Antigen presentation by macrophages harboring intravesicular pathogens

Immune Responses in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: In vitro Thelper1/Thelper2 Cytokine Profiles Using Live Versus Killed Leishmania major

Background

Recovery from cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) leads to protection against further lesion development. In contrast, vaccination using killed parasites does not induce enough protection; the reason(s) is not currently known but might be related to different immune response induced against live versus killed parasites. In this study, Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles of CL patients were evaluated against live versus killed Leishmania major.

Methods

In this study peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the volunteers with active CL lesion (CL), history of CL (HCL) and healthy volunteers were cultured and stimulated with live or killed Leishmania major, the supernatants were collected and levels of IFN-γ, IL-5 and IL-10 were titrated using ELISA method.

Results

The results showed that IFN-γ levels in CL patients (p< 0.001) and HCL volunteers (p< 0.005) are significantly higher when stimulated with live than stimulated with killed L. major. IFN-γ production in PBMC volunteers with CL and HCL stimulated with live or heat-killed L. major was significantly (p< 0.001) higher than in unstimulated ones. The level of IL-5 in CL patients (p< 0.005) and HCL volunteers (p< 0.001) are significantly lower when stimulated with live than killed L. major. There was no significant difference between the levels of IL-10 in PBMC stimulated with either live or killed L. major.

Conclusion

It is concluded that using live Leishmania induces a stronger Th1 type of immune response which justify using leishmanization as a control measure against CL.

Comparative immune study on cutaneous leishmaniasis patients with single and multiple sores

Ninety-five Iraqi patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania tropica at AL-Karama Hospital in Baghdad were included in this study. Sixty patients were with single sore and the remaining with multiple sores. The study also included 10 atopic patients and 30 healthy individuals as a control group. Cellular and humoral immune response at different stages of the disease activity (early and late) were evaluated by estimation of serum IFN-γ, IL-4 and total IgE antibodies using ELISA kits while, the detection of specific anti leishmanial IgE antibodies was done manually. Specific IgE antibodies were only detected in early CL (<2 months) patients 68 (71.57 %) while, were not detected in late CL, atopic and healthy controls 30 (100 %). The results also showed a positive relationship between this antibody and the number of sores. Th-2 predominates during the early stage of the disease then shifts to Th-1 that proceed in the late stage, but both cytokines increased in CL patients in comparison to control group. The immune response of CL infection is possibly regulated by both Th-1 and Th-2. Multiple sores patients showed an increase of anti leishmanial IgE (0.120 ± 0.014), total IgE (120.7 ± 39.58 IU/ml), IFN-γ (87.4 ± 30.52 pg/ml) and IL-4 (63.70 ± 20.32 pg/ml) levels than single sore patients with mean value of 0.108 ± 0.14, 92.3 ± 35.23 IU/ml, 47.2 ± 27.80 pg/ml and 51.04 ± 15.0 pg/ml respectively. It can be presented also as ratio of INF-γ/IL-4 = 1.37 which is greater than those for single sore 0.9. These results indicated that the immune response of multiple sores patient's is higher than that with single sores.

Deception and manipulation: the arms of leishmania, a successful parasite

Leishmania spp. are intracellular parasitic protozoa responsible for a group of neglected tropical diseases, endemic in 98 countries around the world, called leishmaniasis. These parasites have a complex digenetic life cycle requiring a susceptible vertebrate host and a permissive insect vector, which allow their transmission. The clinical manifestations associated with leishmaniasis depend on complex interactions between the parasite and the host immune system. Consequently, leishmaniasis can be manifested as a self-healing cutaneous affliction or a visceral pathology, being the last one fatal in 85–90% of untreated cases. As a result of a long host–parasite co-evolutionary process, Leishmania spp. developed different immunomodulatory strategies that are essential for the establishment of infection. Only through deception and manipulation of the immune system, Leishmania spp. can complete its life cycle and survive. The understanding of the mechanisms associated with immune evasion and disease progression is essential for the development of novel therapies and vaccine approaches. Here, we revise how the parasite manipulates cell death and immune responses to survive and thrive in the shadow of the immune system.

Leishmania spp. Proteome Data Sets: A Comprehensive Resource for Vaccine Development to Target Visceral Leishmaniasis

Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected infectious disease caused primarily by Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum protozoan parasites. A significant number of infections take a fatal course. Drug therapy is available but still costly and parasites resistant to first line drugs are observed. Despite many years of trial no commercial vaccine is available to date. However, development of a cost effective, needle-independent vaccine remains a high priority. Reverse vaccinology has attracted much attention since the term has been coined and the approach tested by Rappuoli and colleagues. This in silico selection of antigens from genomic and proteomic data sets was also adapted to aim at developing an anti-Leishmania vaccine. Here, an analysis of the efforts is attempted and the challenges to be overcome by these endeavors are discussed. Strategies that led to successful identification of antigens will be illustrated. Furthermore, these efforts are viewed in the context of anticipated modes of action of effective anti-Leishmania immune responses to highlight possible advantages and shortcomings.

SARS-CoV regulates immune function-related gene expression in human monocytic cells

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pulmonary fibrosis, and monocytes/macrophages are the key players in the pathogenesis of SARS. In this study, we compared the transcriptional profiles of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-infected monocytic cells against that infected by coronavirus 229E (CoV-229E). Total RNA was extracted from infected DC-SIGN-transfected monocytes (THP-1-DC-SIGN) at 6 and 24 h after infection, and the gene expression was profiled in oligonucleotide-based microarrays. Analysis of immune-related gene expression profiles showed that at 24 h after SARS-CoV infection: (1) IFN-α/β-inducible and cathepsin/proteasome genes were downregulated; (2) hypoxia/hyperoxia-related genes were upregulated; and (3) TLR/TLR-signaling, cytokine/cytokine receptor-related, chemokine/chemokine receptor-related, lysosome-related, MHC/chaperon-related, and fibrosis-related genes were differentially regulated. These results elucidate that SARS-CoV infection regulates immune-related genes in monocytes/macrophages, which may be important to the pathogenesis of SARS.

Single dose novel Salmonella vaccine enhances resistance against visceralizing L. major and L. donovani infection in susceptible BALB/c mice

Visceral leishmaniasis is a major neglected tropical disease, with an estimated 500,000 new cases and more than 50,000 deaths attributable to this disease every year. Drug therapy is available but costly and resistance against several drug classes has evolved. Despite all efforts, no commercial, let alone affordable, vaccine is available to date. Thus, the development of cost effective, needle-independent vaccines is a high priority. Here, we have continued efforts to develop live vaccine carriers based on recombinant Salmonella. We used an in silico approach to select novel Leishmania parasite antigens from proteomic data sets, with selection criteria based on protein abundance, conservation across Leishmania species and low homology to host species. Five chosen antigens were differentially expressed on the surface or in the cytosol of Salmonella typhimurium SL3261. A two-step procedure was developed to select optimal Salmonella vaccine strains for each antigen, based on bacterial fitness and antigen expression levels. We show that vaccine strains of Salmonella expressing the novel Leishmania antigens LinJ08.1190 and LinJ23.0410 significantly reduced visceralisation of L. major and enhanced systemic resistance against L. donovani in susceptible BALB/c mice. The results show that Salmonella are valid vaccine carriers for inducing resistance against visceral leishmaniasis but that their use may not be suitable for all antigens.

Visceral leishmaniasis: immunology and prospects for a vaccine

Human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) is the most severe clinical form of a spectrum of neglected tropical diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Caused mainly by L. donovani and L. infantum/chagasi, HVL accounts for more than 50 000 deaths every year. Drug therapy is available but costly, and resistance against several drug classes has evolved. Here, we review our current understanding of the immunology of HVL and approaches to and the status of vaccine development against this disease.

Dynamic imaging of experimental Leishmania donovani-induced hepatic granulomas detects Kupffer cell-restricted antigen presentation to antigen-specific CD8 T cells

Kupffer cells (KCs) represent the major phagocytic population within the liver and provide an intracellular niche for the survival of a number of important human pathogens. Although KCs have been extensively studied in vitro, little is known of their in vivo response to infection and their capacity to directly interact with antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells. Here, using a combination of approaches including whole mount and thin section confocal microscopy, adoptive cell transfer and intra-vital 2-photon microscopy, we demonstrate that KCs represent the only detectable population of mononuclear phagocytes within granulomas induced by Leishmania donovani infection that are capable of presenting parasite-derived peptide to effector CD8(+) T cells. This restriction of antigen presentation to KCs within the Leishmania granuloma has important implications for the identification of new candidate vaccine antigens and for the design of novel immuno-therapeutic interventions.

The chimerical multi-component Q protein from Leishmania in the absence of adjuvant protects dogs against an experimental Leishmania infantum infection

The protective potential against Leishmania infection of the Leishmania chimerical Q protein administered as a single (Q) or double dose (Q+Q) without adjuvant was analyzed in a double-blind placebo controlled experiment in dogs. During vaccination the protein induced an intense early anti-Q response but no reactivity against total Leishmania infantum proteins was detected. Several end-points were taken into consideration. In the vaccinated animals the amount and intensity of clinical symptoms was lower than in the control group. Pathological signs of disease were observed in liver, kidney and spleen of all dogs from the control group in contrast to the normal appearance of the organs of the vaccinated animals. Vaccination was able to induce parasite clearance in most dogs. Only 1/7 dog was parasite DNA positive in skin in the Q group in contrast to 6/7 dogs in control and 4/7 in Q+Q. Significant anti-SLA clearance was observed in the vaccinated animals at the end of the study. Differences between control and vaccinated animals were also observed at the biochemical level, DTH and nitrite oxide production.

Qualitative differences in the early immune response to live and killed Leishmania major: Implications for vaccination strategies against Leishmaniasis

Recovery from natural or deliberate infection with Leishmania major leads to the development of lifelong immunity against rechallenge infections. In contrast, vaccination with killed parasites or defined leishmanial antigens generally induces only short-term protection. The reasons for this difference are currently not known but may be related to differences in the quality of the early immune responses to live and killed parasites. Here, we report that live and killed L. major parasites elicit comparable early inflammatory response as evidenced by influx and/or proliferation of cells in the draining lymph nodes (dLNs). In contrast, the early cytokine responses were qualitatively different. Cells from mice inoculated with killed parasites produced significantly more antigen-specific IL-4 and less IFN-gamma than those from mice injected with live parasites. Inclusion of CpG ODN into killed parasite preparations changed the early response to killed parasites from IL-4 to a predominantly IFN-gamma response, resulting in better protection following secondary high dose virulent L. major challenge. Interestingly, CpG-mediated enhancement of killed parasites-induced protection was short-lived and waned after 12 weeks. Taken together, these results suggest that the nature of primary immunity induced by killed and live parasites are qualitatively different and that these differences may account for the differential protection seen in mice following vaccination with live and killed parasites. They further suggest that modulating the early response with an appropriate adjuvant could enhance efficacy of killed parasite vaccines.

Proteomic analysis of the secretome of Leishmania donovani

Analysis of Leishmania-conditioned medium resulted in the identification of 151 proteins apparently secreted by the parasitic protozoan Leishmania donovani and suggested a vesicle-based secretion system.

Background

Leishmania and other intracellular pathogens have evolved strategies that support invasion and persistence within host target cells. In some cases the underlying mechanisms involve the export of virulence factors into the host cell cytosol. Previous work from our laboratory identified one such candidate leishmania effector, namely elongation factor-1α, to be present in conditioned medium of infectious leishmania as well as within macrophage cytosol after infection. To investigate secretion of potential effectors more broadly, we used quantitative mass spectrometry to analyze the protein content of conditioned medium collected from cultures of stationary-phase promastigotes of Leishmania donovani, an agent of visceral leishmaniasis.

Results

Analysis of leishmania conditioned medium resulted in the identification of 151 proteins apparently secreted by L. donovani. Ratios reflecting the relative amounts of each leishmania protein secreted, as compared to that remaining cell associated, revealed a hierarchy of protein secretion, with some proteins secreted to a greater extent than others. Comparison with an in silico approach defining proteins potentially exported along the classic eukaryotic secretion pathway suggested that few leishmania proteins are targeted for export using a classic eukaryotic amino-terminal secretion signal peptide. Unexpectedly, a large majority of known eukaryotic exosomal proteins was detected in leishmania conditioned medium, suggesting a vesicle-based secretion system.

Conclusion

This analysis shows that protein secretion by L. donovani is a heterogeneous process that is unlikely to be determined by a classical amino-terminal secretion signal. As an alternative, L. donovani appears to use multiple nonclassical secretion pathways, including the release of exosome-like microvesicles.

In vivo recognition of ovalbumin expressed by transgenic Leishmania is determined by its subcellular localization

The importance of the site of Ag localization within microbial pathogens for the effective generation of CD8+ T cells has been studied extensively, generally supporting the view that Ag secretion within infected target cells is required for optimal MHC class I-restricted Ag presentation. In contrast, relatively little is known about the importance of pathogen Ag localization for the activation of MHC class II-restricted CD4+ T cells, despite their clear importance for host protection. We have used the N-terminal targeting sequence of Leishmania major hydrophilic acylated surface protein B to generate stable transgenic lines expressing physiologically relevant levels of full-length OVA on the surface of metacyclic promastigotes and amastigotes. In addition, we have mutated the hydrophilic acylated surface protein B N-terminal acylation sequence to generate control transgenic lines in which OVA expression is restricted to the parasite cytosol. In vitro, splenic dendritic cells are able to present membrane-localized, but not cytosolic, OVA to OVA-specific DO.11 T cells. Strikingly and unexpectedly, surface localization of OVA is also a strict requirement for recognition by OVA-specific T cells (DO.11 and OT-II) and for the development of OVA-specific Ab responses in vivo. However, recognition of cytosolic OVA could be observed with increasing doses of infection. These data suggest that, even under in vivo conditions, where varied pathways of Ag processing are likely to operate, the site of Leishmania Ag localization is an important determinant of immunogenicity and hence an important factor when considering the likely candidacy of vaccine Ags for inducing CD4+ T cell-dependent immunity.

Antigen requirements for efficient priming of CD8+ T cells by Leishmania major-infected dendritic cells

CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell responses have been shown to be critical for the development and maintenance of acquired resistance to infections with the protozoan parasite Leishmania major. Monitoring the development of immunodominant or clonally restricted T-cell subsets in response to infection has been difficult, however, due to the paucity of known epitopes. We have analyzed the potential of L. major transgenic parasites, expressing the model antigen ovalbumin (OVA), to be presented by antigen-presenting cells to OVA-specific OT-II CD4(+) or OT-I CD8(+) T cells. Truncated OVA was expressed in L. major as part of a secreted or nonsecreted chimeric protein with L. donovani 3' nucleotidase (NT-OVA). Dendritic cells (DC) but not macrophages infected with L. major that secreted NT-OVA could prime OT-I T cells to proliferate and release gamma interferon. A diminished T-cell response was observed when DC were infected with parasites expressing nonsecreted NT-OVA or with heat-killed parasites. Inoculation of mice with transgenic parasites elicited the proliferation of adoptively transferred OT-I T cells and their recruitment to the site of infection in the skin. Together, these results demonstrate the possibility of targeting heterologous antigens to specific cellular compartments in L. major and suggest that proteins secreted or released by L. major in infected DC are a major source of peptides for the generation of parasite-specific CD8(+) T cells. The ability of L. major transgenic parasites to activate OT-I CD8(+) T cells in vivo will permit the analysis of parasite-driven T-cell expansion, differentiation, and recruitment at the clonal level.

Leishmania spp.: on the interactions they establish with antigen-presenting cells of their mammalian hosts

Identification of macrophages as host cells for the mammalian stage of Leishmania spp. traces back to about 40 years ago, but many questions concerning the ways these parasites establish themselves in these cells, which are endowed with potent innate microbicidal mechanisms, are still unanswered. It is known that microbicidal activities of macrophages can be enhanced or induced by effector T lymphocytes following the presentation of antigens via MHC class I or class II molecules expressed at the macrophage plasma membrane. However, Leishmania spp. have evolved mechanisms to evade or to interfere with antigen presentation processes, allowing parasites to partially resist these T cell-mediated immune responses. Recently, the presence of Leishmania amastigotes within dendritic cells has been reported suggesting that they could also be host cells for these parasites. Dendritic cells have been described as the only cells able to induce the activation of naive T lymphocytes. However, certain Leishmania species infect dendritic cells without inducing their maturation and impair the migration of these cells, which could delay the onset of the adaptive immune responses as both processes are required for naive T cell activation. This review examines how Leishmania spp. interact with these two cell types, macrophages and dendritic cells, and describes some of the strategies used by Leishmania spp. to survive in these inducible or constitutive antigen-presenting cells.

Leishmania-induced inhibition of macrophage antigen presentation analyzed at the single-cell level

A number of studies have previously examined the capacity of intracellular Leishmania parasites to modulate the capacity of macrophages to process and present Ags to MHC class II-restricted CD4(+) T cells. However, the bulk culture approaches used for assessing T cell activation make interpretation of some of these studies difficult. To gain a more precise understanding of the interaction between Leishmania-infected macrophages and effector T cells, we have analyzed various parameters of T cell activation in individual macrophage-T cell conjugates. Leishmania-infected macrophages efficiently stimulate Ag-independent as well as Ag-dependent, TCR-mediated capping of cortical F-actin in DO.11 T cells. However, infected macrophages are less efficient at promoting the sustained TCR signaling necessary for reorientation of the T cell microtubule organizing center and for IFN-gamma production. A reduced ability to activate these T cell responses was not due to altered levels of surface-expressed MHC class II-peptide complexes. This study represents the first direct single-cell analysis of the impact of intracellular infection on the interaction of macrophages with T cells and serves to emphasize the subtle influence Leishmania has on APC function.

A Leishmania infantum multi-component antigenic protein mixed with live BCG confers protection to dogs experimentally infected with L. infantum

The capacity of a quimeric protein, formed by the genetic fusion of five antigenic determinants from four Leishmania proteins, formulated with BCG, to protect dogs against Leishmania infantum infection is described. The data showed that after i.v. administration of 500,000 parasites of the L. infantum M/CAN/ES/96/BCN150 strain, zymodeme MON-1, the animals became infected as suggested by the humoral response against the parasite antigens. All control unvaccinated dogs had parasites in the lymph nodes at day 150 post-infection. One of these unvaccinated infected dog was parasite negative at day 634 behaving, thus, as resistant. In contrast, only 50% of the immunized dogs had parasites in the lymph nodes at day 150 post-infection. Four of these dogs became parasite negative by day 634 post-infection. The control animals developed at various times during the follow-up period clinical symptoms associated with Leishmaniasis. The control diseased dogs developed also in the liver and spleen some of the abnormal histological features associated with natural visceral Leishmaniasis. The immunized dogs, however, were not only normal at the clinical but also at the anatomo-pathological level. A positive delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was observed in nine of the immunized protected dogs. The data indicated that Q+BCG confers 90% protection against infection and at least 90% protection at the clinical level.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection modulates in vivo expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells and T-cell stimulatory activity of dendritic cells in a strain-dependent manner

A striking feature of Chagas' disease is the diversity of clinical presentations. Such variability may be due to the heterogeneity among Trypanosoma cruzi isolates or to the host immune response. Employing two strains which differ in their virulence, we investigated the effect of in vivo infection on professional antigen-presenting cells (APC). Acute infection with the virulent RA strain downregulated the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II on splenic dendritic cells (DC) and inhibited its induction on peritoneal macrophages and splenic B cells. It also impaired the ability of DC to prime allogeneic T cells and to form homotypic clusters, suggesting a low maturation state of these cells. In contrast, the low-virulence K98 strain maintained the expression of MHC class II on DC or stimulated it on peritoneal macrophages and B cells and preserved DC's T-cell priming capacity and homotypic clustering. DC from RA-infected mice elicited a lower activation of T. cruzi-specific T-cell proliferation than those from K98-infected mice. APC from RA-infected mice that reached the chronic phase of infection restored MHC class II levels to those found in K98-infected mice and upregulated costimulatory molecules expression, suggesting that the immunosuppression caused by this strain is only transient. Taken together, the results indicate that in vivo infection with T. cruzi modulates APC functionality and that this is accomplished in a strain-dependent manner.

Intracellular parasitism: cell biological adaptations of parasitic protozoa to a life inside cells

Several protozoan parasites evade the host's immune defence because most of their development takes place inside specific host cells. Only a few of these protozoa live within the host cell cytosol. Most parasites are sequestered within membrane-bound compartments, collectively called 'vacuoles'. Recent advances in the cell biology of intracellular parasites have revealed fundamental differences in the strategies whereby such organisms gain entry into their respective host cells. These differences have important implications for host-parasite interaction and for nutrient acquisition by the parasite. Leishmania spp. take advantage of the phagocytic properties of their host cells and presumably contribute little to the uptake process. In contrast, apicomplexan parasites have developed highly specialised organelles, called micronemes and rhoptries, to actively invade a variety of nucleated cells and, in the case of Plasmodium falciparum, human erythrocytes. Following invasion, parasites use a multitude of strategies to protect themselves from the defence mechanisms of the parasitized cells. In addition, they induce novel pathways within the infected cell that allow a most efficient nutrient acquisition both from the host cell cytoplasm and from the extracellular environment. Parasite-induced changes of host cells are most apparent in erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium spp. Mammalian erythrocytes are deficient in de novo protein and lipid biosynthesis and, consequently, pathways which allow the transport of macromolecules and small solutes are established by metabolic activities of the parasite. Research into the cell biology of intracellular parasitism has identified fascinating phenomena some of which we are beginning to understand at a molecular level. They are fascinating because they allow insights into a very intimate interaction between two eukaryotic cells of entirely different phylogenetic origins.

Phenotypic diversity of antigen-presenting cells in ovine-afferent intestinal lymph

The phenotypic and functional repertoire of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) remains incompletely characterized, particularly during the migratory phase of their life history, when these cells leave peripheral tissues and travel via afferent lymphatic vessels to regional lymph nodes. Lymphatic cannulation procedures were used to collect ovine APCs as they migrated from the mucosa of the small intestine to regional lymph nodes. A panel of 19 new monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was produced to characterize surface molecules expressed on APCs by means of two-color flow cytometry and microscopy. Two broad patterns of mAb reactivity were evident. Twelve mAbs reacted almost exclusively with cells in the APC-gated region, because all these mAbs stained < 3% of cells in the lymphocyte-gated region. Within this group, some mAbs identified distinct subsets of dendritic cells (DCs). The second group of seven mAbs displayed high-intensity staining on cells in the APC-gated region but also reacted with variable numbers (4-26%) of cells in the lymphocyte-gated region. This indicates that molecules recognized by these mAbs are highly expressed on APCs but also occur on other lineages. When new mAbs were analyzed by two-color flow cytometry of cells in afferent intestinal lymph, a wide range of differences in reactivity were observed, especially on CD11b(+), CD11c(+), CD4(+), MHCII(+), and gammasigmaTCR(+) cells. Although molecular specificities of mAbs reported here remain undefined, marked heterogeneity of staining patterns indicates considerable phenotypic, and probably functional, diversity within APC population in afferent intestinal lymph. MAbs reported here will provide useful tools to explore these features further.

Secretory pathway of trypanosomatid parasites

The Trypanosomatidae comprise a large group of parasitic protozoa, some of which cause important diseases in humans. These include Trypanosoma brucei (the causative agent of African sleeping sickness and nagana in cattle), Trypanosoma cruzi (the causative agent of Chagas' disease in Central and South America), and Leishmania spp. (the causative agent of visceral and [muco]cutaneous leishmaniasis throughout the tropics and subtropics). The cell surfaces of these parasites are covered in complex protein- or carbohydrate-rich coats that are required for parasite survival and infectivity in their respective insect vectors and mammalian hosts. These molecules are assembled in the secretory pathway. Recent advances in the genetic manipulation of these parasites as well as progress with the parasite genome projects has greatly advanced our understanding of processes that underlie secretory transport in trypanosomatids. This article provides an overview of the organization of the trypanosomatid secretory pathway and connections that exist with endocytic organelles and multiple lytic and storage vacuoles. A number of the molecular components that are required for vesicular transport have been identified, as have some of the sorting signals that direct proteins to the cell surface or organelles in the endosome-vacuole system. Finally, the subcellular organization of the major glycosylation pathways in these parasites is reviewed. Studies on these highly divergent eukaryotes provide important insights into the molecular processes underlying secretory transport that arose very early in eukaryotic evolution. They also reveal unusual or novel aspects of secretory transport and protein glycosylation that may be exploited in developing new antiparasite drugs.

Arginase I induction in macrophages, triggered by Th2-type cytokines, supports the growth of intracellular Leishmania parasites

Leishmania spp. are intracellular protozoan parasites that invade and replicate within macrophages. In a previous report, we have demonstrated that the growth of intracellular amastigotes could be controlled by inhibition of arginase. This enzyme, induced in host cells by Th2 cytokines, synthesizes L-ornithine which can be used by parasites to generate polyamines and proliferate. In this study, we have designed experiments to better analyse the dependence of parasite proliferation on arginase induction in infected macrophages. Treatment of Leishmania major-infected BALB/c macrophages with interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 or transforming growth factor-beta, which are all inducers of arginase I in murine macrophages, led to a proportional increase in the number of intracellular amastigotes. Moreover, parasite proliferation and arginase activity levels in macrophages from the susceptible BALB/c mice were significantly higher than those from infected C57BL/6 cells when treated with identical doses of these cytokines, indicating that a strong correlation exist between the permissibility of host cells to L. major infection and the induction of arginase I in macrophages. Specific inhibition of arginase by N(omega)-hydroxy-nor-L-arginine (nor-LOHA) reverted growth, while L-ornithine and putrescine promoted parasite proliferation, indicating that the parasite cell division depends critically on the level of L-ornithine available in the host. Therefore, arginase induction in the context of a Th2 predominant response might be a contributor to susceptibility in leishmaniasis.

Toxoplasma gondii and MHC-restricted antigen presentation: on degradation, transport and modulation

Resistance against Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite surrounded by a parasitophorous vacuolar membrane, is mediated by the cellular arm of the immune system, namely CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Thus, priming and activation of these cells by presentation of antigenic peptides in the context of major histocompatibility complex class I and class II molecules have to take place. This is despite the fact that the vacuolar membrane avoids fusion with the endocytic compartment and acts like a molecular sieve, restricting passive diffusion of larger molecules. This raises several cell biological and immunological questions which will be discussed in this review in the context of our current knowledge about major histocompatibility complex-restricted antigen presentation in other systems: (1) By which pathways are parasite-derived antigens presented to T cells? (2) Has the parasite evolved mechanisms to interfere with major histocompatibility complex-restricted antigen presentation in order to avoid immune recognition? (3) To what extent and by which mechanism is antigenic material, originating from the parasite, able to pass through the vacuolar membrane into the cytosol of the infected cell and is it then accessible to the antigen presentation machinery of the infected cell? (4) What are the actual antigen-presenting cells which prime specific T cells in lymphoid organs? An understanding of these mechanisms will not only provide new insights into the pathogenesis of Toxoplasma gondii and possibly other intravacuolar parasites, but will also improve vaccination strategies.

Identification of a differentially expressed mRNA in axenic Leishmania panamensis amastigotes

Differential display technique was applied in order to identify transcripts which are present in axenic amastigotes but not in promastigotes of the Leishmania panamensis parasites. One of them was cloned and the sequence reveals an open reading frame of 364 amino acids (approximately 40 kDa). The deduced protein is homologous to the serine/threonine protein kinases and specially to the mitogen activates protein kinases from eukaryotic species. Southern blot analysis suggest that this transcript, named lpmkh, is present in the genome of the parasite as a single copy gene. These results could imply that lpmkh could be involved in the differentiation process or the preservation of amastigotes in axenic conditions.

Leishmaniasis: current status of vaccine development

Leishmaniae are obligatory intracellular protozoa in mononuclear phagocytes. They cause a spectrum of diseases, ranging in severity from spontaneously healing skin lesions to fatal visceral disease. Worldwide, there are 2 million new cases each year and 1/10 of the world's population is at risk of infection. To date, there are no vaccines against leishmaniasis and control measures rely on chemotherapy to alleviate disease and on vector control to reduce transmission. However, a major vaccine development program aimed initially at cutaneous leishmaniasis is under way. Studies in animal models and humans are evaluating the potential of genetically modified live attenuated vaccines, as well as a variety of recombinant antigens or the DNA encoding them. The program also focuses on new adjuvants, including cytokines, and delivery systems to target the T helper type 1 immune responses required for the elimination of this intracellular organism. The availability, in the near future, of the DNA sequences of the human and Leishmania genomes will extend the vaccine program. New vaccine candidates such as parasite virulence factors will be identified. Host susceptibility genes will be mapped to allow the vaccine to be targeted to the population most in need of protection.

Silent infection of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells by Leishmania mexicana amastigotes

Resolution of infection by Leishmania sp. is critically dependent on activation of CD4(+) T helper cells. Naive CD4(+) T helper cells are primed by dendritic cells which have responded to an activation signal in the periphery. However, the role of Leishmania-infected dendritic cells in the activation of an anti-Leishmania immune response has not been comprehensively addressed. Using the highly controlled model system of bone marrow-derived dendritic cell infection by Leishmania mexicana cultured in vitro, we show that uptake of L. mexicana parasites does not result in activation of immature dendritic cells or secretion of IL-12. Incubation with L. mexicana promastigotes results in the activation of a small percentage of dendritic cells which do not appear to contain whole parasites. Activation of dendritic cells is not suppressed by infection, since infected cells can be fully activated on addition of activating stimuli. Therefore, uptake of intact Leishmania mexicana parasites is not sufficient to activate dendritic cells in vitro. We propose that these data provide a basis for interpreting the interactions between dendritic cells and all Leishmania sp.

Identification and characterization of T cell-stimulating antigens from Leishmania by CD4 T cell expression cloning

Persistent immunity against Leishmania: infections in humans is mediated predominantly by CD4(+) T cells of the Th1 phenotype. Herein we report the expression cloning of eight Leishmania: Ags using parasite-specific T cell lines derived from an immune donor. The Ags identified by this technique include the flagellar proteins alpha- and beta-tubulin, histone H2b, ribosomal protein S4, malate dehydrogenase, and elongation factor 2, as well as two novel parasite proteins. None of these proteins have been previously reported as T cell-stimulating Ags from Leishmania: beta-tubulin-specific T cell clones generated against Leishmania: major amastigotes responded to Leishmania:-infected macrophages and dendritic cells. IFN-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot analysis demonstrated the presence of T cells specific for several of these Ags in PBMC from self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis patients infected with either Leishmania: tropica or L. major. The responses elicited by Leishmania: histone H2b were particularly striking in terms of frequency of histone-specific T cells in PBMC (1 T cell of 6000 PBMC) as well as the percentage of responding donors (86%, 6 of 7). Ags identified by T cells from immune donors might constitute potential vaccine candidates for leishmaniasis.

Proteophosphoglycans of Leishmania

Proteophosphoglycans are an expanding family of highly glycosylated Leishmania proteins with many unusual and some unique structural features. The novel protein-glycan linkage in proteophosphoglycans - phosphoglycosylation of Ser by lipophosphoglycan-like structures - emerges as a major form of protein glycosylation in Leishmania. Here, Thomas Ilg reviews the chemical structure, the ultrastructure, the genes and the potential functions of different members of this novel family of parasite glycoproteins.

Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection impairs MHC class II antigen presentation capacity of macrophages

During African trypanosomiasis, macrophages play a central role in T cell hyporesponsiveness to parasite-related and unrelated antigens. In this study, the ability of macrophages from Trypanosoma b. brucei-infected mice to present exogenous antigens to a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted CD4+ T cell hybridoma was analysed. We demonstrate that the antigen presentation capacity of macrophages from infected mice is markedly reduced as a result of a lower expression of [MHC class II-peptide] complexes on their plasma membrane. This defect did not result from a decreased antigen uptake/catabolism, a reduced MHC class II and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression on the surface of macrophages, a decreased affinity of MHC class II molecules for antigenic peptides, a competition between exogenous and parasite antigens, or the generation of inhibitory peptides. Our data indicate that the step resulting in coexpression of processed antigens and MHC class II molecules is affected in T. b. brucei-infected mice. Additionally, macrophages from infected mice secreted IL-10 that in turn contributes to the impairment of T cell activation.

Subunit vaccination of mice against new world cutaneous leishmaniasis: comparison of three proteins expressed in amastigotes and six adjuvants

A mixture of well-defined recombinant antigens together with an adjuvant that preferentially stimulates specific gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-secreting helper type 1 CD4(+) T cells (Th1 cells) presents a rational option for a vaccine against leishmaniasis. The potential of this approach was investigated in murine infections with Leishmania mexicana, which are characterized by the absence of a parasite-specific Th1 response and uncontrolled parasite proliferation. A mixture of three antigens (glycoprotein 63, cysteine proteinases, and a membrane-bound acid phosphatase), which are all expressed in amastigotes, the mammalian stage of the parasite, were used for the immunization of C57BL/6 mice in combination with six adjuvants (interleukin 12 [IL-12], Detox, 4'-monophosphoryl lipid A, QS-21, Mycobacterium bovis BCG, and Corynebacterium parvum). All six vaccine formulations containing the mixture of recombinant antigens were protective against challenge infections with promastigotes, the insect stage of the parasite, in that mice controlled and healed infections but developed transient and, in certain cases, accentuated disease. The most effective adjuvants were IL-12 followed by Detox. Further studies using these two adjuvants showed that a similar protective effect was observed with a mixture of the corresponding native proteins, and mice which had controlled the infection showed a preponderance of IFN-gamma-secreting CD4(+) T cells in the lymph nodes draining the lesion. Using the recombinant proteins individually, it is shown that the relatively abundant cysteine proteinases and glycoprotein 63, but not the acid phosphatase, are able to elicit a protective response. The results are discussed in comparison to previous studies with subunit vaccines and with respect to cell biological aspects of antigen presentation in Leishmania-infected macrophages.