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Gao Y, Han S, Lu F, Liu Q, Yang J, Wang W, Wang Y, Zhang J, Ju R, Shen X, Zhao Y, Wang H, Tan W, Wang L. Dimethyl-Dioctadecyl-Ammonium Bromide/Poly(lactic acid) Nanoadjuvant Enhances the Immunity and Cross-Protection of an NM2e-Based Universal Influenza Vaccine. ACS NANO 2024; 18:12905-12916. [PMID: 38721835 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c00668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
For most frequent respiratory viruses, there is an urgent need for a universal influenza vaccine to provide cross-protection against intra- and heterosubtypes. We previously developed an Escherichia coli fusion protein expressed extracellular domain of matrix 2 (M2e) and nucleoprotein, named NM2e, and then combined it with an aluminum adjuvant, forming a universal vaccine. Although NM2e has demonstrated a protective effect against the influenza virus in mice to some extent, further improvement is still needed for the induction of immune responses ensuring adequate cross-protection against influenza. Herein, we fabricated a cationic solid lipid nanoadjuvant using poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and dimethyl-dioctadecyl-ammonium bromide (DDAB) and loaded NM2e to generate an NM2e@DDAB/PLA nanovaccine (Nv). In vitro experiments suggested that bone marrow-derived dendritic cells incubated with Nv exhibited ∼4-fold higher antigen (Ag) uptake than NM2e at 16 h along with efficient activation by NM2e@DDAB/PLA Nv. In vivo experiments revealed that Ag of the Nv group stayed in lymph nodes (LNs) for more than 14 days after initial immunization and DCs in LNs were evidently activated and matured. Furthermore, the Nv primed T and B cells for robust humoral and cellular immune responses after immunization. It also induced a ratio of IgG2a/IgG1 higher than that of NM2e to a considerable extent. Moreover, NM2e@DDAB/PLA Nv quickly restored body weight and improved survival of homo- and heterosubtype influenza challenged mice, and the cross-protection efficiency was over 90%. Collectively, our study demonstrated that NM2e@DDAB/PLA Nv could offer notable protection against homo- and heterosubtype influenza virus challenges, offering the potential for the development of a universal influenza vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecological Utilization of Forestry-Based Active Substances, College of Chemistry, Chemistry Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Shulan Han
- Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P.R. China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P.R. China
| | - Funa Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P.R. China
- Basic Medical College, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, P.R. China
| | - Qi Liu
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA), Beijing Tide Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, No.8 East Rongjing Street, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Wenling Wang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
| | - Ruijun Ju
- Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoling Shen
- Basic Medical College, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010010, P.R. China
| | - Yanping Zhao
- Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA), Beijing Tide Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, No.8 East Rongjing Street, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Hongjun Wang
- Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA), Beijing Tide Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, No.8 East Rongjing Street, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Wenjie Tan
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, P.R. China
| | - Lianyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
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Ferreras-Colino E, Moreno I, Gortázar C, Sevilla I, Agulló-Ros I, Domínguez L, Juste R, Risalde MA, Domínguez M. Oral immunization with heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis reduces local parasite dissemination and hepatic granuloma development in mice infected with Leishmania amazonensis. Res Vet Sci 2023; 162:104963. [PMID: 37517297 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.104963] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Aiming to explore whether oral immunization with heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis (HIMB) protects mice against Leishmania infection, 18 female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to the immunized group, that received oral HIMB, or the control group, and were infected by inoculation of 10,000 Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes in the footpad. Spleen culture was positive in 55.55% of immunized mice and in 100% of control mice (p = 0.082). The number of immunolabeled amastigotes number in the popliteal lymph node was lower in the immunized group (p = 0.009). The immunized group presented fewer mature granulomas in the liver (p = 0.005) and more Lys + macrophages (p = 0.002) and fewer CD3+ T lymphocytes (p < 0.001) per hepatic granuloma. We conclude that immunization with HIMB via the oral route limited local parasite dissemination and hepatic granuloma development in mice challenged with Leishmania amazonensis through stimulation of macrophages, which is compatible with trained immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ferreras-Colino
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Moreno
- Unidad de Inmunología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Carretera Pozuelo-Majadahonda km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Iker Sevilla
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Irene Agulló-Ros
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Lucas Domínguez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Center, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramón Juste
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Maria A Risalde
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mercedes Domínguez
- Unidad de Inmunología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Carretera Pozuelo-Majadahonda km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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Goodswen SJ, Kennedy PJ, Ellis JT. A state-of-the-art methodology for high-throughput in silico vaccine discovery against protozoan parasites and exemplified with discovered candidates for Toxoplasma gondii. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8243. [PMID: 37217589 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34863-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccine discovery against eukaryotic parasites is not trivial as highlighted by the limited number of known vaccines compared to the number of protozoal diseases that need one. Only three of 17 priority diseases have commercial vaccines. Live and attenuated vaccines have proved to be more effective than subunit vaccines but adversely pose more unacceptable risks. One promising approach for subunit vaccines is in silico vaccine discovery, which predicts protein vaccine candidates given thousands of target organism protein sequences. This approach, nonetheless, is an overarching concept with no standardised guidebook on implementation. No known subunit vaccines against protozoan parasites exist as a result of this approach, and consequently none to emulate. The study goal was to combine current in silico discovery knowledge specific to protozoan parasites and develop a workflow representing a state-of-the-art approach. This approach reflectively integrates a parasite's biology, a host's immune system defences, and importantly, bioinformatics programs needed to predict vaccine candidates. To demonstrate the workflow effectiveness, every Toxoplasma gondii protein was ranked in its capacity to provide long-term protective immunity. Although testing in animal models is required to validate these predictions, most of the top ranked candidates are supported by publications reinforcing our confidence in the approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Goodswen
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Paul J Kennedy
- School of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology and the Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - John T Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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Recent Advances in the Development of Adenovirus-Vectored Vaccines for Parasitic Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030334. [PMID: 36986434 PMCID: PMC10058461 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines against parasites have lagged centuries behind those against viral and bacterial infections, despite the devastating morbidity and widespread effects of parasitic diseases across the globe. One of the greatest hurdles to parasite vaccine development has been the lack of vaccine strategies able to elicit the complex and multifaceted immune responses needed to abrogate parasitic persistence. Viral vectors, especially adenovirus (AdV) vectors, have emerged as a potential solution for complex disease targets, including HIV, tuberculosis, and parasitic diseases, to name a few. AdVs are highly immunogenic and are uniquely able to drive CD8+ T cell responses, which are known to be correlates of immunity in infections with most protozoan and some helminthic parasites. This review presents recent developments in AdV-vectored vaccines targeting five major human parasitic diseases: malaria, Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and toxoplasmosis. Many AdV-vectored vaccines have been developed for these diseases, utilizing a wide variety of vectors, antigens, and modes of delivery. AdV-vectored vaccines are a promising approach for the historically challenging target of human parasitic diseases.
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Feng M, Jin Y, Yang S, Joachim AM, Ning Y, Mori-Quiroz LM, Fromm J, Perera C, Zhang K, Werbovetz KA, Wang MZ. Sterol profiling of Leishmania parasites using a new HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry-based method and antifungal azoles as chemical probes reveals a key intermediate sterol that supports a branched ergosterol biosynthetic pathway. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 20:27-42. [PMID: 35994895 PMCID: PMC9418051 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by Leishmania protozoan parasites. Current chemotherapeutic options against the deadly disease have significant limitations. The ergosterol biosynthetic pathway has been identified as a drug target in Leishmania. However, remarkable differences in the efficacy of antifungal azoles that inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis have been reported for the treatment of leishmaniasis. To better understand the sterol biosynthetic pathway in Leishmania and elucidate the mechanism underlying the differential efficacy of antifungal azoles, we developed a new LC-MS/MS method to study sterol profiles in promastigotes of three Leishmania species, including two L. donovani, one L. major and one L. tarentolae strains. A combination of distinct precursor ion masses and LC retention times allowed for specific detection of sixteen intermediate sterols between lanosterol and ergosterol using the newly developed LC-MS/MS method. Although both posaconazole and fluconazole are known inhibitors of fungal lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51), only posaconazole led to a substantial accumulation of lanosterol in azole-treated L. donovani promastigotes. Furthermore, a key intermediate sterol accumulated by 40- and 7-fold when these parasites were treated with posaconazole and fluconazole, respectively, which was determined as 4α,14α-dimethylzymosterol by high resolution mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The identification of 4α,14α-dimethylzymosterol supports a branched ergosterol biosynthetic pathway in Leishmania, where lanosterol C4- and C14-demethylation reactions occur in parallel rather than sequentially. Our results suggest that selective inhibition of leishmanial CYP51 is insufficient to effectively prevent parasite growth and dual inhibitors of both CYP51 and the unknown sterol C4-demethylase may be required for optimal antiparasitic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Feng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Yiru Jin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Sihyung Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Arline M Joachim
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Yu Ning
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Luis M Mori-Quiroz
- Synthetic Chemical Biology Core Laboratory, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Jacob Fromm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Chamani Perera
- Synthetic Chemical Biology Core Laboratory, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Karl A Werbovetz
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Michael Zhuo Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
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Qureshi IA, Saini M, Are S. Pyridoxal Kinase of Disease-causing Human Parasites: Structural and
Functional Insights to Understand its Role in Drug Discovery. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2022; 23:271-289. [DOI: 10.2174/1389203723666220519155025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
Human parasites cause several diseased conditions with high morbidity and mortality in a
large section of the population residing in various geographical areas. Nearly three billion people suffer
from either one or many parasitic infections globally, with almost one million deaths annually. In spite
of extensive research and advancement in the medical field, no effective vaccine is available against
prominent human parasitic diseases that necessitate identification of novel targets for designing specific
inhibitors. Vitamin B6 is an important ubiquitous co-enzyme that participates in several biological processes
and plays an important role in scavenging ROS (reactive oxygen species) along with providing
resistance to oxidative stress. Moreover, the absence of the de novo vitamin B6 biosynthetic pathway in
human parasites makes this pathway indispensable for the survival of these pathogens. Pyridoxal kinase
(PdxK) is a crucial enzyme for vitamin B6 salvage pathway and participates in the process of vitamers
B6 phosphorylation. Since the parasites are dependent on pyridoxal kinase for their survival and infectivity
to the respective hosts, it is considered a promising candidate for drug discovery. The detailed
structural analysis of PdxK from disease-causing parasites has provided insights into the catalytic
mechanism of this enzyme as well as significant differences from their human counterpart. Simultaneously,
structure-based studies have identified small lead molecules that can be exploited for drug discovery
against protozoan parasites. The present review provides structural and functional highlights of
pyridoxal kinase for its implication in developing novel and potent therapeutics to combat fatal parasitic
diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insaf Ahmed Qureshi
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C.R. Rao
Road, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Mayank Saini
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C.R. Rao
Road, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Sayanna Are
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C.R. Rao
Road, Hyderabad 500046, India
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Live attenuated vaccines, a favorable strategy to provide long-term immunity against protozoan diseases. Trends Parasitol 2021; 38:316-334. [PMID: 34896016 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The control of diseases caused by protozoan parasites is one of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. In recent years much research effort has gone into developing a new generation of live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) against malaria, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. However, there is a bottleneck related to their biosafety, production, and distribution that slows downs further development. The success of irradiated or genetically attenuated sporozoites against malaria, added to the first LAV against leishmaniasis to be evaluated in clinical trials, is indicative that the drawbacks of LAVs are gradually being overcome. However, whether persistence of LAVs is a prerequisite for sustained long-term immunity remains to be clarified, and the procedures necessary for clinical evaluation of vaccine candidates need to be standardized.
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Cruz-Bustos T, Feix AS, Ruttkowski B, Joachim A. Sexual Development in Non-Human Parasitic Apicomplexa: Just Biology or Targets for Control? Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102891. [PMID: 34679913 PMCID: PMC8532714 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cellular reproduction is a key part of the apicomplexan life cycle, and both mitotic (asexual) and meiotic (sexual) cell divisions produce new individual cells. Sexual reproduction in most eukaryotic taxa indicates that it has had considerable success during evolution, and it must confer profound benefits, considering its significant costs. The phylum Apicomplexa consists of almost exclusively parasitic single-celled eukaryotic organisms that can affect a wide host range of animals from invertebrates to mammals. Their development is characterized by complex steps in which asexual and sexual replication alternate and the fertilization of a macrogamete by a microgamete results in the formation of a zygote that undergoes meiosis, thus forming a new generation of asexual stages. In apicomplexans, sex is assumed to be induced by the (stressful) condition of having to leave the host, and either gametes or zygotes (or stages arising from it) are transmitted to a new host. Therefore, sex and meiosis are linked to parasite transmission, and consequently dissemination, which are key to the parasitic lifestyle. We hypothesize that improved knowledge of the sexual biology of the Apicomplexa will be essential to design and implement effective transmission-blocking strategies for the control of the major parasites of this group. Abstract The phylum Apicomplexa is a major group of protozoan parasites including gregarines, coccidia, haemogregarines, haemosporidia and piroplasms, with more than 6000 named species. Three of these subgroups, the coccidia, hemosporidia, and piroplasms, contain parasites that cause important diseases of humans and animals worldwide. All of them have complex life cycles involving a switch between asexual and sexual reproduction, which is key to their development. Fertilization (i.e., fusion of female and male cells) results in the formation of a zygote that undergoes meiosis, forming a new generation of asexual stages. In eukaryotes, sexual reproduction is the predominant mode of recombination and segregation of DNA. Sex is well documented in many protist groups, and together with meiosis, is frequently linked with transmission to new hosts. Apicomplexan sexual stages constitute a bottleneck in the life cycle of these parasites, as they are obligatory for the development of new transmissible stages. Consequently, the sexual stages represent attractive targets for vaccination. Detailed understanding of apicomplexan sexual biology will pave the way for the design and implementation of effective transmission-blocking strategies for parasite control. This article reviews the current knowledge on the sexual development of Apicomplexa and the progress in transmission-blocking vaccines for their control, their advantages and limitations and outstanding questions for the future.
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Parkash V, Ashwin H, Sadlova J, Vojtkova B, Jones G, Martin N, Greensted E, Allgar V, Kamhawi S, Valenzuela JG, Layton AM, Jaffe CL, Volf P, Kaye PM, Lacey CJN. A clinical study to optimise a sand fly biting protocol for use in a controlled human infection model of cutaneous leishmaniasis (the FLYBITE study). Wellcome Open Res 2021; 6:168. [PMID: 34693027 PMCID: PMC8506224 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16870.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Leishmaniasis is a globally important yet neglected parasitic disease transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. With new candidate vaccines in or near the clinic, a controlled human challenge model (CHIM) using natural sand fly challenge would provide a method for early evaluation of prophylactic efficacy. Methods : We evaluated the biting frequency and adverse effects resulting from exposure of human volunteers to bites of either Phlebotomus papatasi or P. duboscqi, two natural vectors of Leishmania major. 12 healthy participants were recruited (mean age 40.2 ± 11.8 years) with no history of significant travel to regions where L. major-transmitting sand flies are prevalent. Participants were assigned to either vector by 1:1 allocation and exposed to five female sand flies for 30 minutes in a custom biting chamber. Bite frequency was recorded to confirm a bloodmeal was taken. Participant responses and safety outcomes were monitored using a visual analogue scale (VAS), clinical examination, and blood biochemistry. Focus groups were subsequently conducted to explore participant acceptability. Results: All participants had at least one successful sand fly bite with none reporting any serious adverse events, with median VAS scores of 0-1/10 out to day 21 post-sand fly bite. Corresponding assessment of sand flies confirmed that for each participant at least 1/5 sand flies had successfully taken a bloodmeal (overall mean 3.67±1.03 bites per participant). There was no significant difference between P. papatasi and P. duboscqi in the number of bites resulting from 5 sand flies applied to human participants (3.3±0.81 vs 3.00±1.27 bites per participant; p=0.56) . In the two focus groups (n=5 per group), themes relating to positive participant-reported experiences of being bitten and the overall study, were identified. Conclusions: These results validate a protocol for achieving successful sand fly bites in humans that is safe, well-tolerated and acceptable for participants. Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT03999970 (27/06/2019).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivak Parkash
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, N.Yorks, YO10 5DD, UK
- Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Helen Ashwin
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, N.Yorks, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Georgina Jones
- School of Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
| | - Nina Martin
- School of Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
| | - Elizabeth Greensted
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, N.Yorks, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Victoria Allgar
- Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Shaden Kamhawi
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jesus G. Valenzuela
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Alison M. Layton
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, N.Yorks, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Charles L. Jaffe
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Hebrew University – Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Paul M. Kaye
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, N.Yorks, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Charles J. N. Lacey
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, N.Yorks, YO10 5DD, UK
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10
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Valéria Amorim L, de Lima Moreira D, Muálem de Moraes Alves M, Jessé Ramos Y, Pereira Costa Sobrinho E, Arcanjo DDR, Rodrigues de Araújo A, de Souza de Almeida Leite JR, das Chagas Pereira de Andrade F, Mendes AN, Aécio de Amorim Carvalho F. Anti-Leishmania activity of extracts from Piper cabralanum C.DC. (Piperaceae). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 76:229-241. [PMID: 33660490 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2020-0284] [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: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Species of Piperaceae are known by biological properties, including antiparasitic such as leishmanicidal, antimalarial and in the treatment of schistosomiasis. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antileishmania activity, cytotoxic effect, and macrophage activation patterns of the methanol (MeOH), hexane (HEX), dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract fractions from the leaves of Piper cabralanum C.DC. The MeOH, HEX and DCM fractions inhibited Leishmanina amazonensis promastigote-like forms growth with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 144.54, 59.92, and 64.87 μg/mL, respectively. The EtOAc fraction did not show any relevant activity. The half maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC50) for macrophages were determined as 370.70, 83.99, 113.68 and 607 μg/mL for the MeOH, HEX and DCM fractions, respectively. The macrophage infectivity was concentration-dependent, especially for HEX and DCM. MeOH, HEX and DCM fractions showed activity against L. amazonensis with low cytotoxicity to murine macrophages and lowering infectivity by the parasite. Our results provide support for in vivo studies related to a potential application of P. cabralanum extract and fractions as a promising natural resource in the treatment of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layane Valéria Amorim
- Antileishmania Activity Laboratory, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Davyson de Lima Moreira
- Natural Products Laboratory, Institute of Pharmaceutical Tecnologies, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Ygor Jessé Ramos
- Natural Products Laboratory, Institute of Pharmaceutical Tecnologies, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Dias Rufino Arcanjo
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Laboratory of Funcional and Molecular Studies in Physiopharmacology, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Alyne Rodrigues de Araújo
- Research Center on Biodiversity and Biotechnology, BIOTEC, Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, UFDPar, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil
| | | | | | - Anderson Nogueira Mendes
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Laboratory of Innovation on Science and Technology, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
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11
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The Benefits of Exporting: Engineered Extracellular Vesicles as Promising Vaccine Candidates against Enteric Fever. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00001-21. [PMID: 33468582 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00001-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunological potential of extracellular vesicles produced by Gram-negative bacteria, the so-called outer-membrane vesicles (OMVs), can be improved by genetic engineering, resulting in vesicles containing multiple immunogens. The potential of this approach for the development of a vaccine candidate for enteric fever was recently demonstrated by G. Gasperini, R. Alfini, V. Arato, F. Mancini, et al. (Infect Immun 89:e00699-20, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00699-20). This commentary will discuss the use of OMVs to generate vaccines for enteric fever and the promise of this approach for prevention of other infectious diseases.
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12
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Ashwin H, Sadlova J, Vojtkova B, Becvar T, Lypaczewski P, Schwartz E, Greensted E, Van Bocxlaer K, Pasin M, Lipinski KS, Parkash V, Matlashewski G, Layton AM, Lacey CJ, Jaffe CL, Volf P, Kaye PM. Characterization of a new Leishmania major strain for use in a controlled human infection model. Nat Commun 2021; 12:215. [PMID: 33431825 PMCID: PMC7801518 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20569-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is widely regarded as a vaccine-preventable disease, but the costs required to reach pivotal Phase 3 studies and uncertainty about which candidate vaccines should be progressed into human studies significantly limits progress in vaccine development for this neglected tropical disease. Controlled human infection models (CHIMs) provide a pathway for accelerating vaccine development and to more fully understand disease pathogenesis and correlates of protection. Here, we describe the isolation, characterization and GMP manufacture of a new clinical strain of Leishmania major. Two fresh strains of L. major from Israel were initially compared by genome sequencing, in vivo infectivity and drug sensitivity in mice, and development and transmission competence in sand flies, allowing one to be selected for GMP production. This study addresses a major roadblock in the development of vaccines for leishmaniasis, providing a key resource for CHIM studies of sand fly transmitted cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Ashwin
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Becvar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Patrick Lypaczewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Eli Schwartz
- The Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Elizabeth Greensted
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Katrien Van Bocxlaer
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | | | | | - Vivak Parkash
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Greg Matlashewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alison M Layton
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Charles J Lacey
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Charles L Jaffe
- The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Paul M Kaye
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK.
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13
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Luna EJDA, Campos SRDSLDC. Vaccine development against neglected tropical diseases. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2020; 36Suppl 2:e00215720. [PMID: 33237199 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311x00215720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases constitute a heterogeneous group of diseases that have as a common characteristic to affect poor and unassisted populations with little vocalization capacity and political power. As a result, they receive little attention from the pharmaceutical industry and academia. The present study aimed to summarize the state of the art regarding vaccine development for three relevant neglected tropical diseases in Brazil: Chagas disease, schistosomiasis (Schistosoma mansoni), and leishmaniasis. To this end, we conducted a narrative review of the scientific literature, including publications that allowed us to outline a current overview on the vaccine development for the three diseases. Vaccines against the three diseases are in different stages of development. Vaccine development projects against American trypanosomiasis have yet to reach the clinical evaluation phase. For schistosomiasis, we have candidates for the vaccine in the advanced phase of clinical evaluation. For leishmaniasis, there are already licensed veterinary vaccines, and product candidates for human vaccine in the intermediate stage of clinical evaluation. The reduced funding for these projects has contributed to slow product development.
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14
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Varma DM, Redding EA, Bachelder EM, Ainslie KM. Nano- and Microformulations to Advance Therapies for Visceral Leishmaniasis. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 7:1725-1741. [PMID: 33966377 PMCID: PMC10372633 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a deadly, vector-borne, neglected tropical disease endemic to arid parts of the world and is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania. Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for this systemic disease, and multiple potent therapies exist against this intracellular parasite. However, several factors, such as systemic toxicity, high costs, arduous treatment regimen, and rising drug resistance, are barriers for effective therapy against VL. Material-based platforms have the potential to revolutionize chemotherapy for leishmaniasis by imparting a better pharmacokinetic profile and creating patient-friendly routes of administration, while also lowering the risk for drug resistance. This review highlights promising drug delivery strategies and novel therapies that have been evaluated in preclinical models, demonstrating the potential to advance chemotherapy for VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devika M. Varma
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Redding
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Eric M. Bachelder
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Kristy M. Ainslie
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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15
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Palatnik-de-Sousa CB. What Would Jenner and Pasteur Have Done About COVID-19 Coronavirus? The Urges of a Vaccinologist. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2173. [PMID: 32983183 PMCID: PMC7479216 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Clarisa B. Palatnik-de-Sousa
- Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute for Research in Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
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16
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Mas A, Martínez-Rodrigo A, Orden JA, Molina R, Jiménez M, Jiménez MÁ, Carrión J, Domínguez-Bernal G. Properties of virulence emergence of Leishmania infantum isolates from Phlebotomus perniciosus collected during the human leishmaniosis outbreak in Madrid, Spain. Hepatic histopathology and immunological parameters as virulence markers in the mouse model. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:704-714. [PMID: 32668083 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent anthropic activity related to the construction of the Bosquesur Green Park in a large urban setting in Madrid (Spain) has resulted in the largest reported community outbreak of human leishmaniosis in Europe. Previous phylogenetic and molecular-typing studies of parasite isolates have implicated the Leishmania infantum ITS-Lombardi genotype in this outbreak. In an unusual scenario, visceral leishmaniosis (VL) is affecting a significant number of individuals, suggesting that an increase in parasite virulence has occurred. In this work, using an in vivo BALB/c model of VL, we aimed to investigate the properties of emergent virulence of the L. infantum POL2FL7 and BOS1FL1 isolates obtained from Phlebotomus perniciosus collected in the outbreak area and compare them with those of the well-characterized strain BCN150 MON-1 isolated from a dog. The P. perniciosus specimens were collected during an entomological survey conducted in the transmission season of 2012. We observed a range of virulence phenotypes from moderately to highly aggressive after 5 weeks of infection. IV challenge of mice with outbreak isolates from sand flies induced higher splenic and liver parasite burdens, higher serological titres of specific anti-Leishmania antibodies and impaired capacities to control infection, as revealed by the arginine metabolism and low ratios of Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles analysed, compared with the corresponding measures evaluated in mice infected with the BCN150 strain. The BOS1FL1 isolate showed the highest degree of virulence among the isolates, superior to that of POL2FL7, as evidenced by the analysed biomarkers and the histopathological severity of liver lesions. These results provide insight into how L. infantum isolates from sand flies collected in the outbreak area have been able to affect not only immunosuppressed patients but also middle-aged people with normal immunocompetence in the largest human VL outbreak in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Mas
- INMIVET, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Abel Martínez-Rodrigo
- INMIVET, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Antonio Orden
- INMIVET, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Molina
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Maribel Jiménez
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - María Ángeles Jiménez
- Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Facultad de Veterinaria, Hospital Clínico Veterinario, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Carrión
- INMIVET, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gustavo Domínguez-Bernal
- INMIVET, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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17
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Marques-da-Silva C, Peissig K, Kurup SP. Pre-Erythrocytic Vaccines against Malaria. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030400. [PMID: 32708179 PMCID: PMC7565498 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria, caused by the protozoan Plasmodium, is a devastating disease with over 200 million new cases reported globally every year. Although immunization is arguably the best strategy to eliminate malaria, despite decades of research in this area we do not have an effective, clinically approved antimalarial vaccine. The current impetus in the field is to develop vaccines directed at the pre-erythrocytic developmental stages of Plasmodium, utilizing novel vaccination platforms. We here review the most promising pre-erythrocytic stage antimalarial vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Marques-da-Silva
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (C.M.-d.-S.); (K.P.)
- Department of Cellular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Kristen Peissig
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (C.M.-d.-S.); (K.P.)
- Department of Cellular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Samarchith P. Kurup
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (C.M.-d.-S.); (K.P.)
- Department of Cellular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Correspondence:
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