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Díaz-Varela M, Sanchez-Hidalgo A, Calderon-Copete S, Tacchini V, Shipley TR, Ramírez LG, Marquis J, Fernández OL, Saravia NG, Tacchini-Cottier F. The different impact of drug-resistant Leishmania on the transcription programs activated in neutrophils. iScience 2024; 27:109773. [PMID: 38711445 PMCID: PMC11070714 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109773] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance threatens the effective control of infections, including parasitic diseases such as leishmaniases. Neutrophils are essential players in antimicrobial control, but their role in drug-resistant infections is poorly understood. Here, we evaluated human neutrophil response to clinical parasite strains having distinct natural drug susceptibility. We found that Leishmania antimony drug resistance significantly altered the expression of neutrophil genes, some of them transcribed by specific neutrophil subsets. Infection with drug-resistant parasites increased the expression of detoxification pathways and reduced the production of cytokines. Among these, the chemokine CCL3 was predominantly impacted, which resulted in an impaired ability of neutrophils to attract myeloid cells. Moreover, decreased myeloid recruitment when CCL3 levels are reduced was confirmed by blocking CCL3 in a mouse model. Collectively, these findings reveal that the interplay between naturally drug-resistant parasites and neutrophils modulates the infected skin immune microenvironment, revealing a key role of neutrophils in drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Míriam Díaz-Varela
- Department of Immunobiology, WHO Collaborative Center for Research and Training in Immunology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Sanchez-Hidalgo
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas, CIDEIM, Cali 760031, Colombia
- Universidad Icesi, Cali 760031, Colombia
| | - Sandra Calderon-Copete
- Lausanne Genomic Technologies Facility, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Virginie Tacchini
- Department of Immunobiology, WHO Collaborative Center for Research and Training in Immunology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Tobias R. Shipley
- Department of Immunobiology, WHO Collaborative Center for Research and Training in Immunology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Lady Giovanna Ramírez
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas, CIDEIM, Cali 760031, Colombia
- Universidad Icesi, Cali 760031, Colombia
| | - Julien Marquis
- Lausanne Genomic Technologies Facility, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olga Lucía Fernández
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas, CIDEIM, Cali 760031, Colombia
- Universidad Icesi, Cali 760031, Colombia
| | - Nancy Gore Saravia
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas, CIDEIM, Cali 760031, Colombia
- Universidad Icesi, Cali 760031, Colombia
| | - Fabienne Tacchini-Cottier
- Department of Immunobiology, WHO Collaborative Center for Research and Training in Immunology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
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Nieto-Meneses R, Castillo R, Hernández-Campos A, Nogueda-Torres B, López-Villegas EO, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Matadamas-Martínez F, Yépez-Mulia L. Characterization of the Effect of N-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1 H-benzimidazol-2-amine, Compound 8, against Leishmania mexicana and Its In Vivo Leishmanicidal Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:659. [PMID: 38203832 PMCID: PMC10779428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy currently available for leishmaniasis treatment has many adverse side effects and drug resistance. Therefore, the identification of new targets and the development of new drugs are urgently needed. Previously, we reported the synthesis of a N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine, named compound 8, with an IC50 value in the micromolar range against L. mexicana, it also inhibited 68.27% the activity of recombinant L. mexicana arginase. Herein, we report studies carried out to characterize the mechanism of action of compound 8, as well as its in vivo leishmanicidal activity. It was shown in our ultrastructural studies that compound 8 induces several changes, such as membrane blebbing, the presence of autophagosomes, membrane detachment and mitochondrial and kinetoplast disorganization, among others. Compound 8 triggers the production of ROS and parasite apoptosis. It reduced 71% of the parasite load of L. mexicana in an experimental model of cutaneous leishmaniasis in comparison with a control. Altogether, the data obtained suggest the potential use of compound 8 in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Nieto-Meneses
- Departamento de Parasitología, ENCB-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (R.N.-M.); (B.N.-T.)
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias-UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Rafael Castillo
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (R.C.); (A.H.-C.)
| | - Alicia Hernández-Campos
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (R.C.); (A.H.-C.)
| | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Departamento de Parasitología, ENCB-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (R.N.-M.); (B.N.-T.)
| | | | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico;
| | - Félix Matadamas-Martínez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias-UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Lilián Yépez-Mulia
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias-UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
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Rebouças-Silva J, Amorim NA, Jesus-Santos FH, de Lima JA, Lima JB, Berretta AA, Borges VM. Leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory properties of Brazilian green propolis extract (EPP-AF ®) and a gel formulation in a pre-clinical model. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1013376. [PMID: 36843932 PMCID: PMC9949379 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1013376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a widespread group of neglected vector-borne tropical diseases that possess serious therapeutic limitations. Propolis has been extensively used in traditional medical applications due to its range of biological effects, including activity against infectious agents. Here we evaluated the leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory properties of Brazilian green propolis extract (EPP-AF®) and a gel formulation incorporating EPP-AF®, in both in vitro and in vivo models of Leishmania amazonensis infection. Propolis extract, obtained from a standardized blend following hydroalcoholic extraction, showed the characteristic fingerprint of Brazilian green propolis as confirmed by HPLC/DAD. A carbopol 940 gel formulation was obtained containing propolis glycolic extract at 3.6% w/w. The release profile, assessed using the Franz diffusion cell protocol, demonstrated a gradual and prolonged release of p-coumaric acid and artepillin C from the carbomer gel matrix. Quantification of p-coumaric acid and artepillin C in the gel formulation over time revealed that p-coumaric acid followed the Higuchi model, dependent on the disintegration of the pharmaceutical preparation, while artepillin C followed a zero-order profile with sustained release. In vitro analysis revealed the ability of EPP-AF® to reduce the infection index of infected macrophages (p < 0.05), while also modulating the production of inflammatory biomarkers. Decreases in nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 levels were observed (p < 0.01), suggesting low iNOS and COX-2 activity. Furthermore, EPP-AF® treatment was found to induce heme oxygenase-1 antioxidant enzyme expression in both uninfected and L. amazonensis-infected cells, as well as inhibit IL-1β production in infected cells (p < 0.01). ERK-1/2 phosphorylation was positively correlated with TNF-α production (p < 0.05), yet no impact on parasite load was detected. In vivo analysis indicated the effectiveness of topical treatment with EPP-AF® gel alone (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01), or in combination with pentavalent antimony (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001), in the reduction of lesion size in the ears of L. amazonensis-infected BALB/c mice after seven or 3 weeks of treatment, respectively. Taken together, the present results reinforce the leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory effects of Brazilian green propolis, and demonstrate promising potential for the EPP-AF® propolis gel formulation as a candidate for adjuvant therapy in the treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Rebouças-Silva
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Biomarkers, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil,Faculty of Medicine of Bahia, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Nathaly Alcazar Amorim
- Laboratory of Research, Development and Innovation, Apis Flora Industrial e Comercial Ltda, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flávio Henrique Jesus-Santos
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Biomarkers, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil,Faculty of Medicine of Bahia, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Aparecida de Lima
- Laboratory of Research, Development and Innovation, Apis Flora Industrial e Comercial Ltda, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Andresa A. Berretta
- Laboratory of Research, Development and Innovation, Apis Flora Industrial e Comercial Ltda, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil,*Correspondence: Andresa A. Berretta, ; Valéria M. Borges,
| | - Valéria M. Borges
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Biomarkers, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil,Faculty of Medicine of Bahia, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil,*Correspondence: Andresa A. Berretta, ; Valéria M. Borges,
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