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Attaway C, Mathison BA, Misra A. No longer stuck in the past: new advances in artificial intelligence and molecular assays for parasitology screening and diagnosis. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2024; 37:357-366. [PMID: 39133581 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000001041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Emerging technologies are revolutionizing parasitology diagnostics and challenging traditional methods reliant on microscopic analysis or serological confirmation, which are known for their limitations in sensitivity and specificity. This article sheds light on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and molecular assays in the field, promising more accurate and efficient detection methods. RECENT FINDINGS Artificial intelligence has emerged as a promising tool for blood and stool parasite review, when paired with comprehensive databases and expert oversight result in heightened specificity and sensitivity of diagnoses while also increasing efficiency. Significant strides have been made in nucleic acid testing for multiplex panels for enteric pathogen. Both multiplex and single target panels for Plasmodium , Babesia , filaria, and kinetoplastids have been developed and garnered regulatory approval, notably for blood donor screening in the United States. Additional technologies such as MALDI-TOF, metagenomics, flow cytometry, and CRISPR-Cas are under investigation for their diagnostic utility and are currently in the preliminary stages of research and feasibility assessment. SUMMARY Recent implementation of artificial intelligence and digital microscopy has enabled swift smear screening and diagnosis, although widespread implementation remains limited. Simultaneously, molecular assays - both targeted and multiplex panels are promising and have demonstrated promise in numerous studies with some assays securing regulatory approval recently. Additional technologies are under investigation for their diagnostic utility and are compelling avenues for future proof-of-concept diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Blaine A Mathison
- Scientist III, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, ARUP Laboratories, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Rostamighadi M, Kamelshahroudi A, Pitsitikas V, Jacobson KA, Salavati R. Pilot-Scale Screening of Clinically Approved Drugs to Identify Uridine Insertion/Deletion RNA Editing Inhibitors in Trypanosoma brucei. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:3289-3303. [PMID: 39118542 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00394] [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] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
RNA editing pathway is a validated target in kinetoplastid parasites (Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania spp.) that cause severe diseases in humans and livestock. An essential large protein complex, the editosome, mediates uridine insertion and deletion in RNA editing through a stepwise process. This study details the discovery of editosome inhibitors by screening a library of widely used human drugs using our previously developed in vitro biochemical Ribozyme Insertion Deletion Editing (RIDE) assay. Subsequent studies on the mode of action of the identified hits and hit expansion efforts unveiled compounds that interfere with RNA-editosome interactions and novel ligase inhibitors with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Docking studies on the ligase demonstrated similar binding characteristics for ATP and our novel epigallocatechin gallate inhibitor. The inhibitors demonstrated potent trypanocidal activity and are promising candidates for drug repurposing due to their lack of cytotoxic effects. Further studies are necessary to validate these targets using more definitive gene-editing techniques and to enhance the safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Rostamighadi
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3 V9, Canada
| | - Arezou Kamelshahroudi
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3 V9, Canada
| | - Vanessa Pitsitikas
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3 V9, Canada
| | - Kenneth A Jacobson
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, 9000, Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Reza Salavati
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3 V9, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal H3G 1Y6, Quebec, Canada
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Sadr S, Ahmadi Simab P, Niazi M, Yousefsani Z, Lotfalizadeh N, Hajjafari A, Borji H. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy on parasitic drug resistance. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2024; 22:435-451. [PMID: 38804866 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2024.2360684] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The emergence of antiparasitic drug resistance poses a concerning threat to animals and humans. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have been widely used to treat infections in humans, pets, and livestock. Although this is an emerging field of study, the current review outlines possible mechanisms and examines potential synergism in combination therapies and the possible harmful effects of such an approach. AREAS COVERED The present study delved into the latest pre-clinical research on utilizing MSCs to treat parasitic infections. As per investigations, the introduction of MSCs to patients grappling with parasitic diseases like schistosomiasis, malaria, cystic echinococcosis, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis has shown a reduction in parasite prevalence. This intervention also alters the levels of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, the combined administration of MSCs and antiparasitic drugs has demonstrated enhanced efficacy in combating parasites and modulating the immune response. EXPERT OPINION Mesenchymal stem cells are a potential solution for addressing parasitic drug resistance. This is mainly because of their remarkable immunomodulatory abilities, which can potentially help combat parasites' resistance to drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheil Sadr
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Pouria Ahmadi Simab
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Mahta Niazi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Zahra Yousefsani
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Narges Lotfalizadeh
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ashkan Hajjafari
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Borji
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
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Das N, Roy J, Patra B, Saunders E, Sarkar D, Goon S, Sinha BP, Roy S, Roy S, Sarif J, Bandopadhyay P, Barik S, Mukherjee S, McNamara N, Varghese S, Simpson K, Baell J, McConville M, Ganguly D, Talukdar A. Hit-to-lead optimization of 2-aminoquinazolines as anti-microbial agents against Leishmania donovani. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 269:116256. [PMID: 38461679 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116256] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a potentially fatal disease caused by infection by the intracellular protist pathogens Leishmania donovani or Leishmania infantum. Present therapies are ineffective because of high costs, variable efficacy against different species, the requirement for hospitalization, toxicity and drug resistance. Detailed analysis of previously published hit molecules suggested a crucial role of 'guanidine' linkage for their efficacy against L. donovani. Here we report the design of 2-aminoquinazoline heterocycle as a basic pharmacophore-bearing guanidine linkage. The introduction of various groups and functionality at different positions of the quinazoline scaffold results in enhanced antiparasitic potency with modest host cell cytotoxicity using a physiologically relevant THP-1 transformed macrophage infection model. In terms of the ADME profile, the C7 position of quinazoline was identified as a guiding tool for designing better molecules. The good ADME profile of the compounds suggests that they merit further consideration as lead compounds for treating visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmal Das
- Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
| | - Jayasree Roy
- IICB-Translational Research Unit of Excellence, Department of Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorders, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, CN6, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
| | - Binita Patra
- Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
| | - Eleanor Saunders
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology (Bio21), University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Dipika Sarkar
- Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
| | - Sunny Goon
- Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
| | - Bishnu Prasad Sinha
- IICB-Translational Research Unit of Excellence, Department of Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorders, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, CN6, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
| | - Shreya Roy
- IICB-Translational Research Unit of Excellence, Department of Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorders, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, CN6, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
| | - Swarnali Roy
- Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
| | - Jafar Sarif
- IICB-Translational Research Unit of Excellence, Department of Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorders, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, CN6, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
| | - Purbita Bandopadhyay
- IICB-Translational Research Unit of Excellence, Department of Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorders, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, CN6, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
| | - Subhasis Barik
- IICB-Translational Research Unit of Excellence, Department of Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorders, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, CN6, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
| | - Suravi Mukherjee
- IICB-Translational Research Unit of Excellence, Department of Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorders, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, CN6, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
| | - Nicole McNamara
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 2052, Australia
| | - Swapna Varghese
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 2052, Australia
| | - Kaylene Simpson
- Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Jonathan Baell
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 2052, Australia
| | - Malcolm McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology (Bio21), University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Dipyaman Ganguly
- IICB-Translational Research Unit of Excellence, Department of Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorders, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, CN6, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India.
| | - Arindam Talukdar
- Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India.
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Berhe H, Kumar Cinthakunta Sridhar M, Zerihun M, Qvit N. The Potential Use of Peptides in the Fight against Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:227. [PMID: 38399281 PMCID: PMC10892537 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020227] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are both neglected tropical diseases that affect millions of people around the world. Leishmaniasis is currently the second most widespread vector-borne parasitic disease after malaria. The World Health Organization records approximately 0.7-1 million newly diagnosed leishmaniasis cases each year, resulting in approximately 20,000-30,000 deaths. Also, 25 million people worldwide are at risk of Chagas disease and an estimated 6 million people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Pentavalent antimonials, amphotericin B, miltefosine, paromomycin, and pentamidine are currently used to treat leishmaniasis. Also, nifurtimox and benznidazole are two drugs currently used to treat Chagas disease. These drugs are associated with toxicity problems such as nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity, in addition to resistance problems. As a result, the discovery of novel therapeutic agents has emerged as a top priority and a promising alternative. Overall, there is a need for new and effective treatments for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, as the current drugs have significant limitations. Peptide-based drugs are attractive due to their high selectiveness, effectiveness, low toxicity, and ease of production. This paper reviews the potential use of peptides in the treatment of Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. Several studies have demonstrated that peptides are effective against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, suggesting their use in drug therapy for these diseases. Overall, peptides have the potential to be effective therapeutic agents against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, but more research is needed to fully investigate their potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nir Qvit
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel; (H.B.); (M.K.C.S.); (M.Z.)
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Sarfraz M, Bakht MA, Alshammari MS, Alrofaidi M, Alzahrani AR, Eltaib L, Asdaq SMB, Aba Alkhayl FF, Abida, Mohd Imran. Beyond traditional medications: exploring novel and potential inhibitors of trypanothione reductase (LmTr) of Leishmania parasites. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38213287 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2300062] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The trypanothione reductase enzyme, which neutralizes the reactive oxygen species produced inside the macrophages to kill the parasites, is one of the evasion strategies Leishmania uses to survive inside the cells. The vitality of the parasite depends on Leishmania major trypanothione reductase (LmTr), a NADPH-dependent flavoprotein oxidoreductase essential for thiol metabolism. Since this enzyme is distinct and lacking in humans, we focused on it in our study to screen for new inhibitors to combat leishmaniasis. Using the I-TASSER server, a three-dimensional model of LmTr was generated. The Autodock vina program was used in high-throughput virtual screening of the ZINC database. The top seven molecules were ranked according to their binding affinity. The compounds with the highest binding affinities and the right number of hydrogen bonds were chosen. These compounds may be effective at inhibiting the target enzyme's (LmTr) activity, making them new leishmaniasis treatments. These compounds may serve as a useful starting point for a hit-to-lead approach in the quest for new anti-Leishmania drugs that are more efficient and less cytotoxic. The average node degree is 5.09, the average local clustering coefficient is 0.868, and the PPI enrichment p-value is 8.9e-06, indicating that it is sufficiently connected to regulate the network. TRYR (LmTr protein) also interacts physically with ten additional proteins in the pathogenesis network. The findings of the study indicated that successfully suppressing the LmTr protein in vitro and in vivo may finally result in regulating the L. major pathogenesis.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sarfraz
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - M Afroz Bakht
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Humanity Studies, Prince Sattam Bin, Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Sanad Alshammari
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, Northern Border University, Rafha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Alrofaidi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Clinical Pharmacy, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah R Alzahrani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Abidiyah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lina Eltaib
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Faris F Aba Alkhayl
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abida
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohd Imran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha, Saudi Arabia
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Lima WG, Brito JCM, Verly RM, de Lima ME. Jelleine, a Family of Peptides Isolated from the Royal Jelly of the Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera), as a Promising Prototype for New Medicines: A Narrative Review. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:24. [PMID: 38251241 PMCID: PMC10819630 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010024] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The jelleine family is a group of four peptides (jelleines I-IV) originally isolated from the royal jelly of honey bee (Apis mellifera), but later detected in some honey samples. These oligopeptides are composed of 8-9 amino acid residues, positively charged (+2 to +3 at pH 7.2), including 38-50% of hydrophobic residues and a carboxamide C-terminus. Jelleines, generated by processing of the C-terminal region of major royal jelly proteins 1 (MRJP-1), play an important biological role in royal jelly conservation as well as in protecting bee larvae from potential pathogens. Therefore, these molecules present numerous benefits for human health, including therapeutic purposes as shown in preclinical studies. In this review, we aimed to evaluate the biological effects of jelleines in addition to characterising their toxicities and stabilities. Jelleines I-III have promising antimicrobial activity and low toxicity (LD50 > 1000 mg/Kg). However, jelleine-IV has not shown relevant biological potential. Jelleine-I, but not the other analogues, also has antiparasitic, healing, and pro-coagulant activities in addition to indirectly modulating tumor cell growth and controlling the inflammatory process. Although it is sensitive to hydrolysis by proteases, the addition of halogens increases the chemical stability of these molecules. Thus, these results suggest that jelleines, especially jelleine-I, are a potential target for the development of new, effective and safe therapeutic molecules for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Gustavo Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Medicina e Biomedicina, Faculdade de Saúde da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Avenida dos Andradas, 2688, Santa Efigênia, Belo Horizonte 30110-005, MG, Brazil;
| | - Julio Cesar Moreira Brito
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias (FUNED), Rua Conde Pereira Carneiro, 8, Gameleira, Belo Horizonte 30510-010, MG, Brazil;
| | - Rodrigo Moreira Verly
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Rodovia MGT 367, 5000, Auto da Jacuba, Diamantina 39100-000, MG, Brazil;
| | - Maria Elena de Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Medicina e Biomedicina, Faculdade de Saúde da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Avenida dos Andradas, 2688, Santa Efigênia, Belo Horizonte 30110-005, MG, Brazil;
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Rostamighadi M, Kamelshahroudi A, Mehta V, Zeng FY, Pass I, Chung TDY, Salavati R. High-throughput screening of compounds targeting RNA editing in Trypanosoma brucei: Novel molecular scaffolds with broad trypanocidal effects. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 219:115937. [PMID: 37995979 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115937] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial uridine insertion/deletion RNA editing, catalyzed by a multiprotein complex (editosome), is essential for gene expression in trypanosomes and Leishmania parasites. As this process is absent in the human host, a drug targeting this mechanism promises high selectivity and reduced toxicity. Here, we successfully miniaturized our FRET-based full-round RNA editing assay, which replicates the complete RNA editing process, adapting it into a 1536-well format. Leveraging this assay, we screened over 100,000 compounds against purified editosomes derived from Trypanosoma brucei, identifying seven confirmed primary hits. We sourced and evaluated various analogs to enhance the inhibitory and parasiticidal effects of these primary hits. In combination with secondary assays, our compounds marked inhibition of essential catalytic activities, including the RNA editing ligase and interactions of editosome proteins. Although the primary hits did not exhibit any growth inhibitory effect on parasites, we describe eight analog compounds capable of effectively killing T. brucei and/or Leishmania donovani parasites within a low micromolar concentration. Whether parasite killing is - at least in part - due to inhibition of RNA editing in vivo remains to be assessed. Our findings introduce novel molecular scaffolds with the potential for broad antitrypanosomal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Rostamighadi
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Arezou Kamelshahroudi
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Vaibhav Mehta
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Fu-Yue Zeng
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ian Pass
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Thomas D Y Chung
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Reza Salavati
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada.
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Ihedioha OC, Sivakoses A, Beverley SM, McMahon-Pratt D, Bothwell ALM. Leishmania major-derived lipophosphoglycan influences the host's early immune response by inducing platelet activation and DKK1 production via TLR1/2. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1257046. [PMID: 37885890 PMCID: PMC10598878 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1257046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Platelets are rapidly deployed to infection sites and respond to pathogenic molecules via pattern recognition receptors (TLR, NLRP). Dickkopf1 (DKK1) is a quintessential Wnt antagonist produced by a variety of cell types including platelets, endothelial cells, and is known to modulate pro-inflammatory responses in infectious diseases and cancer. Moreover, DKK1 is critical for forming leukocyte-platelet aggregates and induction of type 2 cell-mediated immune responses. Our previous publication showed activated platelets release DKK1 following Leishmania major recognition. Results Here we probed the role of the key surface virulence glycoconjugate lipophosphoglycan (LPG), on DKK1 production using null mutants deficient in LPG synthesis (Δlpg1- and Δlpg2-). Leishmania-induced DKK1 production was reduced to control levels in the absence of LPG in both mutants and was restored upon re-expression of the cognate LPG1 or LPG2 genes. Furthermore, the formation of leukocyte-platelet aggregates was dependent on LPG. LPG mediated platelet activation and DKK1 production occurs through TLR1/2. Conclusion Thus, LPG is a key virulence factor that induces DKK1 production from activated platelets, and the circulating DKK1 promotes Th2 cell polarization. This suggests that LPG-activated platelets can drive innate and adaptive immune responses to Leishmania infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia C. Ihedioha
- 1Department of Immunobiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Anutr Sivakoses
- 1Department of Immunobiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Stephen M. Beverley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St. Louis, MI, United States
| | - Diane McMahon-Pratt
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Alfred L. M. Bothwell
- 1Department of Immunobiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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Pacheco-Fernandez T, Markle H, Verma C, Huston R, Gannavaram S, Nakhasi HL, Satoskar AR. Field-Deployable Treatments For Leishmaniasis: Intrinsic Challenges, Recent Developments and Next Steps. Res Rep Trop Med 2023; 14:61-85. [PMID: 37492219 PMCID: PMC10364832 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s392606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease endemic primarily to low- and middle-income countries, for which there has been inadequate development of affordable, safe, and efficacious therapies. Clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis range from self-healing skin lesions to lethal visceral infection with chances of relapse. Although treatments are available, secondary effects limit their use outside the clinic and negatively impact the quality of life of patients in endemic areas. Other non-medicinal treatments, such as thermotherapies, are limited to use in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis but not with visceral infection. Recent studies shed light to mechanisms through which Leishmania can persist by hiding in cellular safe havens, even after chemotherapies. This review focuses on exploring the cellular niches that Leishmania parasites may be leveraging to persist within the host. Also, the cellular, metabolic, and molecular implications of Leishmania infection and how those could be targeted for therapeutic purposes are discussed. Other therapies, such as those developed against cancer or for manipulation of the ferroptosis pathway, are proposed as possible treatments against leishmaniasis due to their mechanisms of action. In particular, treatments that target hematopoietic stem cells and monocytes, which have recently been found to be necessary components to sustain the infection and provide a safe niche for the parasites are discussed in this review as potential field-deployable treatments against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Disease, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Hannah Markle
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Disease, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Chaitenya Verma
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA
| | - Ryan Huston
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Disease, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Disease, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Abhay R Satoskar
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA
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11
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Barazorda-Ccahuana HL, Goyzueta-Mamani LD, Candia Puma MA, Simões de Freitas C, de Sousa Vieria Tavares G, Pagliara Lage D, Ferraz Coelho EA, Chávez-Fumagalli MA. Computer-aided drug design approaches applied to screen natural product's structural analogs targeting arginase in Leishmania spp. F1000Res 2023; 12:93. [PMID: 37424744 PMCID: PMC10323282 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.129943.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a disease with high mortality rates and approximately 1.5 million new cases each year. Despite the new approaches and advances to fight the disease, there are no effective therapies. Methods: Hence, this study aims to screen for natural products' structural analogs as new drug candidates against leishmaniasis. We applied Computer-aided drug design (CADD) approaches, such as virtual screening, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, molecular mechanics-generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) binding free estimation, and free energy perturbation (FEP) aiming to select structural analogs from natural products that have shown anti-leishmanial and anti-arginase activities and that could bind selectively against the Leishmania arginase enzyme. Results: The compounds 2H-1-benzopyran, 3,4-dihydro-2-(2-methylphenyl)-(9CI), echioidinin, and malvidin showed good results against arginase targets from three parasite species and negative results for potential toxicities. The echioidinin and malvidin ligands generated interactions in the active center at pH 2.0 conditions by MM-GBSA and FEP methods. Conclusions: This work suggests the potential anti-leishmanial activity of the compounds and thus can be further in vitro and in vivo experimentally validated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruna Luz Barazorda-Ccahuana
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria de Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Luis Daniel Goyzueta-Mamani
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria de Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru
- Sustainable Innovative Biomaterials Department, Le Qara Research Center, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Mayron Antonio Candia Puma
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria de Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru
- Universidad Católica de Santa María, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Bioquímicas y Biotecnológicas, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Camila Simões de Freitas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Grasiele de Sousa Vieria Tavares
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela Pagliara Lage
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Antonio Ferraz Coelho
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Miguel Angel Chávez-Fumagalli
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria de Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru
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12
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Almeida JR, Gomes A, Mendes B, Aguiar L, Ferreira M, Brioschi MBC, Duarte D, Nogueira F, Cortes S, Salazar-Valenzuela D, Miguel DC, Teixeira C, Gameiro P, Gomes P. Unlocking the potential of snake venom-based molecules against the malaria, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis triad. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124745. [PMID: 37150376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124745] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Malaria, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are vector-borne protozoal infections with a disproportionately high impact on the most fragile societies in the world, and despite malaria-focused research gained momentum in the past two decades, both trypanosomiases and leishmaniases remain neglected tropical diseases. Affordable effective drugs remain the mainstay of tackling this burden, but toxicicty, inneficiency against later stage disease, and drug resistance issues are serious shortcomings. One strategy to overcome these hurdles is to get new therapeutics or inspiration in nature. Indeed, snake venoms have been recognized as valuable sources of biomacromolecules, like peptides and proteins, with antiprotozoal activity. This review highlights major snake venom components active against at least one of the three aforementioned diseases, which include phospholipases A2, metalloproteases, L-amino acid oxidases, lectins, and oligopeptides. The relevance of this repertoire of biomacromolecules and the bottlenecks in their clinical translation are discussed considering approaches that should increase the success rate in this arduous task. Overall, this review underlines how venom-derived biomacromolecules could lead to pioneering antiprotozoal treatments and how the drug landscape for neglected diseases may be revolutionized by a closer look at venoms. Further investigations on poorly studied venoms is needed and could add new therapeutics to the pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Rafael Almeida
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena 150150, Ecuador.
| | - Ana Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Bruno Mendes
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Tena 150150, Ecuador
| | - Luísa Aguiar
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Ferreira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | | | - Denise Duarte
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil.
| | - Fátima Nogueira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua Junqueira 100, P-1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Sofia Cortes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua Junqueira 100, P-1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - David Salazar-Valenzuela
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb) e Ingeniería en Biodiversidad y Recursos Genéticos, Facultad de Ciencias de Medio Ambiente, Universidad Indoamérica, Quito 170103, Ecuador.
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb) e Ingeniería en Biodiversidad y Recursos Genéticos, Facultad de Ciencias de Medio Ambiente, Universidad Indoamérica, Quito 170103, Ecuador.
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Gameiro
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, P-4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
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13
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Espinoza-Chávez R, Salerno A, Liuzzi A, Ilari A, Milelli A, Uliassi E, Bolognesi ML. Targeted Protein Degradation for Infectious Diseases: from Basic Biology to Drug Discovery. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2023; 3:32-45. [PMID: 37101607 PMCID: PMC10125329 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.2c00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is emerging as one of the most innovative strategies to tackle infectious diseases. Particularly, proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC)-mediated protein degradation may offer several benefits over classical anti-infective small-molecule drugs. Because of their peculiar and catalytic mechanism of action, anti-infective PROTACs might be advantageous in terms of efficacy, toxicity, and selectivity. Importantly, PROTACs may also overcome the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, anti-infective PROTACs might have the potential to (i) modulate "undruggable" targets, (ii) "recycle" inhibitors from classical drug discovery approaches, and (iii) open new scenarios for combination therapies. Here, we try to address these points by discussing selected case studies of antiviral PROTACs and the first-in-class antibacterial PROTACs. Finally, we discuss how the field of PROTAC-mediated TPD might be exploited in parasitic diseases. Since no antiparasitic PROTAC has been reported yet, we also describe the parasite proteasome system. While in its infancy and with many challenges ahead, we hope that PROTAC-mediated protein degradation for infectious diseases may lead to the development of next-generation anti-infective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío
Marisol Espinoza-Chávez
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salerno
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Anastasia Liuzzi
- Institute
of Molecular Biology and Pathology of the Italian National Research
Council (IBPM-CNR) - Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Ilari
- Institute
of Molecular Biology and Pathology of the Italian National Research
Council (IBPM-CNR) - Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Milelli
- Department
for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum
- University of Bologna, Corso d’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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14
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Sampaio RNR. Pharmacotherapy in leishmaniasis: old, new treatments, their impacts and expert opinion. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2023; 24:153-158. [PMID: 36503319 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2157208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raimunda Nonata Ribeiro Sampaio
- Dermatology Service of the University Hospital and Dermatomicology Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine (FM)- (UnB).,Postgraduate course in Medical Sciences at FM-UnB.,Postgraduate course in Health Sciences at Faculty of Health Sciences-UnB
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15
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Peña-Espinoza M, Romero-Uzqueda Y, Valente AH, de Roode M, Simonsen HT, Thamsborg SM, Williams AR, López-Muñoz R. Anti-protozoal activity and metabolomic analyses of Cichorium intybus L. against Trypanosoma cruzi. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 20:43-53. [PMID: 36037562 PMCID: PMC9440258 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, is a potentially life-threatening parasitic zoonosis infecting 6-7 million people worldwide, mainly in Latin America. Due to the limited numbers of drugs available against this neglected disease and their frequent adverse effects, novel anti-chagasic agents are urgently needed. Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) is a bioactive plant with potent activity against parasitic nematodes, but its effects on protozoans are poorly known and no studies have explored its trypanocidal potential. Here, we investigated the activity of C. intybus against extracellular and intracellular stages of T. cruzi, including the prediction of trypanocidal compounds by metabolomic analyses and bioactivity-based molecular networking. Purified C. intybus extracts were prepared from leaves and roots of five C. intybus cultivars (cv. 'Benulite', 'Goldine', 'Larigot', 'Maestoso' and 'Spadona'). All C. intybus extracts induced concentration-dependent effects against T. cruzi trypomastigotes. C. intybus leaf extracts had higher trypanocidal selectivity and lower cytotoxicity on mammalian cells than root extracts. The leaf extract of C. intybus cv. Goldine also significantly reduced the number of mammalian cells infected with T. cruzi amastigotes. Metabolomic and bioactivity-based molecular networking analyses revealed 11 compounds in C. intybus leaves strongly linked with activity against trypomastigotes, including the sesquiterpene lactone lactucin, and flavonoid- and fatty acid-derivatives. Furthermore, seven distinct C. intybus molecules (including two sesquiterpene lactone-derivatives) were predicted to be involved in reducing the number of mammalian cells infected with amastigotes. This is the first report of the anti-protozoal activity of C. intybus against trypanosomatid parasites and expands our understanding of the anti-parasitic effects of this plant and its bioactive metabolites. Further studies to elucidate the anti-protozoal compound(s) in C. intybus and their mode(s) of action will improve our knowledge of using this bioactive plant as a promising source of novel broad-spectrum anti-parasitic compounds with associated health benefits and biomedical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Peña-Espinoza
- Instituto de Farmacologia y Morfofisiologia, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Yeambell Romero-Uzqueda
- Instituto de Farmacologia y Morfofisiologia, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Angela H Valente
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | | | - Henrik T Simonsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Stig M Thamsborg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Andrew R Williams
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Rodrigo López-Muñoz
- Instituto de Farmacologia y Morfofisiologia, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
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16
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Drug Repurposing in Chagas Disease: Chloroquine Potentiates Benznidazole Activity against Trypanosoma cruzi
In Vitro
and
In Vivo. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0028422. [PMID: 36314800 PMCID: PMC9664849 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00284-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug combinations and drug repurposing have emerged as promising strategies to develop novel treatments for infectious diseases, including Chagas disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the repurposed drugs chloroquine (CQ) and colchicine (COL), known to inhibit
Trypanosoma cruzi
infection in host cells, could boost the anti-
T. cruzi
effect of the trypanocidal drug benznidazole (BZN), increasing its therapeutic efficacy while reducing the dose needed to eradicate the parasite. The combination of BZN and COL exhibited cytotoxicity to infected cells and low antiparasitic activity.
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17
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de Oliveira ADSS, Conrado GG, Grazzia N, Miguel DC, Franchi Júnior GC, Garcia VL. In Vitro Cytotoxic and Leishmanicidal Activity of Isolated and Semisynthetic ent-Pimaranes from Aldama arenaria. PLANTA MEDICA 2022; 88:1163-1174. [PMID: 34839466 DOI: 10.1055/a-1708-2081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Two pimaranes ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid (1: ) and ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-3β-ol (2: ), isolated from Aldama arenaria, and six semi-synthetic derivatives methyl ester of the ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid (3: ), ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-ol (4: ), acetate of ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-ol (5: ), ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-ol succinic acid (6: ), acetate of ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-3β-ol (7: ), ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-3β-ol succinic acid (8: ) were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activities to childhood leukemia cell lines and leishmanicidal activity against the parasite Leishmania amazonensis. Among these compounds, 1: to 6: presented moderate cytotoxic activity, with compound 4: being the most active (GI50 of 2.6 µM for the HL60 line) and the derivatives 7: and 8: being inactive. Against the parasite Leishmania amazonensis, the most promising derivative was the acetate of ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-ol (5: ), with EC50 of 20.1 µM, selectivity index of 14.5, and significant reduction in the parasite load. Pimarane analogues 1: , ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid, and 2: , ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-3β-ol, presented different activities, corroborating the application of such molecules as prototypes for the design of other derivatives that have greater cytotoxic or leishmanicidal potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana da Silva Santos de Oliveira
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas/SP, Brazil
- Division of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry of the Pluridisciplinary Research Center for Chemical, Biological, and Agricultural Research (CPQBA) of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Paulínia/SP, Brazil
| | - Gabrielly Galdino Conrado
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas/SP, Brazil
- Division of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry of the Pluridisciplinary Research Center for Chemical, Biological, and Agricultural Research (CPQBA) of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Paulínia/SP, Brazil
| | - Nathalia Grazzia
- Department of Animal Biology - Parasitology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas/SP, Brazil
| | - Danilo Ciccone Miguel
- Department of Animal Biology - Parasitology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas/SP, Brazil
| | | | - Vera Lúcia Garcia
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas/SP, Brazil
- Division of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry of the Pluridisciplinary Research Center for Chemical, Biological, and Agricultural Research (CPQBA) of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Paulínia/SP, Brazil
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18
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Brioschi MBC, Coser EM, Coelho AC, Gadelha FR, Miguel DC. Models for cytotoxicity screening of antileishmanial drugs: what has been done so far? Int J Antimicrob Agents 2022; 60:106612. [PMID: 35691601 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2022.106612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A growing number of studies have demonstrated the in vitro potential of an impressive number of antileishmanial candidates in the past years. However, the lack of uniformity regarding the choice of cell types for cytotoxicity assays may lead to uncomparable and inconclusive data. In vitro assays relying solely on non-phagocytic cell models may not represent a realistic result as the effect of an antileishmanial agent should ideally be presented based on its cytotoxicity profile against reticuloendothelial system cells. In the present review, we have assembled studies published in the scientific literature from 2015 to 2021 that explored leishmanicidal candidates, emphasising the main host cell models used for cytotoxicity assays. The pros and cons of different host cell types as well as primary cells and cell lines are discussed in order to draw attention to the need to establish standardised protocols for preclinical testing when assessing new antileishmanial candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana B C Brioschi
- Department of Animal Biology-Parasitology Section, Biology Institute, State University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth M Coser
- Department of Animal Biology-Parasitology Section, Biology Institute, State University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriano C Coelho
- Department of Animal Biology-Parasitology Section, Biology Institute, State University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda R Gadelha
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Biology Institute, State University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Department of Animal Biology-Parasitology Section, Biology Institute, State University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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19
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Hit-to-lead optimization of novel phenyl imidazole carboxamides that are active against Leishmania donovani. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 240:114577. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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20
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Harigua-Souiai E, Oualha R, Souiai O, Abdeljaoued-Tej I, Guizani I. Applied Machine Learning Toward Drug Discovery Enhancement: Leishmaniases as a Case Study. Bioinform Biol Insights 2022; 16:11779322221090349. [PMID: 35478992 PMCID: PMC9036323 DOI: 10.1177/11779322221090349] [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: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug discovery (DD) research is a complex field with a high attrition rate. Machine learning (ML) approaches combined to chemoinformatics are of valuable input to this field. We, herein, focused on implementing multiple ML algorithms that shall learn from different molecular fingerprints (FPs) of 65 057 molecules that have been identified as active or inactive against Leishmania major promastigotes. We sought to build a classifier able to predict whether a given molecule has the potential of being anti-leishmanial or not. Using the RDkit library, we calculated 5 molecular FPs of the molecules. Then, we implemented 4 ML algorithms that we trained and tested for their ability to classify the molecules into active/inactive classes based on their chemical structure, encoded by the molecular FPs. Best performers were random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM), while atom-pair and topology torsion FPs were the best embedding functions. Both models were further assessed on different stratification levels of the dataset and showed stable performances. At last, we used them to predict the potential of molecules within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs collection to present anti-Leishmania effects. We ranked these drugs according to their anti-Leishmanial probability and obtained in total seven anti-Leishmania agents, previously described in the literature, within the top 10 of each model. This validates the robustness of the approach, the algorithms, and FPs choices as well as the importance of the dataset size and content. We further engaged these molecules into reverse docking experiments on 3D crystal structures of seven well-studied Leishmania drug targets and could predict the molecular targets for 4 drugs. The results bring novel insights into anti-Leishmania compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emna Harigua-Souiai
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology-LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Rafeh Oualha
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology-LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Oussama Souiai
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BioMathematics and BioStatistics LR20IPT09, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ines Abdeljaoued-Tej
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BioMathematics and BioStatistics LR20IPT09, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Engineering School of Statistics and Information Analysis, University of Carthage, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Ikram Guizani
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology-LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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21
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Rosa LB, Galuppo C, Lima RLA, Fontes JV, Siqueira FS, Júdice WAS, Abbehausen C, Miguel DC. Antileishmanial activity and insights into the mechanisms of action of symmetric Au(I) benzyl and aryl-N-heterocyclic carbenes. J Inorg Biochem 2022; 229:111726. [PMID: 35065320 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2022.111726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania amazonensis and L. braziliensis are the main etiological agents of the American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL). Taking into account the limited effectiveness and high toxicity of the current drug arsenal to treat ATL, novel options are urgently needed. Inspired by the fact that gold-based compounds are promising candidates for antileishmanial drugs, we studied the biological action of a systematic series of six (1)-(6) symmetric Au(I) benzyl and aryl-N-heterocyclic carbenes. All compounds were active at low micromolar concentrations with 50% effective concentrations ranging from 1.57 to 8.30 μM against Leishmania promastigotes. The mesityl derivative (3) proved to be the best candidate from this series, with a selectivity index ~13 against both species. The results suggest an effect of the steric and electronic parameters of the N-substituent in the activity. Intracellular infections were drastically reduced after 24h of (2)-(5) incubation in terms of infection rate and amastigote burden. Further investigations showed that our compounds induced significant parasites' morphological alterations and membrane permeability. Also, (3) and (6) were able to reduce the residual activity of three Leishmania recombinant cysteine proteases, known as possible targets for Au(I) complexes. Our promising results open the possibility of exploring gold complexes as leishmanicidal molecules to be further screened in in vivo models of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia B Rosa
- Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Carolina Galuppo
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rochanna L A Lima
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Josielle V Fontes
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Fábio S Siqueira
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biochemical Research, University of Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi das Cruzes, SP, Brazil
| | - Wagner A S Júdice
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biochemical Research, University of Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi das Cruzes, SP, Brazil
| | - Camilla Abbehausen
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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22
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Silva-Silva JV, Moragas-Tellis CJ, Chagas MSS, Souza PVR, Moreira DL, Hardoim DJ, Taniwaki NN, Costa VFA, Bertho AL, Brondani D, Zapp E, de Oliveira AS, Calabrese KS, Behrens MD, Almeida-Souza F. Carajurin Induces Apoptosis in Leishmania amazonensis Promastigotes through Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Mitochondrial Dysfunction. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030331. [PMID: 35337130 PMCID: PMC8948652 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Carajurin is the main constituent of Arrabidaea chica species with reported anti-Leishmania activity. However, its mechanism of action has not been described. This study investigated the mechanisms of action of carajurin against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. Carajurin was effective against promastigotes with IC50 of 7.96 ± 1.23 μg.mL−1 (26.4 µM), and the cytotoxic concentration for peritoneal macrophages was 258.2 ± 1.20 μg.mL−1 (856.9 µM) after 24 h of treatment. Ultrastructural evaluation highlighted pronounced swelling of the kinetoplast with loss of electron-density in L. amazonensis promastigotes induced by carajurin treatment. It was observed that carajurin leads to a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (p = 0.0286), an increase in reactive oxygen species production (p = 0.0286), and cell death by late apoptosis (p = 0.0095) in parasites. Pretreatment with the antioxidant NAC prevented ROS production and significantly reduced carajurin-induced cell death. The electrochemical and density functional theory (DFT) data contributed to support the molecular mechanism of action of carajurin associated with the ROS generation, for which it is possible to observe a correlation between the LUMO energy and the electroactivity of carajurin in the presence of molecular oxygen. All these results suggest that carajurin targets the mitochondria in L. amazonensis. In addition, when assessed for its drug-likeness, carajurin follows Lipinski’’s rule of five, and the Ghose, Veber, Egan, and Muegge criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Victor Silva-Silva
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (J.V.S.-S.); (D.J.H.); (F.A.-S.)
| | - Carla J. Moragas-Tellis
- Laboratory of Natural Products for Public Health, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (C.J.M.-T.); (M.S.S.C.); (P.V.R.S.); (D.L.M.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Maria S. S. Chagas
- Laboratory of Natural Products for Public Health, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (C.J.M.-T.); (M.S.S.C.); (P.V.R.S.); (D.L.M.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Paulo Victor R. Souza
- Laboratory of Natural Products for Public Health, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (C.J.M.-T.); (M.S.S.C.); (P.V.R.S.); (D.L.M.); (M.D.B.)
- Postgraduate Program in Translational Research in Drugs and Medicines, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Davyson L. Moreira
- Laboratory of Natural Products for Public Health, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (C.J.M.-T.); (M.S.S.C.); (P.V.R.S.); (D.L.M.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Daiana J. Hardoim
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (J.V.S.-S.); (D.J.H.); (F.A.-S.)
| | - Noemi N. Taniwaki
- Electron Microscopy Nucleus, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Sao Paulo 01246-000, Brazil;
| | - Vanessa F. A. Costa
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (V.F.A.C.); (A.L.B.)
| | - Alvaro L. Bertho
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (V.F.A.C.); (A.L.B.)
- Flow Cytometry Technological Platform, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Daniela Brondani
- Research Group on Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (GPQMedBio), Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau 89036-002, Brazil; (D.B.); (E.Z.); (A.S.d.O.)
| | - Eduardo Zapp
- Research Group on Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (GPQMedBio), Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau 89036-002, Brazil; (D.B.); (E.Z.); (A.S.d.O.)
| | - Aldo Sena de Oliveira
- Research Group on Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (GPQMedBio), Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau 89036-002, Brazil; (D.B.); (E.Z.); (A.S.d.O.)
| | - Kátia S. Calabrese
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (J.V.S.-S.); (D.J.H.); (F.A.-S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-2562-1879
| | - Maria D. Behrens
- Laboratory of Natural Products for Public Health, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (C.J.M.-T.); (M.S.S.C.); (P.V.R.S.); (D.L.M.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Fernando Almeida-Souza
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Protozoology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (J.V.S.-S.); (D.J.H.); (F.A.-S.)
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science, State University of Maranhão, Sao Luis 65055-310, Brazil
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23
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Mendes B, Minori K, Consonni SR, Andrews NW, Miguel DC. Causative Agents of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis Are Able to Infect 3T3-L1 Adipocytes In Vitro. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:824494. [PMID: 35186797 PMCID: PMC8855065 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.824494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Although macrophages have long been considered key players in the course of Leishmania infections, other non-professional phagocytes have lately been shown to maintain low levels of the parasite in safe intracellular niches. Recently, it was demonstrated that the adipose tissue is capable of harboring Old World L. (L.) infantum in mice. However, there is no evidence of experimental adipocyte infection with New World Leishmania species so far. In addition, it was not known whether adipocytes would be permissive for formation of the unique, large and communal parasitophorous vacuoles that are typical of L. (L.) amazonensis in macrophages. Here we evaluated the ability of L. (L.) amazonensis and L. (V.) braziliensis promastigotes and amastigotes to infect 3T3-L1 fibroblast-derived adipocytes (3T3-Ad) using light and transmission electron microscopy. Our results indicate that amastigotes and promastigotes of both species were capable of infecting and surviving inside pre- and fully differentiated 3T3-Ad for up to 144 h. Importantly, L. (L.) amazonensis amastigotes resided in large communal parasitophorous vacuoles in pre-adipocytes, which appeared to be compressed between large lipid droplets in mature adipocytes. In parallel, individual L. (V.) braziliensis amastigotes were detected in single vacuoles 144 h post-infection. We conclude that 3T3-Ad may constitute an environment that supports low loads of viable parasites perhaps contributing to parasite maintenance, since amastigotes of both species recovered from these cells differentiated into replicative promastigotes. Our findings shed light on the potential of a new host cell model that can be relevant to the persistence of New World Leishmania species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mendes
- Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Karen Minori
- Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Silvio R. Consonni
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Norma W. Andrews
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Danilo C. Miguel
- Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Danilo C. Miguel,
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24
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dos Santos Varjão MT, Duarte AWF, Rosa LH, Alexandre-Moreira MS, de Queiroz AC. Leishmanicidal activity of fungal bioproducts: A systematic review. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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25
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Benítez D, Medeiros A, Quiroga C, Comini MA. A Simple Bioluminescent Assay for the Screening of Cytotoxic Molecules Against the Intracellular Form of Leishmania infantum. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2524:127-147. [PMID: 35821468 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2453-1_10] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This chapter describes a viability assay for the intracellular (amastigote) and clinically relevant form of Leishmania infantum that is based on the detection of bioluminescence (BL) signal. The assay uses a reporter cell line of L. infantum that expresses constitutively a redshifted luciferase from Photinus pyralis and murine macrophages (cell line J774.A1) as host cells for infection. The host cell line was selected because it is a differentiated cell line, easy to manipulate in vitro, and advantageous for ethical reasons. This chapter introduces an assay designed for the screening of bioactive compounds/molecules employing a 96-well microplate and a 24 h treatment. The assay setup shows excellent balance between simplicity (cell culture manipulation/infection and timing) and quality parameters, as well as potential to detect drug-like molecules acting in a fast and cytotoxic manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Benítez
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Andrea Medeiros
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Cristina Quiroga
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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26
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Etxebeste-Mitxeltorena M, Moreno E, Carvalheiro M, Calvo A, Navarro-Blasco I, González-Peñas E, Álvarez-Galindo JI, Plano D, Irache JM, Almeida AJ, Sanmartín C, Espuelas S. Oral Efficacy of a Diselenide Compound Loaded in Nanostructured Lipid Carriers in a Murine Model of Visceral Leishmaniasis. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:3197-3209. [PMID: 34767359 PMCID: PMC8675869 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis urgently needs new oral treatments, as it is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases that affects people with poor resources. The drug discovery pipeline for oral administration currently discards entities with poor aqueous solubility and permeability (class IV compounds in the Biopharmaceutical Classification System, BCS) such as the diselenide 2m, a trypanothione reductase (TR) inhibitor. This work was assisted by glyceryl palmitostearate and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether-based nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) to render 2m bioavailable and effective after its oral administration. The loading of 2m in NLC drastically enhanced its intestinal permeability and provided plasmatic levels higher than its effective concentration (IC50). In L. infantum-infected BALB/c mice, 2m-NLC reduced the parasite burden in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow by at least 95% after 5 doses, demonstrating similar efficacy as intravenous Fungizone. Overall, compound 2m and its formulation merit further investigation as an oral treatment for visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikel Etxebeste-Mitxeltorena
- Institute
of Tropical Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry,
School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University
of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Esther Moreno
- Institute
of Tropical Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry,
School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University
of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto
de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Manuela Carvalheiro
- Research
Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alba Calvo
- Institute
of Tropical Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry,
School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University
of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto
de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iñigo Navarro-Blasco
- Department
of Chemistry, School of Sciences, University
of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Elena González-Peñas
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and
Nutrition, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Daniel Plano
- Institute
of Tropical Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry,
School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University
of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto
de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan M. Irache
- Instituto
de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and
Nutrition, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Antonio J. Almeida
- Research
Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carmen Sanmartín
- Institute
of Tropical Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry,
School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University
of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto
de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Socorro Espuelas
- Institute
of Tropical Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry,
School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University
of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto
de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
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27
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Olías-Molero AI, de la Fuente C, Cuquerella M, Torrado JJ, Alunda JM. Antileishmanial Drug Discovery and Development: Time to Reset the Model? Microorganisms 2021; 9:2500. [PMID: 34946102 PMCID: PMC8703564 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by Leishmania species. The disease affects humans and animals, particularly dogs, provoking cutaneous, mucocutaneous, or visceral processes depending on the Leishmania sp. and the host immune response. No vaccine for humans is available, and the control relies mainly on chemotherapy. However, currently used drugs are old, some are toxic, and the safer presentations are largely unaffordable by the most severely affected human populations. Moreover, its efficacy has shortcomings, and it has been challenged by the growing reports of resistance and therapeutic failure. This manuscript presents an overview of the currently used drugs, the prevailing model to develop new antileishmanial drugs and its low efficiency, and the impact of deconstruction of the drug pipeline on the high failure rate of potential drugs. To improve the predictive value of preclinical research in the chemotherapy of leishmaniasis, several proposals are presented to circumvent critical hurdles-namely, lack of common goals of collaborative research, particularly in public-private partnership; fragmented efforts; use of inadequate surrogate models, especially for in vivo trials; shortcomings of target product profile (TPP) guides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Isabel Olías-Molero
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.O.-M.); (C.d.l.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Concepción de la Fuente
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.O.-M.); (C.d.l.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Montserrat Cuquerella
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.O.-M.); (C.d.l.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Juan J. Torrado
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - José M. Alunda
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.O.-M.); (C.d.l.F.); (M.C.)
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28
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Zulfiqar B, Avery VM. Assay development in leishmaniasis drug discovery: a comprehensive review. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2021; 17:151-166. [PMID: 34818139 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2002843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cutaneous, muco-cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis occur due to an infection with the protozoan parasite Leishmania. The current therapeutic options are limited mainly due to extensive toxicity, emerging resistance and variation in efficacy based on species and strain of the Leishmania parasite. There exists a high unmet medical need to identify new chemical starting points for drug discovery to tackle the disease. AREAS COVERED The authors have highlighted the recent progress, limitations and successes achieved in assay development for leishmaniasis drug discovery. EXPERT OPINION It is true that sophisticated and robust phenotypic in vitro assays have been developed during the last decade, however limitations and challenges remain with respect to variation in activity reported between different research groups and success in translating in vitro outcomes in vivo. The variability is not only due to strain and species differences but also a lack of well-defined criteria and assay conditions, e.g. culture media, host cell type, assay formats, parasite form used, multiplicity of infection and incubation periods. Thus, there is an urgent need for more physiologically relevant assays that encompass multi-species phenotypic approaches to identify new chemical starting points for leishmaniasis drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Zulfiqar
- Discovery Biology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.,Discovery Biology, Griffith University Drug Discovery Programme for Cancer Therapeutics, Brisbane, Australia.,School of Environment and Sciences, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
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29
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Peña-Guerrero J, Fernández-Rubio C, Burguete-Mikeo A, El-Dirany R, García-Sosa AT, Nguewa P. Discovery and Validation of Lmj_04_BRCT Domain, a Novel Therapeutic Target: Identification of Candidate Drugs for Leishmaniasis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910493. [PMID: 34638841 PMCID: PMC8508789 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Since many of the currently available antileishmanial treatments exhibit toxicity, low effectiveness, and resistance, search and validation of new therapeutic targets allowing the development of innovative drugs have become a worldwide priority. This work presents a structure-based drug discovery strategy to validate the Lmj_04_BRCT domain as a novel therapeutic target in Leishmania spp. The structure of this domain was explored using homology modeling, virtual screening, and molecular dynamics studies. Candidate compounds were validated in vitro using promastigotes of Leishmania major, L. amazonensis, and L. infantum, as well as primary mouse macrophages infected with L. major. The novel inhibitor CPE2 emerged as the most active of a group of compounds against Leishmania, being able to significantly reduce the viability of promastigotes. CPE2 was also active against the intracellular forms of the parasites and significantly reduced parasite burden in murine macrophages without exhibiting toxicity in host cells. Furthermore, L. major promastigotes treated with CPE2 showed significant lower expression levels of several genes (α-tubulin, Cyclin CYCA, and Yip1) related to proliferation and treatment resistance. Our in silico and in vitro studies suggest that the Lmj_04_BRCT domain and its here disclosed inhibitors are new potential therapeutic options against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Peña-Guerrero
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (J.P.-G.); (C.F.-R.); (A.B.-M.); (R.E.-D.)
| | - Celia Fernández-Rubio
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (J.P.-G.); (C.F.-R.); (A.B.-M.); (R.E.-D.)
| | - Aroia Burguete-Mikeo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (J.P.-G.); (C.F.-R.); (A.B.-M.); (R.E.-D.)
| | - Rima El-Dirany
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (J.P.-G.); (C.F.-R.); (A.B.-M.); (R.E.-D.)
| | - Alfonso T. García-Sosa
- Department of Molecular Technology, Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Correspondence: (A.T.G.-S.); (P.N.); Tel.: +372-737-5270 (A.T.G.-S.); +34-948-425-600 (ext. 6434) (P.N.)
| | - Paul Nguewa
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (J.P.-G.); (C.F.-R.); (A.B.-M.); (R.E.-D.)
- Correspondence: (A.T.G.-S.); (P.N.); Tel.: +372-737-5270 (A.T.G.-S.); +34-948-425-600 (ext. 6434) (P.N.)
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30
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Profiro de Oliveira JH, Arruda IES, Izak Ribeiro de Araújo J, Chaves LL, de La Rocca Soares MF, Soares-Sobrinho JL. Why do few drug delivery systems to combat neglected tropical diseases reach the market? An analysis from the technology's stages. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2021; 32:89-114. [PMID: 34424127 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2021.1970746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many drugs used to combat schistosomiasis, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis (SCL) have clinical limitations such as: high toxicity to the liver, kidneys and spleen; reproductive, gastrointestinal, and heart disorders; teratogenicity. In this sense, drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been described in the literature as a viable option for overcoming the limitations of these drugs. An analysis of the level of development (TRL) of patents can help in determine the steps that must be taken for promising technologies to reach the market. AREAS COVERED This study aimed to analyze the stage of development of DDSs for the treatment of SCL described in patents. In addition, we try to understand the main reasons why many DDSs do not reach the market. In this study, we examined DDSs for drugs indicated by WHO and treatment of SCL, by performing a search for patents. EXPERT OPINION In this present work we provide arguments that support the hypothesis that there is a lack of integration between academia and industry to finance and continue research, especially the development of clinical studies. We cite the translational research consortia as the potential alternative for developing DDSs to combat NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Luise Lopes Chaves
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Recife-Pernambuco
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31
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Hammill JT, Sviripa VM, Kril LM, Ortiz D, Fargo CM, Kim HS, Chen Y, Rector J, Rice AL, Domagalska MA, Begley KL, Liu C, Rangnekar VM, Dujardin JC, Watt DS, Landfear SM, Guy RK. Amino-Substituted 3-Aryl- and 3-Heteroarylquinolines as Potential Antileishmanial Agents. J Med Chem 2021; 64:12152-12162. [PMID: 34355566 PMCID: PMC8404201 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a disease caused by protozoa of the Leishmania species, afflicts roughly 12 million individuals worldwide. Most existing drugs for leishmaniasis are toxic, expensive, difficult to administer, and subject to drug resistance. We report a new class of antileishmanial leads, the 3-arylquinolines, that potently block proliferation of the intramacrophage amastigote form of Leishmania parasites with good selectivity relative to the host macrophages. Early lead 34 was rapidly acting and possessed good potency against L. mexicana (EC50 = 120 nM), 30-fold selectivity for the parasite relative to the macrophage (EC50 = 3.7 μM), and also blocked proliferation of Leishmania donovani parasites resistant to antimonial drugs. Finally, another early lead, 27, which exhibited reasonable in vivo tolerability, impaired disease progression during the dosing period in a murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis. These results suggest that the arylquinolines provide a fruitful departure point for the development of new antileishmanial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared T. Hammill
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
| | - Vitaliy M. Sviripa
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
- Center
for Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0596, United States
- Lucille
Parker Markey Cancer Center, University
of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0093, United States
| | - Liliia M. Kril
- Center
for Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0596, United States
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509, United States
| | - Diana Ortiz
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
| | - Corinne M. Fargo
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
| | - Ho Shin Kim
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
| | - Yizhe Chen
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
| | - Jonah Rector
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
| | - Amy L. Rice
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
| | - Malgorzata A. Domagalska
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical
Medicine, Nationalestraat, 155, Antwerpen 2000, Belgium
| | - Kristin L. Begley
- Center
for Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0596, United States
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509, United States
| | - Chunming Liu
- Lucille
Parker Markey Cancer Center, University
of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0093, United States
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509, United States
| | - Vivek M. Rangnekar
- Lucille
Parker Markey Cancer Center, University
of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0093, United States
- Department
of Radiation Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-9983, United States
- Graduate
Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0305, United States
| | - Jean-Claude Dujardin
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical
Medicine, Nationalestraat, 155, Antwerpen 2000, Belgium
| | - David S. Watt
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
- Center
for Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0596, United States
- Lucille
Parker Markey Cancer Center, University
of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0093, United States
- Department
of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509, United States
| | - Scott M. Landfear
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
| | - R. Kiplin Guy
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
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Davies-Bolorunduro O, Osuolale O, Saibu S, Adeleye I, Aminah N. Bioprospecting marine actinomycetes for antileishmanial drugs: current perspectives and future prospects. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07710. [PMID: 34409179 PMCID: PMC8361068 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Revived analysis interests in natural products in the hope of discovering new and novel antileishmanial drug leads have been driven partially by the increasing incidence of drug resistance. However, the search for novel chemotherapeutics to combat drug resistance had previously concentrated on the terrestrial environment. As a result, the marine environment was often overlooked. For example, actinomycetes are an immensely important group of bacteria for antibiotic production, producing two-thirds of the known antibiotics. However, these bacteria have been isolated primarily from terrestrial sources. Consequently, there have been revived efforts to discover new compounds from uncharted or uncommon environments like the marine ecosystem. Isolation, purification and structure elucidation of target compounds from complex metabolic extract are major challenges in natural products chemistry. As a result, marine-derived natural products from actinomycetes that have antileishmanial bioactivity potentials have been understudied. This review highlights metagenomic and bioassay approaches which could help streamline the drug discovery process thereby greatly reducing time and cost of dereplication to identify suitable antileishmanial drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- O.F. Davies-Bolorunduro
- Microbiology Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
- Postdoc Fellow Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, Komplek Kampus C, Jl. Mulyorejo, Surabaya, 60115, Indonesia
| | - O. Osuolale
- Applied Environmental Metagenomics and Infectious Diseases Research Group (AEMIDR), Department of Biological Sciences, Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Nigeria
| | - S. Saibu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - I.A. Adeleye
- Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - N.S. Aminah
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, Komplek Kampus C UNAIR, Jl. Mulyorejo, Surabaya, 60115, Indonesia
- Biotechnology of Tropical Medicinal Plants Research Group, Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia
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Mendes B, Proaño-Bolaños C, Gadelha FR, Almeida JR, Miguel DC. Cruzioseptins, antibacterial peptides from Cruziohyla calcarifer skin, as promising leishmanicidal agents. Pathog Dis 2021; 78:5905406. [PMID: 32926094 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftaa053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Screenings of natural products have significantly contributed to the discovery of novel leishmanicidal agents. In this study, three known cruzioseptins-antibacterial peptides from Cruziohyla calcarifer skin-were synthesized and evaluated against promastigotes and amastigotes stages of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis and L. (V.) braziliensis. EC50 ranged from 9.17 to 74.82 μM, being cruzioseptin-1 the most active and selective compound, with selectivity index > 10 for both promastigotes and amastigotes of L. (V.) braziliensis. In vitro infections incubated with cruzioseptins at 50 μM showed up to ∼86% reduction in the amastigote number. Cruzioseptins were able to destabilize the parasite's cell membrane, allowing the incorporation of a DNA-fluorescent dye. Our data also demonstrated that hydrophobicity and charge appear to be advantageous features for enhancing parasiticidal activity. Antimicrobial cruzioseptins are suitable candidates and alternative molecules that deserve further in vivo investigation focusing on the development of novel antileishmanial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mendes
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. CEP 13083-862
| | - Carolina Proaño-Bolaños
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador
| | - Fernanda R Gadelha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. CEP 13083-862
| | - José R Almeida
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. CEP 13083-862
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Gontijo VS, Colombo FA, Ferreira Espuri P, Freitas PGD, Nunes JB, Alves LB, Veloso MP, Alves RB, Freitas RP, Marques MJ. In vivo evaluation of anti-Leishmania activity of alkyltriazoles and alkylphosphocholines by oral route. Exp Parasitol 2021; 226-227:108123. [PMID: 34144040 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108123] [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: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The failures in the treatment of leishmaniasis is an increasing problem around the world, especially related to resistance. Thus, we describe the synthesis and in vivo anti-Leishmania activity of alkylphosphocholine and alkyltriazoles; besides, their likely action mechanisms stem from some eventual inhibition of parasite enzymes using computational tools. These compounds were tested in an in vivo hamster model infected with Leishmania Leishmania infantum chagasi. Fifty days after parasite inoculation, the two compounds 12-azidedodecylphosphocholine (3) and 3-(1-(12-fluorododecyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propano-1-ol (9), were separately administered once a day as oral suspensions (25 and 12.5 mg/kg/day, respectively) during ten days, and their efficacy was compared to the reference compound pentavalent antimonial Glucantime (GLU). Compound 3 significantly reduced the number of parasites in the spleen (4.93 × 102 amastigotes/g) and liver (4.52 × 103 amastigotes/g). Compound 9 reduced the number of amastigotes in the spleen to 1.30 × 104 and 1.36 × 103 amastigotes/g in the liver. GLU was the most effective overall treatment (7.50 × 101 and 2.28 × 102 amastigotes/g in the spleen and liver, respectively). The high activity levels of these compounds in vivo may stem from their high in vitro leishmanicidal activity and lipophilicity. The in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion studies also showed some anti-Leishmania potential. Compound 9 had more lipophilic characteristics than those of compound 3. In silico studies of the nine enzymes of compounds 3 and 9 showed significant evidence of interactions with nicotimidase and tyrosine aminotransferase, demonstrating possible inhibition enzymes present in L. (L.) infantum chagasi. These compounds could be a promising template for developing a new class of leishmanicidal agents, by oral route, and deserve further investigation to explore different therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Silva Gontijo
- Departamento de Química, ICEx, UFMG, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Fabio Antônio Colombo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700- Centro, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Ferreira Espuri
- Departamento de Patologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700- Centro, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Poliany Graziella de Freitas
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Simulação Computacional, MolMod-CS, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700- Centro, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Juliana Barbosa Nunes
- Laboratório de Patologia de Moléstias Infecciosas, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455. Cerqueira César, São Paulo, 01246-903, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Levy Bueno Alves
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Simulação Computacional, MolMod-CS, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700- Centro, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Márcia Paranho Veloso
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Simulação Computacional, MolMod-CS, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700- Centro, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Rosemeire Brondi Alves
- Departamento de Química, ICEx, UFMG, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Rossimiriam Pereira Freitas
- Departamento de Química, ICEx, UFMG, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Marcos José Marques
- Departamento de Patologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700- Centro, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
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Núñez MJ, Martínez ML, López-Arencibia A, Bethencourt-Estrella CJ, San Nicolás-Hernández D, Jiménez IA, Lorenzo-Morales J, Piñero JE, Bazzocchi IL. In Vitro Susceptibility of Kinetoplastids to Celastroloids from Maytenus chiapensis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e02236-20. [PMID: 33753334 PMCID: PMC8316137 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02236-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis and Chagas are among the most significant neglected tropical diseases. Due to several drawbacks with the current chemotherapy, developing new antikinetoplastid drugs has become an urgent issue. In the present work, a bioassay-guided investigation of the root bark of Maytenus chiapensis on Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi led to the identification of two D:A-friedo-nor-oleanane triterpenoids (celastroloids), 20β-hydroxy-tingenone (celastroloid 5) and 3-O-methyl-6-oxo-tingenol (celastroloid 8), as promising antikinetoplastid leads. They displayed higher potency on L. amazonensis promastigotes (50% inhibitory concentrations [IC50s], 0.44 and 1.12 μM, respectively), intracellular amastigotes (IC50s, 0.83 and 1.91 μM, respectively), and T. cruzi epimastigote stage (IC50s, 2.61 and 3.41 μM, respectively) than reference drugs miltefosine and benznidazole. This potency was coupled with an excellent selectivity index on murine macrophages. Mechanism of action studies, including mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and ATP-level analysis, revealed that celastroloids could induce apoptotic cell death in L. amazonensis triggered by the mitochondria. In addition, the structure-activity relationship is discussed. These findings strongly underline the potential of celastroloids as lead compounds to develop novel antikinetoplastid drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin J Núñez
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química y Farmacia, Universidad de El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
| | - Morena L Martínez
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química y Farmacia, Universidad de El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
| | - Atteneri López-Arencibia
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Carlos J Bethencourt-Estrella
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Desirée San Nicolás-Hernández
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Ignacio A Jiménez
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - José E Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Isabel L Bazzocchi
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
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Rosa LB, Aires RL, Oliveira LS, Fontes JV, Miguel DC, Abbehausen C. A "Golden Age" for the discovery of new antileishmanial agents: Current status of leishmanicidal gold complexes and prospective targets beyond the trypanothione system. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1681-1695. [PMID: 33615725 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected diseases worldwide and is considered a serious public health issue. The current therapeutic options have several disadvantages that make the search for new therapeutics urgent. Gold compounds are emerging as promising candidates based on encouraging in vitro and limited in vivo results for several AuI and AuIII complexes. The antiparasitic mechanisms of these molecules remain only partially understood. However, a few studies have proposed the trypanothione redox system as a target, similar to the mammalian thioredoxin system, pointed out as the main target for several gold compounds with significant antitumor activity. In this review, we present the current status of the investigation and design of gold compounds directed at treating leishmaniasis. In addition, we explore potential targets in Leishmania parasites beyond the trypanothione system, taking into account previous studies and structure modulation performed for gold-based compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia B Rosa
- Institute of Biology, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rochanna L Aires
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
| | - Laiane S Oliveira
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
| | - Josielle V Fontes
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Institute of Biology, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Camilla Abbehausen
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
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Discovery of a Novel Lineage Burkholderia cepacia ST 1870 Endophytically Isolated from Medicinal Polygala paniculata Which Shows Potent In Vitro Antileishmanial and Antimicrobial Effects. Int J Microbiol 2021; 2021:6618559. [PMID: 33679984 PMCID: PMC7904367 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6618559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we report the isolation and identification of an endophytic strain of Burkholderia cepacia (COPS strain) associated with Polygala paniculata roots. Polygala plants are rich sources of promising microbiomes, of which the literature reports several pharmacological effects, such as trypanocidal, antinociceptive, anesthetic, anxiolytics, and anticonvulsant activities. B. cepacia COPS belongs to a new sequence type (ST 1870) and harbors a genome estimated in 8.3 Mbp which exhibits the aminoglycosides and beta-lactams resistance genes aph(3′)-IIa and blaTEM-116, respectively. Analysis performed using MLST, average nucleotide identity, and digital DNA-DNA hybridization support its species-level identification and reveals its novel housekeeping genes alleles gyrB, lepA, and phaC. The root endophyte B. cepacia COPS drew our attention from a group of 14 bacterial isolates during the primary screening for being potentially active against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and exhibited the broad-spectrum activity against phytopathogenic fungi. In addition, COPS strain showed production of protease, lipase, and esterase in solid media, and its natural product extract showed potent inhibition against fungal plant pathogens, such as Moniliophthora perniciosa, whose antagonism index (89.32%) exceeded the positive control (74.17%), whereas Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Ceratocystis paradoxa showed high percentages of inhibition (85.53% and 82.69%, respectively). COPS crude extract also significantly inhibited S. epidermidis ATCC 35984, E. faecium ATCC 700221 (MIC values of 32 μg/mL for both), E. faecalis ATCC 29212 (64 μg/mL), and S. aureus ATCC 25923 (128 μg/mL). We observed moderate antagonistic activity against A. baumannii ATCC 19606 and E. coli ATCC 25922 (both at 512 μg/mL), as well as potent cytotoxic effects on Leishmania infantum and Leishmania major promastigote forms with 78.25% and 57.30% inhibition. In conclusion, this study presents for the first time the isolation of an endophytic B. cepacia strain associated with P. paniculata and enough evidence that these plants may be considered a rich source of microbes for the fight against neglected diseases.
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Abstract
Trypanothione is the primary thiol redox carrier in Trypanosomatids whose biosynthesis and utilization pathways contain unique enzymes that include suitable drug targets against the human parasites in this family. Overexpression of the rate-limiting enzyme, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GSH1), can increase the intracellular concentration of trypanothione. Melarsoprol directly inhibits trypanothione and has predicted the effects on downstream redox biology, including ROS management and dNTP synthesis that require further investigation. Thus, we hypothesized that melarsoprol treatment would inhibit DNA synthesis, which was tested using BrdU incorporation assays and cell cycle analyses. In addition, we analysed the effects of eflornithine, which interfaces with the trypanothione pathway, fexinidazole, because of the predicted effects on DNA synthesis, and pentamidine as an experimental control. We found that melarsoprol treatment resulted in a cell cycle stall and a complete inhibition of DNA synthesis within 24 h, which were alleviated by GSH1 overexpression. In contrast, the other drugs analysed had more subtle effects on DNA synthesis that were not significantly altered by GSH1 expression. Together these findings implicate DNA synthesis as a therapeutic target that warrants further investigation in the development of antitrypanosomal drugs.
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Rossi IV, Ferreira Nunes MA, Vargas-Otalora S, da Silva Ferreira TC, Cortez M, Ramirez MI. Extracellular Vesicles during TriTryps infection: Complexity and future challenges. Mol Immunol 2021; 132:172-183. [PMID: 33601226 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The trypanosomatid pathogens Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, and Trypanosoma brucei, currently grouped as TriTryps, have evolved through the time to overcome the upfront innate immune response and establish the infection in humans adapting many aspects of the parasite-cell host interaction. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) emerge as critical structures carrying different key molecules from parasites and target cells that interact continuously during infection. Current information regarding the structure and composition of these vesicles provide new insights into the primary role of TriTryps-EVs reviewed in this work. Expanding knowledge about these critical vesicular structures will promote advances in basic sciences and in translational applications controlling pathogenesis in the neglected tropical diseases caused by TriTryps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izadora Volpato Rossi
- Cell and Molecular Biology program, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Sandra Vargas-Otalora
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Mauro Cortez
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Marcel Ivan Ramirez
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
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Grazzia N, Boaventura S, Garcia VL, Gadelha FR, Miguel DC. Dihydroartemisinin, an active metabolite of artemisinin, interferes with Leishmania braziliensis mitochondrial bioenergetics and survival. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:705-713. [PMID: 33415404 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-07019-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected parasitic infections of the world and current therapeutic options show several limitations. In the search for more effective drugs, plant compounds represent a powerful natural source. Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone extracted from Artemisia annua L. leaves, from which dihydroartemisinin (DQHS) and artesunic acid (AA)/artesunate are examples of active derivatives. These lactones have been applied successfully on malaria therapy for decades. Herein, we investigated the sensitivity of Leishmania braziliensis, one of the most prevalent Leishmania species that cause cutaneous manifestations in the New World, to artemisinin, DQHS, and AA. L. braziliensis promastigotes and the stage that is targeted for therapy, intracelular amastigotes, were more sensitive to DQHS, showing EC50 of 62.3 ± 1.8 and 8.9 ± 0.9 μM, respectively. Cytotoxicity assays showed that 50% of bone marrow-derived macrophages cultures were inhibited with 292.8 ± 3.8 μM of artemisinin, 236.2 ± 4.0 μM of DQHS, and 396.8 ± 6.7 μM of AA. The control of intracellular infection may not be essentially attributed to the production of nitric oxide. However, direct effects on mitochondrial bioenergetics and H2O2 production appear to be associated with the leishmanicidal effect of DQHS. Our data provide support for further studies of artemisinin and derivatives repositioning for experimental leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia Grazzia
- Departamento de Biologia Animal - Parasitologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sinésio Boaventura
- Divisão de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Centro Pluridisciplinar de Pesquisas Químicas, Biológicas e Agrícolas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, UNICAMP, Paulínia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vera Lucia Garcia
- Divisão de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Centro Pluridisciplinar de Pesquisas Químicas, Biológicas e Agrícolas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, UNICAMP, Paulínia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda R Gadelha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Departamento de Biologia Animal - Parasitologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Luczywo A, Sauter IP, Silva Ferreira TC, Cortez M, Romanelli GP, Sathicq G, Asís SE. Microwave‐assisted synthesis of 2‐styrylquinoline‐4‐carboxylic acid derivatives to improve the toxic effect against
Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. J Heterocycl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jhet.4217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ayelen Luczywo
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Química Orgánica Universidad de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Ismael Pretto Sauter
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Interação Leishmania‐macrófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | - Thalita Camêlo Silva Ferreira
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Interação Leishmania‐macrófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | - Mauro Cortez
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Interação Leishmania‐macrófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | - Gustavo P. Romanelli
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas “Dr. Jorge J. Ronco” (CINDECA‐CONICET‐CCT‐La Plata) Universidad Nacional de La Plata La Plata Argentina
| | - Gabriel Sathicq
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas “Dr. Jorge J. Ronco” (CINDECA‐CONICET‐CCT‐La Plata) Universidad Nacional de La Plata La Plata Argentina
| | - Silvia E. Asís
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Química Orgánica Universidad de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires Argentina
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Effect of DODAB Nano-Sized Cationic Bilayer Fragments against Leishmania amazonensis. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25235741. [PMID: 33291367 PMCID: PMC7730371 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) is a double-chained cationic lipid with potent bactericide and fungistatic activities; however, its toxicity on protozoan parasites is still unknown. Here, we show the antileishmanial activity of DODAB nano-sized cationic bilayer fragments on stationary-phase promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis, the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Upon treatment with DODAB, we analyzed the parasite surface zeta-potential, parasite viability, cellular structural modifications, and intracellular proliferation. The DODAB cytotoxic effect was dose-dependent, with a median effective concentration (EC50) of 25 µM for both life-cycle stages, comparable to the reported data for bacteria and fungi. The treatment with DODAB changed the membrane zeta-potential from negative to positive, compromised the parasite's morphology, affected the cell size regulation, caused a loss of intracellular organelles, and probably dysregulated the plasma membrane permeability without membrane disruption. Moreover, the parasites that survived after treatment induced small parasitophorous vacuoles and failed to proliferate inside macrophages. In conclusion, DODAB displayed antileishmanial activity, and it remains to be elucidated how DODAB acts on the protozoan membrane. Understanding this mechanism can provide insights into the development of new parasite-control strategies.
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Sánchez-Suárez J, Bernal FA, Coy-Barrera E. Colombian Contributions Fighting Leishmaniasis: A Systematic Review on Antileishmanials Combined with Chemoinformatics Analysis. Molecules 2020; 25:E5704. [PMID: 33287235 PMCID: PMC7730898 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic morbid/fatal disease caused by Leishmania protozoa. Twelve million people worldwide are appraised to be currently infected, including ca. two million infections each year, and 350 million people in 88 countries are at risk of becoming infected. In Colombia, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a public health problem in some tropical areas. Therapeutics is based on traditional antileishmanial drugs, but this practice has several drawbacks for patients. Thus, the search for new antileishmanial agents is a serious need, but the lack of adequately funded research programs on drug discovery has hampered its progress. Some Colombian researchers have conducted different research projects focused on the assessment of the antileishmanial activity of naturally occurring and synthetic compounds against promastigotes and/or amastigotes. Results of such studies have separately demonstrated important hits and reasonable potential, but a holistic view of them is lacking. Hence, we present the outcome from a systematic review of the literature (under PRISMA guidelines) on those Colombian studies investigating antileishmanials during the last thirty-two years. In order to combine the general efforts aiming at finding a lead against Leishmania panamensis (one of the most studied and incident parasites in Colombia causing CL) and to recognize structural features of representative compounds, fingerprint-based analyses using conventional machine learning algorithms and clustering methods are shown. Abstraction from such a meta-description led to describe some function-determining molecular features and simplify the clustering of plausible isofunctional hits. This systematic review indicated that the Colombian efforts for the antileishmanials discovery are increasingly intensified, though improvements in the followed pathways must be definitively pursued. In this context, a brief discussion about scope, strengths and limitations of such advances and relationships is addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeysson Sánchez-Suárez
- Bioprospecting Research Group, School of Engineering, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía 250001, Colombia;
| | - Freddy A. Bernal
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cajicá 250247, Colombia;
| | - Ericsson Coy-Barrera
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cajicá 250247, Colombia;
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Minori K, Rosa LB, Bonsignore R, Casini A, Miguel DC. Comparing the Antileishmanial Activity of Gold(I) and Gold(III) Compounds in L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis in Vitro. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:2146-2150. [PMID: 32830445 PMCID: PMC7756297 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A series of mononuclear coordination or organometallic AuI /AuIII complexes (1-9) have been comparatively studied in vitro for their antileishmanial activity against promastigotes and amastigotes, the clinically relevant parasite form, of Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis. One of the cationic AuI bis-N-heterocyclic carbenes (3) has low EC50 values (ca. 4 μM) in promastigotes cells and no toxicity in host macrophages. Together with two other AuIII complexes (6 and 7), the compound is also extremely effective in intracellular amastigotes from L. amazonensis. Initial mechanistic studies include an evaluation of the gold complexes' effect on L. amazonensis' plasma membrane integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Minori
- Department of Animal Biology, Biology InstituteUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)Rua Monteiro Lobato, 25513083-862.CampinasSPBrazil
| | - Letícia B. Rosa
- Department of Animal Biology, Biology InstituteUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)Rua Monteiro Lobato, 25513083-862.CampinasSPBrazil
| | - Riccardo Bonsignore
- Department of ChemistryTechnical University of Munich (TUM)Lichtenbergstraße 485748Garching b. MünchenGermany
| | - Angela Casini
- Department of ChemistryTechnical University of Munich (TUM)Lichtenbergstraße 485748Garching b. MünchenGermany
| | - Danilo C. Miguel
- Department of Animal Biology, Biology InstituteUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)Rua Monteiro Lobato, 25513083-862.CampinasSPBrazil
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Ebiloma GU, Ichoron N, Siheri W, Watson DG, Igoli JO, De Koning HP. The Strong Anti-Kinetoplastid Properties of Bee Propolis: Composition and Identification of the Active Agents and Their Biochemical Targets. Molecules 2020; 25:E5155. [PMID: 33167520 PMCID: PMC7663965 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The kinetoplastids are protozoa characterized by the presence of a distinctive organelle, called the kinetoplast, which contains a large amount of DNA (kinetoplast DNA (kDNA)) inside their single mitochondrion. Kinetoplastids of medical and veterinary importance include Trypanosoma spp. (the causative agents of human and animal African Trypanosomiasis and of Chagas disease) and Leishmania spp. (the causative agents of the various forms of leishmaniasis). These neglected diseases affect millions of people across the globe, but drug treatment is hampered by the challenges of toxicity and drug resistance, among others. Propolis (a natural product made by bees) and compounds isolated from it are now being investigated as novel treatments of kinetoplastid infections. The anti-kinetoplastid efficacy of propolis is probably a consequence of its reported activity against kinetoplastid parasites of bees. This article presents a review of the reported anti-kinetoplastid potential of propolis, highlighting its anti-kinetoplastid activity in vitro and in vivo regardless of geographical origin. The mode of action of propolis depends on the organism it is acting on and includes growth inhibition, immunomodulation, macrophage activation, perturbation of the cell membrane architecture, phospholipid disturbances, and mitochondrial targets. This gives ample scope for further investigations toward the rational development of sustainable anti-kinetoplastid drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godwin U. Ebiloma
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK;
| | - Nahandoo Ichoron
- Phytochemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi 2373, Nigeria; (N.I.) (J.O.I.)
| | - Weam Siheri
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK; (W.S.), (D.G.W.)
| | - David G. Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK; (W.S.), (D.G.W.)
| | - John O. Igoli
- Phytochemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi 2373, Nigeria; (N.I.) (J.O.I.)
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK; (W.S.), (D.G.W.)
| | - Harry P. De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
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Batista FAH, Ramos SL, Tassone G, Leitão A, Montanari CA, Botta M, Mori M, Borges JC. Discovery of small molecule inhibitors of Leishmania braziliensis Hsp90 chaperone. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2020; 35:639-649. [PMID: 32048531 PMCID: PMC7034072 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2020.1726342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease caused by the protozoa Leishmania ssp. Environmental differences found by the parasites in the vector and the host are translated into cellular stress, leading to the production of heat shock proteins (Hsp). These are molecular chaperones involved in the folding of nascent proteins as well as in the regulation of gene expression, signalling events and proteostasis. Since Leishmania spp. use Hsp90 to trigger important transitions between their different stages of the life cycle, this protein family becomes a profitable target in anti-parasite drug discovery. In this work, we implemented a multidisciplinary strategy coupling molecular modelling with in vitro assays to identify small molecules able to inhibit Hsp90 from L. braziliensis (LbHsp90). Overall, we identified some compounds able to kill the promastigote form of the L. braziliensis, and to inhibit LbHsp90 ATPase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda A H Batista
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC), University of São Paulo (USP), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Sérgio L Ramos
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC), University of São Paulo (USP), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Giusy Tassone
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy - Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Medicinal Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), IQSC-USP, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Montanari
- Medicinal Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), IQSC-USP, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Maurizio Botta
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy - Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.,Lead Discovery Siena S.r., Siena, Italy.,Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy - Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Júlio C Borges
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC), University of São Paulo (USP), São Carlos, Brazil
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A Trypanosoma brucei ORFeome-Based Gain-of-Function Library Identifies Genes That Promote Survival during Melarsoprol Treatment. mSphere 2020; 5:5/5/e00769-20. [PMID: 33028684 PMCID: PMC7568655 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00769-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei is an early branching protozoan parasite that causes human and animal African trypanosomiasis. Forward genetics approaches are powerful tools for uncovering novel aspects of trypanosomatid biology, pathogenesis, and therapeutic approaches against trypanosomiasis. Here, we have generated a T. brucei cloned ORFeome consisting of >90% of the targeted 7,245 genes and used it to make an inducible gain-of-function parasite library broadly applicable to large-scale forward genetic screens. We conducted a proof-of-principle genetic screen to identify genes whose expression promotes survival in melarsoprol, a critical drug of last resort. The 57 genes identified as overrepresented in melarsoprol survivor populations included the gene encoding the rate-limiting enzyme for the biosynthesis of an established drug target (trypanothione), validating the tool. In addition, novel genes associated with gene expression, flagellum localization, and mitochondrion localization were identified, and a subset of those genes increased melarsoprol resistance upon overexpression in culture. These findings offer new insights into trypanosomatid basic biology, implications for drug targets, and direct or indirect drug resistance mechanisms. This study generated a T. brucei ORFeome and gain-of-function parasite library, demonstrated the library's usefulness in forward genetic screening, and identified novel aspects of melarsoprol resistance that will be the subject of future investigations. These powerful genetic tools can be used to broadly advance trypanosomatid research.IMPORTANCE Trypanosomatid parasites threaten the health of more than 1 billion people worldwide. Because their genomes are highly diverged from those of well-established eukaryotes, conservation is not always useful in assigning gene functions. However, it is precisely among the trypanosomatid-specific genes that ideal therapeutic targets might be found. Forward genetics approaches are an effective way to identify novel gene functions. We used an ORFeome approach to clone a large percentage of Trypanosoma brucei genes and generate a gain-of-function parasite library. This library was used in a genetic screen to identify genes that promote resistance to the clinically significant yet highly toxic drug melarsoprol. Hits arising from the screen demonstrated the library's usefulness in identifying known pathways and uncovered novel aspects of resistance mediated by proteins localized to the flagellum and mitochondrion. The powerful new genetic tools generated herein are expected to promote advances in trypanosomatid biology and therapeutic development in the years to come.
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Giordana L, Nowicki C. Two phylogenetically divergent isocitrate dehydrogenases are encoded in Leishmania parasites. Molecular and functional characterization of Leishmania mexicana isoenzymes with specificity towards NAD + and NADP .. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 240:111320. [PMID: 32980452 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites are of great relevance to public health because they are the causative agents of various long-term and health-threatening diseases in humans. Dependent on the manifestation, drugs either require difficult and lengthy administration, are toxic, expensive, not very effective or have lost efficacy due to the resistance developed by these pathogens against clinical treatments. The intermediary metabolism of Leishmania parasites is characterized by several unusual features, among which whether the Krebs cycle operates in a cyclic and/or in a non-cyclic mode is included. Our survey of the genomes of Leishmania species and monoxenous parasites such as those of the genera Crithidia and Leptomonas (http://www.tritrypdb.org) revealed that two genes encoding putative isocitrate dehydrogenases (IDHs) -with distantly related sequences- are strictly conserved among these parasites. Thus, in this study, we aimed to functionally characterize the two leishmanial IDH isoenzymes, for which we selected the genes LmxM10.0290 (Lmex_IDH-90) and LmxM32.2550 (Lmex_IDH-50) from L. mexicana. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Lmex_IDH-50 clustered with members of Subfamily I, which contains mainly archaeal and bacterial IDHs, and that Lmex_IDH-90 was a close relative of eukaryotic enzymes comprised within Subfamily II IDHs. 3-D homology modeling predicted that both IDHs exhibited the typical folding motifs recognized as canonical for prokaryotic and eukaryotic counterparts, respectively. Both IDH isoforms displayed dual subcellular localization, in the cytosol and the mitochondrion. Kinetic studies showed that Lmex_IDH-50 exclusively catalyzed the reduction of NAD+, while Lmex_IDH-90 solely used NADP+ as coenzyme. Besides, Lmex_IDH-50 differed from Lmex_IDH-90 by exhibiting a nearly 20-fold lower apparent Km value towards isocitrate (2.0 μM vs 43 μM). Our findings showed, for the first time, that the genus Leishmania differentiates not only from other trypanosomatids such as Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei, but also from most living organisms, by exhibiting two functional homo-dimeric IDHs, highly specific towards NAD+ and NADP+, respectively. It is tempting to argue that any or both types of IDHs might be directly or indirectly linked to the Krebs cycle and/or to the de novo synthesis of glutamate. Our results about the biochemical and structural features of leishmanial IDHs show the relevance of deepening our knowledge of the metabolic processes in these pathogenic parasites to potentially identify new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucila Giordana
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB-CONICET), Junín 956, C1113AAD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristina Nowicki
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB-CONICET), Junín 956, C1113AAD, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Joshi J, Bandral C, Manchanda RK, Khurana A, Nayak D, Kaur S. The Effect of Iodium 30c on Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis. HOMEOPATHY 2020; 109:213-223. [PMID: 32823292 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is one of several neglected tropical diseases that warrant serious attention. A disease of socio-economically poor people, it demands safer and cheaper drugs that help to overcome the limitations faced by the existing anti-leishmanials. Complementary or traditional medicines might be a good option, with an added advantage that resistance may not develop against these drugs. Thus, the present investigation was performed to evaluate the anti-leishmanial efficacy of an ultra-diluted homeopathic medicine (Iodium 30c) in experimental visceral leishmaniasis (VL). METHODS Compliant with strict ethical standards in animal experimentation, the study was performed in-vivo in inbred BALB/c mice which were injected intravenously with 1 × 107 promastigotes of Leishmania donovani before (therapeutic) or after (prophylactic) treatment with Iodium 30c for 30 days. In other groups of mice (n = 6 per group), amphotericin B served as positive control, infected animals as the disease control, while the naïve controls included normal animals; animals receiving only Iodium 30c or Alcohol 30c served as sham controls. The anti-leishmanial efficacy was assessed by determining the hepatic parasite load and analysing percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Biochemical analysis and histological studies were performed to check any toxicities. RESULTS Iodium-treated animals showed a significantly reduced parasite load (to 1503 ± 39 Leishman Donovan Units, LDU) as compared with the infected controls (4489 ± 256 LDU) (p < 0.05): thus, the mean therapeutic efficacy of Iodium 30c was 66.5%. In addition, the population of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was significantly increased (p < 0.05) after treatment. No toxicity was observed, as evidenced from biochemical and histopathological studies of the liver and kidneys. Efficacy of Iodium 30c prophylaxis was 58.3%, while the therapeutic efficacy of amphotericin B was 85.9%. CONCLUSION This original study has shown that Iodium 30c had significant impact in controlling parasite replication in experimental VL, though the effect was less than that using standard pharmaceutical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Joshi
- Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Chetna Bandral
- Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Raj Kumar Manchanda
- Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Anil Khurana
- Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Debadatta Nayak
- Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Sukhbir Kaur
- Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
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50
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Meshram RJ, Shirsath A, Aouti S, Bagul K, Gacche RN. Molecular modeling and simulation study of homoserine kinase as an effective leishmanial drug target. J Mol Model 2020; 26:218. [PMID: 32720228 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-020-04473-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a tropical neglected disease that imposes major health concerns in many endemic countries worldwide and requires urgent attention to the identification of new drug targets as well as drug candidates. In the current study, we propose homoserine kinase (HSK) inhibition as a strategy to induce pathogen mortality via generating threonine deficiency. We introduce a homology-based molecular model of leishmanial HSK that appears to possess all conserved structural as well as functional features in the GHMP kinase family. Furthermore, 200 ns molecular dynamics data of the enzyme in open and closed state attempts to provide the mechanistic details involved in the substrate as well as phosphate binding to this enzyme. We discuss the structural and functional significance of movements involved in various loops (motif 1, 2, 3) and lips (upper and lower) in the transition of leishmanial HSK from closed to open state. Virtual screening data of more than 40,000 compounds from the present investigation tries to identify a few potential HSK inhibitors that possess important features to act as efficient HSK inhibitors. These compounds can be considered an effective starting point for the identification of novel drug-like scaffolds. We hope the structural wealth that is offered in this report will be utilized in designing competent experimental and therapeutic interventions for leishmaniasis management. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan J Meshram
- Bioinformatics Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India.
| | - Akshay Shirsath
- Bioinformatics Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India
| | - Snehal Aouti
- Bioinformatics Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India
| | - Kamini Bagul
- Bioinformatics Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India
| | - Rajesh N Gacche
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India
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