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Doni NY, An İ. Geriatric cutaneous leishmaniasis: a retrospective analysis of 622 cases. Postgrad Med J 2024:qgae048. [PMID: 38598958 DOI: 10.1093/postmj/qgae048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is most common in childhood because children are exposed to the parasite early and, unlike adults, do not have immunity to CL. Since CL is less common in geriatric patients, clinical and epidemiological data in this age group are limited. This study aims to compare the clinical and demographic characteristics of geriatric patients diagnosed with CL with young patients. METHODS In this retrospective study, 622 patients aged 65 and over and 6350 patients aged 19-64, who applied to Şanlıurfa Oriental Boil Diagnosis and Treatment Center between January 2013 and February 2024 and were diagnosed with CL by parasitological examination, were included. Clinical and demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with CL, such as age, gender, location of the lesion, lesion size, duration of the lesion, and treatments applied due to the diagnosis of CL, were recorded. Clinical and demographic characteristics of geriatric and young patients were compared. RESULTS The mean age of elderly CL cases was 72.95 ± 6.54 years, and 65.2% were female. The most common clinical forms were ulcers (51.9%) and plaques (41%), respectively, in young and elderly patients. The most common locations of the lesions were upper limbs (54.8%) in all patients. The most preferred treatment method was intralesional (IL) meglumine antimoniate (MA) treatment (98.3%) in all patients. There were no difference between young and elderly CL cases in terms of mean number of lesions, average lesion duration, average lesion size, lesion location, clinical forms of lesions, and treatments options (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Based on the results of our study, it can be said that the clinical and demographic characteristics of CL are similar in young and old patients and systemic MA treatment shows similar clinical benefit in both age groups. In addition, it can be said that systemic MA therapy can be used safely in young patients and elderly patients without contraindications. IL MA therapy can be used in elderly patients where systemic MA therapy is contraindicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nebiye Yentur Doni
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Harran University Medical Faculty, Şanlıurfa 63000, Turkey
| | - İsa An
- Department of Dermatology, Şanlıurfa Training and Research Hospital, Şanlıurfa 63000, Turkey
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2
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Moss CE, Phipps H, Wilson HL, Kiss-Toth E. Markers of the ageing macrophage: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1222308. [PMID: 37520567 PMCID: PMC10373068 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1222308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Ageing research is establishing macrophages as key immune system regulators that undergo functional decline. Due to heterogeneity between species and tissue populations, a plethora of data exist and the power of scientific conclusions can vary substantially. This meta-analysis by information content (MAIC) and systematic literature review (SLR) aims to determine overall changes in macrophage gene and protein expression, as well as function, with age. Methods PubMed was utilized to collate peer-reviewed literature relating to macrophage ageing. Primary studies comparing macrophages in at least two age groups were included. Data pertaining to gene or protein expression alongside method used were extracted for MAIC analysis. For SLR analysis, data included all macrophage-specific changes with age, as well as species, ontogeny and age of groups assessed. Results A total of 240 studies were included; 122 of which qualified for MAIC. The majority of papers focussed on changes in macrophage count/infiltration as a function of age, followed by gene and protein expression. The MAIC found iNOS and TNF to be the most commonly investigated entities, with 328 genes and 175 proteins showing consistent dysregulation with age across the literature. Overall findings indicate that cytokine secretion and phagocytosis are reduced and reactive oxygen species production is increased in the ageing macrophage. Discussion Collectively, our analysis identifies critical regulators in macrophage ageing that are consistently dysregulated, highlighting a plethora of targets for further investigation. Consistent functional changes with age found here can be used to confirm an ageing macrophage phenotype in specific studies and experimental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte E. Moss
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Hew Phipps
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Heather L. Wilson
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Endre Kiss-Toth
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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3
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Carter NS, Kawasaki Y, Nahata SS, Elikaee S, Rajab S, Salam L, Alabdulal MY, Broessel KK, Foroghi F, Abbas A, Poormohamadian R, Roberts SC. Polyamine Metabolism in Leishmania Parasites: A Promising Therapeutic Target. Med Sci (Basel) 2022; 10:24. [PMID: 35645240 PMCID: PMC9149861 DOI: 10.3390/medsci10020024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania cause a variety of devastating and often fatal diseases in humans and domestic animals worldwide. The need for new therapeutic strategies is urgent because no vaccine is available, and treatment options are limited due to a lack of specificity and the emergence of drug resistance. Polyamines are metabolites that play a central role in rapidly proliferating cells, and recent studies have highlighted their critical nature in Leishmania. Numerous studies using a variety of inhibitors as well as gene deletion mutants have elucidated the pathway and routes of transport, revealing unique aspects of polyamine metabolism in Leishmania parasites. These studies have also shed light on the significance of polyamines for parasite proliferation, infectivity, and host-parasite interactions. This comprehensive review article focuses on the main polyamine biosynthetic enzymes: ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, and spermidine synthase, and it emphasizes recent discoveries that advance these enzymes as potential therapeutic targets against Leishmania parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sigrid C. Roberts
- School of Pharmacy, Pacific University Oregon, Hillsboro, OR 97123, USA; (N.S.C.); (Y.K.); (S.S.N.); (S.E.); (S.R.); (L.S.); (M.Y.A.); (K.K.B.); (F.F.); (A.A.); (R.P.)
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Bastos DSS, Silva AC, Novaes RD, Souza ACF, Santos EC, Gonçalves RV, Marques-Da-Silva EA. Could combination chemotherapy be more effective than monotherapy in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis? A systematic review of preclinical evidence. Parasitology 2022; 149:1-14. [PMID: 35346411 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022000142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
From a systematic review framework, we assessed the preclinical evidence on the effectiveness of drug combinations for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) treatment. Research protocol was based on the PRISMA guideline. Research records were identified from Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Animal models, infection and treatment protocols, parasitological and immunological outcomes were analysed. The SYRCLE's (SYstematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation) toll was used to evaluate the risk of bias in all studies reviewed. Fourteen papers using mice, hamster and dogs were identified. Leishmania donovani was frequently used to induce VL, which was treated with 23 drugs in 40 different combinations. Most combinations allowed to reduce the effective dose, cost and time of treatment, in addition to improving the parasitological control of Leishmania spp. The benefits achieved from drug combinations were associated with an increased drug's half-life, direct parasitic toxicity and improved immune defences in infected hosts. Selection, performance and detection bias were the main limitations identified. Current evidence indicates that combination chemotherapy, especially those based on classical drugs (miltefosine, amphotericin B antimony-based compounds) and new drugs (CAL-101, PAM3Cys, tufisin and DB766), develops additive or synergistic interactions, which trigger trypanocidal and immunomodulatory effects associated with reduced parasite load, organ damage and better cure rates in VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S S Bastos
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Adriana C Silva
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rômulo D Novaes
- Department of Structural Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia F Souza
- Department of Animal Biology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, 23897-000, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eliziária C Santos
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Diamantina39100-00, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Reggiani V Gonçalves
- Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Crompton RA, Williams H, Campbell L, Hui Kheng L, Saville C, Ansell DM, Reid A, Wong J, Vardy LA, Hardman MJ, Cruickshank SM. An Epidermal-Specific Role for Arginase1 during Cutaneous Wound Repair. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:1206-1216.e8. [PMID: 34710388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Nonhealing wounds are a major area of unmet clinical need remaining problematic to treat. Improved understanding of prohealing mechanisms is invaluable. The enzyme arginase1 (ARG1) is involved in prohealing responses, with its role in macrophages best characterized. ARG1 is also expressed by keratinocytes; however, ARG1 function in these critical wound repair cells is not understood. We characterized ARG1 expression in keratinocytes during normal cutaneous repair and reveal de novo temporal and spatial expression at the epidermal wound edge. Interestingly, epidermal ARG1 expression was decreased in both human and murine delayed healing wounds. We therefore generated a keratinocyte-specific ARG1-null mouse model (K14-cre;Arg1fl/fl) to explore arginase function. Wound repair, linked to changes in keratinocyte proliferation, migration, and differentiation, was significantly delayed in K14-cre;Arg1fl/fl mice. Similarly, using the arginase inhibitor N(omega)-hydroxy-nor-L-arginine, human in vitro and ex vivo models further confirmed this finding, revealing the importance of the downstream polyamine pathway in repair. Indeed, restoring the balance in ARG1 activity through the addition of putrescine proved beneficial in wound closure. In summary, we show that epidermal ARG1 plays, to our knowledge, a previously unreported intrinsic role in cutaneous healing, highlighting epidermal ARG1 and the downstream mediators as potential targets for the therapeutic modulation of wound repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Crompton
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Williams
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Campbell
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Lim Hui Kheng
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Charis Saville
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David M Ansell
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom; Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Bioscience, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Reid
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Wong
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Leah A Vardy
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Matthew J Hardman
- Centre for Atherothrombosis and Metabolic Disease, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Sheena M Cruickshank
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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Elmahallawy EK, Alkhaldi AAM, Saleh AA. Host immune response against leishmaniasis and parasite persistence strategies: A review and assessment of recent research. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 139:111671. [PMID: 33957562 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a neglected parasitic disease caused by a unicellular protozoan of the genus Leishmania, is transmitted through the bite of a female sandfly. The disease remains a major public health problem and is linked to tropical and subtropical regions, with an endemic picture in several regions, including East Africa, the Mediterranean basin and South America. The different causative species display a diversity of clinical presentations; therefore, the immunological data on leishmaniasis are both scarce and controversial for the different forms and infecting species of the parasite. The present review highlights the main immune parameters associated with leishmaniasis that might contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenicity of the parasite and the clinical outcomes of the disease. Our aim was to provide a concise overview of the immunobiology of the disease and the factors that influence it, as this knowledge may be helpful in developing novel chemotherapeutic and vaccine strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt.
| | | | - Amira A Saleh
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zgazig, Egypt
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7
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Natural Products That Target the Arginase in Leishmania Parasites Hold Therapeutic Promise. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020267. [PMID: 33525448 PMCID: PMC7911663 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania cause a variety of devastating and often fatal diseases in humans worldwide. Because a vaccine is not available and the currently small number of existing drugs are less than ideal due to lack of specificity and emerging drug resistance, the need for new therapeutic strategies is urgent. Natural products and their derivatives are being used and explored as therapeutics and interest in developing such products as antileishmanials is high. The enzyme arginase, the first enzyme of the polyamine biosynthetic pathway in Leishmania, has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. The flavonols quercetin and fisetin, green tea flavanols such as catechin (C), epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and cinnamic acid derivates such as caffeic acid inhibit the leishmanial enzyme and modulate the host’s immune response toward parasite defense while showing little toxicity to the host. Quercetin, EGCG, gallic acid, caffeic acid, and rosmarinic acid have proven to be effective against Leishmania in rodent infectivity studies. Here, we review research on these natural products with a focus on their promise for the development of treatment strategies as well as unique structural and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic features of the most promising agents.
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Salih OAMM, Nail AM, Modawe GA, Swar MO, Ahmed MH, Khalil A, Satti AB, Abuzeid N. Risk Factors of Inpatients Mortality of Visceral Leishmaniasis, Khartoum State, Sudan. J Glob Infect Dis 2020; 12:135-140. [PMID: 33343164 PMCID: PMC7733432 DOI: 10.4103/jgid.jgid_25_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the common infections in Sudan and can be associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors associated with mortality and morbidity with VL. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional hospital-based study that recruited 150 patients with VL from two centers in Khartoum. Secondary data were extracted from the patient records, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Results: The study included 2.5% of infants, 39.4% children, and 58% of adults. Male represents 77.3% of the cohort, and total mortality was 16%. Among the death reported 12.5% in infants, 16.7% were children, and 70.8% were in adults. Laboratory parameters significantly associated with mortality in univariate analysis were low white cell count, low platelets, high creatinine, and high liver enzymes. While risk factors such as infant, male, acquired infection from Eastern Sudan or White Nile, weight loss, morbid diseases, and concomitant bacterial infections were also associated with significant mortality in univariate analysis. Importantly, logistic regression analysis revealed significant association with infant (P = 0.02), concomitant bacterial infections (P = 0.003), comorbid disease (P = 0.001), low total blood cell count (P = 0.018), low platelets (P = 0.013), and high aspartate transaminase/alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.013). Conclusion: Health education and awareness are needed in terms of prevention and control, especially with high mortality seen in the infant. Treatment of underlying co-morbid diseases and bacterial infections are important to enhance survival. Patients with Leishmania are vulnerable; therefore, regular routine blood tests are an essential part of management to manage complications such as renal, hepatic failure, or severe anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abdelsalam M Nail
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan
| | - Gad Allah Modawe
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan
| | - Mohamed Osman Swar
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Ahfad University for Women, Sudan
| | - Mohamed H Ahmed
- Department of Medicine, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - Atif Khalil
- Department of Nephrology, Noble Hospital, Isle of Man, UK
| | - Abdelsalam Basheir Satti
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan
| | - Nadir Abuzeid
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan
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9
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Krayem I, Lipoldová M. Role of host genetics and cytokines in Leishmania infection. Cytokine 2020; 147:155244. [PMID: 33059974 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines and chemokines are important regulators of innate and specific responses in leishmaniasis, a disease that currently affects 12 million people. We overviewed the current information about influences of genetically engineered mouse models of cytokine and chemokine on leishmaniasis. We found that genetic background of the host, parasite species and sub-strain, as well as experimental design often modify effects of genetically engineered cytokine genes. Next we analyzed genes and QTLs (quantitative trait loci) that control response to Leishmania species in mouse in order to establish relationship between genetic control of cytokine expression and organ pathology. These studies revealed a network-like complexity of the combined effects of the multiple functionally diverse QTLs and their individual specificity. Genetic control of organ pathology and systemic immune response overlap only partially. Some QTLs control both organ pathology and systemic immune response, but the effects of genes and loci with the strongest impact on disease are cytokine-independent, whereas several loci modify cytokines levels in serum without influencing organ pathology. Understanding this genetic control might be important in development of vaccines designed to stimulate certain cytokine spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imtissal Krayem
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Lipoldová
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Sítná 3105, 272 01 Kladno, Czech Republic.
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10
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Genetic variability of molecules involved in the disease pathogenesis in Leishmania infection. Exp Parasitol 2020; 218:108007. [PMID: 32979344 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.108007] [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: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Macrophages are the primary host cell for Leishmania parasites, by Toll like receptors (TLR-MyD88) that are central components of the innate and adaptive immunity against leishmania infection. The CD40/CD40L interaction has also been shown to be important in resistance to various protozoa. In this context, one of the most important properties of suppressors of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins, especially SOCS1 and SOCS3, is the regulation of macrophages cell for Leishmania parasites. In the present study we evaluated variants of molecules involved in activation and modulation of leishmanicidal signaling cascades and the possible associations between polymorphisms present in the TLR2, TLR4, MyD88, CD40, SOCS1, SOCS3 genes with susceptibility/resistent to Leishmania. The results suggest the absence of any association between TLR2 and TLR4 variants and susceptibility to Leishmaniasis. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence encoding the TIR recognition domain of the MyD88 molecule showed that it is highly conserved when compared to the reference sequences. In contrast, heterozygous rs 12953258, which reflects a decrease in the expression of SOCS3, suggesting that it may be involved in the leishmaniasis susceptibility. This study is a first advance in the analysis of polymorphisms of genes involved in the signaling pathway of the macrophage and their relationship with leishmaniases infection and disease progression.
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11
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Pessenda G, da Silva JS. Arginase and its mechanisms in Leishmania persistence. Parasite Immunol 2020; 42:e12722. [PMID: 32294247 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected infectious disease with clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic or mild symptoms to chronic infection and eventual death. The mechanisms of disease susceptibility and pathology have been extensively studied, but there are no steadfast rules regarding leishmaniasis. A Th1 response is usually associated with infection control, while a predominant Th2 response is detrimental to the patient. In this scenario, the enzymes arginase and inducible nitric oxide synthase represent two possible pathways of immune response. While the former contributes to parasite replication, the latter is crucial for its control. In the present review, we collected study results that associate arginase expression in patients and in experimental models with disease susceptibility/chronicity and show some proposed mechanisms that explain the role of arginase in maintaining Leishmania infection, including polyamine and thiol synthesis, tissue-resident macrophage (TRM) proliferation and activation and T-cell suppression and exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Pessenda
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - João Santana da Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Bi-institucional, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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12
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Moretto J, Girard C, Demougeot C. The role of arginase in aging: A systematic review. Exp Gerontol 2019; 116:54-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2018.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Oliaee RT, Sharifi I, Afgar A, Jafarzadeh A, Kareshk AT, Bamorovat M, Sharifi H, Babaei Z, Keyhani A, Keyhani A, Abedi L, Sharifi F. Differential expression of TLRs 2, 4, 9, iNOS and TNF-α and arginase activity in peripheral blood monocytes from glucantime unresponsive and responsive patients with anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica. Microb Pathog 2018; 126:368-378. [PMID: 30399441 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Detection of the mechanism of host/parasite interactions in unresponsive forms of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) caused by Leishmania tropica is helpful for immunotherapy and vaccine development. In the present study, the gene expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs), TNF-α, iNOS and also arginase (ARG) activity in monocytes from Glucantime unresponsive in comparison to responsive patients infected with L. tropica was investigated. METHODS In this case-control study, patients with unresponsive (n = 10) and responsive (n = 10) ACL were recruited. Gene expression of TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, TNF-α and iNOS was analyzed in L. tropica-exposed monocytes. The level of ARG activity in both isolated promastigotes and the lysates of monocytes was also determined. RESULTS L. tropica-exposed monocytes represented higher expression of all three TLRs and TNF-α and lower expression of iNOS compared to unexposed ones in both groups of patients. Results revealed a significant down-regulation of TLR2 and TNF-α and up-regulation of TLR9 expression in unresponsive isolates in comparison to responsive ones. Besides, ARG level showed a significant increase in L. tropica-stimulated monocytes and cultured promastigotes from unresponsive isolates versus responsive ones. CONCLUSIONS The decreased TLR2, TLR4, TNF-α and iNOS and the increased level of TLR9 expression in L. tropica-exposed monocytes from unresponsive isolates and also the increment in ARG activity in their promastigotes and monocytes, might possibly be involved in the severity of the disease and leading to Glucantime unresponsiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razieh Tavakoli Oliaee
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Ali Afgar
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Abdollah Jafarzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Medical School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Amir Tavakoli Kareshk
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamid Sharifi
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Babaei
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Amir Keyhani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Alireza Keyhani
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Leili Abedi
- Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sharifi
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Holzmuller P, Geiger A, Nzoumbou-Boko R, Pissarra J, Hamrouni S, Rodrigues V, Dauchy FA, Lemesre JL, Vincendeau P, Bras-Gonçalves R. Trypanosomatid Infections: How Do Parasites and Their Excreted-Secreted Factors Modulate the Inducible Metabolism of l-Arginine in Macrophages? Front Immunol 2018; 9:778. [PMID: 29731753 PMCID: PMC5921530 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mononuclear phagocytes (monocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages) are among the first host cells to face intra- and extracellular protozoan parasites such as trypanosomatids, and significant expansion of macrophages has been observed in infected hosts. They play essential roles in the outcome of infections caused by trypanosomatids, as they can not only exert a powerful antimicrobial activity but also promote parasite proliferation. These varied functions, linked to their phenotypic and metabolic plasticity, are exerted via distinct activation states, in which l-arginine metabolism plays a pivotal role. Depending on the environmental factors and immune response elements, l-arginine metabolites contribute to parasite elimination, mainly through nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, or to parasite proliferation, through l-ornithine and polyamine production. To survive and adapt to their hosts, parasites such as trypanosomatids developed mechanisms of interaction to modulate macrophage activation in their favor, by manipulating several cellular metabolic pathways. Recent reports emphasize that some excreted-secreted (ES) molecules from parasites and sugar-binding host receptors play a major role in this dialog, particularly in the modulation of the macrophage's inducible l-arginine metabolism. Preventing l-arginine dysregulation by drugs or by immunization against trypanosomatid ES molecules or by blocking partner host molecules may control early infection and is a promising way to tackle neglected diseases including Chagas disease, leishmaniases, and African trypanosomiases. The present review summarizes recent knowledge on trypanosomatids and their ES factors with regard to their influence on macrophage activation pathways, mainly the NO synthase/arginase balance. The review ends with prospects for the use of biological knowledge to develop new strategies of interference in the infectious processes used by trypanosomatids, in particular for the development of vaccines or immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Holzmuller
- CIRAD, Montpellier, France.,UMR 117 ASTRE "Animal, Santé, Territoire, Risques et Ecosystèmes", Univ. Montpellier (I-MUSE), CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne Geiger
- UMR 177 INTERTRYP "Interactions Hôte-Vecteur-Parasite-Environnement dans les maladies tropicales négligées dues aux Trypanosomatidae", Univ. Montpellier (I-MUSE), CIRAD, IRD, Univ. Bordeaux 2, Univ. Lyon 1, Montpellier, France
| | - Romaric Nzoumbou-Boko
- UMR 177 INTERTRYP "Interactions Hôte-Vecteur-Parasite-Environnement dans les maladies tropicales négligées dues aux Trypanosomatidae", Univ. Montpellier (I-MUSE), CIRAD, IRD, Univ. Bordeaux 2, Univ. Lyon 1, Montpellier, France.,Univ. Bordeaux, UMR 177 INTERTRYP, Bordeaux, France.,CHU Bordeaux, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Bordeaux, France
| | - Joana Pissarra
- UMR 177 INTERTRYP "Interactions Hôte-Vecteur-Parasite-Environnement dans les maladies tropicales négligées dues aux Trypanosomatidae", Univ. Montpellier (I-MUSE), CIRAD, IRD, Univ. Bordeaux 2, Univ. Lyon 1, Montpellier, France
| | - Sarra Hamrouni
- UMR 177 INTERTRYP "Interactions Hôte-Vecteur-Parasite-Environnement dans les maladies tropicales négligées dues aux Trypanosomatidae", Univ. Montpellier (I-MUSE), CIRAD, IRD, Univ. Bordeaux 2, Univ. Lyon 1, Montpellier, France
| | - Valérie Rodrigues
- CIRAD, Montpellier, France.,UMR 117 ASTRE "Animal, Santé, Territoire, Risques et Ecosystèmes", Univ. Montpellier (I-MUSE), CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric-Antoine Dauchy
- UMR 177 INTERTRYP "Interactions Hôte-Vecteur-Parasite-Environnement dans les maladies tropicales négligées dues aux Trypanosomatidae", Univ. Montpellier (I-MUSE), CIRAD, IRD, Univ. Bordeaux 2, Univ. Lyon 1, Montpellier, France.,Univ. Bordeaux, UMR 177 INTERTRYP, Bordeaux, France.,CHU Bordeaux, Département des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean-Loup Lemesre
- UMR 177 INTERTRYP "Interactions Hôte-Vecteur-Parasite-Environnement dans les maladies tropicales négligées dues aux Trypanosomatidae", Univ. Montpellier (I-MUSE), CIRAD, IRD, Univ. Bordeaux 2, Univ. Lyon 1, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Vincendeau
- UMR 177 INTERTRYP "Interactions Hôte-Vecteur-Parasite-Environnement dans les maladies tropicales négligées dues aux Trypanosomatidae", Univ. Montpellier (I-MUSE), CIRAD, IRD, Univ. Bordeaux 2, Univ. Lyon 1, Montpellier, France.,Univ. Bordeaux, UMR 177 INTERTRYP, Bordeaux, France.,CHU Bordeaux, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Bordeaux, France
| | - Rachel Bras-Gonçalves
- UMR 177 INTERTRYP "Interactions Hôte-Vecteur-Parasite-Environnement dans les maladies tropicales négligées dues aux Trypanosomatidae", Univ. Montpellier (I-MUSE), CIRAD, IRD, Univ. Bordeaux 2, Univ. Lyon 1, Montpellier, France
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Badirzadeh A, Taheri T, Abedi-Astaneh F, Taslimi Y, Abdossamadi Z, Montakhab-Yeganeh H, Aghashahi M, Niyyati M, Rafati S. Arginase activity of Leishmania isolated from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [PMID: 28731592 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most important vector-borne parasitic diseases, highly endemic in Iran, and its prevalence is increasing all over the country. Arginase (ARG) activity in isolated Leishmania parasites from CL patients is yet to be explored. This study aimed to compare the ARG activity of isolated Leishmania promastigotes from CL patients with a standard strain of Leishmania major and its influences on the disease pathogenesis. We recruited 16 confirmed CL patients from Qom Province, in central Iran; after detection of Leishmania species using PCR-RFLP, we assessed the levels of ARG in the isolated promastigotes and determined the parasites' growth rate. Only L. major was identified from CL patients. The level of ARG activity in the isolated Leishmania promastigotes from CL patients was significantly higher than that obtained from the standard strain of L. major. No significant correlations between ARG activity and lesion size, number or duration were observed; in contrast, a significant negative correlation was seen between ARG level and Leishmania' growth rate. The obtained results suggest that increased ARG expression and activity in the isolated Leishmania promastigotes might contribute to the higher parasite infectivity and play a major role in the pathogenicity of the CL.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Badirzadeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - T Taheri
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - F Abedi-Astaneh
- Department of Communicable Disease, Deputy of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Y Taslimi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Z Abdossamadi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - H Montakhab-Yeganeh
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - M Aghashahi
- Department of Communicable Disease, Deputy of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - M Niyyati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - S Rafati
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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16
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Brandão E, Romero S, da Silva MAL, Santos FLN. Neglected tropical diseases in Brazilian children and adolescents: data analysis from 2009 to 2013. Infect Dis Poverty 2017; 6:154. [PMID: 29096720 PMCID: PMC5668976 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-017-0369-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) prevail in conditions of poverty and contribute to the maintenance of social inequality. Out of the NTDs prioritized by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, four parasitic infections require mandatory notification: acute Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, malaria, and schistosomiasis. Data on the behaviour of these NTDs in the young population are currently limited. This study seeks to analyse the epidemiological aspects of these parasitic infections in children and adolescents in Brazil. METHODS A retrospective exploratory ecological study was conducted. A spatial analysis of the cases reported between 2009 and 2013 in individuals aged between 0 and 19 years that were notified through the Health Notification Aggravation Information System (SINAN) was performed. RESULTS In total, 64,567 cases of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, malaria, schistosomiasis, and acute Chagas disease were recorded in the SINAN database, representing a rate of 20.15 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The average age of the cases was 12.2 years and 62.32% were male. Four hundred and three deaths related to these obligatorily reported parasites were recorded, indicating a case fatality rate of 0.62%. Visceral leishmaniasis and acute Chagas disease had the highest rates of lethality. A heterogeneous spatial distribution of the studied parasites was observed. CONCLUSIONS The number of cases and the lethality rate described in this study show that these diseases still represent a serious problem for public health in Brazil. This points to the need to encourage new research and the reformulation of social, economic, and public health policies aimed at ensuring better health and living conditions for all individuals, especially those among the populations considered vulnerable, as is the case of the young.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Brandão
- National Reference Service for Filariasis, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (Fiocruz-PE), Recife, Pernambuco Brazil
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Rosario, Santa Fe Argentina
| | - Sebastián Romero
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Rosario, Santa Fe Argentina
| | - Maria Almerice Lopes da Silva
- Laboratory of Communicable Diseases, Parasitology Department, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (Fiocruz-PE), Recife, Pernambuco Brazil
| | - Fred Luciano Neves Santos
- Laboratory of Pathology and Bio-Intervention, Gonçalo Moniz Institute (Fiocruz-BA), Salvador, Bahia Brazil
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17
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Badirzadeh A, Taheri T, Taslimi Y, Abdossamadi Z, Heidari-Kharaji M, Gholami E, Sedaghat B, Niyyati M, Rafati S. Arginase activity in pathogenic and non-pathogenic species of Leishmania parasites. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005774. [PMID: 28708893 PMCID: PMC5529023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Proliferation of Leishmania (L.) parasites depends on polyamine availability, which can be generated by the L-arginine catabolism and the enzymatic activity of arginase (ARG) of the parasites and of the mammalian hosts. In the present study, we characterized and compared the arginase (arg) genes from pathogenic L. major and L. tropica and from non-pathogenic L. tarentolae. We quantified the level of the ARG activity in promastigotes and macrophages infected with pathogenic L. major and L. tropica and non-pathogenic L. tarentolae amastigotes. The ARG's amino acid sequences of the pathogenic and non-pathogenic Leishmania demonstrated virtually 98.6% and 88% identities with the reference L. major Friedlin ARG. Higher ARG activity was observed in all pathogenic promastigotes as compared to non-pathogenic L. tarentolae. In vitro infection of human macrophage cell line (THP1) with pathogenic and non-pathogenic Leishmania spp. resulted in increased ARG activities in the infected macrophages. The ARG activities present in vivo were assessed in susceptible BALB/c and resistant C57BL/6 mice infected with L. major, L. tropica and L. tarentolae. We demonstrated that during the development of the infection, ARG is induced in both strains of mice infected with pathogenic Leishmania. However, in L. major infected BALB/c mice, the induction of ARG and parasite load increased simultaneously according to the time course of infection, whereas in C57BL/6 mice, the enzyme is upregulated solely during the period of footpad swelling. In L. tropica infected mice, the footpads' swellings were slow to develop and demonstrated minimal cutaneous pathology and ARG activity. In contrast, ARG activity was undetectable in mice inoculated with the non-pathogenic L. tarentolae. Our data suggest that infection by Leishmania parasites can increase ARG activity of the host and provides essential polyamines for parasite salvage and its replication. Moreover, the ARG of Leishmania is vital for parasite proliferation and required for infection in mice. ARG activity can be used as one of the main marker of the disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Badirzadeh
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Taheri
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasaman Taslimi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Abdossamadi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Heidari-Kharaji
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Gholami
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Baharehsadat Sedaghat
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Rafati
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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18
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Ehret T, Torelli F, Klotz C, Pedersen AB, Seeber F. Translational Rodent Models for Research on Parasitic Protozoa-A Review of Confounders and Possibilities. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017. [PMID: 28638807 PMCID: PMC5461347 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Rodents, in particular Mus musculus, have a long and invaluable history as models for human diseases in biomedical research, although their translational value has been challenged in a number of cases. We provide some examples in which rodents have been suboptimal as models for human biology and discuss confounders which influence experiments and may explain some of the misleading results. Infections of rodents with protozoan parasites are no exception in requiring close consideration upon model choice. We focus on the significant differences between inbred, outbred and wild animals, and the importance of factors such as microbiota, which are gaining attention as crucial variables in infection experiments. Frequently, mouse or rat models are chosen for convenience, e.g., availability in the institution rather than on an unbiased evaluation of whether they provide the answer to a given question. Apart from a general discussion on translational success or failure, we provide examples where infections with single-celled parasites in a chosen lab rodent gave contradictory or misleading results, and when possible discuss the reason for this. We present emerging alternatives to traditional rodent models, such as humanized mice and organoid primary cell cultures. So-called recombinant inbred strains such as the Collaborative Cross collection are also a potential solution for certain challenges. In addition, we emphasize the advantages of using wild rodents for certain immunological, ecological, and/or behavioral questions. The experimental challenges (e.g., availability of species-specific reagents) that come with the use of such non-model systems are also discussed. Our intention is to foster critical judgment of both traditional and newly available translational rodent models for research on parasitic protozoa that can complement the existing mouse and rat models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Totta Ehret
- FG16 - Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch InstituteBerlin, Germany.,Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinBerlin, Germany
| | - Francesca Torelli
- FG16 - Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch InstituteBerlin, Germany
| | - Christian Klotz
- FG16 - Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch InstituteBerlin, Germany
| | - Amy B Pedersen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of EdinburghEdinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Seeber
- FG16 - Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch InstituteBerlin, Germany
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19
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Zacarias DA, Rolão N, de Pinho FA, Sene I, Silva JC, Pereira TC, Costa DL, Costa CHN. Causes and consequences of higher Leishmania infantum burden in patients with kala-azar: a study of 625 patients. Trop Med Int Health 2017; 22:679-687. [PMID: 28380279 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An infected host's Leishmania infantum load in blood is considered to be an estimate of his or her total parasite burden. Therefore, the measurement of blood parasite burden is important in the identification of factors involved in parasite control. METHODS Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed on blood samples from 625 patients with kala-azar consecutively admitted to a reference hospital in Teresina, Brazil. Primers were used to amplify a segment of kDNA using the TaqMan system. Non-parametric statistical tests were applied. RESULTS The median blood parasite burden was 499.2 amastigote equivalents (AE)/ml. Children <1 year old (yo) had a high parasite burden, which dropped sharply after the first year of life (192.8, AE/ml at 1 < 2 yo) and remained lower until adolescence. Following adolescence, the parasite burden increased with age, peaking among elderly individuals. Men had a higher parasite burden than women. HIV-infected patients had a much higher parasite burden than non-infected patients. The parasite burden of children under 5 years with acute moderate to severe malnourishment (weight-for-age and body mass index z-scores <-2) was almost three times greater than that of better-nourished children. The parasite burden identified in deceased patients was more than twice that of surviving patients; those with a higher risk of death, sepsis, pneumonia and jaundice also had increased parasite burdens. All of these differences were statistically significant at P-values <0.05. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that the parasite burden in patients with kala-azar was associated with age- and gender-associated factors and with HIV infection status. Acute malnutrition could be either a cause or a consequence of a higher parasite burden. An individual's parasite burden influences his or her clinical profile, disease severity and mortality risk. The best explanation for the presence of a higher parasite burden in individuals with these immunoregulatory conditions and severe disease is the occurrence of acquired immunosuppression followed by heightened innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle A Zacarias
- Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portella, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Nuno Rolão
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Flaviane A de Pinho
- Setor de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Ingridi Sene
- Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portella, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Jailthon C Silva
- Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portella, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Teresinha C Pereira
- Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portella, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Dorcas L Costa
- Departamento Materno-Infantil, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Carlos H N Costa
- Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portella, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, Brazil
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20
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Live Attenuated Leishmania donovani Centrin Knock Out Parasites Generate Non-inferior Protective Immune Response in Aged Mice against Visceral Leishmaniasis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004963. [PMID: 27580076 PMCID: PMC5007048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani causes severe disease. Age appears to be critical in determining the clinical outcome of VL and at present there is no effective vaccine available against VL for any age group. Previously, we showed that genetically modified live attenuated L. donovani parasites (LdCen-/-) induced a strong protective innate and adaptive immune response in young mice. In this study we analyzed LdCen-/- parasite mediated modulation of innate and adaptive immune response in aged mice (18 months) and compared to young (2 months) mice. Methodology Analysis of innate immune response in bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) from both young and aged mice upon infection with LdCen-/- parasites, showed significant enhancement of innate effector responses, which consequently augmented CD4+ Th1 cell effector function compared to LdWT infected BMDCs in vitro. Similarly, parasitized splenic dendritic cells from LdCen-/- infected young and aged mice also revealed induction of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-12, IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF) and subsequent down regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) genes compared to LdWT infected mice. We also evaluated in vivo protection of the LdCen-/- immunized young and aged mice against virulent L. donovani challenge. Immunization with LdCen-/- induced higher IgG2a antibodies, lymphoproliferative response, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses and stimulated splenocytes for heightened leishmanicidal activity associated with nitric oxide production in young and aged mice. Furthermore, upon virulent L. donovani challenge, LdCen-/- immunized mice from both age groups displayed multifunctional Th1-type CD4 and cytotoxic CD8 T cells correlating to a significantly reduced parasite burden in the spleen and liver compared to naïve mice. It is interesting to note that even though there was no difference in the LdCen-/- induced innate response in dendritic cells between aged and young mice; the adaptive response specifically in terms of T cell and B cell activation in aged animals was reduced compared to young mice which correlated with less protection in old mice compared to young mice. Conclusions Taken together, LdCen-/- immunization induced a significant but diminished host protective response in aged mice after challenge with virulent L. donovani parasites compared to young mice. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani. There is no effective vaccine available against VL for any age group and importantly, there are no previous studies regarding immune responses against experimental Leishmania vaccines tested in aged animals. We have reported earlier that immunization with a live attenuated L. donovani parasites (LdCen-/-) induced protective immune response in young animals viz, mice, hamsters and dogs. In this study we analyzed LdCen-/- mediated modulation of innate and adaptive responses in aged mice and compared to young mice. We observed that LdCen-/- infected dendritic cells from young and aged mice resulted in enhanced innate effector functions compared to LdWT parasites both in vitro and in vivo. Further, upon virulent challenge, LdCen-/- immunized young and aged mice displayed protective Th1 immune response which correlated with a significantly reduced parasite burden in the visceral organs compared with naïve challenged mice. Although there was no difference in the LdCen-/- induced dendritic cell response between aged and young mice; adaptive response in aged was reduced, compared to young which correlated with less protection in aged compared to young mice. This study supports the potential use of LdCen-/- as vaccine candidate across all age groups against VL.
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21
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McConville MJ, Saunders EC, Kloehn J, Dagley MJ. Leishmania carbon metabolism in the macrophage phagolysosome- feast or famine? F1000Res 2015; 4:938. [PMID: 26594352 PMCID: PMC4648189 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.6724.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of medically important microbial pathogens target and proliferate within macrophages and other phagocytic cells in their mammalian hosts. While the majority of these pathogens replicate within the host cell cytosol or non-hydrolytic vacuolar compartments, a few, including protists belonging to the genus
Leishmania, proliferate long-term within mature lysosome compartments. How these parasites achieve this feat remains poorly defined. In this review, we highlight recent studies that suggest that
Leishmania virulence is intimately linked to programmed changes in the growth rate and carbon metabolism of the obligate intra-macrophage stages. We propose that activation of a slow growth and a stringent metabolic response confers resistance to multiple stresses (oxidative, temperature, pH), as well as both nutrient limitation and nutrient excess within this niche. These studies highlight the importance of metabolic processes as key virulence determinants in
Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm J McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Flemington Rd, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Eleanor C Saunders
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Flemington Rd, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Joachim Kloehn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Flemington Rd, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael J Dagley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Flemington Rd, Parkville, 3010, Australia
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22
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Yang Z, Ming XF. Functions of arginase isoforms in macrophage inflammatory responses: impact on cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. Front Immunol 2014; 5:533. [PMID: 25386179 PMCID: PMC4209887 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages play a paramount role in immunity and inflammation-associated diseases, including infections, cardiovascular diseases, obesity-associated metabolic imbalances, and cancer. Compelling evidence from studies of recent years demonstrates that macrophages are heterogeneous and undergo heterogeneous phenotypic changes in response to microenvironmental stimuli. The M1 killer type response and the M2 repair type response are best known, and are two extreme examples. Among other markers, inducible nitric oxide synthase and type-I arginase (Arg-I), the enzymes that are involved in l-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) metabolism, are associated with the M1 and M2 phenotype, respectively, and therefore widely used as the markers for characterization of the two macrophage phenotypes. There is also a type-II arginase (Arg-II), which is expressed in macrophages and prevalently viewed as having the same function as Arg-I in the cells. In contrast to Arg-I, little information on the role of Arg-II in macrophage inflammatory responses is available. Emerging evidence, however, suggests that differential roles of Arg-I and Arg-II in regulating macrophage functions. In this article, we will review recent developments on the functional roles of the two arginase isoforms in regulation of macrophage inflammatory responses by focusing on their impact on the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Yang
- Vascular Biology, Division of Physiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg , Fribourg , Switzerland
| | - Xiu-Fen Ming
- Vascular Biology, Division of Physiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg , Fribourg , Switzerland
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Corware K, Yardley V, Mack C, Schuster S, Al-Hassi H, Herath S, Bergin P, Modolell M, Munder M, Müller I, Kropf P. Protein energy malnutrition increases arginase activity in monocytes and macrophages. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2014; 11:51. [PMID: 25392710 PMCID: PMC4228191 DOI: 10.1186/1743-7075-11-51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Protein energy malnutrition is commonly associated with immune dysfunctions and is a major factor in susceptibility to infectious diseases. Methods In this study, we evaluated the impact of protein energy malnutrition on the capacity of monocytes and macrophages to upregulate arginase, an enzyme associated with immunosuppression and increased pathogen replication. Results Our results show that monocytes and macrophages are significantly increased in the bone marrow and blood of mice fed on a protein low diet. No alteration in the capacity of bone marrow derived macrophages isolated from malnourished mice to phagocytose particles, to produce the microbicidal molecule nitric oxide and to kill intracellular Leishmania parasites was detected. However, macrophages and monocytes from malnourished mice express significantly more arginase both in vitro and in vivo. Using an experimental model of visceral leishmaniasis, we show that following protein energy malnutrition, the increased parasite burden measured in the spleen of these mice coincided with increased arginase activity and that macrophages provide a more permissive environment for parasite growth. Conclusions Taken together, these results identify a novel mechanism in protein energy malnutrition that might contributes to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases by upregulating arginase activity in myeloid cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1743-7075-11-51) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Corware
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG UK
| | - Vanessa Yardley
- Immunology and Infection Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Christopher Mack
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG UK
| | - Steffen Schuster
- Department of Biochemistry, WHO Immunology Research and Training Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hafid Al-Hassi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG UK
| | - Shanthi Herath
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UK
| | - Philip Bergin
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative Human Immunology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Manuel Modolell
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Max-Planck-Institute for Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Markus Munder
- Third Department of Medicine (Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology), University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ingrid Müller
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG UK
| | - Pascale Kropf
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG UK
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Yazdanpanah MJ, Banihashemi M, Mohammadi SM, Hatami Z, Livani F, Esmaili H, Mashayekhi-Goyonlo V. Clinical features of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis in elderly patients. Br J Dermatol 2014; 172:532-3. [PMID: 25256362 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.13431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M J Yazdanpanah
- Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Research Center, Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Belo VS, Struchiner CJ, Barbosa DS, Nascimento BWL, Horta MAP, da Silva ES, Werneck GL. Risk factors for adverse prognosis and death in American visceral leishmaniasis: a meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2982. [PMID: 25058582 PMCID: PMC4109848 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the current context of high fatality rates associated with American visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the appropriate use of prognostic factors to identify patients at higher risk of unfavorable outcomes represents a potential tool for clinical practice. This systematic review brings together information reported in studies conducted in Latin America, on the potential predictors of adverse prognosis (continued evolution of the initial clinical conditions of the patient despite the implementation of treatment, independent of the occurrence of death) and death from VL. The limitations of the existing knowledge, the advances achieved and the approaches to be used in future research are presented. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The full texts of 14 studies conforming to the inclusion criteria were analyzed and their methodological quality examined by means of a tool developed in the light of current research tools. Information regarding prognostic variables was synthesized using meta-analysis. Variables were grouped according to the strength of evidence considering summary measures, patterns and heterogeneity of effect-sizes, and the results of multivariate analyses. The strongest predictors identified in this review were jaundice, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage, HIV coinfection, diarrhea, age <5 and age >40-50 years, severe neutropenia, dyspnoea and bacterial infections. Edema and low hemoglobin concentration were also associated with unfavorable outcomes. The main limitation identified was the absence of validation procedures for the few prognostic models developed so far. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Integration of the results from different investigations conducted over the last 10 years enabled the identification of consistent prognostic variables that could be useful in recognizing and handling VL patients at higher risk of unfavorable outcomes. The development of externally validated prognostic models must be prioritized in future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius Silva Belo
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- Departamento Básico—Área da Saúde—Campus Governador Valadares, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brasil
- * E-mail:
| | - Claudio José Struchiner
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - David Soeiro Barbosa
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Marco Aurélio Pereira Horta
- Departamento de Epidemiologia e Métodos Quantitativos em Saúde, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janiero, Brasil
| | - Eduardo Sérgio da Silva
- Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Guilherme Loureiro Werneck
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- Departamento de Epidemiologia, Instituto de Medicina Social, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne neglected tropical disease associated with a spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from self-healing cutaneous lesions to fatal visceral infections. Among the most important questions in Leishmania research is why some species like L. donovani infect visceral organs, whereas other species like L. major remain in the skin. The determinants of visceral leishmaniasis are still poorly understood, although genomic, immunologic, and animal models are beginning to provide important insight into this disease. In this review, we discuss the vector, host, and pathogen factors that mediate the development of visceral leishmaniasis. We examine the progression of the parasite from the initial site of sand fly bite to the visceral organs and its ability to survive there. The identification of visceral disease determinants is required to understand disease evolution, to understand visceral organ survival mechanisms, and potentially to develop better interventions for this largely neglected disease.
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Ming X, Rajapakse AG, Yepuri G, Xiong Y, Carvas JM, Ruffieux J, Scerri I, Wu Z, Popp K, Li J, Sartori C, Scherrer U, Kwak BR, Montani J, Yang Z. Arginase II Promotes Macrophage Inflammatory Responses Through Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species, Contributing to Insulin Resistance and Atherogenesis. J Am Heart Assoc 2012; 1:e000992. [PMID: 23130157 PMCID: PMC3487353 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.112.000992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 06/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Macrophage-mediated chronic inflammation is mechanistically linked to insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Although arginase I is considered antiinflammatory, the role of arginase II (Arg-II) in macrophage function remains elusive. This study characterizes the role of Arg-II in macrophage inflammatory responses and its impact on obesity-linked type II diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS In human monocytes, silencing Arg-II decreases the monocytes' adhesion to endothelial cells and their production of proinflammatory mediators stimulated by oxidized low-density lipoprotein or lipopolysaccharides, as evaluated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Macrophages differentiated from bone marrow cells of Arg-II-deficient (Arg-II(-/-)) mice express lower levels of lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory mediators than do macrophages of wild-type mice. Importantly, reintroducing Arg-II cDNA into Arg-II(-/-) macrophages restores the inflammatory responses, with concomitant enhancement of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Scavenging of reactive oxygen species by N-acetylcysteine prevents the Arg-II-mediated inflammatory responses. Moreover, high-fat diet-induced infiltration of macrophages in various organs and expression of proinflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue are blunted in Arg-II(-/-) mice. Accordingly, Arg-II(-/-) mice reveal lower fasting blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-deficient mice with Arg-II deficiency (ApoE(-/-)Arg-II(-/-)) display reduced lesion size with characteristics of stable plaques, such as decreased macrophage inflammation and necrotic core. In vivo adoptive transfer experiments reveal that fewer donor ApoE(-/-)Arg-II(-/-) than ApoE(-/-)Arg-II(+/+) monocytes infiltrate into the plaque of ApoE(-/-)Arg-II(+/+) mice. Conversely, recipient ApoE(-/-)Arg-II(-/-) mice accumulate fewer donor monocytes than do recipient ApoE(-/-)Arg-II(+/+) animals. CONCLUSIONS Arg-II promotes macrophage proinflammatory responses through mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, contributing to insulin resistance and atherogenesis. Targeting Arg-II represents a potential therapeutic strategy in type II diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. (J Am Heart Assoc. 2012;1:e000992 doi: 10.1161/JAHA.112.000992.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu‐Fen Ming
- From the Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Department of Medicine, Division of Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland (X.-F.M.,
A.G.R., G.Y., Y.X., J.M.C., J.R., I.S., Z.W., K.P., J.-P.M., Z.Y.)
| | - Angana G. Rajapakse
- From the Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Department of Medicine, Division of Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland (X.-F.M.,
A.G.R., G.Y., Y.X., J.M.C., J.R., I.S., Z.W., K.P., J.-P.M., Z.Y.)
| | - Gautham Yepuri
- From the Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Department of Medicine, Division of Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland (X.-F.M.,
A.G.R., G.Y., Y.X., J.M.C., J.R., I.S., Z.W., K.P., J.-P.M., Z.Y.)
| | - Yuyan Xiong
- From the Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Department of Medicine, Division of Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland (X.-F.M.,
A.G.R., G.Y., Y.X., J.M.C., J.R., I.S., Z.W., K.P., J.-P.M., Z.Y.)
| | - João M. Carvas
- From the Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Department of Medicine, Division of Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland (X.-F.M.,
A.G.R., G.Y., Y.X., J.M.C., J.R., I.S., Z.W., K.P., J.-P.M., Z.Y.)
| | - Jean Ruffieux
- From the Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Department of Medicine, Division of Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland (X.-F.M.,
A.G.R., G.Y., Y.X., J.M.C., J.R., I.S., Z.W., K.P., J.-P.M., Z.Y.)
| | - Isabelle Scerri
- From the Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Department of Medicine, Division of Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland (X.-F.M.,
A.G.R., G.Y., Y.X., J.M.C., J.R., I.S., Z.W., K.P., J.-P.M., Z.Y.)
| | - Zongsong Wu
- From the Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Department of Medicine, Division of Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland (X.-F.M.,
A.G.R., G.Y., Y.X., J.M.C., J.R., I.S., Z.W., K.P., J.-P.M., Z.Y.)
| | - Katja Popp
- From the Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Department of Medicine, Division of Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland (X.-F.M.,
A.G.R., G.Y., Y.X., J.M.C., J.R., I.S., Z.W., K.P., J.-P.M., Z.Y.)
| | - Jianhui Li
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Center and Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Lausanne, Switzerland (J.L.)
- Dr Li is currently affiliated with the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Centre of Organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China (J.L.)
| | - Claudio Sartori
- Department of Internal Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland (C.S.)
| | - Urs Scherrer
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland (U.S.)
- Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile (U.S.)
| | - Brenda R. Kwak
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine–Cardiology, University of Geneva, Switzerland (B.R.K.)
| | - Jean‐Pierre Montani
- From the Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Department of Medicine, Division of Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland (X.-F.M.,
A.G.R., G.Y., Y.X., J.M.C., J.R., I.S., Z.W., K.P., J.-P.M., Z.Y.)
| | - Zhihong Yang
- From the Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Department of Medicine, Division of Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland (X.-F.M.,
A.G.R., G.Y., Y.X., J.M.C., J.R., I.S., Z.W., K.P., J.-P.M., Z.Y.)
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Local increase of arginase activity in lesions of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ethiopia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1684. [PMID: 22720104 PMCID: PMC3373636 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease that is in Ethiopia mainly caused by the parasite Leishmania aethiopica. This neglected tropical disease is common in rural areas and causes serious morbidity. Persistent nonhealing cutaneous leishmaniasis has been associated with poor T cell mediated responses; however, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Methodology/Principal Findings We have recently shown in an experimental model of cutaneous leishmaniasis that arginase-induced L-arginine metabolism suppresses antigen-specific T cell responses at the site of pathology, but not in the periphery. To test whether these results translate to human disease, we recruited patients presenting with localized lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis and assessed the levels of arginase activity in cells isolated from peripheral blood and from skin biopsies. Arginase activity was similar in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients and healthy controls. In sharp contrast, arginase activity was significantly increased in lesion biopsies of patients with localized cutaneous leishmaniasis as compared with controls. Furthermore, we found that the expression levels of CD3ζ, CD4 and CD8 molecules were considerably lower at the site of pathology as compared to those observed in paired PBMCs. Conclusion Our results suggest that increased arginase in lesions of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis might play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease by impairing T cell effector functions. The leishmaniases are a complex of diseases caused by Leishmania parasites. Currently, the diseases affect an estimated 12 million people in 88 countries, and approximately 350 million more people are at risk. The leishmaniases belong to the most neglected tropical diseases, affecting the poorest populations, for whom access to diagnosis and effective treatment are often not available. Leishmania parasites infect cells of the immune system called macrophages, which have the capacity to eliminate the intracellular parasites when they receive the appropriate signals from other cells of the immune system. In nonhealing persistent leishmaniasis, lymphocytes are unable to transmit the signals to macrophages required to kill the intracellular parasites. The local upregulation of the enzyme arginase has been shown to impair lymphocyte effector functions at the site of pathology. In this study, we tested the activity of this enzyme in skin lesions of patients presenting with localized cutaneous leishmaniasis. Our results show that arginase is highly upregulated in these lesions. This increase in arginase activity coincides with lower expression of a signalling molecule in lymphocytes, which is essential for efficient activation of these cells. These results suggest that increased arginase expression in the localized cutaneous lesions might contribute to persistent disease in patients presenting with cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Das P, Lahiri A, Lahiri A, Chakravortty D. Modulation of the arginase pathway in the context of microbial pathogenesis: a metabolic enzyme moonlighting as an immune modulator. PLoS Pathog 2010; 6:e1000899. [PMID: 20585552 PMCID: PMC2887468 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginine is a crucial amino acid that serves to modulate the cellular immune response during infection. Arginine is also a common substrate for both inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and arginase. The generation of nitric oxide from arginine is responsible for efficient immune response and cytotoxicity of host cells to kill the invading pathogens. On the other hand, the conversion of arginine to ornithine and urea via the arginase pathway can support the growth of bacterial and parasitic pathogens. The competition between iNOS and arginase for arginine can thus contribute to the outcome of several parasitic and bacterial infections. There are two isoforms of vertebrate arginase, both of which catalyze the conversion of arginine to ornithine and urea, but they differ with regard to tissue distribution and subcellular localization. In the case of infection with Mycobacterium, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Helicobacter, Schistosoma, and Salmonella spp., arginase isoforms have been shown to modulate the pathology of infection by various means. Despite the existence of a considerable body of evidence about mammalian arginine metabolism and its role in immunology, the critical choice to divert the host arginine pool by pathogenic organisms as a survival strategy is still a mystery in infection biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Das
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Biosafety Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Amit Lahiri
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Biosafety Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Ayan Lahiri
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Biosafety Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Dipshikha Chakravortty
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Biosafety Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- * E-mail:
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30
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Malafaia G. Protein-energy malnutrition as a risk factor for visceral leishmaniasis: a review. Parasite Immunol 2009; 31:587-96. [PMID: 19751470 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2009.01117.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are important problems of public health, which affect millions of people worldwide. Currently, it has been accepted that the immunity or susceptibility to infect-parasitic diseases are directly related to the nutritional status of the host. However, the mechanisms that govern the relationship between the PEM and the course of the VL are multiple and little explained. In this study the current most important aspects and the synergism between these two illnesses were presented. Bibliographic search includes empirical reports, reviews, commentaries, reports from professional associations, books, editorials and annals of congress published in diverse languages between 1960 and January 2009. As much the PEM as the infections caused by parasites of the Leishmania genus are frequent problems in the current days. As new studies are developed on the subject, it becomes essential that the society knows them.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Malafaia
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas (ICEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Ouro Preto - MG, Brazil.
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Abstract
The enzyme arginase metabolizes L-arginine to L-ornithine and urea. Besides its fundamental role in the hepatic urea cycle, arginase is also expressed the immune system of mice and man. While significant interspecies differences exist regarding expression, subcellular localization and regulation of immune cell arginase, associated pathways of immunopathology are comparable between species. Arginase is induced in murine myeloid cells mainly by Th2 cytokines and inflammatory agents and participates in a variety of inflammatory diseases by down-regulation of nitric oxide synthesis, induction of fibrosis and tissue regeneration. In humans, arginase I is constitutively expressed in polymorphonuclear neutrophils and is liberated during inflammation. Myeloid cell arginase-mediated L-arginine depletion profoundly suppresses T cell immune responses and this has emerged as a fundamental mechanism of inflammation-associated immunosuppression. Pharmacological interference with L-arginine metabolism is a novel promising strategy in the treatment of cancer, autoimmunity or unwanted immune deviation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Munder
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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32
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Rogers M, Kropf P, Choi BS, Dillon R, Podinovskaia M, Bates P, Müller I. Proteophosophoglycans regurgitated by Leishmania-infected sand flies target the L-arginine metabolism of host macrophages to promote parasite survival. PLoS Pathog 2009; 5:e1000555. [PMID: 19696894 PMCID: PMC2722086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2009] [Accepted: 07/23/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
All natural Leishmania infections start in the skin; however, little is known of the contribution made by the sand fly vector to the earliest events in mammalian infection, especially in inflamed skin that can rapidly kill invading parasites. During transmission sand flies regurgitate a proteophosphoglycan gel synthesized by the parasites inside the fly midgut, termed promastigote secretory gel (PSG). Regurgitated PSG can exacerbate cutaneous leishmaniasis. Here, we show that the amount of Leishmania mexicana PSG regurgitated by Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies is proportional to the size of its original midgut infection and the number of parasites transmitted. Furthermore, PSG could exacerbate cutaneous L. mexicana infection for a wide range of doses (10–10,000 parasites) and enhance infection by as early as 48 hours in inflamed dermal air pouches. This early exacerbation was attributed to two fundamental properties of PSG: Firstly, PSG powerfully recruited macrophages to the dermal site of infection within 24 hours. Secondly, PSG enhanced alternative activation and arginase activity of host macrophages, thereby increasing L-arginine catabolism and the synthesis of polyamines essential for intracellular parasite growth. The increase in arginase activity promoted the intracellular growth of L. mexicana within classically activated macrophages, and inhibition of macrophage arginase completely ablated the early exacerbatory properties of PSG in vitro and in vivo. Thus, PSG is an essential component of the infectious sand fly bite for the early establishment of Leishmania in skin, which should be considered when designing and screening therapies against leishmaniasis. Parasites are known to manipulate their arthropod vectors for increased transmission, yet little is known about the manipulator-molecules involved. The protozoan parasite Leishmania secrete a proteophosphoglycan-rich gel (termed promastigote secretory gel, PSG) to block the sand fly midgut to force the regurgitation of parasites and gel into the skin. Here we show that the amount of PSG and dose of Leishmania transmitted by individual sand flies strongly correlate with the size of the original midgut infection. Regurgitated PSG exacerbated both low and high dose mouse infections, resulting from the gel's ability to augment the recruitment of its principal host cell, the macrophage, to the site of injury and induce the upregulation of macrophage arginase activity. The infecting parasites take advantage of the increased arginase-mediated L-arginine catabolism and the increased pool of polyamines available within these macrophages for their early nutrition and growth. This resulted in enhanced survival and growth of Leishmania in macrophages. Since arginase plays a crucial role in orchestrating wound repair in skin, it would appear that through the generation of PSG, Leishmania has evolved to exploit the wound response to the bite of the sand fly for its early survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Rogers
- Department of Immunology, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK.
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Modolell M, Choi BS, Ryan RO, Hancock M, Titus RG, Abebe T, Hailu A, Müller I, Rogers ME, Bangham CRM, Munder M, Kropf P. Local suppression of T cell responses by arginase-induced L-arginine depletion in nonhealing leishmaniasis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2009; 3:e480. [PMID: 19597544 PMCID: PMC2703824 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2009] [Accepted: 06/05/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The balance between T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cell responses is a major determinant of the outcome of experimental leishmaniasis, but polarized Th1 or Th2 responses are not sufficient to account for healing or nonhealing. Here we show that high arginase activity, a hallmark of nonhealing disease, is primarily expressed locally at the site of pathology. The high arginase activity causes local depletion of L-arginine, which impairs the capacity of T cells in the lesion to proliferate and to produce interferon-γ, while T cells in the local draining lymph nodes respond normally. Healing, induced by chemotherapy, resulted in control of arginase activity and reversal of local immunosuppression. Moreover, competitive inhibition of arginase as well as supplementation with L-arginine restored T cell effector functions and reduced pathology and parasite growth at the site of lesions. These results demonstrate that in nonhealing leishmaniasis, arginase-induced L-arginine depletion results in impaired T cell responses. Our results identify a novel mechanism in leishmaniasis that contributes to the failure to heal persistent lesions and suggest new approaches to therapy. Leishmania parasites are obligate intracellular pathogens that predominantly invade macrophages. Instruction of macrophages by T cell-derived signals is required to control parasite growth. Here we show that arginase, an enzyme induced in Leishmania-infected macrophages, is highly expressed at the site of pathology in nonhealing lesions and causes local depletion of L-arginine, an amino acid that is essential for efficient T cell responses. This local reduction in L-arginine impairs the capacity of T cells in the lesion to proliferate and to produce interferon-γ, one of the signals required for parasite killing. Cure of Leishmania infection by drug treatment is accompanied by a reduction in arginase activity and restoration of T cell effector functions. Furthermore, inhibition of arginase, as well as injection of L-arginine, reverses immunosuppression and results in more efficient control of parasite replication. Our results identify a novel mechanism accounting for ineffective T cell responses in nonhealing leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Modolell
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Max-Planck-Institute for Immunobiology, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Beak-San Choi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert O. Ryan
- Lipid Biology in Health and Disease Research Group, Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California, United States of America
| | - Maggie Hancock
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard G. Titus
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Tamrat Abebe
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology, University of Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Asrat Hailu
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology, University of Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ingrid Müller
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew E. Rogers
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles R. M. Bangham
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Munder
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pascale Kropf
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Oberlies J, Watzl C, Giese T, Luckner C, Kropf P, Müller I, Ho AD, Munder M. Regulation of NK cell function by human granulocyte arginase. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2009; 182:5259-67. [PMID: 19380772 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0803523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The arginine-hydrolyzing enzyme arginase is constitutively expressed by human polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN). Upon PMN cell death arginase is liberated and depletes arginine in the microenvironment. This amino acid depletion suppresses T cell proliferation and cytokine secretion and emerges as a key mechanism of immunosuppression during chronic inflammation and tumor growth. Here we show that PMN arginase also severely impairs key functions of primary human NK cells as well as IL-2-activated NK cells. In the absence of arginine, NK cell proliferation and IL-12/IL-18-induced secretion of IFN-gamma are severely diminished. In contrast, NK cell viability, granule exocytosis, and cytotoxicity are independent of extracellular arginine. The mechanism of NK cell suppression by arginine depletion is posttranscriptional since mRNA transcript frequency is unaffected upon NK cell activation in the absence of arginine. Finally, we demonstrate that human purulent exudate ex vivo inhibits NK cell functions exclusively due to liberated arginase. Arginase inhibitors are therefore promising pharmacological agents to treat unwanted suppression of the innate (NK cell) as well as the adaptive (T cell) immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Oberlies
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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