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Mahor H, Mukherjee A, Sarkar A, Saha B. Anti-leishmanial therapy: Caught between drugs and immune targets. Exp Parasitol 2023; 245:108441. [PMID: 36572088 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108441] [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: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is an enigmatic disease that has very restricted options for chemotherapy and none for prophylaxis. As a result, deriving therapeutic principles for curing the disease has been a major objective in Leishmania research for a long time. Leishmania is a protozoan parasite that lives within macrophages by subverting or switching cell signaling to the pathways that ensure its intracellular survival. Therefore, three groups of molecules aimed at blocking or eliminating the parasite, at least, in principle, include blockers of macrophage receptor- Leishmania ligand interaction, macrophage-activating small molecules, peptides and cytokines, and signaling inhibitors or activators. Macrophages also act as an antigen-presenting cell, presenting antigen to the antigen-specific T cells to induce activation and differentiation of the effector T cell subsets that either execute or suppress anti-leishmanial functions. Three groups of therapeutic principles targeting this sphere of Leishmania-macrophage interaction include antibodies that block pro-leishmanial response of T cells, ligands that activate anti-leishmanial T cells and the antigens for therapeutic vaccines. Besides these, prophylactic vaccines have been in clinical trials but none has succeeded so far. Herein, we have attempted to encompass all these principles and compose a comprehensive review to analyze the feasibility and adoptability of different therapeutics for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hima Mahor
- National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Arka Mukherjee
- Trident Academy of Creative Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Arup Sarkar
- Trident Academy of Creative Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Bhaskar Saha
- National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India; Trident Academy of Creative Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751024, Odisha, India.
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2
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Santos FA, Cruz GS, Vieira FA, Queiroz BR, Freitas CD, Mesquita FP, Souza PF. Systematic Review of Antiprotozoal Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides. Acta Trop 2022; 236:106675. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Robles-Loaiza AA, Pinos-Tamayo EA, Mendes B, Teixeira C, Alves C, Gomes P, Almeida JR. Peptides to Tackle Leishmaniasis: Current Status and Future Directions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094400. [PMID: 33922379 PMCID: PMC8122823 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based drugs are an attractive class of therapeutic agents, recently recognized by the pharmaceutical industry. These molecules are currently being used in the development of innovative therapies for diverse health conditions, including tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis. Despite its socioeconomic influence on public health, leishmaniasis remains long-neglected and categorized as a poverty-related disease, with limited treatment options. Peptides with antileishmanial effects encountered to date are a structurally heterogeneous group, which can be found in different natural sources—amphibians, reptiles, insects, bacteria, marine organisms, mammals, plants, and others—or inspired by natural toxins or proteins. This review details the biochemical and structural characteristics of over one hundred peptides and their potential use as molecular frameworks for the design of antileishmanial drug leads. Additionally, we detail the main chemical modifications or substitutions of amino acid residues carried out in the peptide sequence, and their implications in the development of antileishmanial candidates for clinical trials. Our bibliographic research highlights that the action of leishmanicidal peptides has been evaluated mainly using in vitro assays, with a special emphasis on the promastigote stage. In light of these findings, and considering the advances in the successful application of peptides in leishmaniasis chemotherapy, possible approaches and future directions are discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto A. Robles-Loaiza
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena 150150, Ecuador; (A.A.R.-L.); (E.A.P.-T.)
| | - Edgar A. Pinos-Tamayo
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena 150150, Ecuador; (A.A.R.-L.); (E.A.P.-T.)
| | - Bruno Mendes
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-862, Brazil;
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (C.T.); (C.A.); (P.G.)
| | - Cláudia Alves
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (C.T.); (C.A.); (P.G.)
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (C.T.); (C.A.); (P.G.)
| | - José R. Almeida
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena 150150, Ecuador; (A.A.R.-L.); (E.A.P.-T.)
- Correspondence:
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Jiang R, Lu XJ, Lu JF, Chen J. Characterization of ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) urocortin: The function of an endocrine factor in monocyte/macrophage regulation. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 117:103978. [PMID: 33338518 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Urocortin (UCN) is a hormone in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that is expressed in various immune cells. However, the function of teleost UCN in the immune system remains unclear. In this study, we cloned the cDNA sequence of UCN from ayu Plecoglossus altivelis (PaUCN). Sequence and phylogenetic tree analyses showed that PaUCN clustered within the fish UCN 1 group and was most related to the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) UCN. PaUCN was expressed in all tested tissues and its expression increased in the liver, spleen, head kidney, and gill upon Vibrio anguillarum infection. Mature PaUCN protein (mPaUCN) treatment affected the phagocytosis and bacterial killing of monocytes/macrophages (MO/MФ). mPaUCN reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in MO/MФ, which was partially mediated via interaction with ayu interleukin-6. mPaUCN reduced bacterial load and increased the survival of V. anguillarum-infected ayu. Overall, UCN as an endocrine factor regulates the immune response of ayu after infection by activating MO/MФ, thus contributing to enhance fish survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Xin-Jiang Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), China.
| | - Jian-Fei Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Jiong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
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Pitale DM, Kaur G, Baghel M, Kaur KJ, Shaha C. Halictine-2 antimicrobial peptide shows promising anti-parasitic activity against Leishmania spp. Exp Parasitol 2020; 218:107987. [PMID: 32891601 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107987] [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] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Leishmania spp. causes leishmaniases, a group of diseases creating serious health problems in many parts of the world with significant resistance to existing drugs. Insect derived antimicrobial peptides are promising alternatives to conventional drugs against several human disease-causing pathogens because they do not generate resistance. Halictine-2, a novel antimicrobial peptide from the venom of eusocial honeybee, Halictus sexcinctus showed significant anti-leishmanial activity in vitro, towards two life forms of the dimorphic parasite, the free-swimming infective metacyclic promastigotes and the intracellular amastigotes responsible for the systemic infection. The anti-leishmanial activity of the native peptide (P5S) was significantly enhanced by serine to threonine substitution at position 5 (P5T). The peptide showed a propensity to form α-helices after substitution at position-5, conferring amphipathicity. Distinct pores observed on the promastigote membrane after P5T exposure suggested a mechanism of disruption of cellular integrity. Biochemical alterations in the promastigotes after P5T exposure included generation of increased oxygen radicals with mitochondrial Ca2+ release, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, reduction in total ATP content and increased mitochondrial mass, resulting in quick bioenergetic and chemiosmotic collapse leading to cell death characterized by DNA fragmentation. P5T was able to reduce intracellular amastigote burden in an in vitro model of Leishmania infection but did not alter the proinflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6. The ability of the P5T peptide to kill the Leishmania parasite with negligible haemolytic activity towards mouse macrophages and human erythrocytes respectively, demonstrates its potential to be considered as a future antileishmanial drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durgesh Manohar Pitale
- Cell Death and Differentiation Research Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Gagandeep Kaur
- Structural Biology Unit, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Madhu Baghel
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Kanwal J Kaur
- Structural Biology Unit, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Chandrima Shaha
- Cell Death and Differentiation Research Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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Chandrakar P, Gunaganti N, Parmar N, Kumar A, Singh SK, Rashid M, Wahajuddin M, Mitra K, Narender T, Kar S. β-Amino acid derivatives as mitochondrial complex III inhibitors of L. donovani: A promising chemotype targeting visceral leishmaniasis. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 182:111632. [PMID: 31499363 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
β-amino acids and their analogues are gathering increased attention not only because of their antibacterial and antifungal activity, but also for their use in designing peptidomimetics with increased oral bioavailability and resistance to metabolic degradation. In this study, a series of α-phenyl substituted chalcones, α-phenyl, β-amino substituted dihydrochalcones and β-amino acid derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antileishmanial efficacy against experimental visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Among all synthesized derivatives, 10c showed promising antileishmanial efficacy against both extracellular promastigote and intracellular amastigote (IC50 8.2 μM and 20.5 μM respectively) of L. donovani with negligible cytotoxic effect towards J774 macrophages and Vero cells. 10c effectively reduced spleen and liver parasite burden (>90%) in both hamster and Balb/c model of VL without any hepatotoxicity. In vitro pharmacokinetic analysis showed that 10c was stable in gastric fluid and plasma of Balb/c mice at 10 μg/ml. Further analysis of the molecular mechanism revealed that 10c entered into the parasite by depolarizing the plasma membrane rather than forming nonspecific pores and induced molecular events like loss in mitochondrial membrane potential with a gradual decline in ATP production. This, in turn, did not induce programmed cell death of the parasite; rather 10c induced bioenergetic collapse of the parasite by decreasing ATP synthesis through specific inhibition of mitochondrial complex III activity. Altogether, our results allude to the therapeutic potential of β-amino acid derivatives as novel antileishmanials, identifying them as lead compounds for further exploration in the design of potent candidates for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Chandrakar
- Parasitology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India
| | - Naresh Gunaganti
- Medicinal and Process Chemistry Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Naveen Parmar
- Parasitology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Medicinal and Process Chemistry Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Sandeep Kumar Singh
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India; Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Mamunur Rashid
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India; Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - M Wahajuddin
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India; Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Kalyan Mitra
- Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India
| | - Tadigopula Narender
- Medicinal and Process Chemistry Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India.
| | - Susanta Kar
- Parasitology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, BS-10/1, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India.
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Rodríguez-Carlos A, Martinez-Gutierrez F, Torres-Juarez F, Rivas-Santiago B. Antimicrobial Peptides-based Nanostructured Delivery Systems: An Approach for Leishmaniasis Treatment. Curr Pharm Des 2019; 25:1593-1603. [PMID: 31264542 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666190628152842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is a major health problem mainly in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide, although in the last decades it has been treated with the use of conventional drugs such as amphotericin, the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains has raised a warning signal to the public health systems thus a new call for the creation of new leishmanicidal drugs is needed. METHODS The goal of this review was to explore the potential use of antimicrobial peptides-based nanostructured delivery systems as an approach for leishmaniasis treatment. RESULTS Within these new potential drugs, human host defense peptides (HDP) can be included given their remarkable antimicrobial activity and their outstanding immunomodulatory functions for the therapy of leishmaniasis. CONCLUSION Though several approaches have been done using these peptides, new ways for delivering HDPs need to be analyzed, such is the case for nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Rodríguez-Carlos
- Medical Research Unit- Zacatecas-IMSS, Zacatecas, Mexico.,División de Medicina Molecular y Traslacional, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Mexico
| | - Fidel Martinez-Gutierrez
- Microbiology Laboratory, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, Alvaro Obregon 64, Centro 78300, San Luis, S.L.P, Mexico
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Zahedifard F, Lee H, No JH, Salimi M, Seyed N, Asoodeh A, Rafati S. Anti-leishmanial activity of Brevinin 2R and its Lauric acid conjugate type against L. major: In vitro mechanism of actions and in vivo treatment potentials. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007217. [PMID: 30811391 PMCID: PMC6411200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, as a major health problem in tropical and sub-tropical areas in the world, needs novel, safe, nontoxic and plausible therapeutic solutions for its control. As a part of innate immune system, natural antimicrobial peptides have a potential to be used as new generation of antibiotics especially after persistent resistance of conventional antimicrobial agents. Brevinin 2R, a member of Defensin families of host defense peptides, showed promising effects against bacterial and fungal infections as well as cancerous cell lines. In the current research, the anti-leishmanial effect of Brevinin 2R and its lauric acid conjugate was investigated against Leishmania major (L. major) parasite. The data revealed that, conjugation of fatty acid to Brevinin 2R, strengthen its effect on L. major promastigotes as well as toxicity and hemolytic effect. These peptides showed anitleishmanial activity through cell membrane disruption and changes in the electrical and mitochondrial membrane potential. No signs of apoptosis induction or caspase activation were detected. Despite its hemolytic and cytotoxic effect in in vitro conditions, lauric acid- Brevinin 2R (L- Brevinin 2R) did not show site specific adverse reactions in animal model. Treatment course with L- Brevinin 2R in the L. major infected mice exhibited decreased parasite load in the lymph nodes adjacent to the infected site despite cytokine production profile and footpad swelling data. Seeking novel drugs against leishmaniasis is a necessity due to inefficiency of current medications. Brevinin 2R, as a non-hemolytic natural antimicrobial peptide, was effective against vast majority of bacterial and fungal infections as well as cancerous cell lines. In this regard in the current study, the efficacy of Brevinin 2R and its lauric acid conjugate version were studied against L. major parasite growth inhibition at in vitro and in animal model. The results exhibited that, conjugation of fatty acid to Brevinin 2R exacerbated anti-leishmanial effect. L- Brevinin 2R resolved the promastigotes through membrane disruption and changes in the membrane and mitochondrial potential. Also, L- Brevinin 2R was able to limit successfully the parasite load in the lymph nodes of L. major infected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Zahedifard
- Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Leishmania Research Lab, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeryon Lee
- Leishmania Research Lab, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Hwan No
- Leishmania Research Lab, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Mona Salimi
- Physiology and Pharmacology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negar Seyed
- Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Asoodeh
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sima Rafati
- Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- * E-mail:
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Zadeh Mehrizi T, Shafiee Ardestani M, Haji Molla Hoseini M, Khamesipour A, Mosaffa N, Ramezani A. Novel Nanosized Chitosan-Betulinic Acid Against Resistant Leishmania Major and First Clinical Observation of such parasite in Kidney. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11759. [PMID: 30082741 PMCID: PMC6078985 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30103-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Regarding the antiparasitic effects of Betulinic acid (B) against Leishmaniasis, it was loaded into nanochitosan (K) for the first time in order to improve its therapeutic effects and decrease its side effects for the treatment of Leishmania major-infected Balb/c mice. Improvement the therapeutic efficacy of Bas an anti-leishmania agent through increasing the effective dose was achieved by using a novel solvent and phase separation method for K synthesis. The synthesized K with the size of 102 nm and Betulinic acid-nanochitosan (BK) with the size of 124 nm and drug loading efficiency of 93%, cellular uptake of 97.5% with the slow drug release pattern was prepared. To increase the therapeutic dose, a modified 10% acetic acid solvent was used. The in vitro and in vivo results showed that the nanodrug of BK was non toxic by 100% and BK20 mg/kg could completely performed the wound healing and inhibit the parasite in a large extent (P ˂ 0.001) compared to other groups. Therefore, BK could be considered as an alternative regimen for treatment of L. major.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mehdi Shafiee Ardestani
- Department of Radiopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mostafa Haji Molla Hoseini
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Khamesipour
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nariman Mosaffa
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amitis Ramezani
- Department of Clinical Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Mehrizi TZ, Ardestani MS, Khamesipour A, Hoseini MHM, Mosaffa N, Anissian A, Ramezani A. Reduction toxicity of Amphotericin B through loading into a novel nanoformulation of anionic linear globular dendrimer for improve treatment of leishmania major. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE. MATERIALS IN MEDICINE 2018; 29:125. [PMID: 30056571 DOI: 10.1007/s10856-018-6122-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Amphotericin B (A) as an antileishmanial drug has limited clinical application owing to severe side-effects and low-water solubility. This is the first study reported using Anionic Linear Globular Dendrimer (ALGD) as A carrier for the increase of A solubility rate, decrease its toxicity, and improve its therapeutic effects. ALGD was synthesized and A was loaded into nanoparticles for the first time with the drug-loading efficiency of 82%. Drug loading was confirmed using characterization methods. The drug solubility rate was increased by 478-folds. The results of the study showed that the A toxicity was significantly decreased by 95% in vitro and in vivo environments, which was confirmed by pathology findings and enzymatic evaluation. Furthermore, the nanodrug caused that mortality rate was reached to zero. Moreover, the nanodrug was as potent as the free drug and glucantime (GUL) in reducing the parasite burden and parasite number. These findings indicated the potency of ALGD to decrease the drug side-effects, increase the drug solubility rate, and improve the drug efficacy. Moreover, the nanoformulation was a non-toxic and cost-effective formulation. The conformity between in vitro and in vivo results suggested that the A-loaded ALGD could be considered as a promising candidate in reducing the side-effects of A in leishmaniasis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mehdi Shafiee Ardestani
- Department of Radiopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ali Khamesipour
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Haji Molla Hoseini
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nariman Mosaffa
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Anissian
- Veterinary Pathology Department, Islamic Azad University, Abhar branch, Abhar, Iran
| | - Amitis Ramezani
- Department of Clinical Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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11
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Zahedifard F, Rafati S. Prospects for antimicrobial peptide-based immunotherapy approaches in Leishmania control. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2018; 16:461-469. [PMID: 29889579 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2018.1483720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Leishmaniasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases and is highly endemic in many countries. Currently, there is no adequate human vaccine and treatment to control the disease. Areas covered: As a result of the failure of chemotherapy and toxicity, it is necessary to find another approach for the treatment of leishmaniasis. Recently, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), originating from natural resources, have attracted much attention for their use as a new antibiotics for many infectious and noninfectious diseases. Natural AMPs are named interchangeably as host defense peptides. They are naturally active in the innate immune system as a primary defense mechanism in most species all over the world. Several AMPs have been tested in in vitro and in vivo experiments against leishmaniasis. Expert commentary: Most AMPs require proper conformation to be active. Leishmania (L.) tarentolae as a nonpathogenic strain, is an effective tool not only for vaccine development but also for therapy. Recombinant L. tarentolae expressing selective or combined AMPs is a suggestive approach for leishmaniasis or any other infectious disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Zahedifard
- a Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research , Pasteur Institute of Iran , Tehran , Iran
| | - Sima Rafati
- a Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research , Pasteur Institute of Iran , Tehran , Iran
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Pathological Role and Diagnostic Value of Endogenous Host Defense Peptides in Adult and Neonatal Sepsis: A Systematic Review. Shock 2018; 47:673-679. [PMID: 27941592 DOI: 10.1097/shk.0000000000000815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sepsis is a systemic host response to an infection leading to organ failure. This is associated with dynamic expression of endogenous host defense peptides. Dysregulation of these peptides is associated with septic morbidity and mortality. METHODS We performed a systematic search of articles indexed in PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, EmBase, and Scopus database from inception to October 2016. Both preclinical and clinical studies investigating the role of host defense peptides in pathogenesis and as biomarkers for sepsis were included. RESULTS Of the available literature, cathelicidin, defensin, and hepcidin are among the best-characterized peptides. These regulate immune response, and crosstalk with pyroptosis and coagulation cascades. The applicability of these peptides as septic biomarkers has been investigated in vitro and in vivo studies. However, numerous studies were based on endotoxemia without an infection, jeopardizing interpretation of the outcomes. Cathelicidin and defensin were frequently reported in adult sepsis while hepcidin in neonatal sepsis. The expression level of these peptides is significantly associated with septic condition. Most of the studies employed a cross-sectional design, precluding the establishment of a temporal relationship between candidate peptide biomarkers and sepsis. CONCLUSIONS Innate defense peptides have been insufficiently evaluated as either diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. In the future, evaluation of host defense peptides as septic biomarkers may employ a longitudinal design and consider a panel of multiple peptides.
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Gonzalez-Rey E, Pedreño M, Delgado-Maroto V, Souza-Moreira L, Delgado M. Lulling immunity, pain, and stress to sleep with cortistatin. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2015; 1351:89-98. [PMID: 25951888 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cortistatin is a neuropeptide isolated from cortical brain regions, showing high structural homology and sharing many functions with somatostatin. However, cortistatin exerts unique functions in the central nervous and immune systems, including decreasing locomotor activity, inducing sleep-promoting effects, and deactivating inflammatory and T helper (TH )1/TH 17-driven responses in preclinical models of sepsis, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and colitis. Besides its release by cortical and hippocampal interneurons, cortistatin is produced by macrophages, lymphocytes, and peripheral nociceptive neurons in response to inflammatory stimuli, supporting a physiological role of cortistatin in the immune and nociceptive systems. Cortistatin-deficient mice have been shown to have exacerbated nociceptive responses to neuropathic and inflammatory pain sensitization. However, a paradoxical effect has been observed in studies of immune disorders, in which, despite showing competent inflammatory/autoreactive responses, cortistatin-deficient mice were partially resistant to systemic autoimmunity and inflammation. This unexpected phenotype was associated with elevated circulating glucocorticoids and anxiety-like behavior. These findings support cortistatin as a novel multimodal therapeutic approach to treat autoimmunity and clinical pain and identify it as a key endogenous component of the neuroimmune system related to stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Gonzalez-Rey
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine Lopez-Neyra, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Marta Pedreño
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine Lopez-Neyra, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Virginia Delgado-Maroto
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine Lopez-Neyra, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | | | - Mario Delgado
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine Lopez-Neyra, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Granada, Spain
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