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Avishek K, Beg MA, Vats K, Singh AK, Dey R, Singh KP, Singh RK, Gannavaram S, Ramesh V, Mulla MSA, Bhatnagar U, Singh S, Nakhasi HL, Salotra P, Selvapandiyan A. Manufacturing and preclinical toxicity of GLP grade gene deleted attenuated Leishmania donovani parasite vaccine. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14636. [PMID: 38918456 PMCID: PMC11199483 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64592-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Centrin1 gene deleted Leishmania donovani parasite (LdCen1-/-) was developed and extensively tested experimentally as an intracellular stage-specific attenuated and immunoprotective live parasite vaccine candidate ex vivo using human PBMCs and in vivo in animals. Here we report manufacturing and pre-clinical evaluation of current Good-Laboratory Practice (cGLP) grade LdCen1-/- parasites, as a prerequisite before proceeding with clinical trials. We screened three batches of LdCen1-/- parasites manufactured in bioreactors under cGLP conditions, for their consistency in genetic stability, attenuation, and safety. One such batch was preclinically tested using human PBMCs and animals (hamsters and dogs) for its safety and protective immunogenicity. The immunogenicity of the CGLP grade LdCen1-/- parasites was similar to one grown under laboratory conditions. The cGLP grade LdCen1-/- parasites were found to be safe and non-toxic in hamsters and dogs even at 3 times the anticipated vaccine dose. When PBMCs from healed visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases were infected with cGLP LdCen1-/-, there was a significant increase in the stimulation of cytokines that contribute to protective responses against VL. This effect, measured by multiplex ELISA, was greater than that observed in PBMCs from healthy individuals. These results suggest that cGLP grade LdCen1-/- manufactured under cGMP complaint conditions can be suitable for future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumar Avishek
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Mirza A Beg
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Kavita Vats
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Avinash Kumar Singh
- Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, Hinjewadi Phase II, Pune, Maharashtra, 411057, India
| | - Ranadhir Dey
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Kamaleshwar P Singh
- Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, Hinjewadi Phase II, Pune, Maharashtra, 411057, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar Singh
- Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, Hinjewadi Phase II, Pune, Maharashtra, 411057, India
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - V Ramesh
- Department of Dermatology and STD, ESIC Medical College, Faridabad, Haryana, 121001, India
| | | | - Upendra Bhatnagar
- Vimta Laboratories, Cherlapally, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500051, India
| | - Sanjay Singh
- Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, Hinjewadi Phase II, Pune, Maharashtra, 411057, India
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Poonam Salotra
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India
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Monteiro BEF, da Silva ED, Bezerra GSN, Cavalcante MKDA, Pereira VRA, Castro MCAB, Mendes LG, Guedes DL, Barbosa Júnior WL, de Medeiros ZM. Evaluation of Proinflammatory Chemokines in HIV Patients with Asymptomatic Leishmania Infantum Infection. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:495. [PMID: 37999614 PMCID: PMC10675805 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8110495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Asymptomatic Leishmania infantum, when associated with HIV, can become severe and potentially fatal. In this co-infection, the worst prognosis may be influenced by the host's immunological aspects, which are crucial in determining susceptibility. Chemokines play an important role in this process by influencing the cellular composition at affected sites and impacting the disease's outcome. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate proinflammatory chemokines in HIV patients with the asymptomatic L. infantum infection. In this cross-sectional study, the levels of CCL2, CCL5, CXCL8, MIG, and IP-10 were measured in 160 serum samples from co-infected patients (n = 53), patients with HIV (n = 90), and negative controls (n = 17). Quantification was determined by flow cytometry. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Dunn's post-test and the Spearman's correlation coefficient. Significance was set at p < 0.05. The chemokines CCL2, CCL5, MIG, and IP-10 exhibited higher levels in the HIV group compared to co-infection. However, the elevated levels of all these chemokines and their increased connectivity in co-infected patients appear to be important in identifying proinflammatory immune responses associated with the asymptomatic condition. Furthermore, a weak negative correlation was observed between higher levels of CXCL8 and lower viral loads in co-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Eduarda Freitas Monteiro
- Graduate Program in Health Biosciences and Biotechnology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
| | - Elis Dionísio da Silva
- Health and Biotechnology Institute, Federal University of Amazonas, Coari 69460-000, AM, Brazil;
| | - Gilberto Silva Nunes Bezerra
- Department of Nursing & Healthcare, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland;
| | - Marton Kaique de Andrade Cavalcante
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil; (M.K.d.A.C.); (M.C.A.B.C.)
| | - Valéria Rêgo Alves Pereira
- Graduate Program in Health Biosciences and Biotechnology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil; (M.K.d.A.C.); (M.C.A.B.C.)
| | - Maria Carolina Accioly Brelaz Castro
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil; (M.K.d.A.C.); (M.C.A.B.C.)
- Parasitology Laboratory, Academic Center of Vitória (CAV), Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão 55608-680, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Diego Lins Guedes
- Medical School, Life Sciences Center, Academic Center of Agreste, Federal University of Pernambuco, Caruaru 55014-900, PE, Brazil;
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Pernambuco, Recife 50100-130, PE, Brazil
| | - Walter Lins Barbosa Júnior
- Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
| | - Zulma Maria de Medeiros
- Graduate Program in Health Biosciences and Biotechnology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
- Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50670-420, PE, Brazil;
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Pernambuco, Recife 50100-130, PE, Brazil
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de Araujo FF, Lakhal-Naouar I, Koles N, Raiciulescu S, Mody R, Aronson N. Potential Biomarkers for Asymptomatic Visceral Leishmaniasis among Iraq-Deployed U.S. Military Personnel. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050705. [PMID: 37242376 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic infection caused by Leishmania (L.) donovani or L. infantum parasites. Despite having the infection, most individuals never develop the clinical disease and are able to control the parasite and remain asymptomatic. However, some progress to symptomatic VL, leading to death if untreated. The host immune response has a major role in determining the progression and severity of the clinical manifestations in VL; several immune biomarkers of symptomatic VL have been described with interferon-gamma release as a surrogate biomarker of host cellular immunity. However, new biomarkers to identify asymptomatic VL (AVL) are needed for the identification of people at risk for VL activation. In our study, levels of chemokine/cytokine in the supernatants of peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMC) from 35 AVL+ Iraq-deployed participants, stimulated in vitro with soluble Leishmania antigen for 72 h, were assessed by a bead-based assay that allows the measurement of multiple analytes. PBMC of AVL-negative military beneficiaries were used as controls. Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1, Monokine Induced by Gamma Interferon and Interleukin-8, were detected at high levels in AVL+ stimulated cultures from Iraq deployers compared to uninfected controls. Measurement of chemokine/cytokine levels can identify cellular immune responses in AVL+ asymptomatic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Fortes de Araujo
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Ines Lakhal-Naouar
- Diagnostics and Countermeasures Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Nancy Koles
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Sorana Raiciulescu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Rupal Mody
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Department of Medicine, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX 79916, USA
| | - Naomi Aronson
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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Ramos-Sanchez EM, Reis LC, Souza MDA, Muxel SM, Santos KR, Lagos D, Pereira VRA, de Brito MEF, Kaye PM, Floeter-Winter LM, Goto H. miR-548d-3p Is Up-Regulated in Human Visceral Leishmaniasis and Suppresses Parasite Growth in Macrophages. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:826039. [PMID: 35265535 PMCID: PMC8900537 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.826039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in Latin America progress with hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and weight loss and maybe lethal mainly in untreated cases. miRNAs are important regulators of immune and inflammatory gene expression, but their mechanisms of action and their relationship to pathogenesis in leishmaniasis are not well understood. In the present study, we sought to quantify changes in miRNAs associated with immune and inflammatory pathways using the L. (L.) infantum promastigote infected- human monocytic THP-1 cell model and plasma from patients with visceral leishmaniasis. We identified differentially expressed miRNAs in infected THP-1 cells compared with non-infected cells using qPCR arrays. These miRNAs were submitted to in silico analysis, revealing targets within functional pathways associated with TGF-β, chemokines, glucose metabolism, inflammation, apoptosis, and cell signaling. In parallel, we identified differentially expressed miRNAs in active visceral leishmaniasis patient plasma compared with endemic healthy controls. In silico analysis of these data indicated different predicted targets within the TGF-β, TLR4, IGF-I, chemokine, and HIF1α pathways. Only a small number of miRNAs were commonly identified in these two datasets, notably with miR-548d-3p being up-regulated in both conditions. To evaluate the potential biological role of miR-548d-3p, we transiently transfected a miR-548d-3p inhibitor into L. (L.) infantum infected-THP-1 cells, finding that inhibition of miR-548d-3p enhanced parasite growth, likely mediated through reduced levels of MCP-1/CCL2 and nitric oxide production. Further work will be required to determine how miR-548d-3p plays a role in vivo and whether it serves as a potential biomarker of progressive leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Milton Ramos-Sanchez
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (IMTSP/USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Salud Publica, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodriguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Chachapoyas, Peru
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, Agrarian Sciences Center (CCA), Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), Areia, Brazil
| | - Luiza Campos Reis
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (IMTSP/USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina de Assis Souza
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (IMTSP/USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandra Márcia Muxel
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kamila Reis Santos
- Veterinary Clinical Immunology Research Group, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dimitris Lagos
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Paul Martin Kaye
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | | | - Hiro Goto
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (IMTSP/USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Carrasco-Antón N, Ibarra-Meneses AV, Carrillo E, Fernández-Ruiz M, Hernández-Jiménez P, Aguado JM, Moreno J, López-Medrano F. An exploratory analysis of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 as a new biomarker of asymptomatic Leishmania infantum infection in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients. J Infect 2022; 84:573-578. [PMID: 35101535 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2022.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sensitive and less laborious assays are needed to detect asymptomatic Leishmania among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Using SLA-stimulated plasma from SOT recipients living where an outbreak of Leishmania infantum occurred, we examined potential biomarkers to identify asymptomatic Leishmania infections. METHODS Concentrations of cytokines/chemokines in plasma from whole blood stimulated with specific Leishmania antigen (SLA) were compared against infection status as determined by a currently used cell proliferation assay. RESULTS Twenty-six percent (13/50) of the SOT recipients had a cell proliferation assay (CPA) indicating asymptomatic infection, and showed higher processed plasma C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10 or IP-10) concentrations than did non-infected subjects (median 2272.0 pg/ml [IQR-1570-2772] vs. 18.2 pg/ml [IQR 1-150.1]; p<0.0001). CXCL10 showed a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 95% compared to CPA. In addition, we demonstrated that the number of asymptomatic infections detected using CXCL10, decreased with distance from a park at the centre of the mentioned outbreak. CONCLUSION CXCL10 in plasma from SLA-stimulated blood could be a robust biomarker of asymptomatic L. infantum infection in solid organ transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerea Carrasco-Antón
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain, CIBERINFEC.
| | - Ana Victoria Ibarra-Meneses
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Spanish National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain, CIBERINFEC.
| | - Eugenia Carrillo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Spanish National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain, CIBERINFEC.
| | - Mario Fernández-Ruiz
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain, CIBERINFEC.
| | - Pilar Hernández-Jiménez
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain, CIBERINFEC.
| | - José María Aguado
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain, CIBERINFEC.
| | - Javier Moreno
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Spanish National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain, CIBERINFEC.
| | - Francisco López-Medrano
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Spanish National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain, CIBERINFEC.
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Ibarra-Meneses AV, Corbeil A, Wagner V, Onwuchekwa C, Fernandez-Prada C. Identification of asymptomatic Leishmania infections: a scoping review. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:5. [PMID: 34983616 PMCID: PMC8727076 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05129-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asymptomatic Leishmania infection may play an important role in the transmission of the parasite in endemic areas. At present there is no consensus on the definition of asymptomatic Leishmania infection, nor is there a safe and accessible gold standard test for its identification. METHODS This paper presents a scoping review to summarize definitions of asymptomatic Leishmania infection found in the literature, as well as to detail the approach (molecular, serological, cellular, and/or parasitological tests) used by researchers to identify this asymptomatic population. A scoping review of published and gray literature related to asymptomatic Leishmania infection was conducted; retrieved citations were screened based on predefined eligibility criteria, and relevant data items were extracted from eligible articles. The analysis is descriptive and is presented using tables, figures, and thematic narrative synthesis. RESULTS We conducted a screening of 3008 articles, of which 175 were selected for the full review. Of these articles, we selected 106 that met the inclusion criteria. These articles were published between 1991 and 2021, and in the last 5 years, up to 38 articles were reported. Most of the studies were conducted in Brazil (26%), Spain (14%), India (12%), Bangladesh (10%), and Ethiopia (7%). Of the studies, 84.9% were conducted in the immunocompetent population, while 15.1% were conducted in the immunosuppressed population (HIV, immunosuppressive drugs, and organ transplantation population). We report 14 different techniques and 10 strategies employed by researchers to define asymptomatic Leishmania infection in an endemic area. CONCLUSIONS The definition of asymptomatic Leishmania infection is not unified across the literature, but often includes the following criteria: residence (or extended stay) in a Leishmania-endemic area, no reported signs/symptoms compatible with leishmaniasis, and positive on a combination of serological, molecular, cellular, and/or parasitological tests. Caution is recommended when comparing results of different studies on the subject of asymptomatic infections, as the reported prevalence cannot be confidently compared between areas due to the wide variety of tests employed by research groups. More research on the importance of asymptomatic immunosuppressed and immunocompetent Leishmania-positive populations in leishmaniasis epidemiology is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Victoria Ibarra-Meneses
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - Audrey Corbeil
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - Victoria Wagner
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - Chukwuemeka Onwuchekwa
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada. .,The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint Hyacinthe, Canada.
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Chemokines in Leishmaniasis: Map of cell movements highlights the landscape of infection and pathogenesis. Cytokine 2021; 147:155339. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Kot K, Kupnicka P, Witulska O, Czepan A, Łanocha-Arendarczyk NA, Łanocha AA, Kosik-Bogacka DI. Potential Biomarkers in Diagnosis of Renal Acanthamoebiasis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6583. [PMID: 34205319 PMCID: PMC8234237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies indicate that Acanthamoeba spp. may play a significant role in kidney dysfunction. The aim of the study was to examine the levels of kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), as well as an activity of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9, respectively) in the kidneys of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice infected with Acanthamoeba spp. The levels of KIM-1, NGAL, and MCP-1 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the activity of MMPs was determined by gelatin zymography. The elevated KIM-1 level was found in the kidneys of immunocompetent mice at the beginning of Acanthamoeba spp. infection. In the immunosuppressed mice, the KIM-1 level was statistically different. The statistically decreased NGAL level was found in the kidneys of immunocompetent mice compared to the uninfected mice. In the immunocompromised mice, we found statistically significant differences in MCP-1 levels between the uninfected and infected groups. There was an increase in the expression of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the kidneys of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice infected with Acanthamoeba spp. compared to the uninfected mice. The results indicate that KIM-1, NGAL, MCP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-9/NGAL might be promising biomarkers of renal acanthamoebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Kot
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (K.K.); (O.W.); (A.C.); (N.A.Ł.-A.)
| | - Patrycja Kupnicka
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Oliwia Witulska
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (K.K.); (O.W.); (A.C.); (N.A.Ł.-A.)
| | - Aleksandra Czepan
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (K.K.); (O.W.); (A.C.); (N.A.Ł.-A.)
| | - Natalia Agnieszka Łanocha-Arendarczyk
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (K.K.); (O.W.); (A.C.); (N.A.Ł.-A.)
| | - Aleksandra Anna Łanocha
- Department of Haematology and Transplantology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Danuta Izabela Kosik-Bogacka
- Independent Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Botany, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
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Ibarra-Meneses AV, Carrillo E, Nieto J, Sánchez C, Ortega S, Estirado A, Latasa Zamalloa P, Sanz JC, García-Comas L, Ordobás M, Moreno J. Prevalence of asymptomatic Leishmania infection and associated risk factors, after an outbreak in the south-western Madrid region, Spain, 2015. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 24. [PMID: 31164191 PMCID: PMC6549460 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.22.1800379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundA large outbreak of leishmaniasis with 758 cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis cases occurred in 2009 in Fuenlabrada, in the south-west of the Madrid region of Spain.AimWe aimed to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic Leishmania infection after this outbreak, and its associated risk factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 804 healthy individuals living in Fuenlabrada who had no history of leishmaniasis, was conducted between January and July 2015. Asymptomatic infections were sought by either a combination of PCR, immunofluorescent antibody titre, and direct agglutination tests, or by whole blood stimulation assay (WBA) with interleukin-2 (IL-2) quantification.ResultsUsing the first approach, prevalence of asymptomatic individuals was 1.1% (9/804), while the second returned a value of 20.7% (143/804). Older age, being male, proximity to the park where the focus of infection was identified, and living in a detached house, were all strongly associated with the prevalence of asymptomatic infection.ConclusionsThe true number of infected individuals may be underestimated if only serological methods are used. The combination of WBA with IL-2 quantification may allow to better determine the prevalence of asymptomatic Leishmania infection, which would be useful in establishing control measures and in quantifying their impact. In our study, the use of WBA with IL-2 quantification also helped establish the risk factors that influence exposure to and infection by Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Victoria Ibarra-Meneses
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eugenia Carrillo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Nieto
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Sánchez
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sheila Ortega
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia Estirado
- Department of Epidemiology, Consejería de Sanidad de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pello Latasa Zamalloa
- Department of Epidemiology, Consejería de Sanidad de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Sanz
- Regional Public Health Laboratory, Health Department of the Community of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis García-Comas
- Department of Epidemiology, Consejería de Sanidad de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Ordobás
- Department of Epidemiology, Consejería de Sanidad de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Moreno
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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10
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Dea-Ayuela MA, Segarra S, Serrano DR, Bolás-Fernández F. Nucleotides and AHCC Enhance Th1 Responses In Vitro in Leishmania-Stimulated/Infected Murine Cells. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25173918. [PMID: 32867338 PMCID: PMC7504588 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25173918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A stronger Th1 (cellular) immune response in canine leishmaniosis (CanL) leads to a better prognosis. Dietary nucleotides plus AHCC® have shown beneficial effects in dogs with clinical leishmaniosis and in clinically healthy Leishmania-infected dogs. The potential leishmanicidal activity of nucleotides and AHCC was assessed by quantifying nitric oxide (NO) production and replication of parasites. Their effects on lymphocyte proliferation were studied with and without soluble Leishmania infantum antigen (SLA) stimulation. Cytokine level variations were assessed using naïve and L. infantum-infected macrophages/lymphocytes cocultures. Promastigotes and amastigotes proliferation and NO macrophage production were not directly affected. Lymphocyte proliferation was significantly enhanced by nucleotides, AHCC, and their combinations only after SLA stimulation. Nucleotides and AHCC significantly increased the production of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10, and IL-12 by naïve immune cells. In naïve and L. infantum-infected macrophage/lymphocyte cocultures, nucleotides with or without AHCC led to significant increases in IFN-γ and TNF-α. Given that these cytokines are involved in the effective Th1 immune response against Leishmania parasites, these mechanisms of action could explain the previously reported in vivo clinical efficacy of such combination and further support the use of nucleotides with or without AHCC in the management of CanL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, 46113 Moncada, Spain;
| | - Sergi Segarra
- R & D Bioiberica S.A.U., Av. dels Països Catalans 34, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-9349-04908
| | - Dolores R. Serrano
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, School of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza Ramon y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto Universitario de Farmacia Industrial (IUFI), School of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avenida Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Bolás-Fernández
- Departament of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza Ramon y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
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11
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Prospection of immunological biomarkers for characterization and monitoring of asymptomatic Leishmania ( Leishmania) infantum infection. Parasitology 2020; 147:1124-1132. [PMID: 32460936 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020000852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In areas endemic for Leishmania infantum, an asymptomatic infection may be an indicator of the extent of transmission. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the applicability of measuring circulating immunological biomarkers as an alternative strategy to characterize and monitor L. infantum asymptomatic infections in combination with serological methods. To this end, 179 children from a region endemic for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), aged 1-10 years old, selected from a cross-sectional study, were identified as asymptomatic (n = 81) or uninfected (n = 98) by qPCR and/or serological tests (ELISA using L. infantum soluble antigen and rK39), and, together with serum samples of children diagnosed with VL (n = 43), were subjected to avidity tests and cytokine levels measurement. Avidity rates (AR) ranging from 41 to 70% were found in 29 children (66%) from the asymptomatic group. On the other hand, high AR (above 70%) were observed in 27 children (64%) from the VL group. Logistic Regression and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analyses demonstrated that lower AR and IFN-γ production associated with higher IL-17A levels were hallmarks in asymptomatic L. infantum infections. Therefore, this study proposes an association of immunological biomarkers that can be used as a complementary strategy for the characterization and monitoring of asymptomatic VL infections in children living in endemic areas.
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12
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Whole Blood Stimulation Assay as a Treatment Outcome Monitoring Tool for VL Patients in Ethiopia: A Pilot Evaluation. J Immunol Res 2020; 2020:8385672. [PMID: 32377538 PMCID: PMC7193677 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8385672] [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: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a lethal disease if left untreated. Current treatments produce variable rates of treatment failure and toxicity without sterile cure, rendering treatment efficacy monitoring essential. To avoid repeated invasive tissue aspirates as well as empirical treatment, there is a need for new tools that allow a less-invasive and early assessment of treatment efficacy in the field. Cross-sectional studies have suggested levels of cytokines/chemokines after whole blood stimulation as good markers of cure, but longitudinal studies are lacking. In this study, we followed 13 active VL cases in an endemic area in Ethiopia by measuring the production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IP-10, IL-2, IL-10, MCP-1, and MIG before, during, and at the end of treatment. After 24 hours of stimulation of whole blood with soluble Leishmania antigen, we observed an early, robust, and incremental increase of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IP-10 levels in all patients during treatment. Moreover, based on the IFN-γ levels that showed an average 13-fold increase from the time of diagnosis until the end of treatment, we could almost perfectly discriminate active from cured status. Similar concentrations and patterns were found in stimulation assays with the two main Leishmania species. The levels of IFN-γ, IP-10, or TNF-α also seemed to be inversely associated with the parasite load at baseline. Despite a 1/10 drop in concentrations, similar patterns were observed in IFN-γ and IP-10 levels when dried plasma spots were stored at 4°C for an average of 225 days. All the above evidence suggests a detectable restoration of cell-mediated immunity in VL and its association with parasite clearance. With a potential application in rural settings by means of dried plasma spots, we recommend to further explore the early diagnostic value of such assays for treatment efficacy monitoring in large cohort studies including treatment failure cases.
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13
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Ibarra-Meneses AV, Moreno J, Carrillo E. New Strategies and Biomarkers for the Control of Visceral Leishmaniasis. Trends Parasitol 2019; 36:29-38. [PMID: 31718888 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Effective diagnosis and treatment of visceral leishmaniasis, together with the study of vectors and reservoirs, can lead to a better understanding of the parasite transmission dynamics and the development of more efficient control measures. Recent studies have applied new methodologies and biomarkers, and these have contributed to the early and rapid diagnosis of the disease; assessment of success of pharmacological treatments; efficient monitoring of immunosuppressed individuals; and to population screening for field trials of vaccine efficacy. This opinion article proposes an update to the diagnostic tools for visceral leishmaniasis and their rational and combined use to establish the real prevalence of infection or of exposure to Leishmania in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana V Ibarra-Meneses
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain
| | - Javier Moreno
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain.
| | - Eugenia Carrillo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain
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14
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Moreno J. Assessment of Vaccine-Induced Immunity Against Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:168. [PMID: 31214607 PMCID: PMC6558161 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine visceral leishmaniasis is an increasingly important public health problem. Dogs infected by Leishmania infantum are the main domestic reservoir of the parasite and play a key role in its transmission to humans. Recent findings have helped in the development of novel diagnostic methods, and of control measures such as vaccines, some of which are already commercially available. However, quantitative procedures should be followed to confirm whether these vaccines elicit a cell-mediated immune response. The present work describes the need for this evaluation, and the techniques available for confirming this type of immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Moreno
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Laboratory for Reference and Research in Parasitology, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
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15
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Asymptomatic immune responders to Leishmania among HIV positive patients. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007461. [PMID: 31158223 PMCID: PMC6564048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Concomitant infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the Leishmania parasite is a growing public health problem, the result of the former spreading to areas where the latter is endemic. Leishmania infection is usually asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, but the proportion of HIV+ individuals in contact with the parasite who remain asymptomatic is not known. The aim of the present work was to examine the use of cytokine release assays in the detection of asymptomatic immune responders to Leishmania among HIV+ patients with no previous leishmaniasis or current symptomatology. Eighty two HIV+ patients (all from Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain, where a leishmaniasis outbreak occurred in 2009) were examined for Leishmania infantum infection using molecular and humoral response-based methods. None returned a positive molecular or serological result for the parasite. Thirteen subjects showed a positive lymphoproliferative response to soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA), although the mean CD4+ T lymphocyte counts of these patients was below the normal range. Stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or whole blood with SLA (the lymphoproliferative assay and whole blood assay respectively), led to the production of specific cytokines and chemokines. Thus, despite being immunocompromised, HIV+ patients can maintain a Th1-type cellular response to Leishmania. In addition, cytokine release assays would appear to be useful tools for detecting these individuals via the identification of IFN-γ in the supernatants of SLA-stimulated PBMC, and of IFN-γ, MIG and IL-2 in SLA-stimulated whole blood. These biomarkers appear to be 100% reliable for detecting asymptomatic immune responders to Leishmania among HIV+ patients. The proportion of patients with HIV+ who have at some time been infected with the Leishmania parasite, but who remain asymptomatic, is unknown. It is important to be able to identify such patients to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic leishmaniasis in the HIV+ population, and because these persons are at increased risk of developing symptomatic visceral leishmaniasis. In the present work, a population of HIV+ patients showing a cellular immune response to Leishmania infantum was identified. These subjects all showed a clear Th1-type response when their PBMC or blood were stimulated in vitro with soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA). Cytokine release assays and the detection of IFN-γ, MIG and IL-2 (specific biomarkers for immunity to Leishmania) were found to be useful for detecting this population of HIV+ patients. New studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to confirm the present results.
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16
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Brodskyn CI, Kamhawi S. Biomarkers for Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis in Latin America. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:245. [PMID: 30175073 PMCID: PMC6108378 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In Latin America, zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) arising from infection by L. infantum is primarily transmitted by Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies. Dogs, which are chronic reservoirs of L. infantum, are considered a significant risk factor for acquisition of ZVL due to their close proximity to humans. In addition, as a vector-borne disease the intensity of exposure to vector sand flies can also enhance the risk of developing ZVL. Traditionally, IFN-γ and IL-10 are considered as the two main cytokines which determine the outcome of visceral leishmaniasis. However, more recently, the literature has demonstrated that different mediators, such as lipid mediators (PGE-2, PGF-2 alfa, LTB-4, resolvins) and other important inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines are also involved in the pathogenicity of ZVL. Analysis of a greater number of mediators allows for a more complete view of disease immunopathogenesis. Additionally, our knowledge has expanded to encompass different biomarkers associated to disease severity and healing after specific treatments. These parameters can also be used to better define new potential targets for vaccines and chemotherapy for ZVL. Here, we will provide an overview of ZVL biomarkers identified for both humans and dogs and discuss their merits and shortcomings. We will also discuss biomarkers of vector exposure as an additional tool in our arsenal to combat ZVL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shaden Kamhawi
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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17
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Ontoria E, Hernández-Santana YE, González-García AC, López MC, Valladares B, Carmelo E. Transcriptional Profiling of Immune-Related Genes in Leishmania infantum-Infected Mice: Identification of Potential Biomarkers of Infection and Progression of Disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:197. [PMID: 30013952 PMCID: PMC6036295 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania spp. is a protozoan parasite that affects millions of people around the world. At present, there is no effective vaccine to prevent leishmaniases in humans. A major limitation in vaccine development is the lack of precise understanding of the particular immunological mechanisms that allow parasite survival in the host. The parasite-host cell interaction induces dramatic changes in transcriptome patterns in both organisms, therefore, a detailed analysis of gene expression in infected tissues will contribute to the evaluation of drug and vaccine candidates, the identification of potential biomarkers, and the understanding of the immunological pathways that lead to protection or progression of disease. In this large-scale analysis, differential expression of 112 immune-related genes has been analyzed using high-throughput qPCR in spleens of infected and naïve Balb/c mice at four different time points. This analysis revealed that early response against Leishmania infection is characterized by the upregulation of Th1 markers and M1-macrophage activation molecules such as Ifng, Stat1, Cxcl9, Cxcl10, Ccr5, Cxcr3, Xcl1, and Ccl3. This activation doesn't protect spleen from infection, since parasitic burden rises along time. This marked difference in gene expression between infected and control mice disappears during intermediate stages of infection, probably related to the strong anti-inflammatory and immunosuppresory signals that are activated early upon infection (Ctla4) or remain activated throughout the experiment (Il18bp). The overexpression of these Th1/M1 markers is restored later in the chronic phase (8 wpi), suggesting the generation of a classical "protective response" against leishmaniasis. Nonetheless, the parasitic burden rockets at this timepoint. This apparent contradiction can be explained by the generation of a regulatory immune response characterized by overexpression of Ifng, Tnfa, Il10, and downregulation Il4 that counteracts the Th1/M1 response. This large pool of data was also used to identify potential biomarkers of infection and parasitic burden in spleen, on the bases of two different regression models. Given the results, gene expression signature analysis appears as a useful tool to identify mechanisms involved in disease outcome and to establish a rational approach for the identification of potential biomarkers useful for monitoring disease progression, new therapies or vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Ontoria
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Yasmina E. Hernández-Santana
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Ana C. González-García
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Manuel C. López
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López Neyra”, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Basilio Valladares
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Emma Carmelo
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
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