagellated, extracellular promastigotes in the sand fly vector and then differentiate into non-flagellated, intracellular amastigotes in the vertebrate host. Promastigotes rely on de novo synthesis to produce the majority of their lipids including glycerophospholipids, sterols and sphingolipids. In contrast, amastigotes acquire most of their lipids from the host although they retain some capacity for de novo synthesis. The switch from de novo synthesis to salvage reflects the transition of Leishmania from fast-replicating promastigotes to slow-growing, metabolically quiescent amastigotes. Future studies will reveal the uptake and remodeling of host lipids by amastigotes at the cellular and molecular levels. Blocking the lipid transfer from host to parasites may present a novel strategy to control Leishmania growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA.
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Abrahão J, Amaro BT, Peres BR, Quel NG, Aragão AZB, Morea EGO, Cano MIN, Houry WA, Ramos CHI. Leishmania major RUVBL1 has a hexameric conformation in solution and, in the presence of RUVBL2, forms a heterodimer with ATPase activity. Arch Biochem Biophys 2021; 703:108841. [PMID: 33775623 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.108841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
ATPases belonging to the AAA+ superfamily are associated with diverse cellular activities and are mainly characterized by a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) containing the Walker A and Walker B motifs. AAA+ proteins have a range of functions, from DNA replication to protein degradation. Rvbs, also known as RUVBLs, are AAA+ ATPases with one NBD domain and were described from human to yeast as participants of the R2TP (Rvb1-Rvb2-Tah1-Pih1) complex. Although essential for the assembly of multiprotein complexes-containing DNA and RNA, the protozoa Rvb orthologs are less studied. For the first time, this work describes the Rvbs from Leishmania major, one of the causative agents of Tegumentar leishmaniasis in human. Recombinant LmRUVBL1 and LmRUVBL2 his-tagged proteins were successfully purified and investigated using biophysical tools. LmRUVBL1 was able to form a well-folded elongated hexamer in solution, while LmRUVBL2 formed a large aggregate. However, the co-expression of LmRUVBL1 and LmRUVBL2 assembled the proteins into an elongated heterodimer in solution. Thermo-stability and fluorescence experiments indicated that the LmRUVBL1/2 heterodimer had ATPase activity in vitro. This is an interesting result because hexameric LmRUVBL1 alone had low ATPase activity. Additionally, using independent SL-RNAseq libraries, it was possible to show that both proteins are expressed in all L. major life stages. Specific antibodies obtained against LmRUVBLs identified the proteins in promastigotes and metacyclics cell extracts. Together, the results here presented are the first step towards the characterization of Leishmania Rvbs, and may contribute to the development of possible strategies to intervene against leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease of great medical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josielle Abrahão
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Bárbara T Amaro
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Bárbara R Peres
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Natália G Quel
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Annelize Z B Aragão
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Edna G O Morea
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, 18618689, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel N Cano
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, 18618689, Brazil
| | - Walid A Houry
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1M1, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Carlos H I Ramos
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil.
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14
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Lemos-Silva T, Telleria EL, Traub-Csekö YM. The gene expression of Leishmania infantum chagasi inside Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2021; 116:e200571. [PMID: 33681890 PMCID: PMC7949195 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania infantum chagasi is the causative agent and Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. We investigated the expression of Leishmania genes within L. longipalpis after artificial infection. mRNAs from genes involved in sugar and amino acid metabolism were upregulated at times of high parasite proliferation inside the insect. mRNAs from genes involved in metacyclogenesis had higher expression in late stages of infection. Other modulated genes of interest were involved in immunomodulation, purine salvage pathway and protein recycling. These data reveal aspects of the adaptation of the parasite to the microenvironment of the vector gut and reflect the preparation for infection in the vertebrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais Lemos-Silva
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Erich Loza Telleria
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.,Charles University, Faculty of Science, Department of Parasitology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Yara Maria Traub-Csekö
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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15
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Araujo SA, Martins GH, Quel NG, Aragão AZB, Morea EGO, Borges JC, Houry WA, Cano MIN, Ramos CHI. Purification and characterization of a novel and conserved TPR-domain protein that binds both Hsp90 and Hsp70 and is expressed in all developmental stages of Leishmania major. Biochimie 2021; 182:51-60. [PMID: 33421500 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are involved in several important aspects of the cell proteostasis. Hsp90 interacts with at least a tenth of the cell proteome helping a large number of proteins to fold correctly. Hsp90 function is modulated by several co-chaperones having TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat) domains that allow for interaction with the C-terminal MEEVD motif of the chaperone. Another important chaperone, Hsp70, has a C-terminal EEVD motif that binds to TPR. Leishmania is a protozoan that causes leishmaniasis, a neglected disease in humans and other animals. There is still no effective treatment for leishmaniasis, however the study of structure and function of the proteins of the parasite may generate potential targets for future therapeutic intervention studies. In this work, the genome of Leishmania major was searched for a novel TPR-domain gene, which is conserved in Leishmania. The recombinant protein, LmTPR, was produced in pure and folded state and was characterized by biophysical tools as a monomer with an elongated conformation. Studies in Leishmania major were also preformed to complement these in vitro experiments. Splice Leader RNA-seq analysis and Western blot indicated that the protein was expressed in all developmental stages of the parasite. Binding assays confirmed that both Hsp90 and Hsp70 bind specifically to LmTPR. Finally, sequence and structural predictions indicated a C-terminal region as a RPAP3 domain. Altogether, this study identified a novel TPR-domain co-chaperone of Hsp90 that is conserved and expressed in all developmental stages of Leishmania major.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara A Araujo
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, 13083-970 Brazil
| | - Gustavo H Martins
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, 13083-970 Brazil
| | - Natália G Quel
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, 13083-970 Brazil; National Institute of Science & Technology of Structural Biology and Bioimage (INCTBEB), Brazil
| | - Annelize Z B Aragão
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, 13083-970 Brazil
| | - Edna G O Morea
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, 18618689, Brazil
| | - Julio C Borges
- National Institute of Science & Technology of Structural Biology and Bioimage (INCTBEB), Brazil; São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Walid A Houry
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1M1, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Maria I N Cano
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, 18618689, Brazil
| | - Carlos H I Ramos
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, 13083-970 Brazil; National Institute of Science & Technology of Structural Biology and Bioimage (INCTBEB), Brazil.
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16
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Vacas A, Fernández-Rubio C, Larrea E, Peña-Guerrero J, Nguewa PA. LmjF.22.0810 from Leishmania major Modulates the Th2-Type Immune Response and Is Involved in Leishmaniasis Outcome. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8110452. [PMID: 33114674 PMCID: PMC7692454 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8110452] [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: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel serine/threonine protein kinase, LmjF.22.0810, was recently described in Leishmania major. After generating an L. major cell line overexpressing LmjF.22.0810 (named LmJ3OE), the ability of this novel protein to modulate the Th2-type immune response was analyzed. Our results suggest that the protein kinase LmjF.22.0810 might be involved in leishmaniasis outcomes. Indeed, our study outlined the LmJ3OE parasites infectivity in vitro and in vivo. Transgenic parasites displayed lower phagocytosis rates in vitro, and their promastigote forms exhibited lower expression levels of virulence factors compared to their counterparts in control parasites. In addition, LmJ3OE parasites developed significantly smaller footpad swelling in susceptible BALB/c mice. Hematoxylin-eosin staining allowed the observation of a lower inflammatory infiltrate in the footpad from LmJ3OE-infected mice compared to animals inoculated with control parasites. Gene expression of Th2-associated cytokines and effectors revealed a dramatically lower induction in interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and arginase 1 (ARG1) mRNA levels at the beginning of the swelling; no expression change was found in Th1-associated cytokines except for IL-12. Accordingly, such results were validated by immunohistochemistry studies, illustrating a weaker expression of ARG1 and a similar induction for inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in footpads from LmJ3OE-infected mice compared to control L. major infected animals. Furthermore, the parasite burden was lower in footpads from LmJ3OE-infected mice. Our analysis indicated that such significant smaller footpad swellings might be due to an impairment of the Th2 immune response that subsequently benefits Th1 prevalence. Altogether, these studies depict LmjF.22.0810 as a potential modulator of host immune responses to Leishmania. Finally, this promising target might be involved in the modulation of infection outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Vacas
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Institute of Tropical Health, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), University of Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; (A.V.); (C.F.-R.); (J.P.-G.)
| | - Celia Fernández-Rubio
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Institute of Tropical Health, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), University of Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; (A.V.); (C.F.-R.); (J.P.-G.)
| | - Esther Larrea
- ISTUN Institute of Tropical Health, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain;
| | - José Peña-Guerrero
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Institute of Tropical Health, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), University of Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; (A.V.); (C.F.-R.); (J.P.-G.)
| | - Paul A. Nguewa
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Institute of Tropical Health, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), University of Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; (A.V.); (C.F.-R.); (J.P.-G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-948-425-600 (ext. 6434)
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17
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Coutinho-Abreu IV, Serafim TD, Meneses C, Kamhawi S, Oliveira F, Valenzuela JG. Distinct gene expression patterns in vector-residing Leishmania infantum identify parasite stage-enriched markers. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008014. [PMID: 32126078 PMCID: PMC7053709 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne neglected disease. Inside the natural sand fly vector, the promastigote forms of Leishmania undergo a series of extracellular developmental stages to reach the infectious stage, the metacyclic promastigote. There is limited information regarding the expression profile of L. infantum developmental stages inside the sand fly vector, and molecular markers that can distinguish the different parasite stages are lacking. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We performed RNAseq on unaltered midguts of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis after infection with L. infantum parasites. RNAseq was carried out at various time points throughout parasite development. Principal component analysis separated the transcripts corresponding to the different Leishmania promastigote stages, the procyclic, nectomonad, leptomonad and metacyclics. Importantly, there were a significant number of differentially expressed genes when comparing the sequential development of the various Leishmania stages in the sand fly. There were 836 differentially expressed (DE) genes between procyclic and long nectomonad promastigotes; 113 DE genes between nectomonad and leptomonad promastigotes; and 302 DE genes between leptomonad and metacyclic promastigotes. Most of the DE genes do not overlap across stages, highlighting the uniqueness of each Leishmania stage. Furthermore, the different stages of Leishmania parasites exhibited specific transcriptional enrichment across chromosomes. Using the transcriptional signatures exhibited by distinct Leishmania stages during their development in the sand fly midgut, we determined the genes predominantly enriched in each stage, identifying multiple potential stage-specific markers for L. infantum. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these findings demonstrate the transcriptional plasticity of the Leishmania parasite inside the sand fly vector and provide a repertoire of potential stage-specific markers for further development as molecular tools for epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iliano V. Coutinho-Abreu
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Tiago D. Serafim
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Claudio Meneses
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Shaden Kamhawi
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Fabiano Oliveira
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jesus G. Valenzuela
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
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