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de Seixas JRPC, Ribeiro KA, de Souza AA, da Silva CE, Pedra-Fixe MG, Lima-Ribeiro MHM, Silva Neto JDC, Barros W, Martins RD, Coelho LCBB, Correia MTS, Soares PAG, Carneiro-da-Cunha MG. Hydrogels based on galactomannan and κ-carrageenan containing immobilized biomolecules for in vivo thermal-burn wound treatment. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132379. [PMID: 38754680 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132379] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogels based on natural polysaccharides have demonstrated efficacy in epithelial recovery from cutaneous burn wounds. Here, we prepared a double-network hydrogel consisting of galactomannan (from Cassia grandis seeds) and κ-carrageenan (commercially sourced), cross-linked with CaCl2, as a matrix for immobilizing lactoferrin and/or Cramoll, aiming at its applicability as dressings for second-degree burn wounds. The formulations obtained [H - hydrogel, HL - hydrogel + lactoferrin, HC - hydrogel + Cramoll and HLC - hydrogel + lactoferrin + Cramoll] were analyzed rheologically as well as in terms of their stability (pH, color, microbial contamination) for 90 days. The burn was created with an aluminum bar (97 ± 3 °C) in the dorsal region of Wistar rats and subsequently treated with hydrogels (H, HL, HC, HLC) and control saline solution (S). The burn was monitored for 3, 7 and 14 days to evaluate the efficacy of the hydrogels in promoting wound healing. The hydrogels did not reveal significant pH or microbiological changes; there was an increase in brightness and a reduction in opacity for H. The rheological analysis confirmed the gel-like viscoelastic signature of the systems without substantial modification of the basic rheological characteristics, however HLC proved to be more rigid, due to rheological synergy when combining protein biomolecules. Macroscopic analyses confirmed centripetal healing with wound contraction: S < H < HC < HL < HLC. Histopathological analyses showed that hydrogel-treated groups reduced inflammation, tissue necrosis and fibrosis, while promoting re-epithelialization with focal acanthosis, especially in HLC due to a positive synergistic effect, indicating its potential as a promising therapy in the repair of burns.
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Affiliation(s)
- José R P C de Seixas
- Department of Biochemistry, UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Kátia A Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry, UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Andrea A de Souza
- Department of Biochemistry, UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; Keizo Asami Institute (iLIKA), UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-901 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Cecília E da Silva
- Department of Histology and Embryology, UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Maxwelinne G Pedra-Fixe
- Department of Histology and Embryology, UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Maria H M Lima-Ribeiro
- Keizo Asami Institute (iLIKA), UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-901 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Jacinto da C Silva Neto
- Department of Histology and Embryology, UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Wilson Barros
- Department of Physics, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Prof. Luiz Freire s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-901 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - René D Martins
- Department of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Rua do Alto do Reservatorio, S/N Bela Vista, CEP 55600-000 Vitória de Santo Antão, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Luana C B B Coelho
- Department of Biochemistry, UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Maria T S Correia
- Department of Biochemistry, UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Paulo A G Soares
- Department of Biochemistry, UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; Keizo Asami Institute (iLIKA), UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-901 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | - Maria G Carneiro-da-Cunha
- Department of Biochemistry, UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; Keizo Asami Institute (iLIKA), UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-901 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
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da Silva DL, Cabrera MP, Cavalcanti IT, Coelho GR, Neto EB, Padilha RJR, da Silva CES, Correia MTDS, Pimenta DC, Junior LBDC. Magnetite-levan nanoparticles for lectin purification: a single-step strategy for protein isolation from the seeds extract of the plant Cratylia mollis. J Chromatogr A 2022; 1677:463292. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Dornelas JCM, Costa MC, Carmo PHF, Paixão VM, Carvalho VSD, Barreto LC, Garcia QS, Bragança GPP, Isaias RMS, Brito JCM, Resende-Stoianoff MA, Santos DA. Nicotiana benthamiana as a model for studying Cryptococcus-plant interaction. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2022; 98:fiac036. [PMID: 35348680 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac036] [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: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus gattii, an environmental yeast isolated from plants, is one of the agents of cryptococcosis. Here, we aimed to develop a plant model to study C. gattii-plant interaction, since it is unclear how it affects the plant and the yeast. We tested three inoculation methods (scarification, infiltration, and abrasion) in three plant species: Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana tabacum, and N. benthamiana. Cryptococcus gattii was able to grow in all three models, with a peak of yeast cell burden after 7 days, without any pathological effects. Furthermore, the fungal burden was reduced later, confirming that C. gattii is not a phytopathogen. Cryptococcus gattii proliferation was higher in N. benthamiana, which presented an increase in the hydrogen peroxide content, antioxidant system activity, and indoleacetic acid (IAA) production. Cryptococcus gattii colonies recovered from N. benthamiana presented lower ergosterol content, reduced capsule, and increased growth rate in vitro and inside macrophages. In vitro, IAA altered C. gattii morphology and susceptibility to antifungal drugs. We hypothesize that C. gattii can temporarily colonize plant living tissues, which can be a potential reservoir of yeast virulence, with further dissemination to the environment, birds, and mammals. In conclusion, N. benthamiana is suitable for studying C. gattii-plant interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- João C M Dornelas
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marliete C Costa
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Paulo H F Carmo
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vivian M Paixão
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vanessa S D Carvalho
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Leilane C Barreto
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Queila S Garcia
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Gracielle P P Bragança
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rosy M S Isaias
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Júlio C M Brito
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias (FUNED), Rua Conde Pereira Carneiro, 80, Gameleira, CEP 30.510-000, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria A Resende-Stoianoff
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Daniel A Santos
- Laboratório de Micologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Del Rio M, Radicioni MB, Mello ÉO, Ribeiro SFF, Taveira GB, Carvalho AO, de la Canal L, Gomes VM, Regente M. A plant mannose-binding lectin and fluconazole: key targets combination against Candida albicans. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 132:4310-4320. [PMID: 35332971 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of a mannose-binding lectin Helja with fluconazole (FLC) on Candida albicans and to get insights about the joint action mechanism. METHODS AND RESULTS The fungal growth was assessed following the optical density at 630 nm. Fungal cell morphology and nucleus integrity were analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy using Calcofluor White (CFW) and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, respectively. The basis of Helja+FLC action on cell wall and plasma membrane was analyzed using perturbing agents. The Helja+FLC combination exhibited an inhibitory effect of fungal growth about three times greater than the sum of both compounds separately and inhibited fungal morphological plasticity, an important virulence attribute associated with drug resistance. Cells treated with Helja+FLC showed morphological changes, nucleus disintegration and formation of multimera structures, leading to cell collapse. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the Helja+FLC combination exhibited a potent antifungal activity based on their simultaneous action on different microbial cell targets. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY The combination of a natural protein with conventional drugs might be helpful for the design of effective therapeutic strategies against Candida, contributing to minimize the development of drug resistance and host cell toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianela Del Rio
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Funes 3250, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Melisa B Radicioni
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Funes 3250, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Érica O Mello
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Suzanna F F Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriel B Taveira
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - André O Carvalho
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Laura de la Canal
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Funes 3250, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Valdirene M Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mariana Regente
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Funes 3250, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
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Suarez Carneiro MAM, Silva LDS, Diniz RM, Saminez WFDS, Oliveira PVD, Pereira Mendonça JS, Colasso AHM, Soeiro Silva IS, Jandú JJB, Sá JCD, Figueiredo CSSES, Correia MTDS, Nascimento da Silva LC. Immunomodulatory and anti-infective effects of Cratylia mollis lectin (Cramoll) in a model of wound infection induced by Staphylococcus aureus. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 100:108094. [PMID: 34508942 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This work evaluated the immunomodulatory and anti-infective effects of Cratylia mollis lectin (Cramoll) in a model of wound infection induced by S. aureus. Swiss mice were divided into 3 groups (n = 12/group): non-inoculated (Control group); inoculated with S. aureus (Sa group); inoculated with S. aureus and treated with Cramoll (Sa + Cramoll group). In each animal, one lesion (64 mm2) was induced on the back and contaminated with S. aureus (~4.0 × 106 CFU/wound). The treatment with Cramoll (5 μg/animal/day) started 1-day post-infection (dpi) and extended for 10 days. Clinical parameters (wound size, inflammatory aspects, etc.) were daily recorded; while cytokines levels, bacterial load and histological aspects were determined in the cutaneous tissue at 4th dpi or 11th dpi. The mice infected with S. aureus exhibited a delay in wound contraction and the highest inflammatory scores. These effects were impaired by the treatment with Cramoll which reduced the release of key inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, NO, VEGF) and the bacterial load at wound tissue. Histological evaluations showed a restauration of skin structures in the animals treated with Cramoll. Taken together, these results provide more insights about the healing and immunomodulatory properties of Cramoll and suggest this lectin as a lead compound for treatment of wound infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas Dos Santos Silva
- Laboratório de Patogenicidade Microbiana, Universidade Ceuma, 65075-120 São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Roseana Muniz Diniz
- Laboratório de Patogenicidade Microbiana, Universidade Ceuma, 65075-120 São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jannyson José Braz Jandú
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Proteínas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50740-570 Recife, Brazil
| | - Joicy Cortez de Sá
- Laboratório de Patogenicidade Microbiana, Universidade Ceuma, 65075-120 São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Tereza Dos Santos Correia
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Proteínas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50740-570 Recife, Brazil
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Magalhães TFF, Costa MC, Holanda RA, Ferreira GF, Carvalho VSD, Freitas GJC, Ribeiro NQ, Emídio ECP, Carmo PHF, de Brito CB, de Souza DG, Rocha CEV, Paixão TA, de Resende-Stoianoff MA, Santos DA. N-acetylcysteine reduces amphotericin B deoxycholate nephrotoxicity and improves the outcome of murine cryptococcosis. Med Mycol 2021; 58:835-844. [PMID: 31919505 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening fungal infection, and its current treatment is toxic and subject to resistance. Drug repurposing represents an interesting approach to find drugs to reduce the toxicity of antifungals. In this study, we evaluated the combination of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) with amphotericin B (AMB) for the treatment of cryptococcosis. We examined the effects of NAC on fungal morphophysiology and on the macrophage fungicidal activity 3 and 24 hours post inoculation. The therapeutic effects of NAC combination with AMB were investigated in a murine model with daily treatments regimens. NAC alone reduced the oxidative burst generated by AMB in yeast cells, but did not inhibit fungal growth. The combination NAC + AMB decreased capsule size, zeta potential, superoxide dismutase activity and lipid peroxidation. In macrophage assays, NAC + AMB did not influence the phagocytosis, but induced fungal killing with different levels of oxidative bursts when compared to AMB alone: there was an increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) after 3 hours and reduced levels after 24 hours. By contrast, ROS remained elevated when AMB was tested alone, demonstrating that NAC reduced AMB oxidative effects without influencing its antifungal activity. Uninfected mice treated with NAC + AMB had lower concentrations of serum creatinine and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase in comparison to AMB. The combination of NAC + AMB was far better than AMB alone in increasing survival and reducing morbidity in murine-induced cryptococcosis, leading to reduced fungal burden in lungs and brain and also lower concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lungs. In conclusion, NAC + AMB may represent an alternative adjuvant for the treatment of cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais Furtado Ferreira Magalhães
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marliete Carvalho Costa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Assunção Holanda
- Parasite Biology Laboratory, CEUMA University - Rua dos Castanheiros, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Freitas Ferreira
- Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora-Campus Governador Valadares, Centro, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Silva Dutra Carvalho
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Jose Cota Freitas
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Noelly Queiroz Ribeiro
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elúzia Castro Peres Emídio
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo Henrique Fonseca Carmo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Camila Bernardo de Brito
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniele Glória de Souza
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Emanuela Viana Rocha
- Departamento de Patologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tatiane Alves Paixão
- Departamento de Patologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Assis Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Chen P, De Schutter K, Van Damme EJM, Smagghe G. Can Plant Lectins Help to Elucidate Insect Lectin-Mediated Immune Response? INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12060497. [PMID: 34071763 PMCID: PMC8226959 DOI: 10.3390/insects12060497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Lectins are proteins that can recognize and selectively bind specific sugar structures. These proteins are present in all kingdoms of life, including plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms and play a role in a broad range of processes. The interactions between lectins and their target carbohydrates play a primordial role in plant and animal immune systems. Despite being the largest and most diverse taxa on earth, the study of lectins and their functions in insects is lagging behind. To study the role of insect lectins in the immune response, plant lectins could provide an interesting tool. Plant lectins have been well characterized and many of them possess immunomodulatory properties in vertebrate cells. The increasing knowledge on the immunomodulatory effects of plant lectins could complement the missing knowledge on the endogenous insect lectins and contribute to understanding the processes and mechanisms by which lectins participate in insect immunity. This review summarizes existing studies of immune responses stimulated by endogenous or exogenous lectins. Abstract Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that recognize and selectively bind to specific sugar structures. This group of proteins is widespread in plants, animals, and microorganisms, and exerts a broad range of functions. Many plant lectins were identified as exogenous stimuli of vertebrate immunity. Despite being the largest and most diverse taxon on earth, the study of lectins and their functions in insects is lagging behind. In insects, research on lectins and their biological importance has mainly focused on the C-type lectin (CTL) family, limiting our global understanding of the function of insect lectins and their role in insect immunity. In contrast, plant lectins have been well characterized and the immunomodulatory effects of several plant lectins have been documented extensively in vertebrates. This information could complement the missing knowledge on endogenous insect lectins and contribute to understanding of the processes and mechanisms by which lectins participate in insect immunity. This review summarizes existing studies of immune responses stimulated by endogenous or exogenous lectins. Understanding how lectins modulate insect immune responses can provide insight which, in turn, can help to elaborate novel ideas applicable for the protection of beneficial insects and the development of novel pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyu Chen
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (P.C.); (K.D.S.)
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Kristof De Schutter
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (P.C.); (K.D.S.)
| | - Els J. M. Van Damme
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (P.C.); (K.D.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Santos LA, Grisolia JC, Malaquias LCC, Paula FBDA, Dias ALT, Burger E. Medication association and immunomodulation: An approach in fungal diseases and in particular in the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis. Acta Trop 2020; 206:105412. [PMID: 32135141 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections have been increasing in recent decades, mainly affecting immunocompromised individuals, although certain mycoses, such as paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), infect immunologically competent individuals. The major problems observed regarding fungal diseases are inadequate diagnosis, prolonged treatment time, the reduced number of drugs available for treatment, in addition to the fact that there are no vaccines for clinical use. Drug combination in order to immunomodulate the immune response is a new strategy used for the treatment of mycoses, since it is difficult to develop new antifungal drugs. The aim of this study is to present and analyze strategies recently suggested for the treatment of fungi of medical interest, in particular for PCM, such as the utilization of combinations of protein fractions or dead microorganisms, as vaccinal antigens, and cellular immunotherapy. We will also propose new therapeutic alternatives, such as lipids, vitamins, synthetic or natural products as well as the use of low intensity LASER therapy (LLLT) to modulate the immune response of the host, enhancing the efficiency of the existing treatments of mycoses of medical interest and in particular of PCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauana Aparecida Santos
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Julianne Caravita Grisolia
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Luiz Cosme Cotta Malaquias
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Borges de Araújo Paula
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Amanda Latércia Tranches Dias
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Eva Burger
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
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9
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de Souza Feitosa Lima IM, Zagmignan A, Santos DM, Maia HS, Dos Santos Silva L, da Silva Cutrim B, Vieira SL, Bezerra Filho CM, de Sousa EM, Napoleão TH, Krogfelt KA, Løbner-Olesen A, Paiva PMG, Nascimento da Silva LC. Schinus terebinthifolia leaf lectin (SteLL) has anti-infective action and modulates the response of Staphylococcus aureus-infected macrophages. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18159. [PMID: 31796807 PMCID: PMC6890730 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54616-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is recognized as an important pathogen causing a wide spectrum of diseases. Here we examined the antimicrobial effects of the lectin isolated from leaves of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (SteLL) against S. aureus using in vitro assays and an infection model based on Galleria mellonella larvae. The actions of SteLL on mice macrophages and S. aureus-infected macrophages were also evaluated. SteLL at 16 µg/mL (8 × MIC) increased cell mass and DNA content of S. aureus in relation to untreated bacteria, suggesting that SteLL impairs cell division. Unlike ciprofloxacin, SteLL did not induce the expression of recA, crucial for DNA repair through SOS response. The antimicrobial action of SteLL was partially inhibited by 50 mM N-acetylglucosamine. SteLL reduced staphyloxathin production and increased ciprofloxacin activity towards S. aureus. This lectin also improved the survival of G. mellonella larvae infected with S. aureus. Furthermore, SteLL induced the release of cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, and TNF-α), nitric oxide and superoxide anion by macrophagens. The lectin improved the bactericidal action of macrophages towards S. aureus; while the expression of IL-17A and IFN-γ was downregulated in infected macrophages. These evidences suggest SteLL as important lead molecule in the development of anti-infective agents against S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adrielle Zagmignan
- Programas de Pós-Graduação, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Karen Angeliki Krogfelt
- Department of Viral and Microbial Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Anders Løbner-Olesen
- Department of Biology, Section for Functional Genomics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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10
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Mishra A, Behura A, Mawatwal S, Kumar A, Naik L, Mohanty SS, Manna D, Dokania P, Mishra A, Patra SK, Dhiman R. Structure-function and application of plant lectins in disease biology and immunity. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 134:110827. [PMID: 31542433 PMCID: PMC7115788 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.110827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Lectins are proteins with a high degree of stereospecificity to recognize various sugar structures and form reversible linkages upon interaction with glyco-conjugate complexes. These are abundantly found in plants, animals and many other species and are known to agglutinate various blood groups of erythrocytes. Further, due to the unique carbohydrate recognition property, lectins have been extensively used in many biological functions that make use of protein-carbohydrate recognition like detection, isolation and characterization of glycoconjugates, histochemistry of cells and tissues, tumor cell recognition and many more. In this review, we have summarized the immunomodulatory effects of plant lectins and their effects against diseases, including antimicrobial action. We found that many plant lectins mediate its microbicidal activity by triggering host immune responses that result in the release of several cytokines followed by activation of effector mechanism. Moreover, certain lectins also enhance the phagocytic activity of macrophages during microbial infections. Lectins along with heat killed microbes can act as vaccine to provide long term protection from deadly microbes. Hence, lectin based therapy can be used as a better substitute to fight microbial diseases efficiently in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abtar Mishra
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Assirbad Behura
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Shradha Mawatwal
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Lincoln Naik
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Subhashree Subhasmita Mohanty
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Debraj Manna
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Puja Dokania
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342011, India
| | - Samir K Patra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India.
| | - Rohan Dhiman
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India.
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11
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dos Santos Silva PM, de Oliveira WF, Albuquerque PBS, dos Santos Correia MT, Coelho LCBB. Insights into anti-pathogenic activities of mannose lectins. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 140:234-244. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.08.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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12
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Breitenbach Barroso Coelho LC, Marcelino Dos Santos Silva P, Felix de Oliveira W, de Moura MC, Viana Pontual E, Soares Gomes F, Guedes Paiva PM, Napoleão TH, Dos Santos Correia MT. Lectins as antimicrobial agents. J Appl Microbiol 2018; 125:1238-1252. [PMID: 30053345 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The resistance of micro-organisms to antimicrobial agents has been a challenge to treat animal and human infections, and for environmental control. Lectins are natural proteins and some are potent antimicrobials through binding to carbohydrates on microbial surfaces. Oligomerization state of lectins can influence their biological activity and maximum binding capacity; the association among lectin polypeptide chains can alter the carbohydrate-lectin binding dissociation rate constants. Antimicrobial mechanisms of lectins include the pore formation ability, followed by changes in the cell permeability and latter, indicates interactions with the bacterial cell wall components. In addition, the antifungal activity of lectins is associated with the chitin-binding property, resulting in the disintegration of the cell wall or the arrest of de novo synthesis from the cell wall during fungal development or division. Quorum sensing is a cell-to-cell communication process that allows interspecies and interkingdom signalling which coordinate virulence genes; antiquorum-sensing therapies are described for animal and plant lectins. This review article, among other approaches, evaluates lectins as antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - W Felix de Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - M C de Moura
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - E Viana Pontual
- Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - F Soares Gomes
- Instituto de Química e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - P M Guedes Paiva
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - T H Napoleão
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - M T Dos Santos Correia
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
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13
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Van Dijck P, Sjollema J, Cammue BPA, Lagrou K, Berman J, d’Enfert C, Andes DR, Arendrup MC, Brakhage AA, Calderone R, Cantón E, Coenye T, Cos P, Cowen LE, Edgerton M, Espinel-Ingroff A, Filler SG, Ghannoum M, Gow NA, Haas H, Jabra-Rizk MA, Johnson EM, Lockhart SR, Lopez-Ribot JL, Maertens J, Munro CA, Nett JE, Nobile CJ, Pfaller MA, Ramage G, Sanglard D, Sanguinetti M, Spriet I, Verweij PE, Warris A, Wauters J, Yeaman MR, Zaat SA, Thevissen K. Methodologies for in vitro and in vivo evaluation of efficacy of antifungal and antibiofilm agents and surface coatings against fungal biofilms. MICROBIAL CELL (GRAZ, AUSTRIA) 2018; 5:300-326. [PMID: 29992128 PMCID: PMC6035839 DOI: 10.15698/mic2018.07.638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Unlike superficial fungal infections of the skin and nails, which are the most common fungal diseases in humans, invasive fungal infections carry high morbidity and mortality, particularly those associated with biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices. Therapeutic management of these complex diseases is often complicated by the rise in resistance to the commonly used antifungal agents. Therefore, the availability of accurate susceptibility testing methods for determining antifungal resistance, as well as discovery of novel antifungal and antibiofilm agents, are key priorities in medical mycology research. To direct advancements in this field, here we present an overview of the methods currently available for determining (i) the susceptibility or resistance of fungal isolates or biofilms to antifungal or antibiofilm compounds and compound combinations; (ii) the in vivo efficacy of antifungal and antibiofilm compounds and compound combinations; and (iii) the in vitro and in vivo performance of anti-infective coatings and materials to prevent fungal biofilm-based infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Van Dijck
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelmer Sjollema
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of BioMedical Engineering, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno P. A. Cammue
- Centre for Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Center for Mycosis, UZ Leuven, Belgium
| | - Judith Berman
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Christophe d’Enfert
- Institut Pasteur, INRA, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Paris, France
| | - David R. Andes
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Maiken C. Arendrup
- Unit of Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Dept. Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Microbiology, Jena, Germany
| | - Richard Calderone
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, USA
| | - Emilia Cantón
- Severe Infection Research Group: Medical Research Institute La Fe (IISLaFe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Tom Coenye
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- ESCMID Study Group for Biofilms, Switzerland
| | - Paul Cos
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mira Edgerton
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY USA
| | | | - Scott G. Filler
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Mahmoud Ghannoum
- Center for Medical Mycology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Re-serve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Neil A.R. Gow
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Biocenter - Division of Molecular Biology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mary Ann Jabra-Rizk
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Johnson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Mycology Reference Laboratory, Bristol, UK
| | | | | | - Johan Maertens
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium and Clinical Department of Haematology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carol A. Munro
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Jeniel E. Nett
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Departments of Medicine and Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Clarissa J. Nobile
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, USA
| | - Michael A. Pfaller
- Departments of Pathology and Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA
- JMI Laboratories, North Liberty, Iowa, USA
| | - Gordon Ramage
- ESCMID Study Group for Biofilms, Switzerland
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Dominique Sanglard
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital, CH-1011 Lausanne
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Institute of Microbiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, IRCCS-Fondazione Policlinico "Agostino Gemelli", Rome, Italy
| | - Isabel Spriet
- Pharmacy Dpt, University Hospitals Leuven and Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Dpt. of Pharmaceutical and Pharma-cological Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paul E. Verweij
- Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (omit "Nijmegen" in Radboud University Medical Center)
| | - Adilia Warris
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, Aberdeen Fungal Group, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Joost Wauters
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, Department of General Internal Medicine, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michael R. Yeaman
- Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Divisions of Molecular Medicine & Infectious Diseases, Har-bor-UCLA Medical Center, LABioMed at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
| | - Sebastian A.J. Zaat
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Academic Medical Center, University of Am-sterdam, Netherlands
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre for Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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14
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Jandú JJB, Moraes Neto RN, Zagmignan A, de Sousa EM, Brelaz-de-Castro MCA, Dos Santos Correia MT, da Silva LCN. Targeting the Immune System with Plant Lectins to Combat Microbial Infections. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:671. [PMID: 29046636 PMCID: PMC5632806 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The arsenal of drugs available to treat infections caused by eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbes has been declining exponentially due to antimicrobial resistance phenomenon, leading to an urgent need to develop new therapeutic strategies. Host-directed immunotherapy has been reported as an attractive option to treat microbial infections. It consists in the improvement of host defenses by increasing the expression of inflammatory mediators and/or controlling of inflammation-induced tissue injury. Although the in vitro antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities of lectins have been extensively demonstrated, few studies have evaluated their in vivo effects on experimental models of infections. This review aims to highlight the experimental use of immunomodulatory plant lectins to improve the host immune response against microbial infections. Lectins have been used in vivo both prophylactically and therapeutically resulting in the increased survival of mice under microbial challenge. Other studies successfully demonstrated that lectins could be used in combination with parasite antigens in order to induce a more efficient immunization. Therefore, these plant lectins represent new candidates for management of microbial infections. Furthermore, immunotherapeutic studies have improved our knowledge about the mechanisms involved in host–pathogen interactions, and may also help in the discovery of new drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannyson J B Jandú
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Adrielle Zagmignan
- Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Eduardo M de Sousa
- Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís, Brazil
| | | | | | - Luís C N da Silva
- Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Ceuma, São Luís, Brazil
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