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Rios LE, Lokugamage N, Choudhuri S, Chowdhury IH, Garg NJ. Subunit nanovaccine elicited T cell functional activation controls Trypanosoma cruzi mediated maternal and placental tissue damage and improves pregnancy outcomes in mice. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:188. [PMID: 38104118 PMCID: PMC10725459 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00782-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated a candidate vaccine effect against maternal Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc) infection and improved pregnancy outcomes. For this, TcG2 and TcG4 were cloned in a nanoplasmid optimized for delivery, antigen expression, and regulatory compliance (nano2/4 vaccine). Female C57BL/6 mice were immunized with nano2/4, infected (Tc SylvioX10), and mated 7-days post-infection to enable fetal development during the maternal acute parasitemia phase. Females were euthanized at E12-E17 (gestation) days. Splenic and placental T-cell responses were monitored by flow cytometry. Maternal and placental/fetal tissues were examined for parasites by qPCR and inflammatory infiltrate by histology. Controls included age/immunization-matched non-pregnant females. Nano2/4 exhibited no toxicity and elicited protective IgG2a/IgG1 response in mice. Nano2/4 signaled a splenic expansion of functionally active CD4+ effector/effector memory (Tem) and central memory (Tcm) cells in pregnant mice. Upon challenge infection, nano2/4 increased the splenic CD4+ and CD8+T cells in all mice and increased the proliferation of CD4+Tem, CD4+Tcm, and CD8+Tcm subsets producing IFNγ and cytolytic molecules (PRF1, GZB) in pregnant mice. A balanced serum cytokines/chemokines response and placental immune characteristics indicated that pregnancy prevented the overwhelming damaging immune response in mice. Importantly, pregnancy itself resulted in a significant reduction of parasites in maternal and fetal tissues. Nano2/4 was effective in arresting the Tc-induced tissue inflammatory infiltrate, necrosis, and fibrosis in maternal and placental tissues and improving maternal fertility, placental efficiency, and fetal survival. In conclusion, we show that maternal nano2/4 vaccination is beneficial in controlling the adverse effects of Tc infection on maternal health, fetal survival, and pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizette Elaine Rios
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UTMB, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Nandadeva Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Subhadip Choudhuri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Imran Hussain Chowdhury
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Nisha Jain Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA.
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity (IHII), UTMB, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences (SIVS), UTMB, Galveston, TX, USA.
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Tiwari R, Gupta RP, Singh VK, Kumar A, Rajneesh, Madhukar P, Sundar S, Gautam V, Kumar R. Nanotechnology-Based Strategies in Parasitic Disease Management: From Prevention to Diagnosis and Treatment. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:42014-42027. [PMID: 38024747 PMCID: PMC10655914 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic infections are a major global health issue causing significant mortality and morbidity. Despite substantial advances in the diagnostics and treatment of these diseases, the currently available options fall far short of expectations. From diagnosis and treatment to prevention and control, nanotechnology-based techniques show promise as an alternative approach. Nanoparticles can be designed with specific properties to target parasites and deliver antiparasitic medications and vaccines. Nanoparticles such as liposomes, nanosuspensions, polymer-based nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles have been shown to overcome limitations such as limited bioavailability, poor cellular permeability, nonspecific distribution, and rapid drug elimination from the body. These nanoparticles also serve as nanobiosensors for the early detection and treatment of these diseases. This review aims to summarize the potential applications of nanoparticles in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis, malaria, and trypanosomiasis. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these applications and their market values and highlights the need for further research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Tiwari
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Rohit P. Gupta
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
- Applied
Microbiology, Department of Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Vishal K. Singh
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Awnish Kumar
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Rajneesh
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Prasoon Madhukar
- Department
of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Department
of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Vibhav Gautam
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Rajiv Kumar
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
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3
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Williams JA, Paez PA. Improving cell and gene therapy safety and performance using next-generation Nanoplasmid vectors. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:494-503. [PMID: 37346980 PMCID: PMC10280095 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
The cell and gene therapy industry has employed the same plasmid technology for decades in vaccination, cell and gene therapy, and as a raw material in viral vector and RNA production. While canonical plasmids contain antibiotic resistance markers in bacterial backbones greater than 2,000 base pairs, smaller backbones increase expression level and durability and reduce the cell-transfection-associated toxicity and transgene silencing that can occur with canonical plasmids. Therefore, the small backbone and antibiotic-free selection method of Nanoplasmid vectors have proven to be a transformative replacement in a wide variety of applications, offering a greater safety profile and efficiency than traditional plasmids. This review provides an overview of the Nanoplasmid technology and highlights its specific benefits for various applications with examples from recent publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A. Williams
- Research & Development, Aldevron, 4055 41st Avenue S, Fargo, ND 58104, USA
| | - Patrick A. Paez
- Research & Development, Aldevron, 4055 41st Avenue S, Fargo, ND 58104, USA
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Rios LE, Lokugamage N, Garg NJ. Effects of Acute and Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infection on Pregnancy Outcomes in Mice: Parasite Transmission, Mortality, Delayed Growth, and Organ Damage in Pups. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:313-331. [PMID: 36565805 PMCID: PMC10013038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. This study aimed to determine the effects of T. cruzi infection on fertility rate and health of the newborn pups in pregnant mice. Female mice were challenged with T. cruzi and mated at 21 days (acute parasitemic phase) or 90 days (chronic parasite persistence phase) after infection. Pups were examined for growth up to 20 days after birth; and parasite burden in brain, heart, skeletal muscle, and intestine was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. The inflammatory infiltrate, necrosis, and fibrosis in pups' heart and brain tissues were evaluated by histology. T. cruzi infection in dams delayed the onset of pregnancy, decreased the fertility rate, and led to vertical transmission of parasite to the pups. Furthermore, infected dams delivered pups that exhibited decreased survival rate, decreased birth weight, and decreased growth rate. Significantly increased inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis of cardiac and brain tissues were noted in pups born to infected dams. Initial challenge with higher parasite dose had more detrimental effects on fertility rate and pups' health in both acutely and chronically infected dams. In conclusion, mice offer a promising model to evaluate the efficacy of new vaccines and therapeutic drugs in controlling the acute and chronic maternal T. cruzi infection and congenital transmission to newborns, and in improving the fertility rate and pups' health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizette E Rios
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Nandadeva Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Nisha J Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
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Paula AT, Ribeiro KVG, Cardoso KF, Bastos DSS, Santos EC, Novaes RD, Cardoso SA, Oliveira LL. Protective immunity triggered by ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-based biopharmaceuticals attenuates cardiac parasitism and prevents mortality in Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 72:116966. [PMID: 35998390 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116966] [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: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a potentially fatal infection in 21 endemic Latin America countries for which the effectiveness of reference antiparasitic chemotherapy is limited. Thus, we developed three biopharmaceuticals and evaluated the effectiveness of different immunization strategies (recombinant protein NTPDase-1 [rNTPDase-1], DNA plasmid encoding Trypanosoma cruzi NTPDase-1 [TcNTPDase-1] and DNA-NTPDase-1 prime/rNTPDase-1 boost [Prime-boost]) based on the surface ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (ecto-NTPDase) enzyme of T. cruzi in animals challenged with a virulent strain (Y) of this parasite. BALB/c mice were immunized three times at 30 days intervals, challenged with T. cruzi 15 days after the last immunization, and euthanized 30 days after T. cruzi challenge. Our results showed limited polarization of specific anti-ecto-NTPDase immunoglobulins in mice receiving both immunization protocols. Conversely, the Prime-boost strategy stimulated the Th1 protective phenotype, upregulating TNF-α and downregulating IL-10 production while increasing the activation/distribution of CD3+/CD8+, CD4+/CD44hi and CD8+/CD44hi/CD62L cells in immunized and infected mice. Furthermore, IL-6 and IL10 levels were reduced, while the distribution of CD4+/CD44hi and CD3+/CD8+ cells was increased from rNTPDase-1 and DNA-NTPDase1-based immunization strategies. Animals receiving DNA-NTPDase1 and Prime-boost protocols before T. cruzi challenged exhibited an enhanced immunological response associated with IL-17 upregulation and remarkable downregulation of heart parasitism (T. cruzi DNA) and mortality. These findings indicated that NTPDase-1 with Prime-boost strategy induced a protective and sustained Th17 response, enhancing host resistance against T. cruzi. Thus, ecto-NTPDase is a potentially relevant and applicable in the development of biopharmaceuticals with greater immunoprophylactic potential for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Eliziária Cardoso Santos
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Diamantina, MG, Brazil
| | - Rômulo Dias Novaes
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, MG, Brazil
| | - Silvia Almeida Cardoso
- Department of Medicine and Nursing, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil
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Mitdank H, Tröger M, Sonntag A, Shirazi NA, Woith E, Fuchs H, Kobelt D, Walther W, Weng A. Suicide nanoplasmids coding for ribosome-inactivating proteins. Eur J Pharm Sci 2022; 170:106107. [PMID: 34958884 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2021.106107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Conventional eukaryotic expression plasmids contain a DNA backbone that is dispensable for the cellular expression of the transgene. In order to reduce the vector size, minicircle DNA technology was introduced. A drawback of the minicircle technology are considerable production costs. Nanoplasmids are a relatively new class of mini-DNA constructs that are of tremendous potential for pharmaceutical applications. In this study we have designed novel suicide nanoplasmid constructs coding for plant derived ribosome-inactivating proteins. The suicide-nanoplasmids were formulated with a targeted K16-lysine domain, analyzed for size, and characterized by electron microscopy. The anti-proliferative activity of the suicide-nanoplasmids was investigated in vitro by real time microscopy and the expression kinetic was determined using an enhanced green fluorescent protein nanoplasmid variant. In an aggressive in vivo neuroblastoma tumor model, treated mice showed a reduced tumor growth whereby the therapy was well tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hardy Mitdank
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Pharmazie, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Meike Tröger
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Pharmazie, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Sonntag
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Pharmazie, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nima Amini Shirazi
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Pharmazie, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eric Woith
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Pharmazie, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Hendrik Fuchs
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dennis Kobelt
- Experimental Pharmacology & Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH, Robert-Rössle-Str.10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Walther
- Experimental Pharmacology & Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH, Robert-Rössle-Str.10, 13125 Berlin, Germany; Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Weng
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Pharmazie, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
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Tang J, Li M, Zhao C, Shen D, Liu L, Zhang X, Wei L. Therapeutic DNA Vaccines against HPV-Related Malignancies: Promising Leads from Clinical Trials. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020239. [PMID: 35215833 PMCID: PMC8874761 DOI: 10.3390/v14020239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2014 and 2021, two nucleic-acid vaccine candidates named MAV E2 and VGX-3100 completed phase III clinical trials in Mexico and U.S., respectively, for patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). These well-tolerated but still unlicensed vaccines encode distinct HPV antigens (E2 versus E6+E7) to elicit cell-mediated immune responses; their clinical efficacy, as measured by HSIL regression or cure, was modest when compared with placebo or surgery (conization), but both proved highly effective in clearing HPV infection, which should help further optimize strategies for enhancing vaccine immunogenicity, toward an ultimate goal of preventing malignancies in millions of patients who are living with persistent, oncogenic HPV infection but are not expected to benefit from current, prophylactic vaccines. The major roadblocks to a highly efficacious and practical product remain challenging and can be classified into five categories: (i) getting the vaccines into the right cells for efficient expression and presentation of HPV antigens (fusion proteins or epitopes); (ii) having adequate coverage of oncogenic HPV types, beyond the current focus on HPV-16 and -18; (iii) directing immune protection to various epithelial niches, especially anogenital mucosa and upper aerodigestive tract where HPV-transformed cells wreak havoc; (iv) establishing the time window and vaccination regimen, including dosage, interval and even combination therapy, for achieving maximum efficacy; and (v) validating therapeutic efficacy in patients with poor prognosis because of advanced, recurrent or non-resectable malignancies. Overall, the room for improvements is still large enough that continuing efforts for research and development will very likely extend into the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Tang
- Aeonvital Biomedical Research Institute, Beijing 102208, China; (L.L.); (X.Z.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Mingzhu Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Chao Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Danhua Shen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Lei Liu
- Aeonvital Biomedical Research Institute, Beijing 102208, China; (L.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xiujun Zhang
- Aeonvital Biomedical Research Institute, Beijing 102208, China; (L.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Lihui Wei
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
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Celis-Giraldo CT, López-Abán J, Muro A, Patarroyo MA, Manzano-Román R. Nanovaccines against Animal Pathogens: The Latest Findings. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9090988. [PMID: 34579225 PMCID: PMC8472905 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9090988] [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: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, safe and efficacious vaccines represent powerful and cost-effective tools for global health and economic growth. In the veterinary field, these are undoubtedly key tools for improving productivity and fighting zoonoses. However, cases of persistent infections, rapidly evolving pathogens having high variability or emerging/re-emerging pathogens for which no effective vaccines have been developed point out the continuing need for new vaccine alternatives to control outbreaks. Most licensed vaccines have been successfully used for many years now; however, they have intrinsic limitations, such as variable efficacy, adverse effects, and some shortcomings. More effective adjuvants and novel delivery systems may foster real vaccine effectiveness and timely implementation. Emerging vaccine technologies involving nanoparticles such as self-assembling proteins, virus-like particles, liposomes, virosomes, and polymeric nanoparticles offer novel, safe, and high-potential approaches to address many vaccine development-related challenges. Nanotechnology is accelerating the evolution of vaccines because nanomaterials having encapsulation ability and very advantageous properties due to their size and surface area serve as effective vehicles for antigen delivery and immunostimulatory agents. This review discusses the requirements for an effective, broad-coverage-elicited immune response, the main nanoplatforms for producing it, and the latest nanovaccine applications for fighting animal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Teresa Celis-Giraldo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá 111321, Colombia;
- Animal Science Faculty, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales (U.D.C.A), Bogotá 111166, Colombia
| | - Julio López-Abán
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Group (e-INTRO), Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca-Research Center for Tropical Diseases at the University of Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (J.L.-A.); (A.M.)
| | - Antonio Muro
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Group (e-INTRO), Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca-Research Center for Tropical Diseases at the University of Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (J.L.-A.); (A.M.)
| | - Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá 111321, Colombia;
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
- Health Sciences Division, Main Campus, Universidad Santo Tomás, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
- Correspondence: (M.A.P.); (R.M.-R.)
| | - Raúl Manzano-Román
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Group (e-INTRO), Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca-Research Center for Tropical Diseases at the University of Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (J.L.-A.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.A.P.); (R.M.-R.)
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