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Polylactide Nanoparticles as a Biodegradable Vaccine Adjuvant: A Study on Safety, Protective Immunity and Efficacy against Human Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania Major. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27248677. [PMID: 36557812 PMCID: PMC9783570 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is the 3rd most challenging vector-borne disease after malaria and lymphatic filariasis. Currently, no vaccine candidate is approved or marketed against leishmaniasis due to difficulties in eliciting broad immune responses when using sub-unit vaccines. The aim of this work was the design of a particulate sub-unit vaccine for vaccination against leishmaniasis. The poly (D,L-lactide) nanoparticles (PLA-NPs) were developed in order to efficiently adsorb a recombinant L. major histone H2B (L. major H2B) and to boost its immunogenicity. Firstly, a study was focused on the production of well-formed nanoparticles by the nanoprecipitation method without using a surfactant and on the antigen adsorption process under mild conditions. The set-up preparation method permitted to obtain H2B-adsorbed nanoparticles H2B/PLA (adsorption capacity of about 2.8% (w/w)) with a narrow size distribution (287 nm) and a positive zeta potential (30.9 mV). Secondly, an in vitro release assay performed at 37 °C, pH 7.4, showed a continuous release of the adsorbed H2B for almost 21 days (30%) from day 7. The immune response of H2B/PLA was investigated and compared to H2B + CpG7909 as a standard adjuvant. The humoral response intensity (IgG) was substantially similar between both formulations. Interestingly, when challenged with the standard parasite strain (GLC94) isolated from a human lesion of cutaneous leishmaniasis, mice showed a significant reduction in footpad swelling compared to unvaccinated ones, and no deaths occurred until week 17th. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PLA-NPs represent a stable, cost-effective delivery system adjuvant for use in vaccination against leishmaniasis.
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Ben-Cheikh A, Bali A, Guerfali FZ, Atri C, Attia H, Laouini D. Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 Alpha Stabilization in Human Macrophages during Leishmania major Infection Is Impaired by Parasite Virulence. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2022; 60:317-325. [PMID: 36320108 PMCID: PMC9633161 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2022.60.5.317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) is one of the master regulators of immune and metabolic cellular functions. HIF-1α, a transcriptional factor whose activity is closely related to oxygen levels, is a target for understanding infectious disease control. Several studies have demonstrated that HIF-1α plays an important role during the infectious process, while its role in relation to parasite virulence has not been addressed. In this work, we studied the expression levels of HIF-1α and related angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in human macrophages infected with promastigotes of hypo- or hyper-virulent Leishmania major human isolates. L. major parasites readily subverted host macrophage functions for their survival and induced local oxygen consumption at the site of infection. In contrast to hypo-virulent parasites that induce high HIF-1α expression levels, hyper-virulent L. major reduced HIF-1α expression in macrophages under normoxic or hypoxic conditions, and consequently impeded the expression of VEGF-A mRNA. HIF-1α may play a key role during control of disease chronicity, severity, or outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ben-Cheikh
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR16IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis,
Tunisia,Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis,
Tunisia,Faculty of Sciences, Tunis,
Tunisia
| | - Aymen Bali
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR16IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis,
Tunisia,Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis,
Tunisia
| | - Fatma Z Guerfali
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR16IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis,
Tunisia,Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis,
Tunisia
| | - Chiraz Atri
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR16IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis,
Tunisia,Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis,
Tunisia
| | - Hanène Attia
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR16IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis,
Tunisia,Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis,
Tunisia
| | - Dhafer Laouini
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR16IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis,
Tunisia,Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis,
Tunisia,Corresponding author (; )
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3
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de Carvalho BC, Vital T, Osiro J, Gomes CM, Noronha E, Dallago B, Rosa ADC, Carvalho JL, Hagström L, Hecht M, Nitz N. Multiparametric analysis of host and parasite elements in new world tegumentary leishmaniasis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:956112. [PMID: 36017367 PMCID: PMC9395741 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.956112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tegumentary leishmaniasis is a tropical disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Clinically, the disease presents a broad spectrum of symptoms, the mechanisms underlying the development of lesions remaining to be fully elucidated. In the present work, we performed a correlation and multiparametric analysis to evaluate how parasite- and host-related aspects associate with each other, and with the different clinical manifestations of tegumentary leishmaniasis. This cross-sectional study involved 75 individuals from endemic areas of Brazil, grouped according to their symptoms. Leishmania species were determined by DNA sequencing, and parasite load, antibody production, and cytokine profile were evaluated by kDNA qPCR, ELISA, and flow cytometry. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, principal component analysis, canonical discriminant analysis, and correlation analysis. Among the recruited patients, 23 (31%) were asymptomatic, 34 (45%) had primary cutaneous leishmaniasis, 10 (13%) presented recurrent cutaneous leishmaniasis, and eight (11%) had mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Leishmania species identified included L. amazonensis, L. braziliensis, and L. guyanensis. Surprisingly, no Leishmania RNA virus infection was detected in any sample. In summary, our work showed that parasite load, antibody production, and cytokine levels alone are not determinants for tegumentary leishmaniasis symptoms. However, the correlation analysis allowed us to observe how these factors are correlated to each other within the groups, which revealed a unique network for each clinical manifestation. Our work reinforces the complexity of tegumentary leishmaniasis outcomes - which are associated with multiple host and parasite-related elements and provides a holistic model of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Caroline de Carvalho
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Tamires Vital
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Osiro
- Dermatology Diagnostic Group, Dermatomicology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Ciro Martins Gomes
- Dermatology Diagnostic Group, Dermatomicology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Elza Noronha
- Brasília University Hospital, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Bruno Dallago
- Laboratory of Animal Welfare, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Ana de Cássia Rosa
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Luciana Hagström
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nadjar Nitz
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Nadjar Nitz,
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Intra-Specific Diversity of Leishmania major Isolates: A Key Determinant of Tunisian Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Clinical Polymorphism. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10030505. [PMID: 35336081 PMCID: PMC8955835 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical expression of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by Leishmania (L.) major parasites has a broad spectrum ranging from asymptomatic infection to self-limited cutaneous sores or severe disease. In concert with the host immune responses, the vector variability and the number of bites, genetic variation between L. major isolates might impact on the clinical output of the disease. We investigated herein the intra-specific variability of L. major field isolates independently of host or vector factors and then tried to correlate parasite variability to ZCL severity in corresponding patients. Several assays were applied, i.e., in vivo pathogenicity of promastigotes in a BALB/c mice model, resistance/sensibility to complement lysis, in vitro growth kinetics, and expression of different lectins on the promastigote surface. Combining all these parameters allowed us to conclude that the resistance to complement lysis and PNA/Jacalin lectins binding to parasite surfaces are important markers of parasite virulence. These factors correlate significantly with clinic polymorphism of ZCL and modestly with genetic micro-heterogeneity, a characteristic we previously revealed with a MLMT profile.
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VAMP3 and VAMP8 regulate the development and functionality of parasitophorous vacuoles housing Leishmania amazonensis. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0018321. [PMID: 35130453 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00183-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To colonize mammalian phagocytic cells, the parasite Leishmania remodels phagosomes into parasitophorous vacuoles that can be either tight-fitting individual or communal. The molecular and cellular bases underlying the biogenesis and functionality of these two types of vacuoles are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the contribution of host cell Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor Attachment protein REceptor proteins to the expansion and functionality of communal vacuoles as well as on the replication of the parasite. The differential recruitment patterns of Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor Attachment protein REceptor to communal vacuoles harboring L. amazonensis and to individual vacuoles housing L. major led us to further investigate the roles of VAMP3 and VAMP8 in the interaction of Leishmania with its host cell. We show that whereas VAMP8 contributes to optimal expansion of communal vacuoles, VAMP3 negatively regulates L. amazonensis replication, vacuole size, as well as antigen cross-presentation. In contrast, neither proteins has an impact on the fate of L. major. Collectively, our data support a role for both VAMP3 and VAMP8 in the development and functionality of L. amazonensis-harboring communal parasitophorous vacuoles.
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Soni B, Singh S. Synthetic Perturbations in IL6 Biological Circuit Induces Dynamical Cellular Response. Molecules 2021; 27:molecules27010124. [PMID: 35011356 PMCID: PMC8746995 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophage phenotype plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Leishmanial infection. Pro-inflammatory cytokines signals through the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway that functions in parasite killing. Suppression of cytokine signaling (SOCS) is a well-known negative feedback regulator of the JAK/STAT pathway. However, change in the expression levels of SOCSs in correlation with the establishment of infection is not well understood. IL6 is a pleotropic cytokine that induces SOCS1 and SOCS3 expression through JAK-STAT signaling. Mathematical modeling of the TLR2 and IL6 signaling pathway has established the immune axis of SOCS1 and SOCS3 functioning in macrophage polarization during the early stage of Leishmania major infection. The ratio has been quantified both in silico and in vitro as 3:2 which is required to establish infection during the early stage. Furthermore, phosphorylated STAT1 and STAT3 have been established as an immunological cross talk between TLR2 and IL6 signaling pathways. Using synthetic biology approaches, peptide based immuno-regulatory circuits have been designed to target the activity of SOCS1 which can restore pro-inflammatory cytokine expression during infection. In a nutshell, we explored the potential of synthetic biology to address and rewire the immune response from Th2 to Th1 type during the early stage of leishmanial infection governed by SOCS1/SOCS3 immune axis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shailza Singh
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +91-20-2570-8296 (ext. 95); Fax: +91-20-2569-2259
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Aoun K, Kalboussi Y, Ben Sghaier I, Souissi O, Hammami H, Bellali H, Bouratbine A. Assessment of Incubation Period of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major in Tunisia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:1934-1937. [PMID: 32901597 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The period between the infective sandfly bites and appearance of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) lesions is still hypothetical and little studied. This work aimed at assessing the incubation time of zoonotic CL (ZCL) due to Leishmania major using a standardized methodology. The retrospective analysis used the epidemiological, clinical, and biological information available in the database recording all the CL cases diagnosed at the Parasitology Department of the Pasteur Institute of Tunis during 2015-2019. It allowed for the selection of 92 privileged observations 1) of confirmed CL cases with presentation suggestive of ZCL form 2) living in northern regions free of ZCL 3) with a single infective trip of less than a week to ZCL foci during transmission season and 4) with accurate dates of travel and onset of lesions. Incubation length computed in this population ranged from 1 to 21 weeks, with a median of 5 weeks (interquartile range: 3-8.5 weeks).
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Aoun
- Department of Epidemiology and Ecology of Parasites, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology and Biomolecules (LR 16-IPT-06), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Yasmine Kalboussi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ines Ben Sghaier
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology and Biomolecules (LR 16-IPT-06), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Olfa Souissi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Houda Hammami
- Department of Dermatology, Habib Thameur Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hedia Bellali
- Department of Epidemiology, Abderrahmane Mami Hospital, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Aïda Bouratbine
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology and Biomolecules (LR 16-IPT-06), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
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8
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Differential Regulation of l-Arginine Metabolism through Arginase 1 during Infection with Leishmania mexicana Isolates Obtained from Patients with Localized and Diffuse Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00963-19. [PMID: 32312763 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00963-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
l-Arginine metabolism through arginase 1 (Arg-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) constitutes a fundamental axis for the resolution or progression of leishmaniasis. Infection with Leishmania mexicana can cause two distinct clinical manifestations: localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL). In this work, we analyzed in an in vivo model the capacity of two L. mexicana isolates, one obtained from a patient with LCL and the other from a patient with DCL, to regulate the metabolism of l-arginine through Arg-1 and NOS2. Susceptible BALB/c mice were infected with L. mexicana isolates from both clinical manifestations, and the evolution of the infection as well as protein presence and activity of Arg-1 and NOS2 were evaluated. The lesions of mice infected with the DCL isolate were bigger, had higher parasite loads, and showed greater protein presence and enzymatic activity of Arg-1 than the lesions of mice infected with the LCL isolate. In contrast, NOS2 protein synthesis was poorly or not induced in the lesions of mice infected with the LCL or DCL isolate. The immunochemistry analysis of the lesions allowed the identification of highly parasitized macrophages positive for Arg-1, while no staining for NOS2 was found. In addition, we observed in lesions of patients with DCL macrophages with higher parasite loads and stronger Arg-1 staining than those in lesions of patients with LCL. Our results suggest that L. mexicana isolates obtained from patients with LCL or DCL exhibit different virulence or pathogenicity degrees and differentially regulate l-arginine metabolism through Arg-1.
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9
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Rivera-Fernández I, Argueta-Donohué J, Wilkins-Rodríguez AA, Gutiérrez-Kobeh L. Effect of Two Different Isolates of Leishmania mexicana in the Production of Cytokines and Phagocytosis by Murine Dendritic Cells. J Parasitol 2019. [DOI: 10.1645/17-158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ilse Rivera-Fernández
- Unidad de Investigación UNAM-INC, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Juan Badiano no. 1. Col. Belisario Domínguez, sección XVI, cp 14080, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Jesús Argueta-Donohué
- Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría, Calzada México-Xochimilco 101, Huipulco, cp 14370 Ciudad de México, México
| | - Arturo A. Wilkins-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Investigación UNAM-INC, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Juan Badiano no. 1. Col. Belisario Domínguez, sección XVI, cp 14080, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Laila Gutiérrez-Kobeh
- Unidad de Investigación UNAM-INC, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Juan Badiano no. 1. Col. Belisario Domínguez, sección XVI, cp 14080, Ciudad de México, México
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10
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Experimental Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Mouse Models for Resolution of Inflammation Versus Chronicity of Disease. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1971:315-349. [PMID: 30980313 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9210-2_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis of mice is a valuable model to study the immune response to the protozoan pathogen Leishmania and to define mechanisms of parasite control and resolution of inflammation as well as of parasite evasion and chronicity of disease. In addition, over many years Leishmania-infected mice have been successfully used to analyze the function of newly discovered immune cell types, transcription factors, cytokines, and effector mechanisms in vivo. In this chapter we present detailed protocols for the culture, propagation, and inoculation of Leishmania promastigotes, the monitoring of the course of cutaneous infection, the determination of the tissue parasite burden and for the phenotyping of the ensuing immune response. The focus lies on the L. major mouse model, but an overview on other established models of murine cutaneous leishmaniasis is also provided.
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11
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Genomic Analysis of Colombian Leishmania panamensis strains with different level of virulence. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17336. [PMID: 30478412 PMCID: PMC6255768 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35778-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The establishment of Leishmania infection in mammalian hosts and the subsequent manifestation of clinical symptoms require internalization into macrophages, immune evasion and parasite survival and replication. Although many of the genes involved in these processes have been described, the genetic and genomic variability associated to differences in virulence is largely unknown. Here we present the genomic variation of four Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis strains exhibiting different levels of virulence in BALB/c mice and its application to predict novel genes related to virulence. De novo DNA sequencing and assembly of the most virulent strain allowed comparative genomics analysis with sequenced L. (Viannia) panamensis and L. (Viannia) braziliensis strains, and showed important variations at intra and interspecific levels. Moreover, the mutation detection and a CNV search revealed both base and structural genomic variation within the species. Interestingly, we found differences in the copy number and protein diversity of some genes previously related to virulence. Several machine-learning approaches were applied to combine previous knowledge with features derived from genomic variation and predict a curated set of 66 novel genes related to virulence. These genes can be prioritized for validation experiments and could potentially become promising drug and immune targets for the development of novel prophylactic and therapeutic interventions.
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Boussoffara T, Chelif S, Ben Ahmed M, Mokni M, Ben Salah A, Dellagi K, Louzir H. Immunity Against Leishmania major Infection: Parasite-Specific Granzyme B Induction as a Correlate of Protection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:397. [PMID: 30483482 PMCID: PMC6243638 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by Leishmania (L.) major infection is characterized by different clinical presentations which depend in part on the host factors. In attempt to investigate the impact of the host's immune response in the outcome of the disease, we conducted a prospective study of 453 individuals living in endemic foci of L. major transmission in Central Tunisia. Several factors were assessed at the baseline including (i) the presence of typical scars of ZCL, (ii) in vivo hypersensitivity reaction to leishmanin, and (iii) the in vitro release of granzyme B (Grz B) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in response to stimulation with live L. major promastigotes. After one season of parasite's transmission, repeated clinical examinations allowed us to diagnose the new emerging ZCL cases. Heterogeneity was observed in terms of number of lesions developed by each individual as well as their size and spontaneous outcome, which led us to establish the parameter “severity of the disease.” The efficacy of the presence of typical ZCL scar, the leishmanin skin test (LST) positive reactivity and the high levels of Grz B (≥2 ng/ml), in the protection against the development of ZCL were 29, 15, and 22%, respectively. However, these factors were more efficient against development of intermediate or severe forms of ZCL. Levels of Grz B >2 ng/ml showed the best efficacy of protection (equals to 72.8%) against development of these forms of ZCL. The association of such parameter with the positivity of the LST exhibited a better efficacy (equals to 83.6%). In conclusion, our results support the involvement of Leishmania-specific cytotoxic cellular immune response in host protection against Leishmania-infection. This factor could be of great interest in monitoring the success of vaccination against human leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thouraya Boussoffara
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sadok Chelif
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Melika Ben Ahmed
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mourad Mokni
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital La Rabta, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Afif Ben Salah
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Koussay Dellagi
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hechmi Louzir
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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13
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Felizardo AA, Marques DVB, Caldas IS, Gonçalves RV, Novaes RD. Could age and aging change the host response to systemic parasitic infections? A systematic review of preclinical evidence. Exp Gerontol 2018; 104:17-27. [PMID: 29366738 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2018.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The impact of age and aging in the evolution of systemic parasitic infections remains poorly understood. We conducted a systematic review from preclinical models of Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, malaria, sleeping sickness and toxoplasmosis. From a structured and comprehensive search in electronic databases, 29 studies were recovered and included in the review. Beyond the characteristics of the experimental models, parasitological and immunological outcomes, we also discussed the quality of current evidence. Our findings indicated that throughout aging, parasitemia and mortality were consistently reduced in Chagas disease and malaria, but were similar or increased in leishmaniasis and highly variable in toxoplasmosis. While a marked humoral response in older animals was related to the anti-T. cruzi protective phenotype, cellular responses mediated by a polarized Th1 phenotype were associated with a more effective defense against Plasmodium infection. Conversely, in leishmaniasis, severe infections and high mortality rates were potentially related to attenuation of humoral response and an imbalance between Th1 and Th2 phenotypes. Due to the heterogeneous parasitological outcomes and limited immunological data, the role of aging on toxoplasmosis evolution remains unclear. From a detailed description of the methodological bias, more controlled researches could avoid the systematic reproduction of inconsistent and poorly reproducible experimental designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Aparecida Felizardo
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Débora Vasconcelos Bastos Marques
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ivo Santana Caldas
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Rômulo Dias Novaes
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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14
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Viana AG, Magalhães LMD, Giunchetti RC, Dutra WO, Gollob KJ. Infection of Human Monocytes with Leishmania infantum Strains Induces a Downmodulated Response when Compared with Infection with Leishmania braziliensis. Front Immunol 2018; 8:1896. [PMID: 29358935 PMCID: PMC5766652 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Human infection with different species of Leishmania leads to distinct clinical manifestations, ranging from relatively mild cutaneous (Leishmania braziliensis) to severe visceral (Leishmania infantum) forms of leishmaniasis. Here, we asked whether in vitro infection of human monocytes by Leishmania strains responsible for distinct clinical manifestations leads to early changes in immunological characteristics and ability of the host cells to control Leishmania. We evaluated the expression of toll-like receptors and MHC class II molecules, cytokines, and Leishmania control by human monocytes following short-term infection with L. braziliensis (M2904), a reference strain of L. infantum (BH46), and a wild strain of L. infantum (wild). The induction of TLR2, TLR9, and HLA-DR were all lower in L. infantum when compared with L. braziliensis-infected cells. Moreover, L. infantum-infected monocytes (both strains) produced lower TNF-alpha and a lower TNF-alpha/IL-10 ratio, resulting in a weaker inflammatory profile and a 100-fold less effective control of Leishmania than cells infected with L. braziliensis. Our results show that L. infantum strains fail to induce a strong inflammatory response, less activation, and less control of Leishmania from human monocytes, when compared with that induced by L. braziliensis infection. This functional profile may help explain the distinct clinical course observed in patients infected with the different Leishmania species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostinho Gonçalves Viana
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luísa Mourão Dias Magalhães
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Cordeiro Giunchetti
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Walderez O Dutra
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Kenneth J Gollob
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Núcleo de Ensino e Pesquisa, Instituto Mario Penna, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,International Center for Research, AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
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15
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Comparative genomics of Tunisian Leishmania major isolates causing human cutaneous leishmaniasis with contrasting clinical severity. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 50:110-120. [PMID: 27818279 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (L.) major parasites affects urban and suburban areas in the center and south of Tunisia where the disease is endemo-epidemic. Several cases were reported in human patients for which infection due to L. major induced lesions with a broad range of severity. However, very little is known about the mechanisms underlying this diversity. Our hypothesis is that parasite genomic variability could, in addition to the host immunological background, contribute to the intra-species clinical variability observed in patients and explain the lesion size differences observed in the experimental model. Based on several epidemiological, in vivo and in vitro experiments, we focused on two clinical isolates showing contrasted severity in patients and BALB/c experimental mice model. We used DNA-seq as a high-throughput technology to facilitate the identification of genetic variants with discriminating potential between both isolates. Our results demonstrate that various levels of heterogeneity could be found between both L. major isolates in terms of chromosome or gene copy number variation (CNV), and that the intra-species divergence could surprisingly be related to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and Insertion/Deletion (InDels) events. Interestingly, we particularly focused here on genes affected by both types of variants and correlated them with the observed gene CNV. Whether these differences are sufficient to explain the severity in patients is obviously still open to debate, but we do believe that additional layers of -omic information is needed to complement the genomic screen in order to draw a more complete map of severity determinants.
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16
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Treatment with synthetic lipophilic tyrosyl ester controls Leishmania major infection by reducing parasite load in BALB/c mice. Parasitology 2016; 143:1615-21. [PMID: 27312247 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016001086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Synthesized lipophilic tyrosyl ester derivatives with increasing lipophilicity were effective against Leishmania (L.) major and Leishmania infantum species in vitro. These findings prompted us to test in vivo leishmanicidal properties of these molecules and their potential effect on the modulation of immune responses. The experimental BALB/c model of cutaneous leishmaniasis was used in this study. Mice were infected with L. major parasites and treated with three in vitro active tyrosyl esters derivatives. Among these tested tyrosylcaprate (TyC) compounds, only TyC10 exhibited an in vivo anti-leishmanial activity, when injected sub-cutaneously (s.c.). TyC10 treatment of L. major-infected BALB/c mice resulted in a decrease of lesion development and parasite load. TyC10 s.c. treatment of non-infected mice induced an imbalance in interferon γ/interleukin 4 (IFN-γ/IL-4) ratio cytokines towards a Th1 response. Our results indicate that TyC10 s.c. treatment improves lesions' healing and parasite clearance and may act on the cytokine balance towards a Th1 protective response by decreasing IL-4 and increasing IFN-γ transcripts. TyC10 is worthy of further investigation to uncover its mechanism of action that could lead to consider this molecule as a potential drug candidate.
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Attia H, Sghaier RM, Gelanew T, Bali A, Schweynoch C, Guerfali FZ, Mkannez G, Chlif S, Belhaj-Hamida N, Dellagi K, Schönian G, Laouini D. Genetic micro-heterogeneity of Leishmania major in emerging foci of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 43:179-85. [PMID: 27137082 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tunisia is endemic for zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania (L.) major. ZCL displays a wide clinical polymorphism, with severe forms present more frequently in emerging foci where naive populations are dominant. In this study, we applied the multi-locus microsatellite typing (MLMT) using ten highly informative and discriminative markers to investigate the genetic structure of 35 Tunisian Leishmania (L.) major isolates collected from patients living in five different foci of Central Tunisia (two old and three emerging foci). Phylogenetic reconstructions based on genetic distances showed that nine of the ten tested loci were homogeneous in all isolates with homozygous alleles, whereas one locus (71AT) had a 58/64-bp bi-allelic profile with an allele linked to emerging foci. Promastigote-stage parasites with the 58-bp allele tend to be more resistant to in vitro complement lysis. These results, which stress the geographical dependence of the genetic micro-heterogeneity, may improve our understanding of the ZCL epidemiology and clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanene Attia
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR11IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis-Belvédère 1002, Tunisia; Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Rabiaa M Sghaier
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR11IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis-Belvédère 1002, Tunisia; Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Tesfaye Gelanew
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aymen Bali
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR11IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis-Belvédère 1002, Tunisia; Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Carola Schweynoch
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fatma Z Guerfali
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR11IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis-Belvédère 1002, Tunisia; Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Ghada Mkannez
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR11IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis-Belvédère 1002, Tunisia; Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Sadok Chlif
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR11IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis-Belvédère 1002, Tunisia; Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Service of Medical Epidemiology, Tunis-Belvédère 1002, Tunisia
| | - Nabil Belhaj-Hamida
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR11IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis-Belvédère 1002, Tunisia; Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Service of Medical Epidemiology, Tunis-Belvédère 1002, Tunisia
| | - Koussay Dellagi
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR11IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis-Belvédère 1002, Tunisia; Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Gabriele Schönian
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dhafer Laouini
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR11IPT02, Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII), Tunis-Belvédère 1002, Tunisia; Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia.
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18
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Loeuillet C, Bañuls AL, Hide M. Study of Leishmania pathogenesis in mice: experimental considerations. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:144. [PMID: 26969511 PMCID: PMC4788862 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1413-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although leishmaniases are endemic in 98 countries, they are still considered neglected tropical diseases. Leishmaniases are characterized by the emergence of new virulent and asymptomatic strains of Leishmania spp. and, as a consequence, by a very diverse clinical spectrum. To fight more efficiently these parasites, the mechanisms of host defense and of parasite virulence need to be thoroughly investigated. To this aim, animal models are widely used. However, the results obtained with these models are influenced by several experimental parameters, such as the mouse genetic background, parasite genotype, inoculation route/infection site, parasite dose and phlebotome saliva. In this review, we propose an update on their influence in the two main clinical forms of the disease: cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Loeuillet
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne-Laure Bañuls
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Mallorie Hide
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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19
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Sassi A, Kaak O, Ben Ammar Elgaied A. Identification of immunodominantLeishmania majorantigenic markers of the early C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice infection stages. Parasite Immunol 2015; 37:544-552. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Sassi
- Laboratory of Immunopathology Vaccinology and Molecular Genetics; Institut Pasteur of Tunis; University Tunis-El Manar; Tunis-Belvedere Tunisia
| | - O. Kaak
- Laboratory of Immunopathology Vaccinology and Molecular Genetics; Institut Pasteur of Tunis; University Tunis-El Manar; Tunis-Belvedere Tunisia
| | - A. Ben Ammar Elgaied
- Laboratory of Genetics, Immunology and Human Pathologies; Faculty of Sciences; University Tunis-El Manar; Tunis-Belvedere Tunisia
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20
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Long GH, Graham AL. Consequences of immunopathology for pathogen virulence evolution and public health: malaria as a case study. Evol Appl 2015; 4:278-91. [PMID: 25567973 PMCID: PMC3352548 DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-4571.2010.00178.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2010] [Accepted: 12/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary theories explaining virulence—the fitness damage incurred by infected hosts—often focus on parasite strategies for within-host exploitation. However, much virulence can be caused by the host's own immune response: for example, pro-inflammatory cytokines, although essential for killing malaria parasites, also damage host tissue. Here we argue that immune-mediated virulence, or ‘immunopathology,’ may affect malaria virulence evolution and should be considered in the design of medical interventions. Our argument is based on the ability of immunopathology to disrupt positive virulence-transmission relationships assumed under the trade-off theory of virulence evolution. During rodent malaria infections, experimental reduction of inflammation using reagents approved for field use decreases virulence but increases parasite transmission potential. Importantly, rodent malaria parasites exhibit genetic diversity in the propensity to induce inflammation and invest in transmission-stage parasites in the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines. If immunopathology positively correlates with malaria parasite density, theory suggests it could select for relatively low malaria virulence. Medical interventions which decrease immunopathology may therefore inadvertently select for increased malaria virulence. The fitness consequences to parasites of variations in immunopathology must be better understood in order to predict trajectories of parasite virulence evolution in heterogeneous host populations and in response to medical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gráinne H Long
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine London, UK
| | - Andrea L Graham
- Institutes of Evolution, Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh Edinburgh, UK ; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University Princeton, NJ, USA
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21
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Kharrat N, Aissa I, Sghaier M, Bouaziz M, Sellami M, Laouini D, Gargouri Y. Lipophilization of ascorbic acid: a monolayer study and biological and antileishmanial activities. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2014; 62:9118-9127. [PMID: 25148258 DOI: 10.1021/jf5029398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Ascorbyl lipophilic derivatives (Asc-C2 to Asc-C(18:1)) were synthesized in a good yield using lipase from Staphylococcus xylosus produced in our laboratory and immobilized onto silica aerogel. Results showed that esterification had little effect on radical-scavenging capacity of purified ascorbyl esters using DPPH assay in ethanol. However, long chain fatty acid esters displayed higher protection of target lipids from oxidation. Moreover, compared to ascorbic acid, synthesized derivatives exhibited an antibacterial effect. Furthermore, ascorbyl derivatives were evaluated, for the first time, for their antileishmanial effects against visceral (Leishmania infantum) and cutaneous parasites (Leishmania major). Among all the tested compounds, only Asc-C10, Asc-C12, and Asc-C(18:1) exhibited antileishmanial activities. The interaction of ascorbyl esters with a phospholipid monolayer showed that only medium and unsaturated long chain (Asc-C10 to Asc-C(18:1)) derivative esters were found to interact efficiently with mimetic membrane of leishmania. These properties would make ascorbyl derivatives good candidates to be used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical lipophilic formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Kharrat
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Génie Enzymatique des Lipases, ENIS, Université de Sfax , Route de Soukra, BPW 1173, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia
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22
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Mirzaei A, Schweynoch C, Rouhani S, Parvizi P, Schönian G. Diversity of Leishmania species and of strains of Leishmania major isolated from desert rodents in different foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2014; 108:502-12. [PMID: 24980555 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/tru085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is a polymorphic disease which may show various symptoms. Genetic diversity of the parasite is suggested to be one of the factors influencing the clinical manifestation of the disease. METHODS This study used PCR for the detection and identification of leishmanial parasites at the species level and applied a multilocus microsatellite typing approach for investigating the genetic diversity of Leishmania major isolated from captured rodents in two foci of ZCL in Iran: Turkemen Sahara and Fars province. RESULTS ITS1-rDNA amplification and subsequent RFLP analyses were performed using DNA extracted from the rodents' ears. Approximately one third of the rodents tested positive for Leishmania; in all rodents L. major was the predominating infecting agent. Seven Rhombomys opimus were positive for L. turanica DNA and one for both L. major and L. turanica. DNA of L. infantum was identified in one Rh. opimus. Seventeen strains of L. major, 15 from Turkemen Sahara and two from Fars province, isolated from different rodents were tested for variation at nine polymorphic microsatellite loci. Ten different MLMT genotypes were observed. They were compared to 89 previously published microsatellite profiles obtained for strains of L. major of different geographical origin. Bayesian model-based and genetic distance based approaches confirmed that strains from Turkemen Sahara and from Fars are genetically different and belong to different genetic groups, largely corresponding to their geographical origins. DISCUSSION The considerable genetic variability of L. major might be related to differences in reservoir host and/or to the existence of different populations of the vector, Phlebotomus papatasi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asad Mirzaei
- Parasitology Department, Medical Faculty, University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Institut für Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Charitè, Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carola Schweynoch
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Charitè, Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Soheila Rouhani
- Parasitology Department, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Parvizi
- Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gabriele Schönian
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Charitè, Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
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Asadpour A, Riazi-Rad F, Khaze V, Ajdary S, Alimohammadian MH. Distinct strains of Leishmania major induce different cytokine mRNA expression in draining lymph node of BALB/c mice. Parasite Immunol 2013; 35:42-50. [PMID: 23106526 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Four genotypically distinct strains of L. major collected from persons residing in different endemic areas of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran were evaluated in BALB/c mice. Parasite virulence was evaluated by measuring the parasite burden in the lymph nodes. Immunogenicity of the strains was assessed by analysis of cytokines mRNA expression levels in popliteal lymph nodes of the mice in early (3, 16, 40 h) and late (week 1, W3, W5 and W8) time periods after infection. The expression of cytokines mRNA, namely Ifng, Il2,Il4,Il10 and Il12, was quantitated by real-time PCR. The lowest and the highest parasite loads were induced by Damghan (2·15 × 10⁷) and Shiraz (9·59 × 10⁹) strains, respectively. Moreover, Damghan strain elicited higher expression levels of Ifng and Il2 mRNA and the highest ratio of Ifng/Il4 mRNA expression compared with the other strains at 40 h and 8 weeks post-infection. The results indicate that the inoculation of BALB/c mice with different strains induced high diversity in parasite burden and cytokines gene expression. Amongst the four strains, Damghan strain showed the lowest parasite load and the highest tendency to induce expression of Th1 cytokines gene and might be considered as a safe and immunogenic strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Asadpour
- Immunology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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24
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Cunha J, Carrillo E, Sánchez C, Cruz I, Moreno J, Cordeiro-da-Silva A. Characterization of the biology and infectivity of Leishmania infantum viscerotropic and dermotropic strains isolated from HIV+ and HIV- patients in the murine model of visceral leishmaniasis. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:122. [PMID: 23622683 PMCID: PMC3649922 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is a group of diseases with a variety of clinical manifestations. The form of the disease is highly dependent on the infective Leishmania species and the immunological status of the host. The infectivity of the parasite strain also plays an important role in the progression of the infection. The aim of this work is to understand the influence of the natural infectivity of Leishmania strains in the outcome of visceral leishmaniasis. METHODS In this study we have characterized four strains of L. infantum in terms of molecular typing, in vitro cultivation and differentiation. Two strains were isolated from HIV+ patients with visceral leishmaniasis (Bibiano and E390M), one strain was isolated from a cutaneous lesion in an immunocompetent patient (HL) and another internal reference strain causative of visceral leishmaniasis (ST) also from an immunocompetent patient was used for comparison. For this objective, we have compared their virulence by in vitro and in vivo infectivity in a murine model of visceral leishmaniasis. RESULTS Molecular typing unraveled a new k26 sequence attributed to MON-284 zymodeme and allowed the generation of a molecular signature for the identification of each strain. In vitro cultivation enabled the production of promastigotes with comparable growth curves and metacyclogenesis development. The HL strain was the most infective, showing the highest parasite loads in vitro that were corroborated with the in vivo assays, 6 weeks post-infection in BALB/c mice. The two strains isolated from HIV+ patients, both belonging to two different zymodemes, revealed different kinetics of infection. CONCLUSION Differences in in vitro and in vivo infectivity found in the murine model were then attributed to intrinsic characteristics of each strain. This work is supported by other studies that present the parasite's inherent features as factors for the multiplicity of clinical manifestations and severity of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Cunha
- Parasite Disease Group, Unit of Infection and Immunity, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 823, Porto, 4150-180, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar and Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Eugenia Carrillo
- WHO Collaborating Center for Leishmaniasis, Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Sánchez
- WHO Collaborating Center for Leishmaniasis, Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Israel Cruz
- WHO Collaborating Center for Leishmaniasis, Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Moreno
- WHO Collaborating Center for Leishmaniasis, Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Parasite Disease Group, Unit of Infection and Immunity, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 823, Porto, 4150-180, Portugal
- Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Doudi M, Setorki M, Narimani M. Bacterial superinfection in zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Med Sci Monit 2013; 18:BR356-61. [PMID: 22936185 PMCID: PMC3560647 DOI: 10.12659/msm.883345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL) is a polymorphic disease. It is generally accepted that bacterial superinfection may play a role in the clinical appearance of the lesions and may delay or prevent the healing process. However, the pattern of bacterial pathogens involved has rarely been investigated. Material/Methods The aim of this study was to identify the bacterial species contaminating the suspected ZCL and their susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics. Microscopic examination of stained smears and cultures were used to differentiate ZCL from non-ZCL lesions in a rural area north of Isfahan, Iran from July to December 2009. Bacteria were isolated from the lesions and identified and antibiotic susceptibility was determined by standard microbiological techniques. Results The results show that 602 (68%) of 855 patients were positive for ZCL, of which 83.4% with volcano-shape, 8.8% psoriasiform, 6.6% popular form and 1.2% with other atypical forms of ZCL. The bacteria were isolated from 66.8% of ZCL (70% of volcano-shape, 60% of psoriasiform and 25% of popular form) and 64.7% of non-ZCL lesions. The most common species were Staphylococcus aureus (41.7%) and S. epidermidis (28%) followed by Bacillus sp. Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Proteus sp., Enterobacter sp. and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin, Cefazolin and Clindamycin were the most effective antibiotics. Conclusions Bacterial superinfection appears to be very common in ZCL, but its prevalence is not different from that of non-ZCL lesions and it has little effect on the clinical appearance of anthroponotic cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL). Local lesion care and management of bacterial superinfection must be considered in the treatment of ZCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monir Doudi
- Department of Microbiology, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
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Markikou-Ouni W, Ben Achour-Chenik Y, Meddeb-Garnaoui A. Effects of Leishmania major clones showing different levels of virulence on infectivity, differentiation and maturation of human dendritic cells. Clin Exp Immunol 2012; 169:273-80. [PMID: 22861367 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2012.04611.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites and dendritic cell interactions (DCs) play an essential role in initiating and directing T cell responses and influence disease evolution. These interactions may vary depending on Leishmania species and strains. To evaluate the correlation between Leishmania major (Lm) virulence and in-vitro human DC response, we compared the ability of high (HV) and low virulent (LV) Lm clones to invade, modulate cytokine production and interfere with differentiation of DCs. Clones derived from HV and LV (HVΔlmpdi and LVΔlmpdi), and deleted for the gene coding for a Lm protein disulphide isomerase (LmPDI), probably involved in parasite natural pathogenicity, were also used. Unlike LV, which fails to invade DCs in half the donors, HV promastigotes were associated with a significant increase of the infected cells percentage and parasite burden. A significant decrease of both parameters was observed in HVΔlmpdi-infected DCs, compared to wild-type cells. Whatever Lm virulence, DC differentiation was accompanied by a significant decrease in CD1a expression. Lm clones decreased interleukin (IL)-12p70 production similarly during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced maturation of DCs. LPS stimulation was associated with a weak increase in tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-10 productions in HV-, HVΔlmpdi- and LVΔlmpdi-infected DCs. These results indicate that there is a significant variability in the capacity of Lm clones to infect human DCs which depends upon their virulence, probably involving LmPDI protein. However, independently of their virulence, Lm clones were able to down-regulate CD1a expression during DC differentiation and IL-12p70 production during DC maturation, which may favour their survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Markikou-Ouni
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology and Biomolecules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
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Aissa I, Sghair RM, Bouaziz M, Laouini D, Sayadi S, Gargouri Y. Synthesis of lipophilic tyrosyl esters derivatives and assessment of their antimicrobial and antileishmania activities. Lipids Health Dis 2012; 11:13. [PMID: 22264330 PMCID: PMC3292923 DOI: 10.1186/1476-511x-11-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Accepted: 01/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preparation of tyrosyl lipophilic derivatives was carried out as a response to the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries' increasing demand for new lipophilic antioxidants. Results A large series of tyrosyl esters (TyC2 to TyC18:1) with increasing lipophilicity was synthesized in a good yield using lipase from Candida antarctica (Novozyme 435). Spectroscopic analyses of purified esters showed that the tyrosol was esterified on the primary hydroxyl group. Synthetized compounds were evaluated for either their antimicrobial activity, by both diffusion well and minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) methods, or their antileishmanial activity against Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum parasite species. Among all the tested compounds, our results showed that only TyC8, TyC10 and TyC12 exhibited antibacterial and antileishmanial activities. When MIC and IC50 values were plotted against the acyl chain length of each tyrosyl derivative, TyC10 showed a parabolic shape with a minimum value. This nonlinear dependency with the increase of the chain length indicates that biological activities are probably associated to the surfactant effectiveness of lipophilic derivatives. Conclusion These results open up potential applications to use medium tyrosyl derivatives surfactants, antioxidants, antimicrobial and antileishmanial compounds in cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imen Aissa
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Génie Enzymatique des Lipases, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax (ENIS), Route de Soukra, BP 1173, 3038 Sfax, Université de Sfax,Tunisie
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DE ALMEIDA MARCOSC, MOREIRA HELMARN. A MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF IMMUNE RESPONSE IN CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS. J BIOL SYST 2011. [DOI: 10.1142/s0218339007002209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The TH1/TH2 paradigm has been largely used in the interpretation of several diseases, particularly in leishmaniasis. As far as we know there is no mathematical description of this model related to leishmaniasis. We have extended and modified a previous published set of equations1in order to adapt it to leishmanial disease particularities. The main modifications were: (1) the analysis of logistic and exponential parasite growth curves, (2) the assumption of the TH2 arm of the immune response having a positive action on parasite growth. The set of three simultaneous differential equations describing the TH1 arm, TH2 arm and parasite growth were analyzed for conditions of existence and stability of the solutions.Stable solutions valid for the logistic and exponential parasite growth models, with its possible clinical correlations, were obtained in the following situations: (1) parasite and TH2 extinction [TH1 cure], (2) parasite extinction and TH1/TH2 co-existence [TH1/TH2 cure], (3) TH1 and parasite co-existence, TH2 extinction [stable TH1 infection], and (4) TH1, TH2 and parasite co-existence [stable TH1/TH2 infection]. TH2 and parasite co-existence associated to TH1 extinction [stable TH2 infection] was obtained only with the logistic growth model. The model also provides an alternative hypothesis for TH1 bias in resistant mice and emphazises the importance of natural immunity for the existence of chronic states.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - HELMAR N. MOREIRA
- Department of Mathematics, Universidade de Brasilia, Brasilia-DF, CEP: 70910-900, Brazil
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Ahmed SBH, Sghaier RM, Guesmi F, Kaabi B, Mejri M, Attia H, Laouini D, Smaali I. Evaluation of antileishmanial, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of essential oils extracted from plants issued from the leishmaniasis-endemic region of Sned (Tunisia). Nat Prod Res 2011; 25:1195-201. [PMID: 21740286 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2010.534097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we tested 10 essential oils (EOs) extracted from 10 plants issued from Sned region (Tunisia) to evaluate both their leishmanicidal effects against Leishmania major and L. infantum, and their cytotoxicity against murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 (ATCC, TIB-71). The antioxidant activity was also monitored by the DDPH method, while the chemical composition of active EO was assessed by GC-MS analysis. The results showed that the EOs obtained from Thymus hirtus sp. algeriensis (rich on monoterpenoids, especially linalool at 17.62% and camphor at 13.82%) is significantly active against both L. major and L. infantum, whereas Ruta chalepensis EO (rich on 2-undecanone at 84.28%) is only active against L. infantum. Both oil extracts showed low cytotoxicity towards murine macrophages. The characteristic ratios (IC₈₀ Raw264.7 cells/IC₅₀ L. infantum and IC₈₀ Raw264.7 cells/IC₅₀ L. major) were, respectively, 2.7 and 1.57 for T. hirtus sp. algeriensis, and 1.34 and 0.19 for R. chalepensis. However, when measuring the antioxidant effects (DDPH method), the two latter EOs presented a moderate 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate scavenging effects compared to EOs from Eucaliptus globulus, Pinus halepensis, Pituranthos tortuosus, Rosmarinus officinalis, Tetraclinis articulata or to BHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ben Hadj Ahmed
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences de Gafsa, Campus Universitaire Zarroug-Gafsa 2112, Gafsa, Tunisia.
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Dynamics of Cryptococcus neoformans-macrophage interactions reveal that fungal background influences outcome during cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in humans. mBio 2011; 2:mBio.00158-11. [PMID: 21828220 PMCID: PMC3149853 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00158-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a multifaceted fungal infection with variable clinical presentation and outcome. As in many infectious diseases, this variability is commonly assigned to host factors. To investigate whether the diversity of Cryptococcus neoformans clinical (ClinCn) isolates influences the interaction with host cells and the clinical outcome, we developed and validated new quantitative assays using flow cytometry and J774 macrophages. The phenotype of ClinCn-macrophage interactions was determined for 54 ClinCn isolates recovered from cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from 54 unrelated patients, based on phagocytic index (PI) and 2-h and 48-h intracellular proliferation indexes (IPH2 and IPH48, respectively). Their phenotypes were highly variable. Isolates harboring low PI/low IPH2 and high PI/high IPH2 values were associated with nonsterilization of CSF at week 2 and death at month 3, respectively. A subset of 9 ClinCn isolates with different phenotypes exhibited variable virulence in mice and displayed intramacrophagic expression levels of the LAC1, APP1, VAD1, IPC1, PLB1, and COX1 genes that were highly variable among the isolates and correlated with IPH48. Variation in the expression of virulence factors is thus shown here to depend on not only experimental conditions but also fungal background. These results suggest that, in addition to host factors, the patient’s outcome can be related to fungal determinants. Deciphering the molecular events involved in C. neoformans fate inside host cells is crucial for our understanding of cryptococcosis pathogenesis. Cryptococcus neoformans is a life-threatening human fungal pathogen that is responsible for an estimated 1 million cases of meningitis/year, predominantly in HIV-infected patients. The diversity of infecting isolates is well established, as is the importance of the host factors. Interaction with macrophages is a major step in cryptococcosis pathogenesis. How the diversity of clinical isolates influences macrophages’ interactions and impacts cryptococcosis outcome in humans remains to be elucidated. Using new assays, we uncovered how yeast-macrophage interactions were highly variable among clinical isolates and found an association between specific behaviors and cryptococcosis outcome. In addition, gene expression of some virulence factors and intracellular proliferation were correlated. While many studies have established that virulence factors can be differentially expressed as a function of experimental conditions, our study demonstrates that, under the same experimental conditions, clinical isolates behaved differently, a diversity that could participate in the variable outcome of infection in humans.
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Alimohammadian MH, Darabi H, Ajdary S, Khaze V, Torkabadi E. Genotypically distinct strains of Leishmania major display diverse clinical and immunological patterns in BALB/c mice. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2010; 10:969-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2010.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2010] [Revised: 05/31/2010] [Accepted: 06/04/2010] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Fritzsche C, Schleicher U, Bogdan C. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase limits the inflammatory response in mouse cutaneous leishmaniasis. Immunobiology 2010; 215:826-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2010.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2010] [Accepted: 05/20/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Ben-Othman R, Dellagi K, Guizani-Tabbane L. Leishmania major parasites induced macrophage tolerance: Implication of MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Mol Immunol 2009; 46:3438-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2009.05.337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2009] [Revised: 05/18/2009] [Accepted: 05/26/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Kumar R, Bumb RA, Salotra P. Correlation of parasitic load with interleukin-4 response in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 57:239-46. [PMID: 19799628 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2009.00607.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
We have established the association between parasite burden and localized immune response in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania tropica. Real-time PCR was used to measure parasitic load in tissue lesions of CL patients at the pretreatment (n=26) and at the post-treatment stage (n=10). Leishmania tropica was detected in all CL lesions with a mean value of 118 357 parasites g(-1) of dermal tissue. Following treatment, only one out of 10 patients showed residual parasites (100 parasites g(-1) tissue). Parasite load was high (mean, 306 000 parasites g(-1) tissue) in acute infections (early lesions) and low (mean, 1081 parasites g(-1) tissue) in chronic infections (late lesions). Intralesional transcripts of interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-8, IL-10 and IL-4 were investigated in early lesions (<or=2 months, n=14) and late lesions (>2 months, n=15) by reverse transcriptase-PCR, where IL-4 was found to be significantly upregulated in early lesions (P<0.02). Further, the levels of parasite burden and IL-4 were distinctly correlated in various clinical forms of CL. Other cytokines were at comparable levels in early/late lesions and in different clinical forms. Upregulation of IL-4 was correlated with a higher parasite burden in early lesions of CL, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of CL by inhibiting a protective immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Kumar
- Institute of Pathology (ICMR), Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, India
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Comparative evaluation of two vaccine candidates against experimental leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major infection in four inbred mouse strains. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2009; 16:1529-37. [PMID: 19726616 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00153-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Experimental leishmaniasis in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice are the most investigated murine models that were used for the preclinical evaluation of Leishmania vaccine candidates. We have previously described two new inbred mouse strains named PWK and MAI issued from feral founders that also support the development of experimental leishmaniasis due to L. major. In this study, we sought to determine whether different mouse inbred strains generate concordant or discordant results when used to evaluate the potential of Leishmania proteins to protect against experimental leishmaniasis. To this end, two Leishmania proteins, namely, LACK (for Leishmania homolog of receptor for activated C kinase) and LmPDI (for L. major protein disulfide isomerase) were compared for their capacity to protect against experimental leishmaniasis in PWK, MAI, BALB/c, and C57BL/6 inbred mouse strains. Our data show that the capacity of Leishmania proteins to confer protection depends on the mouse strain used, stressing the important role played by the genetic background in shaping the immune response against the pathogen. These results may have important implications for the preclinical evaluation of candidate Leishmania vaccines: rather than using a single mouse strain, a panel of different inbred strains of various genetic backgrounds should be tested in parallel. The antigen that confers protection in the larger range of inbred strains may have better chances to be also protective in outbred human populations and should be selected for clinical trials.
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An in silico immunological approach for prediction of CD8+ T cell epitopes of Leishmania major proteins in susceptible BALB/c and resistant C57BL/6 murine models of infection. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2009; 9:344-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2008.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2007] [Revised: 02/26/2008] [Accepted: 02/28/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Meddeb-Garnaoui A, Zrelli H, Dellagi K. Effects of tropism and virulence of Leishmania parasites on cytokine production by infected human monocytes. Clin Exp Immunol 2008; 155:199-206. [PMID: 19040614 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2008.03821.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The nature of early interactions between Leishmania and macrophages which determine the outcome of infection can be related directly to parasite biological properties. Here we compared the capacity of L. major (Lm) strains, reported to be high (LmHV) and low virulent and (LmLV) in the mouse model and L. infantum (Li) strains, dermotropic (LiD) and viscerotropic (LiV), to infect and modulate cytokine production in human peripheral blood derived monocytes. Monocytes were infected with metacyclic promastigotes for 24, 48 and 72 h. Parasite burden was significantly higher in Lm- than in Li-infected monocytes. LmHV and LiD induced a significantly higher parasite burden than LmLV and LiV respectively. Cytokine production was evaluated in monocytes infected for 24 h. Contrary to interleukin (IL)-12p70, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and transforming growth factor-beta production was increased significantly in infected monocytes with no differences between strains. Lm isolates induced significantly higher quantities of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha than Li isolates. Low levels of IL-10 were induced by all Leishmania strains and, interestingly, co-stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was accompanied by a dramatic increase in IL-10 production by infected monocytes. In conclusion, Lm isolates displaying different levels of virulence in mice exhibited significant differences in parasite burden but similar abilities to modulate cytokine production in human monocytes. Li strains showed weaker infectivity and TNF-alpha inducing-capacity compared with Lm strains. The dramatic increase of IL-10 production in infected monocytes co-stimulated by LPS may play a role in disease progression considering the presence of LPS during bacterial superinfections observed during human leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Meddeb-Garnaoui
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis-Belvédère, Tunisia.
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Ahmed SBH, Touihri L, Chtourou Y, Dellagi K, Bahloul C. DNA based vaccination with a cocktail of plasmids encoding immunodominant Leishmania (Leishmania) major antigens confers full protection in BALB/c mice. Vaccine 2008; 27:99-106. [PMID: 18951941 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2008] [Revised: 08/15/2008] [Accepted: 10/06/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite the lack of effective vaccines against parasitic diseases, the prospects of developing a vaccine against leishmaniasis are still high. With this objective, we have tested four DNA based candidate vaccines encoding to immunodominant leishmania antigens (LACKp24, TSA, LmSTI1 and CPa). These candidates have been previously reported as capable of eliciting at least partial protections in the BALB/c mice model of experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. When tested under similar experimental conditions, all of them were able to induce similar partial protective effects, but none could induce a full protection. In order to improve the level of protection we have explored the approach of DNA based vaccination with different cocktails of plasmids encoding to the different immunodominant Leishmania antigens. A substantial increase of protection was achieved when the cocktail is composed of all of the four antigens; however, no full protection was achieved when mice were challenged with a high dose of parasite in their hind footpad. The full protection was only achieved after a challenge with a low parasitic dose in the dermis of the ear. It was difficult to determine clear protection correlates, other than the mixture of immunogens induced specific Th1 immune responses against each component. Therefore, such an association of antigens increased the number of targeted epitopes by the immune system with the prospects that the responses are at least additive if not synergistic. Even though, any extrapolation of this approach when applied to other animal or human models is rather hazardous, it undoubtedly increases the hopes of developing an effective leishmania vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Ben Hadj Ahmed
- Laboratory of Immunology, Vaccinology and Molecular Genetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13, Place Pasteur BP-74, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere, Tunisia
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Kumari S, Samant M, Misra P, Khare P, Sisodia B, Shasany AK, Dube A. Th1-stimulatory polyproteins of soluble Leishmania donovani promastigotes ranging from 89.9 to 97.1 kDa offers long-lasting protection against experimental visceral leishmaniasis. Vaccine 2008; 26:5700-11. [PMID: 18762224 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2008] [Revised: 08/05/2008] [Accepted: 08/11/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Our earlier studies identified a fraction (F2) of Leishmania donovani soluble promastigote antigen belonging to 97.4-68 kDa for its ability to stimulate Th1-type cellular responses in cured visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients as well as in cured hamsters. A further fractionation of F2-fraction into seven subfractions (F2.1-F2.7) and re-assessment for their immunostimulatory responses revealed that out of these, only four (F2.4-F2.7) belonging to 89.9-97.1 kDa, stimulated remarkable Th1-type cellular responses either individually or in a pooled form (P4-7). In this study these potential subfractions were further assessed for their prophylactic potential in combination with BCG against L. donovani challenge in hamsters. Optimum parasite inhibition ( approximately 99%) was obtained in hamsters vaccinated with pooled subfractions and they survived for 1 year. The protection was further supported by remarkable lymphoproliferative, IFN-gamma and IL-12 responses along with profound delayed type hypersensitivity and increased levels of Leishmania-specific IgG2 antibody as observed on days 45, 90 and 120 post-challenge suggesting that a successful subunit vaccine against VL may require multiple Th1-immunostimulatory proteins. MALDI-TOF-MS/MS analysis of these subfractions further revealed that of the 19 identified immunostimulatory proteins, Elongation factor-2, p45, Heat shock protein-70/83, Aldolase, Enolase, Triosephosphate isomerase, Disulfideisomerase and Calreticulin were the major ones in these subfractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shraddha Kumari
- Division of Parasitology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
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Ben-Othman R, Guizani-Tabbane L, Dellagi K. Leishmania initially activates but subsequently down-regulates intracellular mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB signaling in macrophages. Mol Immunol 2008; 45:3222-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2008.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2007] [Revised: 02/20/2008] [Accepted: 02/26/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Guerfali FZ, Laouini D, Guizani-Tabbane L, Ottones F, Ben-Aissa K, Benkahla A, Manchon L, Piquemal D, Smandi S, Mghirbi O, Commes T, Marti J, Dellagi K. Simultaneous gene expression profiling in human macrophages infected with Leishmania major parasites using SAGE. BMC Genomics 2008; 9:238. [PMID: 18495030 PMCID: PMC2430024 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-9-238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2007] [Accepted: 05/21/2008] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmania (L) are intracellular protozoan parasites that are able to survive and replicate within the harsh and potentially hostile phagolysosomal environment of mammalian mononuclear phagocytes. A complex interplay then takes place between the macrophage (MΦ) striving to eliminate the pathogen and the parasite struggling for its own survival. To investigate this host-parasite conflict at the transcriptional level, in the context of monocyte-derived human MΦs (MDM) infection by L. major metacyclic promastigotes, the quantitative technique of serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was used. Results After extracting mRNA from resting human MΦs, Leishmania-infected human MΦs and L. major parasites, three SAGE libraries were constructed and sequenced generating up to 28,173; 57,514 and 33,906 tags respectively (corresponding to 12,946; 23,442 and 9,530 unique tags). Using computational data analysis and direct comparison to 357,888 publicly available experimental human tags, the parasite and the host cell transcriptomes were then simultaneously characterized from the mixed cellular extract, confidently discriminating host from parasite transcripts. This procedure led us to reliably assign 3,814 tags to MΦs' and 3,666 tags to L. major parasites transcripts. We focused on these, showing significant changes in their expression that are likely to be relevant to the pathogenesis of parasite infection: (i) human MΦs genes, belonging to key immune response proteins (e.g., IFNγ pathway, S100 and chemokine families) and (ii) a group of Leishmania genes showing a preferential expression at the parasite's intra-cellular developing stage. Conclusion Dual SAGE transcriptome analysis provided a useful, powerful and accurate approach to discriminating genes of human or parasitic origin in Leishmania-infected human MΦs. The findings presented in this work suggest that the Leishmania parasite modulates key transcripts in human MΦs that may be beneficial for its establishment and survival. Furthermore, these results provide an overview of gene expression at two developmental stages of the parasite, namely metacyclic promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes and indicate a broad difference between their transcriptomic profiles. Finally, our reported set of expressed genes will be useful in future rounds of data mining and gene annotation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Z Guerfali
- Laboratoire d'Immuno-Pathologie, Vaccinologie et Génétique Moléculaire, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Leishmaniasis, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13 place Pasteur, BP 74, 1002 Tunis-Belvédère, Tunisia.
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Bañuls AL, Hide M, Prugnolle F. Leishmania and the leishmaniases: a parasite genetic update and advances in taxonomy, epidemiology and pathogenicity in humans. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2007; 64:1-109. [PMID: 17499100 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-308x(06)64001-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniases remain a major public health problem today despite the vast amount of research conducted on Leishmania pathogens. The biological model is genetically and ecologically complex. This paper explores the advances in Leishmania genetics and reviews population structure, taxonomy, epidemiology and pathogenicity. Current knowledge of Leishmania genetics is placed in the context of natural populations. Various studies have described a clonal structure for Leishmania but recombination, pseudo-recombination and other genetic processes have also been reported. The impact of these different models on epidemiology and the medical aspects of leishmaniases is considered from an evolutionary point of view. The role of these parasites in the expression of pathogenicity in humans is also explored. It is important to ascertain whether genetic variability of the parasites is related to the different clinical expressions of leishmaniasis. The review aims to put current knowledge of Leishmania and the leishmaniases in perspective and to underline priority questions which 'leishmaniacs' must answer in various domains: epidemiology, population genetics, taxonomy and pathogenicity. It concludes by presenting a number of feasible ways of responding to these questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Laure Bañuls
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR CNRS/IRD 2724, Génétique et Evolution des Maladies Infectieuses, IRD Montpellier, 911 avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier cedex 5, France
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Dey R, Khan S, Pahari S, Srivastava N, Jadhav M, Saha B. Functional paradox in host–pathogen interaction dictates the fate of parasites. Future Microbiol 2007; 2:425-37. [PMID: 17683278 DOI: 10.2217/17460913.2.4.425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The interactions between the protozoan parasite Leishmania and host macrophages are complex and involve several paradoxical functions that are meant for protection of the host but exploited by the parasite for its survival. The initial interaction of the parasite surface molecules with the host-cell receptors plays a major role in the final outcome of the disease state. While the interactions between macrophages and a virulent strain of Leishmania trigger a cascade of cell-signaling events leading to immunosuppression, the interaction with an avirulent strain triggers host-protective immune effector functions. Thus, an incisive study on Leishmania–macrophage interactions reveals functional paradoxes that highlight the concept of ‘relativity in parasite virulence’. Using Leishmania infection as a model, we propose that virulence of a pathogen and the resistance (or susceptibility) of a host to the pathogen are relative properties that equate to combinatorial functions of several sets of molecular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranadhir Dey
- National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India.
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Gupta SK, Sisodia BS, Sinha S, Hajela K, Naik S, Shasany AK, Dube A. Proteomic approach for identification and characterization of novel immunostimulatory proteins from soluble antigens of Leishmania donovani promastigotes. Proteomics 2007; 7:816-23. [PMID: 17295358 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200600725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania donovani is a major parasitic disease prevalent in endemic regions of Bihar in India. In the absence of good chemotherapeutic options, there is a need to develop an effective vaccine against VL which should be dependent on the generation of a T helper type 1 (Th1) immune response. We have shown that soluble proteins from promastigote of a new clinical isolate of L. donovani (2001) ranging from 68 to 97.4 kDa (F2 fraction), induce Th1 responses in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of cured Leishmania patients and hamsters and also showed significant prophylactic potential. To understand the nature of F2 proteins, it was further characterized using 2-DE, MALDI-TOF and MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS. In all, 63 spots were cut from a CBB stained gel for analysis and data was retrieved for 52 spots. A total of 33 proteins were identified including six hypothetical/unknown proteins. Major immunostimulatory proteins were identified as elongation factor-2, p45, heat shock protein (HSP)70, HSP83, aldolase, enolase, triosephosphate isomerase, protein disulfideisomerase and calreticulin. This study substantiates the usefulness of proteomics in characterizing a complex protein fraction (F2) map of soluble L. donovani promastigote antigen identified as Th1 stimulatory for its potential as vaccine targets against VL.
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Ouakad M, Bahi-Jaber N, Chenik M, Dellagi K, Louzir H. Selection of endogenous reference genes for gene expression analysis in Leishmania major developmental stages. Parasitol Res 2007; 101:473-7. [PMID: 17318579 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-007-0491-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2006] [Accepted: 02/01/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
At the era of post-genomics, gene expression analysis constitutes an important step for understanding the biological functions of genes. For this, reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is one of the most accurate techniques available to date. Normalization with a proper internal control is critical for the generation of reliable results with biological significance. This is particularly true for pathogens, like Leishmania (L.) parasites, that alternate between different stages during their life cycle. In this study, we evaluate six different sequences for their potential as suitable internal control for the study of gene expression in three different developmental stages (procyclic and metacyclic promastigotes and amastigotes) of the parasite Leishmania major. Experiments were performed on RNA purified from three L. major isolates using the RT-PCR technique. Data analysis was performed using GeNorm and NormFinder programs. We could determine that a sequence encoding rRNA45 is the most stable in the three developmental stages of the parasite and can thus be used as a reference gene in gene expression studies in L. major.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriam Ouakad
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Vaccinology and Molecular Genetics (LIVGM), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, BP 74, 13, Place Pasteur, 1002, Tunis-Belvedere, Tunisia
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Baptista-Fernandes T, Marques C, Roos Rodrigues O, Santos-Gomes GM. Intra-specific variability of virulence in Leishmania infantum zymodeme MON-1 strains. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2006; 30:41-53. [PMID: 17109961 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2006.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to characterize the intra-specific variability of virulence in Leishmania infantum zymodeme MON-1 strains isolated from dogs and immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients through the evaluation of growth pattern, infective ability and immunopathogenicity. Two of the strains, classified as the most virulent, presented higher levels of macrophage infection, increased promastigote replication in culture medium and as well as amastigote multiplication within macrophages. These strains caused the most pathogenic infection inducing splenomegalia and maximum parasite loads in spleen and liver of BALB/c mice. The other strains exhibited either low virulence, with reduced infective capability and low replication levels, or an intermediate virulent phenotype showing mixed features similar to low and high virulent phenotypes. A correlation between the infectivity, growth dynamics and pathogenicity of each strain and the humoral and cellular immune response was demonstrated. Strains with accentuated virulent phenotype induced higher levels of anti-Leishmania IgG1 antibodies and TGF-beta but reduced production of IFN-gamma. Virulence phenotype seems to be a characteristic of each strain regardless of the host (dog or human) from which it was firstly isolated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Baptista-Fernandes
- Unidade de Leishmanioses, Centro de Malária e outras Doenças Tropicais, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 96, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
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Ouakad M, Chenik M, Ben Achour-Chenik Y, Louzir H, Dellagi K. Gene expression analysis of wild Leishmania major isolates: identification of genes preferentially expressed in amastigotes. Parasitol Res 2006; 100:255-64. [PMID: 17016728 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-006-0277-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2006] [Accepted: 07/03/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Trying to identify virulence genes of wild Leishmania (L.) major parasites, the species responsible for zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, we compared, using differential display technique, gene expression in two L. major isolates obtained from human lesions and characterized by their contrasting pathogenicity in the BALB/c mouse model. The analysis was performed on amastigotes derived from BALB/c mice lesions. A total of 13 different clones were identified, but the use of reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction technique did not allow us to confirm any of these clones as differentially expressed. However, the fact that we used the amastigote stage of the parasite led us the identification of amastigote-specific genes, essentially (8 among 13). They are overexpressed, two to seven times, in amastigotes relative to promastigotes. Sequence analysis revealed that two of them namely LPG3 and the ATP dependent RNA helicase correspond to previously described amastigote-specific genes. The others correspond to genes involved in important biological process. Their better characterization could help the development of new drugs targeting the processes in which these molecules are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriem Ouakad
- Laboratoire d'Immunopathologie, Vaccinologie et Génétique Moléculaire, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13, Place Pasteur 1002, Tunis-Belvédère, Tunisia
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Long GH, Chan BHK, Allen JE, Read AF, Graham AL. Parasite genetic diversity does not influence TNF-mediated effects on the virulence of primary rodent malaria infections. Parasitology 2006; 133:673-84. [PMID: 16978451 DOI: 10.1017/s003118200600117x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2006] [Revised: 06/17/2006] [Accepted: 06/21/2006] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is associated with malaria virulence (disease severity) in both rodents and humans. We are interested in whether parasite genetic diversity influences TNF-mediated effects on malaria virulence. Here, primary infections with genetically distinct Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi (P.c.c.) clones varied in the virulence and cytokine responses induced in female C57BL/6 mice. Even when parasitaemia was controlled for, a greater day 7 TNF-alpha response was induced by infection with more virulent P.c.c. clones. Since many functions of TNF-alpha are exerted through TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1), a TNFR-1 fusion protein (TNFR-Ig) was used to investigate whether TNFR1 blockade eliminated clone virulence differences. We found that TNFR-1 blockade ameliorated the weight loss but not the anaemia induced by malaria infection, regardless of P.c.c. clone. We show that distinct P.c.c. infections induced significantly different plasma interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels. Our results demonstrate that regardless of P.c.c. genotype, blocking TNFR1 signalling protected against weight loss, but had negligible effects on both anaemia and asexual parasite kinetics. Thus, during P.c.c. infection, TNF-alpha is a key mediator of weight loss, independent of parasite load and across parasite genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G H Long
- Institutes of Evolution, Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, Scotland.
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Chenik M, Chaabouni N, Ben Achour-Chenik Y, Ouakad M, Lakhal-Naouar I, Louzir H, Dellagi K. Identification of a new developmentally regulated Leishmania major large RAB GTPase. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 341:541-8. [PMID: 16430865 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2005] [Accepted: 01/04/2006] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Here, we describe for the first time a Leishmania specific gene encoding a large 610 amino-acid RAB GTPase (LmLRAB). LmLRAB displays high homologies with the RAB GTPase protein family between amino acids 34 and 284. It contains characteristic signatures of RAB proteins: 4 GTP binding domains, 5 RAB specific domains, 3 RAB subfamily-specific domains, and a prenylation site. lmlrab is a single copy gene, transcribed as a 3.5 kb mRNA, highly conserved in Leishmania species, and encodes a protein doublet of approximately 75 kDa. Immunofluorescence microscopy using LmLRAB-specific antibodies demonstrated that LmLRAB is confined in a structure adjacent to the kinetoplast probably corresponding to an early endosomal/golgi apparatus localization. Interestingly, using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, we showed that the lmlrab gene is up-regulated twice in amastigotes relative to promastigotes. These findings suggest that LmLRAB may play a potential role in Leishmania pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Chenik
- Laboratoire d'Immunopathologie, Vaccinologie et Génétique Moléculaire, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13, Place Pasteur 1002 Tunis-Belvédère, Tunisia.
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Chenik M, Lakhal S, Ben Khalef N, Zribi L, Louzir H, Dellagi K. Approaches for the identification of potential excreted/secreted proteins of Leishmania major parasites. Parasitology 2006; 132:493-509. [PMID: 16388694 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182005009546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2005] [Revised: 09/28/2005] [Accepted: 10/14/2005] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites are able to survive in host macrophages despite the harsh phagolysosomal vacuoles conditions. This could reflect, in part, their capacity to secrete proteins that may play an essential role in the establishment of infection and serve as targets for cellular immune responses. To characterize Leishmania major proteins excreted/secreted early after promastigote entry into the host macrophage, we have generated antibodies against culture supernatants of stationary-phase promastigotes collected 6 h after incubation in conditions that partially reproduce those prevailing in the parasitophorous vacuole. The screening of an L. major cDNA library with these antibodies led us to isolate 33 different cDNA clones that we report here. Sequence analysis revealed that the corresponding proteins could be classified in 3 groups: 9 proteins have been previously described as excreted/secreted in Leishmania and/or other species; 11 correspond to known proteins already characterized in Leishmania and/or other species although it is unknown whether they are excreted/secreted and 13 code for unknown proteins. Interestingly, the latter are transcribed as shown by RT-PCR and some of them are stage regulated. The L. major excreted/secreted proteins may constitute putative virulence factors, vaccine candidates and/or new drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Chenik
- WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Leishmaniasis, Laboratoire d'Immunopathologie, Vaccinologie et Génétique Moléculaire, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13, Place Pasteur 1002 Tunis-Belvédére, Tunisia.
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