1
|
Saini I, Joshi J, Kaur S. Leishmania vaccine development: A comprehensive review. Cell Immunol 2024; 399-400:104826. [PMID: 38669897 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2024.104826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Infectious diseases like leishmaniasis, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, leprosy and filariasis are responsible for an immense burden on public health systems. Among these, leishmaniasis is under the category I diseases as it is selected by WHO (World Health Organization) on the ground of diversity and complexity. High cost, resistance and toxic effects of Leishmania traditional drugs entail identification and development of therapeutic alternative. Since the natural infection elicits robust immunity, consistence efforts are going on to develop a successful vaccine. Clinical trials have been conducted on vaccines like Leish-F1, F2, and F3 formulated using specific Leishmania antigen epitopes. Current strategies utilize individual or combined antigens from the parasite or its insect vector's salivary gland extract, with or without adjuvant formulation for enhanced efficacy. Promising animal data supports multiple vaccine candidates (Lmcen-/-, LmexCen-/-), with some already in or heading for clinical trials. The crucial challenge in Leishmania vaccine development is to translate the research knowledge into affordable and accessible control tools that refines the outcome for those who are susceptible to infection. This review focuses on recent findings in Leishmania vaccines and highlights difficulties facing vaccine development and implementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isha Saini
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Jyoti Joshi
- Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College, Sector-32C, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sukhbir Kaur
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Keerti, Yadav NK, Joshi S, Ratnapriya S, Sahasrabuddhe AA, Dube A. Combined immunotherapeutic effect of Leishmania-derived recombinant aldolase and Ambisome against experimental visceral leishmaniasis. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2023; 56:163-171. [PMID: 35835687 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Available therapeutics for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a deadly parasitic infection, are usually associated with inadequate efficacy and adverse aftereffects. Further, the primary site of Leishmania parasite are host macrophages resulting in compromised immunity; ensuing marked T-cell immunosuppression. Such settings emphasize the exploration of chemo-immunotherapeutic strategies for improvising the infected person's immune status with better resolution of infection. METHODS Present work employs the immunization of Leishmania-infected hamsters with Leishmania-derived recombinant aldolase (rLdAld) and enolase (rLdEno) proteins in consort with the sub-optimal dose of Ambisome (2.5 mg/kg). After the completion of immunization, hamsters were sacrificed on day 60 and 90 post infection and different organ samples were collected to perform immunological assay for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy and modulation in protective cellular immune responses. RESULTS Combining these proteins, particularly rLdAld with Ambisome (2.5 mg/kg), has significantly reduced the parasitic load (∼80%) with remarkable enhancement in DTH and lymphoproliferative responses compared to the infected control and only Ambisome treated groups. Moreover, cytokine levels at RNA and protein levels were noticed to be inclined towards Th-1 phenotype through up-regulation of IFN-γ and TNF-α with significant down-regulation in IL-10 and TGF-β expression, an indication towards the generation of protective immunity against experimental VL. CONCLUSION Our experimental findings demonstrated that the chemo-immunotherapeutic approach could be an effective way of controlling human VL infection at minimal dosages of antileishmanial with reduced side-effects and propensity of drug resistance emergence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keerti
- Divisions of Molecular and Structural Biology, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow 226031, India
| | | | - Sumit Joshi
- Parasitology, CSIR-CD-RI, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Sneha Ratnapriya
- Divisions of Molecular and Structural Biology, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow 226031, India
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rashidi S, Faraji SN, Mamaghani AJ, Hatam S, Kazemi B, Bemani P, Tabaei SJS, Hatam G. Bioinformatics analysis for the purpose of designing a novel multi-epitope DNA vaccine against Leishmania major. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18119. [PMID: 36302830 PMCID: PMC9612607 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22646-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the main infectious diseases worldwide. In the midst of all the different forms of the disease, Cutaneous Leishmania (CL) has the highest incidence in the world. Many trial vaccines have been developed with the purpose of generating long-term cell-mediated immunity to Leishmania(L) major. As there is not any multi-epitope DNA vaccine with high efficacy against L.major, the aim of this study is to design a new multi-epitope DNA vaccine in order to have effective control upon this infectious disease through the immune bioinformatics. The L.major antigens: Gp63, LACK, TSA, LmSTI1and KMP11 were selected to design a multi-epitope DNA vaccine. The initial structure of the DNA vaccine was designed, benefiting from Gen Bank's website information. Epitopes of MHC-I antigens were predicted through the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), and the selected epitopes were used to make vaccines construct along with linkers. New multi-epitope vaccine including 459 nucleic acids designed, and inserted between BamH1 and HindIII restriction sites of pCDNA3.1 mammalian expression vector. 12 epitopes among the chosen antigens were selected by two servers (IEDB and ANTIGEN). They had high stability and high antigenic power. Physicochemical features of vaccine measured by ProtParam server, and this structure was thermostable and hydrophilic. it's a suitable model to study on the animal and human phases. The designed vaccine is expected to be an effective candidate through development of (CL) vaccines. However, the effectiveness of this vaccine should also evaluate in vivo model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sama Rashidi
- grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed Nooreddin Faraji
- grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amirreza Javadi Mamaghani
- grid.411600.2Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeid Hatam
- Science and Technology Park of Fars, ExirBitanic Company, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bahram Kazemi
- grid.411600.2Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center Shahid, Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Peyman Bemani
- grid.411036.10000 0001 1498 685XDepartment of Immunology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Seyyed Javad Seyyed Tabaei
- grid.411600.2Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Hatam
- Science and Technology Park of Fars, ExirBitanic Company, Shiraz, Iran ,grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698 Basic Sciences in Infectious diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Characterization and evaluation of a new triosephosphate isomerase homologue from Haemaphysalis longicornis as a candidate vaccine against tick infection. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101968. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
5
|
Mining the Proteome of Toxoplasma Parasites Seeking Vaccine and Diagnostic Candidates. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091098. [PMID: 35565525 PMCID: PMC9099775 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The One Health concept to toxoplasmosis highlights that the health of humans is closely related to the health of animals and our common environment. Toxoplasmosis outcomes might be severe and fatal in patients with immunodeficiency, diabetes, and pregnant women and infants. Consequently, the development of effective vaccine and diagnostic strategies is urgent for the elimination of this disease. Proteomics analysis has allowed the identification of key proteins that can be utilized in the development of novel disease diagnostics and vaccines. This work presents relevant proteins found in the proteome of the life cycle-specific stages of Toxoplasma parasites. In fact, it brings together the main functionality key proteins from Toxoplasma parasites coming from proteomic approaches that are most likely to be useful in improving the disease management, and critically proposes innovative directions to finally develop promising vaccines and diagnostics tools. Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogenic protozoan parasite that infects the nucleated cells of warm-blooded hosts leading to an infectious zoonotic disease known as toxoplasmosis. The infection outcomes might be severe and fatal in patients with immunodeficiency, diabetes, and pregnant women and infants. The One Health approach to toxoplasmosis highlights that the health of humans is closely related to the health of animals and our common environment. The presence of drug resistance and side effects, the further improvement of sensitivity and specificity of serodiagnostic tools and the potentiality of vaccine candidates to induce the host immune response are considered as justifiable reasons for the identification of novel targets for the better management of toxoplasmosis. Thus, the identification of new critical proteins in the proteome of Toxoplasma parasites can also be helpful in designing and test more effective drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tools. Accordingly, in this study we present important proteins found in the proteome of the life cycle-specific stages of Toxoplasma parasites that are potential diagnostic or vaccine candidates. The current study might help to understand the complexity of these parasites and provide a possible source of strategies and biomolecules that can be further evaluated in the pathobiology of Toxoplasma parasites and for diagnostics and vaccine trials against this disease.
Collapse
|
6
|
Machado AS, Martins VT, Humbert MV, Christodoulides M, Coelho EAF. In Silico Design of Recombinant Chimera T Cell Peptide Epitope Vaccines for Visceral Leishmaniasis. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2410:463-480. [PMID: 34914063 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1884-4_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Systemic VL is fatal if untreated and there are no prophylactic human vaccines available. Several studies suggest that Th1 cell-mediated immunity plays a major role in protecting against VL. In this chapter we describe a method for designing recombinant chimera vaccines in silico based on the prediction of T cell epitopes within protein antigens identified as potential protective immunogens. Development of a recombinant chimera protein (RCP) vaccine using T cell epitope peptides identified from four Leishmania proteins is used as an exemplar of this method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Sanchez Machado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vivian Tamietti Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maria Victoria Humbert
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, England, UK
| | - Myron Christodoulides
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, England, UK.
| | - Eduardo Antonio Ferraz Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Immunological characterization of rLdTCP1γ for its prophylactic potential against visceral leishmaniasis in hamster model. Mol Immunol 2021; 141:33-42. [PMID: 34798496 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic tropical disease responsible for devastating epidemics worldwide. Though current treatment relies on drugs, the emergence of resistance, toxic side-effects, and strenuous administration has led to an ineffective remedy. Hence, vaccination remains an alternative and desirable approach for VL control. Though extensive research on anti-leishmanial vaccine candidates has been carried out in past decades, presence of an effective molecule is still missing. In the present study, we have evaluated the immunogenicity and prophylactic potential of a recombinant T-complex protein-1 gamma subunit of L. donovani (rLdTCP1γ), against VL in hamster model. The antigen exhibited in vitro stimulation of lymphoproliferative and NO response in miltefosine and amphotericin B treated hamsters depicting its immunotherapeutic/immunogenic nature. Immunization with rLdTCP1γ revealed a strong protective response against experimental VL as indicated by reduced parasite load in the spleen of immunized group compared to infected control. The immunized animals gained body weight and exhibited significant reduction in the spleen and liver weight as compared to infected controls on days 60, 90, 120 post-challenge. A substantial augmentation of cell-mediated immune response as depicted by an increased lymphocyte proliferation, nitric oxide production, DTH responses and increased levels of IgG2 was observed in rLdTCP1γ immunized hamsters. The Th1 stimulatory potential, imparted by the antigen, was found to be intensified in the presence of adjuvant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). The efficacy was further assisted by an upregulated mRNA transcript of Th1 induced cytokines (IL-12, IFN-γ and TNFα) and downregulation of IL-4 and IL-10. The results are thus suggestive of rLdTCP1γ having the potential of a strong vaccine candidate against VL.
Collapse
|
8
|
Mrochen DM, Trübe P, Jorde I, Domanska G, van den Brandt C, Bröker BM. Immune Polarization Potential of the S. aureus Virulence Factors SplB and GlpQ and Modulation by Adjuvants. Front Immunol 2021; 12:642802. [PMID: 33936060 PMCID: PMC8081891 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.642802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Protection against Staphylococcus aureus is determined by the polarization of the anti-bacterial immune effector mechanisms. Virulence factors of S. aureus can modulate these and induce differently polarized immune responses in a single individual. We proposed that this may be due to intrinsic properties of the bacterial proteins. To test this idea, we selected two virulence factors, the serine protease-like protein B (SplB) and the glycerophosphoryl diester phosphodiesterase (GlpQ). In humans naturally exposed to S. aureus, SplB induces a type 2-biased adaptive immune response, whereas GlpQ elicits type 1/type 3 immunity. We injected the recombinant bacterial antigens into the peritoneum of S. aureus-naïve C57BL/6N mice and analyzed the immune response. This was skewed by SplB toward a Th2 profile including specific IgE, whereas GlpQ was weakly immunogenic. To elucidate the influence of adjuvants on the proteins’ polarization potential, we studied Montanide ISA 71 VG and Imject™Alum, which promote a Th1 and Th2 response, respectively. Alum strongly increased antibody production to the Th2-polarizing protein SplB, but did not affect the response to GlpQ. Montanide enhanced the antibody production to both S. aureus virulence factors. Montanide also augmented the inflammation in general, whereas Alum had little effect on the cellular immune response. The adjuvants did not override the polarization potential of the S. aureus proteins on the adaptive immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Mrochen
- Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Patricia Trübe
- Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ilka Jorde
- Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Grazyna Domanska
- Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Barbara M Bröker
- Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ratnapriya S, Keerti, Yadav NK, Dube A, Sahasrabuddhe AA. A Chimera of Th1 Stimulatory Proteins of Leishmania donovani Offers Moderate Immunotherapeutic Efficacy with a Th1-Inclined Immune Response against Visceral Leishmaniasis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:8845826. [PMID: 34095312 PMCID: PMC8164546 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8845826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy, a treatment based on host immune system activation, has been shown to provide a substitute for marginally effective conventional chemotherapy in controlling visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the deadliest form of leishmaniasis. As the majority of endemic inhabitants exhibit either subclinical or asymptomatic infection which often develops into the active disease state, therapeutic intervention seems to be an important avenue for combating infections by stimulating the natural defense system of infected individuals. With this perspective, the present study focuses on two immunodominant Leishmania (L.) donovani antigens (triosephosphate isomerase and enolase) previously proved to be potent prophylactic VL vaccine candidates, for generating a recombinant chimeric antigen. This is based on the premise that in a heterogeneous population, a multivalent antigen vaccine would be required for an effective response against leishmaniasis (a complex parasitic disease). The resulting molecule rLdT-E chimeric protein was evaluated for its immunogenicity and immunotherapeutic efficacy. A Th1 stimulating adjuvant BCG was employed with the protein which showed a remarkable 70% inhibition of splenic parasitic multiplication positively correlated with boosted Th1 dominant immune response against lethal L. donovani challenge in hamsters as evidenced by high IFN-γ and TNF-α and low IL-10. In addition, immunological analysis of antibody subclass presented IgG2-based humoral response besides considerable delayed-type hypersensitivity and lymphocyte proliferative responses in rLdT-E/BCG-treated animals. Our observations indicate the potential of the chimera towards its candidature for an effective vaccine against Leishmania donovani infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Ratnapriya
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Keerti
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Narendra Kumar Yadav
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Anuradha Dube
- Molecular Parasitology and Immunology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Amogh Anant Sahasrabuddhe
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ben Khalaf N, Pham S, Romeo G, Abdelghany S, Intagliata S, Sedillo P, Salerno L, Gonzales J, Fathallah DM, Perkins DJ, Hurwitz I, Pittalà V. A computer-aided approach to identify novel Leishmania major protein disulfide isomerase inhibitors for treatment of leishmaniasis. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2021; 35:297-314. [PMID: 33615401 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-021-00374-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania and transmitted by the bite of a sand fly. To date, most available drugs for treatment are toxic and beyond the economic means of those affected by the disease. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is a chaperone protein that plays a major role in the folding of newly synthesized proteins, specifically assisting in disulfide bond formation, breakage, or rearrangement in all non-native proteins. In previous work, we demonstrated that Leishmania major PDI (LmPDI) has an essential role in pathogen virulence. Furthermore, inhibition of LmPDI further blocked parasite infection in macrophages. In this study, we utilized a computer-aided approach to design a series of LmPDI inhibitors. Fragment-based virtual screening allowed for the understanding of the inhibitors' modes of action on LmPDI active sites. The generated compounds obtained after multiple rounds of virtual screening were synthesized and significantly inhibited target LmPDI reductase activity and were shown to decrease in vitro parasite growth in human monocyte-derived macrophages. This novel cheminformatics and synthetic approach led to the identification of a new series of compounds that might be optimized into novel drugs, likely more specific and less toxic for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noureddine Ben Khalaf
- Department of Life Sciences, Health Biotechnology Program, College of Graduates Studies, King Fahd Chair for Health Biotechnology, Arabian Gulf University, Road 2904 Building 293, Manama, 329, Kingdom of Bahrain.
| | - Susie Pham
- Center for Global Health, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Giuseppe Romeo
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, V.le A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Sara Abdelghany
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Princess Al-Jawhara Center for Genetics and Inherited Diseases, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
| | - Sebastiano Intagliata
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, V.le A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Peter Sedillo
- Center for Global Health, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Loredana Salerno
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, V.le A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Jessica Gonzales
- Center for Global Health, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Dahmani M Fathallah
- Department of Life Sciences, Health Biotechnology Program, College of Graduates Studies, King Fahd Chair for Health Biotechnology, Arabian Gulf University, Road 2904 Building 293, Manama, 329, Kingdom of Bahrain
| | - Douglas J Perkins
- Center for Global Health, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Ivy Hurwitz
- Center for Global Health, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Valeria Pittalà
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, V.le A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
A candidate vaccine for human visceral leishmaniasis based on a specific T cell epitope-containing chimeric protein protects mice against Leishmania infantum infection. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:75. [PMID: 32821440 PMCID: PMC7426426 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-00224-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases are neglected diseases caused by infection with Leishmania parasites and there are currently no prophylactic vaccines. In this study, we designed in silico a synthetic recombinant vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) called ChimeraT, which contains specific T-cell epitopes from Leishmania Prohibitin, Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 5a and the hypothetical LiHyp1 and LiHyp2 proteins. Subcutaneous delivery of ChimeraT plus saponin stimulated a Th1 cell-mediated immune response and protected mice against L. infantum infection, significantly reducing the parasite load in distinct organs. ChimeraT/saponin vaccine stimulated significantly higher levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, and GM-CSF cytokines by both murine CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, with correspondingly low levels of IL-4 and IL-10. Induced antibodies were predominantly IgG2a isotype and homologous antigen-stimulated spleen cells produced significant nitrite as a proxy for nitric oxide. ChimeraT also induced lymphoproliferative responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from VL patients after treatment and healthy subjects, as well as higher IFN-γ and lower IL-10 secretion into cell supernatants. Thus, ChimeraT associated with a Th1 adjuvant could be considered as a potential vaccine candidate to protect against human disease.
Collapse
|
12
|
Oliveira-da-Silva JA, Lage DP, Ramos FF, Machado AS, Tavares GS, Mendonça DV, Pereira IA, Martins VT, Carvalho LM, Ludolf F, Santos TT, Reis TA, Oliveira CS, Bandeira RS, Silva AM, Costa LE, Oliveira JS, Duarte MC, Menezes-Souza D, Roatt BM, Teixeira AL, Coelho EA. Leishmania infantum pyridoxal kinase evaluated in a recombinant protein and DNA vaccine to protects against visceral leishmaniasis. Mol Immunol 2020; 124:161-171. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
|
13
|
Evaluation of the protective efficacy of a Leishmania protein associated with distinct adjuvants against visceral leishmaniasis and in vitro immunogenicity in human cells. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2609-2622. [PMID: 32535734 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06752-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The treatment against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) presents problems, mainly related to the toxicity and/or high cost of the drugs. In this context, a prophylactic vaccination is urgently required. In the present study, a Leishmania protein called LiHyE, which was suggested recently as an antigenic marker for canine and human VL, was evaluated regarding its immunogenicity and protective efficacy in BALB/c mice against Leishmania infantum infection. In addition, the protein was used to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from VL patients before and after treatment, as well as from healthy subjects. Vaccination results showed that the recombinant (rLiHyE) protein associated with liposome or saponin induced effective protection in the mice, since significant reductions in the parasite load in spleen, liver, draining lymph nodes, and bone marrow were found. The parasitological protection was associated with Th1-type cell response, since high IFN-γ, IL-12, and GM-CSF levels, in addition to low IL-4 and IL-10 production, were found. Liposome induced a better parasitological and immunological protection than did saponin. Experiments using PBMCs showed rLiHyE-stimulated lymphoproliferation in treated patients' and healthy subjects' cells, as well as high IFN-γ levels in the cell supernatant. In conclusion, rLiHyE could be considered for future studies as a vaccine candidate against VL.
Collapse
|
14
|
Liposomal Formulation of ChimeraT, a Multiple T-Cell Epitope-Containing Recombinant Protein, Is a Candidate Vaccine for Human Visceral Leishmaniasis. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8020289. [PMID: 32526867 PMCID: PMC7349940 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Leishmaniases are neglected diseases caused by infection with Leishmania parasites and there are no human vaccines in use routinely. The purpose of this study was to examine the immunogenicity of ChimeraT, a novel synthetic recombinant vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis (VL), incorporated into a human-compatible liposome formulation. Methods: BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously with ChimeraT/liposome vaccine, ChimeraT/saponin adjuvant, or ChimeraT/saline and immune responses examined in vitro and in vivo. Results: Immunization with the ChimeraT/liposome formulation induced a polarized Th1-type response and significant protection against L. infantum infection. ChimeraT/liposome vaccine stimulated significantly high levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-12, and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) cytokines by both CD4 and CD8 T-cells, with correspondingly lower levels of IL-4 and IL-10 cytokines. Induced antibodies were predominantly IgG2a isotype, and homologous antigen-stimulated spleen cells produced significant nitrite as a proxy for nitric oxide (NO). Furthermore, we examined a small number of treated VL patients and found higher levels of circulating anti-ChimeraT protein IgG2 antibodies, compared to IgG1 levels. Conclusions: Overall, the liposomal formulation of ChimeraT induced a protective Th1-type immune response and thus could be considered in future studies as a vaccine candidate against human VL.
Collapse
|
15
|
Hamrouni S, Bras-Gonçalves R, Kidar A, Aoun K, Chamakh-Ayari R, Petitdidier E, Messaoudi Y, Pagniez J, Lemesre JL, Meddeb-Garnaoui A. Design of multi-epitope peptides containing HLA class-I and class-II-restricted epitopes derived from immunogenic Leishmania proteins, and evaluation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses induced in cured cutaneous leishmaniasis subjects. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008093. [PMID: 32176691 PMCID: PMC7098648 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human leishmaniasis is a public health problem worldwide for which the development of a vaccine remains a challenge. T cell-mediated immune responses are crucial for protection. Peptide vaccines based on the identification of immunodominant T cell epitopes able to induce T cell specific immune responses constitute a promising strategy. Here, we report the identification of human leukocyte antigen class-I (HLA-I) and -II (HLA-II)-restricted multi-epitope peptides from Leishmania proteins that we have previously described as vaccine candidates. Promastigote Surface Antigen (PSA), LmlRAB (L. major large RAB GTPase) and Histone (H2B) were screened, in silico, for T cell epitopes. 6 HLA-I and 5 HLA-II-restricted multi-epitope peptides, able to bind to the most frequent HLA molecules, were designed and used as pools to stimulate PBMCs from individuals with healed cutaneous leishmaniasis. IFN-γ, IL-10, TNF-α and granzyme B (GrB) production was evaluated by ELISA/CBA. The frequency of IFN-γ-producing T cells was quantified by ELISpot. T cells secreting cytokines and memory T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. 16 of 25 peptide pools containing HLA-I, HLA-II or HLA-I and -II peptides were able to induce specific and significant IFN-γ levels. No IL-10 was detected. 6 peptide pools were selected among those inducing the highest IFN-γ levels for further characterization. 3/6 pools were able to induce a significant increase of the percentages of CD4+IFN-γ+, CD8+IFN-γ+ and CD4+GrB+ T cells. The same pools also induced a significant increase of the percentages of bifunctional IFN-γ+/TNF-α+CD4+ and/or central memory T cells. We identified highly promiscuous HLA-I and -II restricted epitope combinations from H2B, PSA and LmlRAB proteins that stimulate both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in recovered individuals. These multi-epitope peptides could be used as potential components of a polytope vaccine for human leishmaniasis. The control of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease of public health importance, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, mainly relies on chemotherapy, which is highly toxic. Currently, there is no vaccine against human leishmaniasis. Peptide-based vaccines consisting of T cell epitopes identified within proteins of interest by epitope predictive algorithms are a promising strategy for vaccine development. Here, we identified multi-epitope peptides composed of HLA-I and -II-restricted epitopes, using immunoinformatic tools, within Leishmania proteins previously described as potential vaccine candidates. We showed that multi-epitope peptides used as pools were able to activate IFN-γ producing CD4+ as well as CD8+ T cells, both required for parasite elimination. In addition, granzyme B-producing CD4+ T cells, bifunctional CD4+ IFN-γ+/TNF-α+ and/or TNF-α+/IL-2+ T cells as well as CD4+ and CD8+ central memory T cells, all involved in Leishmania infection control, were significantly increased in response to multi-epitope peptide stimulation. As far as we know, no study has described the detection of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations in response to stimulation by both HLA-I and II-restricted peptides in humans. The immunogenic HLA-I and -II-restricted multi-epitope peptides identified in this study could constitute potential vaccine candidates against human leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarra Hamrouni
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie et Biomolécules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisie
- Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, Tunis, Tunisie
- UMR INTERTRYP, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Karim Aoun
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie et Biomolécules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisie
| | - Rym Chamakh-Ayari
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie et Biomolécules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisie
- Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, Tunis, Tunisie
| | - Elodie Petitdidier
- UMR INTERTRYP, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Yasmine Messaoudi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie et Biomolécules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisie
- Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, Tunis, Tunisie
- UMR INTERTRYP, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Julie Pagniez
- UMR INTERTRYP, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Loup Lemesre
- UMR INTERTRYP, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Amel Meddeb-Garnaoui
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie et Biomolécules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisie
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
A biomarker for tegumentary and visceral leishmaniasis based on a recombinant Leishmania hypothetical protein. Immunobiology 2019; 224:477-484. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
17
|
Rashidi S, Mojtahedi Z, Shahriari B, Kalantar K, Ghalamfarsa G, Mohebali M, Hatam G. An immunoproteomic approach to identifying immunoreactive proteins in Leishmania infantum amastigotes using sera of dogs infected with canine visceral leishmaniasis. Pathog Glob Health 2019; 113:124-132. [PMID: 31099725 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2019.1616952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the most severe form of leishmaniasis, is caused by Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum. The infected dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) are important reservoirs for VL in humans, so the diagnosis, treatment and vaccination of the infected dogs will ultimately decrease the rate of human VL. Proteomics and immunoproteomics techniques have facilitated the introduction of novel drug, vaccine and diagnostic targets. Our immunoproteomic study was conducted to identify new immunoreactive proteins in amastigote form of L. infantum. The strain of L. infantum (MCAN/IR/07/Moheb-gh) was obtained from CVL-infected dogs. J774 macrophage cells were infected with the L. infantum promastigotes. The infected macrophages were ruptured, and pure amastigotes were extracted from the macrophages. After protein extraction, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was employed for protein separation followed by Western blotting. Western blotting was performed, using symptomatic and asymptomatic sera of the infected dogs with CVL. Thirteen repeatable immunoreactive spots were identified by Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Some, including prohibitin, ornithine aminotransferase, annexin A4, and apolipoprotein A-I, have been critically involved in metabolic pathways, survival, and pathogenicity of Leishmania parasites. Further investigations are required to confirm our identified immunoreactive proteins as a biomarker for CVL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sajad Rashidi
- a Department of Parasitology and Mycology , Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran
| | - Zahra Mojtahedi
- b Institute for Cancer Research, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran
| | - Bahador Shahriari
- c Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran
| | - Kurosh Kalantar
- d Department of Immunology , Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran
| | - Ghasem Ghalamfarsa
- e Medicinal Plants Research Center, Faculty of Medicine , Yasuj University of Medical Sciences , Yasuj , Iran
| | - Mehdi Mohebali
- f Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology , School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Gholamreza Hatam
- c Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran
| |
Collapse
|