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Wen QE, Li L, Feng RQ, Li DH, Qiao C, Xu XS, Zhang YJ. Recent Advances in Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Review. BREAST CANCER (DOVE MEDICAL PRESS) 2024; 16:497-516. [PMID: 39220564 PMCID: PMC11365501 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s482504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women in the world, and its incidence is increasing year by year, which seriously threatens the physical and mental health of women. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a special molecular type of breast cancer in which estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 are negative. Compared with other molecular types of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has high aggressiveness and metastasis, high recurrence rate, lack of effective therapeutic targets, and usually poor clinical treatment effect. Chemotherapy was the main therapeutic means used in the past. With the advent of the immune era, immunotherapy has made a lot of progress in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), bringing new therapeutic hope for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. This review combines the results of cutting-edge medical research, mainly summarizes the research progress of immunotherapy, and summarizes the main treatment methods of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor vaccines, adoptive immunotherapy and the application of traditional Chinese and western medicine. It provides a new idea for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Er Wen
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liang Li
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui-Qi Feng
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - De-Hui Li
- Oncology Department II, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine (Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Key Laboratory of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Gastroenterology Research, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chang Qiao
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Song Xu
- Scientific research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan-Jing Zhang
- Oncology Department II, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine (Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Key Laboratory of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Gastroenterology Research, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China
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2
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Rooholamini Z, Dianat-Moghadam H, Esmaeilifallah M, Khanahmad H. From classical approaches to new developments in genetic engineering of live attenuated vaccine against cutaneous leishmaniasis: potential and immunization. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1382996. [PMID: 39035184 PMCID: PMC11257927 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1382996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the development of a vaccine against cutaneous leishmaniasis in preclinical and clinical studies, we still do not have a safe and effective vaccine for human use. Given this situation, the search for a new prophylactic alternative to control leishmaniasis should be a global priority. A first-generation vaccine strategy-leishmanization, in which live Leishmania major parasites are inoculated into the skin to protect against reinfection, is taking advantage of this situation. Live attenuated Leishmania vaccine candidates are promising alternatives due to their robust protective immune responses. Importantly, they do not cause disease and could provide long-term protection following challenges with a virulent strain. In addition to physical and chemical methods, genetic tools, including the Cre-loxP system, have enabled the selection of safer null mutant live attenuated Leishmania parasites obtained by gene disruption. This was followed by the discovery and introduction of CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing tools, which can be easily and precisely used to modify genes. Here, we briefly review the immunopathology of L. major parasites and then present the classical methods and their limitations for the production of live attenuated vaccines. We then discuss the potential of current genetic engineering tools to generate live attenuated vaccine strains by targeting key genes involved in L. major pathogenesis and then discuss their discovery and implications for immune responses to control leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Rooholamini
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hassan Dianat-Moghadam
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Pediatric Inherited Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahsa Esmaeilifallah
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Khanahmad
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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3
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Pereira IAG, Freitas CS, Câmara RSB, Jesus MM, Lage DP, Tavares GSV, Soyer TG, Ramos FF, Soares NP, Santiago SS, Martins VT, Vale DL, Pimenta BL, Ludolf F, Oliveira FM, Duarte MC, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Costa AV, Gonçalves DU, Roatt BM, Teixeira RR, Coelho EAF. Treatment using vanillin-derived synthetic molecules incorporated into polymeric micelles is effective against infection caused by Leishmania amazonensis species. Exp Parasitol 2024; 260:108743. [PMID: 38513973 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Treatment against leishmaniasis presents problems, mainly due to the toxicity of the drugs, high cost, and the emergence of resistant strains. A previous study showed that two vanillin-derived synthetic molecules, 3s [4-(2-hydroxy-3-(4-octyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propoxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde] and 3t [4-(3-(4-decyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde], presented antileishmanial activity against Leishmania infantum, L. amazonensis, and L. braziliensis species. In the present work, 3s and 3t were evaluated to treat L. amazonensis-infected mice. Molecules were used pure or incorporated into Poloxamer 407-based micelles. In addition, amphotericin B (AmpB) and its liposomal formulation, Ambisome®, were used as control. Animals received the treatment and, one and 30 days after, they were euthanized to evaluate immunological, parasitological, and biochemical parameters. Results showed that the micellar compositions (3s/Mic and 3t/Mic) induced significant reductions in the lesion mean diameter and parasite load in the infected tissue and distinct organs, as well as a specific and significant antileishmanial Th1-type immune response, which was based on significantly higher levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, nitrite, and IgG2a isotype antibodies. Drug controls showed also antileishmanial action; although 3s/Mic and 3t/Mic have presented better and more significant parasitological and immunological data, which were based on significantly higher IFN-γ production and lower parasite burden in treated animals. In addition, significantly lower levels of urea, creatinine, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase were found in mice treated with 3s/Mic and 3t/Mic, when compared to the others. In conclusion, results suggest that 3s/Mic and 3t/Mic could be considered as therapeutic candidates to treat against L. amazonensis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela A G Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Camila S Freitas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Raquel S B Câmara
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcelo M Jesus
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela P Lage
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Grasiele S V Tavares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tauane G Soyer
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Ramos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Nícia P Soares
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas Em Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Insituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Samira S Santiago
- Grupo de Síntese e Pesquisa de Compostos Bioativos, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs, S/N, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vívian T Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Danniele L Vale
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Breno L Pimenta
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Ludolf
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 30130-110, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fabrício M Oliveira
- Instituto Federal de Educação de Minas Gerais, Rua Afonso Sardinha, 90, Bairro Pioneiros, 36420-000, Ouro Branco, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariana C Duarte
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Miguel A Chávez-Fumagalli
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Urb. San José S/N, Umacollo, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Adilson V Costa
- Departamento de Química e Física, Universidade Federal Do Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, S/n, Guararema, 29500-000, Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Denise U Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bruno M Roatt
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas Em Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Insituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Róbson R Teixeira
- Grupo de Síntese e Pesquisa de Compostos Bioativos, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs, S/N, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A F Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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4
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Freitas CS, Pereira IAG, Lage DP, Vale DL, Pimenta BL, Soares NP, Santiago SS, Martins VT, Câmara RSB, Jesus MM, Tavares GSV, Ramos FF, Ludolf F, Magalhães LND, Oliveira FM, Duarte MC, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Costa AV, Roatt BM, Teixeira RR, Coelho EAF. New synthetic molecules incorporated into polymeric micelles used for treatment against visceral leishmaniasis. Cytokine 2024; 177:156543. [PMID: 38373365 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Treatment against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) presents problems, mainly related to drug toxicity, high cost and/or by emergence of resistant strains. In the present study, two vanillin synthetic derivatives, 3 s [4-(2-hydroxy-3-(4-octyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propoxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde] and 3 t [4-(3-(4-decyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropoxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde], were evaluated as therapeutic candidates in a murine model against Leishmania infantum infection. Molecules were used pure (3 s and 3 t) or incorporated into Poloxamer 407-based micelles (3 s/M and 3 t/M) in the infected animals, which also received amphotericin B (AmpB) or Ambisome® as control. Results showed that 3 s/M and 3 t/M compositions induced a Th1-type immune response in treated animals, with higher levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α, IL-12, nitrite, and IgG2a antibodies. Animals presented also low toxicity and significant reductions in the parasite load in their spleens, livers, bone marrows and draining lymph nodes, as compared as control groups mice, with the evaluations performed one and 30 days after the application of the therapeutics. In conclusion, preliminary data suggest that 3 s/M and 3 t/M could be considered for future studies as therapeutic agents against VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila S Freitas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Isabela A G Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela P Lage
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Danniele L Vale
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Breno L Pimenta
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Nícia P Soares
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Insituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Samira S Santiago
- Grupo de Síntese e Pesquisa de Compostos Bioativos, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs, S/N, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vívian T Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Raquel S B Câmara
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcelo M Jesus
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Grasiele S V Tavares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Ramos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Ludolf
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-110, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lícia N D Magalhães
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fabrício M Oliveira
- Instituto Federal de Educação de Minas Gerais, Rua Afonso Sardinha, 90, Bairro Pioneiros, 36420-000 Ouro Branco, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariana C Duarte
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Miguel A Chávez-Fumagalli
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Urb. San José S/N, Umacollo, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Adilson V Costa
- Departamento de Química e Física, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Guararema, 29500-000, Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Bruno M Roatt
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Insituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Róbson R Teixeira
- Grupo de Síntese e Pesquisa de Compostos Bioativos, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs, S/N, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A F Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Santa Efigênia, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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5
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Sharma S, Anand A, Singh R, Singh RK, Verma S. Peptide-triggered IL-12 and IFN-γ mediated immune response in CD4 + T-cells against Leishmania donovani infection. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:4092-4095. [PMID: 38511970 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc05946d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Leishmania donovani are intracellular, human blood parasites that cause visceral leishmaniasis or kala-azar. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been shown to modulate intracellular processes and cargo delivery, whereas host defense peptides (HDPs) promote proliferation of both naïve and antigen activated CD4+ T-cells. We report newly designed tripeptides that were able to trigger proinflammatory cytokine (IL-12 and IFN-γ) secretion by CD4+CD44+ T-cells in response to Leishmania donovani infection. These peptides can be used to induce antigen specific TH1 responses to combat obstacles of cytotoxicity and drug resistance associated with current anti-leishmanial drugs. Furthermore, these peptides can also be used as adjuvants to develop an effective immunoprophylactic approach for immunity restoration against visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India.
| | - Anshul Anand
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
| | - Rajan Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
| | - Rakesh K Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
| | - Sandeep Verma
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India.
- Gangwal School of Medical Sciences and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
- Mehta Family Center for Engineering in Medicine, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
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6
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Dehghani A, Mamizadeh M, Karimi A, Hosseini SA, Siamian D, Shams M, Ghiabi S, Basati G, Abaszadeh A. Multi-epitope vaccine design against leishmaniasis using IFN-γ inducing epitopes from immunodominant gp46 and gp63 proteins. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2024; 22:100355. [PMID: 38494264 PMCID: PMC10860880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgeb.2024.100355] [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: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
There is no currently approved human vaccine against leishmaniasis. Utilization of immunogenic antigens and their epitopes capable of enhancing immune responses against leishmaniasis is a crucial step for rational in silico vaccine design. The objective of this study was to generate and evaluate a potential vaccine candidate against leishmaniasis, designed by immunodominant proteins from gp46 and gp63 of Leishmania major, which can stimulate helper T-lymphocytes (HTL) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL). For this aim, the IFN-γ-inducing MHC-I and MHC-II binders were predicted for each examined protein (gp46 and gp63) and connected with appropriate linkers, along with an adjuvant (Mycobacterium tuberculosis L7/L12) and a histidine tag. The vaccine's stability, antigenicity, structure, and interaction with the TLR-4 receptor were evaluated in silico. The resulting chimeric vaccine was composed of 344 amino acids and had a molecular weight of 35.64 kDa. Physico-chemical properties indicated that it was thermotolerant, soluble, highly antigenic, and non-allergenic. Predictions of the secondary and tertiary structures were made, and further analyses confirmed that the vaccine construct could interact with the human TLR-4 receptor. Virtual immune simulation demonstrated strong stimulation of T-cell responses, particularly by an increase in IFN-γ, following vaccination. In summary, the in silico data indicated that the vaccine candidate showed high antigenicity in humans. It was also found to trigger significant levels of clearance mechanisms and other components of the cellular immune profile. Nevertheless, further wet experiments are required to properly assess the efficacy of this multi-epitope vaccine candidate against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Dehghani
- Department of Nursery, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Mina Mamizadeh
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran; Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Atena Karimi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
| | - Seyyed Amir Hosseini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Davood Siamian
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon Branch, Mazandaran, Iran
| | - Morteza Shams
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
| | - Shadan Ghiabi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholam Basati
- Department of Biochemistry, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Amir Abaszadeh
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran; School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
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7
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Hurtado-Morillas C, Martínez-Rodrigo A, Orden JA, de Urbina-Fuentes L, Mas A, Domínguez-Bernal G. Enhancing Control of Leishmania infantum Infection: A Multi-Epitope Nanovaccine for Durable T-Cell Immunity. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:605. [PMID: 38396573 PMCID: PMC10886062 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a growing health problem for which vaccination is a crucial tool for the control of disease. The successful development of an effective vaccine against this disease relies on eliciting a robust and enduring T-cell immune response involving the activation of CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ T-cells. This study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity and prophylactic efficacy of a novel nanovaccine comprising a multi-epitope peptide, known as HisDTC, encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles against Leishmania infantum infection in the murine model. The encapsulation strategy was designed to enhance antigen loading and sustain release, ensuring prolonged exposure to the immune system. Our results showed that mice immunized with PLGA-encapsulated HisDTC exhibited a significant reduction in the parasite load in the liver and spleen over both short and long-term duration. This reduction was associated with a cellular immune profile marked by elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ, and the generation of memory T cells. In conclusion, the current study establishes that PLGA-encapsulated HisDTC can promote effective and long-lasting T-cell responses against L. infantum in the murine model. These findings underscore the potential utility of multi-epitope vaccines, in conjunction with appropriate delivery systems, as an alternative strategy for CanL control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Hurtado-Morillas
- INMIVET, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.H.-M.)
| | - Abel Martínez-Rodrigo
- INMIVET, Animal Science Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CISA-INIA-CSIC), 28130 Madrid, Spain
| | - José A. Orden
- INMIVET, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.H.-M.)
| | - Laura de Urbina-Fuentes
- INMIVET, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.H.-M.)
| | - Alicia Mas
- INMIVET, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.H.-M.)
| | - Gustavo Domínguez-Bernal
- INMIVET, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.H.-M.)
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8
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Margaroni M, Tsanaktsidou E, Agallou M, Kiparissides C, Kammona O, Karagouni E. Development of a novel squalene/α-tocopherol-based self-emulsified nanoemulsion incorporating Leishmania peptides for induction of antigen-specific immune responses. Int J Pharm 2024; 649:123621. [PMID: 38000650 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Vaccination has emerged as the most effective strategy to confront infectious diseases, among which is leishmaniasis, that threat public health. Despite laborious efforts there is still no vaccine for humans to confront leishmaniasis. Multi-epitope protein/peptide vaccines present a number of advantages, however their use along with appropriate adjuvants that may also act as antigen carriers is considered essential to overcome subunit vaccines' low immunogenicity. In the present study, a stable self-emulsified nanoemulsion was developed and double-adjuvanted with squalene and α-tocopherol. The prepared nanoemulsion droplets exhibited low cytotoxicity in a certain range of concentrations, while they were efficiently taken up by macrophages and dendritic cells in vitro as well as in vivo in secondary lymphoid organs. To further characterize nanoformulation's potent antigen delivery capability, three multi-epitope Leishmania peptides were incorporated into the nanoemulsion. Peptide encapsulation resulted in dendritic cells' functional differentiation characterized by elevated levels of maturation markers and intracellular cytokine production. Intramuscular administration of the nanoemulsion incorporating Leishmania peptides induced antigen-specific spleen cell proliferation as well as elicitation of CD4+ central memory cells, supporting the potential of the developed nanoformulation to successfully act also as an antigen delivery vehicle and thus encouraging further preclinical studies on its vaccine candidate potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritsa Margaroni
- Immunology of Infection Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 125 21 Athens, Greece.
| | - Evgenia Tsanaktsidou
- Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, P.O. Box 60361, 57 001 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Maria Agallou
- Immunology of Infection Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 125 21 Athens, Greece.
| | - Costas Kiparissides
- Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, P.O. Box 60361, 57 001 Thessaloniki, Greece; Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box 472, 54 124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Olga Kammona
- Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, P.O. Box 60361, 57 001 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Evdokia Karagouni
- Immunology of Infection Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 125 21 Athens, Greece.
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9
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Kumar P, Kumar P, Shrivastava A, Dar MA, Lokhande KB, Singh N, Singh A, Velayutham R, Mandal D. Immunoinformatics-based multi-epitope containing fused polypeptide vaccine design against visceral leishmaniasis with high immunogenicity and TLR binding. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127567. [PMID: 37866569 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most lethal among all leishmaniasis diseases and remains categorized as a neglected tropical disease (NTD). This study aimed to develop a peptide-based multi-epitope vaccine construct against VL using immunoinformatics methodologies. To achieve this, four distinct proteins were screened to identify peptides consisting of 9-15 amino acids with high binding affinity to toll-like receptors (TLRs), strong antigenicity, low allergenicity, and minimal toxicity. The resulting multi-epitope vaccine construct was fused in a tandem arrangement with appropriate linker peptides and exhibited superior properties related to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), helper T lymphocytes (HTLs), and B-cell epitopes. Subsequently, a three-dimensional (3D) model of the vaccine construct was generated, refined, and validated for structural stability and immune response capabilities. Molecular docking and simulations confirmed the vaccine construct's stability and binding affinities with TLRs, with TLR4 displaying the highest binding affinity, followed by TLR2 and TLR3. Additionally, simulations predicted robust cellular and humoral antibody-mediated immune responses elicited by the designed vaccine construct. Notably, this vaccine construct includes proteins from various pathways of Leishmania donovani (LD), which have not been previously utilized in VL vaccine design. Thus, this study opens new avenues for the development of vaccines against diverse protozoan diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hajipur-Vaishali, Bihar 844102, India
| | - Prakash Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hajipur-Vaishali, Bihar 844102, India
| | - Ashish Shrivastava
- Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Research Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Gautam Buddha Nagar, UP, India
| | - Mukhtar Ahmad Dar
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hajipur-Vaishali, Bihar 844102, India
| | - Kiran Bharat Lokhande
- Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Research Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Gautam Buddha Nagar, UP, India
| | - Nidhi Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Ahmedabad, India
| | - Ashutosh Singh
- Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Research Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Gautam Buddha Nagar, UP, India
| | - Ravichandiran Velayutham
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hajipur-Vaishali, Bihar 844102, India; National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Kolkata, India
| | - Debabrata Mandal
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hajipur-Vaishali, Bihar 844102, India.
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10
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Jyotisha, Qureshi R, Qureshi IA. Development of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate for leishmanial parasites applying immunoinformatics and in vitro approaches. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1269774. [PMID: 38035118 PMCID: PMC10684680 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1269774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease, and its severity necessitates the development of a potent and efficient vaccine for the disease; however, no human vaccine has yet been approved for clinical use. This study aims to design and evaluate a multi-epitope vaccine against the leishmanial parasite by utilizing helper T-lymphocyte (HTL), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL), and linear B-lymphocyte (LBL) epitopes from membrane-bound acid phosphatase of Leishmania donovani (LdMAcP). The designed multi-epitope vaccine (LdMAPV) was highly antigenic, non-allergenic, and non-toxic, with suitable physicochemical properties. The three-dimensional structure of LdMAPV was modeled and validated, succeeded by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) studies that confirmed the high binding affinity and stable interactions between human toll-like receptors and LdMAPV. In silico disulfide engineering provided improved stability to LdMAPV, whereas immune simulation displayed the induction of both immune responses, i.e., antibody and cell-mediated immune responses, with a rise in cytokines. Furthermore, LdMAPV sequence was codon optimized and cloned into the pET-28a vector, followed by its expression in a bacterial host. The recombinant protein was purified using affinity chromatography and subjected to determine its effect on cytotoxicity, cytokines, and nitric oxide generation by mammalian macrophages. Altogether, this report provides a multi-epitope vaccine candidate from a leishmanial protein participating in parasitic virulence that has shown its potency to be a promising vaccine candidate against leishmanial parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotisha
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Rahila Qureshi
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, India
| | - Insaf Ahmed Qureshi
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
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11
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Basmenj ER, Arastonejad M, Mamizadeh M, Alem M, KhalatbariLimaki M, Ghiabi S, Khamesipour A, Majidiani H, Shams M, Irannejad H. Engineering and design of promising T-cell-based multi-epitope vaccine candidates against leishmaniasis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19421. [PMID: 37940672 PMCID: PMC10632461 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46408-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a very common parasitic infection in subtropical areas worldwide. Throughout decades, there have been challenges in vaccine design and vaccination against CL. The present study introduced novel T-cell-based vaccine candidates containing IFN-γ Inducing epitopic fragments from Leishmania major (L. major) glycoprotein 46 (gp46), cathepsin L-like and B-like proteases, histone H2A, glucose-regulated protein 78 (grp78) and stress-inducible protein 1 (STI-1). For this aim, top-ranked human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-specific, IFN-γ Inducing, antigenic, CD4+ and CD8+ binders were highlighted. Four vaccine candidates were generated using different spacers (AAY, GPGPG, GDGDG) and adjuvants (RS-09 peptide, human IFN-γ, a combination of both, Mycobacterium tuberculosis Resuscitation promoting factor E (RpfE)). Based on the immune simulation profile, those with RS-09 peptide (Leish-App) and RpfE (Leish-Rpf) elicited robust immune responses and their tertiary structure were further refined. Also, molecular docking of the selected vaccine models with the human toll-like receptor 4 showed proper interactions, particularly for Leish-App, for which molecular dynamics simulations showed a stable connection with TLR-4. Upon codon optimization, both models were finally ligated into the pET28a( +) vector. In conclusion, two potent multi-epitope vaccine candidates were designed against CL and evaluated using comprehensive in silico methods, while further wet experiments are, also, recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahshid Arastonejad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Mina Mamizadeh
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Mahsa Alem
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mahdi KhalatbariLimaki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Shadan Ghiabi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Khamesipour
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 14155-6383, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Majidiani
- Healthy Aging Research Centre, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
| | - Morteza Shams
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
| | - Hamid Irannejad
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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12
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Rustagi V, Gupta SRR, Bajaj M, Singh A, Singh IK. PepAnalyzer: predicting peptide properties using its sequence. Amino Acids 2023; 55:1371-1379. [PMID: 37668712 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03317-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Peptides are short linear molecules consisting of amino acids that play an essential role in most biological processes. They can treat diseases by working as a vaccine or antimicrobial agent and serves as a cancer molecule to deliver the drug to the target site for the treatment of cancer. They have the potential to solve the drawbacks of current medications and can be industrially produced in large quantities at low cost. However, poor chemical and physical stability, short circulating plasma half-life, and solubility are some issues that need solutions before they can be used as therapeutics. PepAnalyzer tool is a user-friendly tool that predicts 15 different properties such as binding potential, half-life, transmembrane patterns, test tube stability, charge, isoelectric point, molecular weights, and molar extinction coefficients only using the sequence. The tool is designed using BioPython utility and has even results with standard tools, such as Expasy, EBI, Genecorner, and Geneinfinity. The tool assists students, researchers, and the pharmaceutical sector. The PepAnalyzer tool's online platform is accessible at the link: http://www.iksmbrlabdu.in/peptool .
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanshika Rustagi
- Molecular Biology Research Lab., Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Kalkaji, New Delhi, 110019, India
| | - Shradheya R R Gupta
- Molecular Biology Research Lab., Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Kalkaji, New Delhi, 110019, India
| | - Monika Bajaj
- Department of Computer Science, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Kalkaji, New Delhi, 110019, India
| | - Archana Singh
- Department of Botany, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.
| | - Indrakant Kumar Singh
- Molecular Biology Research Lab., Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Kalkaji, New Delhi, 110019, India.
- DBC i4 Centre, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Kalkaji, New Delhi, 110019, India.
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033-9173, USA.
- Delhi School of Public Health, Institute of Eminence, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.
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13
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Agallou M, Margaroni M, Karagouni E. Intramuscular Immunization with a Liposomal Multi-Epitope Chimeric Protein Induces Strong Cellular Immune Responses against Visceral Leishmaniasis. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1384. [PMID: 37631952 PMCID: PMC10459177 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11081384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Control of the intracellular parasite Leishmania (L.) requires the activation of strong type 1 cellular immune responses. Towards this goal, in the present study, a multiepitope chimeric protein named LiChimera was encapsulated into cationic liposomes and its protective efficacy against experimental visceral leishmaniasis was investigated. Liposomal LiChimera conferred significant protection against L. infantum as evidenced by the significantly reduced parasite loads in the spleen and liver. Protection detected in Lipo:LiChimera-immunized mice was dependent on the differentiation of long-lasting cellular immune responses and particularly the induction of antigen-specific multifunctional memory CD4+ TH1 and CD8+ T cells that persisted during infection, as evidenced by the persistent high production of IFN-γ and IL-2 and proliferation activity. Notably, protected mice were also characterized by significantly low numbers of non-regulatory CD4+ T cells able to co-produce IFN-γ and IL-10, an important population for disease establishment, as compared to non-immunized control group. Collectively, these results demonstrate that cationic liposomes containing LiChimera can be considered an effective candidate vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Evdokia Karagouni
- Immunology of Infection Group, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 115 21 Athens, Greece; (M.A.); (M.M.)
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14
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Jesus-Oliveira P, Silva-Couto L, Pinho N, Da Silva-Ferreira AT, Saboia-Vahia L, Cuervo P, Da-Cruz AM, Gomes-Silva A, Pinto EF. Identification of Immunodominant Proteins of the Leishmania (Viannia) naiffi SubProteome as Pan-Specific Vaccine Targets against Leishmaniasis. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1129. [PMID: 37514945 PMCID: PMC10386316 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a wide-spectrum disease caused by parasites from Leishmania genus. A well-modulated immune response that is established after the long-lasting clinical cure of leishmaniasis can represent a standard requirement for a vaccine. Previous studies demonstrated that Leishmania (Viannia) naiffi causes benign disease and its antigens induce well-modulated immune responses in vitro. In this work we aimed to identify the immunodominant proteins present in the soluble extract of L. naiffi (sLnAg) as candidates for composing a pan-specific anti-leishmaniasis vaccine. After immunoblotting using cured patients of cutaneous leishmaniasis sera and proteomics approaches, we identified a group of antigenic proteins from the sLnAg. In silico analyses allowed us to select mildly similar proteins to the host; in addition, we evaluated the binding potential and degree of promiscuity of the protein epitopes to HLA molecules and to B-cell receptors. We selected 24 immunodominant proteins from a sub-proteome with 328 proteins. Homology analysis allowed the identification of 13 proteins with the most orthologues among seven Leishmania species. This work demonstrated the potential of these proteins as promising vaccine targets capable of inducing humoral and cellular pan-specific immune responses in humans, which may in the future contribute to the control of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisciliana Jesus-Oliveira
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Luzinei Silva-Couto
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Nathalia Pinho
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Rede de Pesquisas de Neuroinflamação do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | | | - Leonardo Saboia-Vahia
- Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e Sarampo, Laboratório de Referência para COVID-19 (World Health Organization), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Rede de Pesquisas de Neuroinflamação do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Alda Maria Da-Cruz
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Rede de Pesquisas em Saúde, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20020-000, Brazil
- Disciplina de Parasitologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Neuroimunomodulação (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Adriano Gomes-Silva
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Micobacterioses, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Fonseca Pinto
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Rede de Pesquisas em Saúde, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20020-000, Brazil
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15
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Bhattacharjee M, Banerjee M, Mukherjee A. In silico designing of a novel polyvalent multi-subunit peptide vaccine leveraging cross-immunity against human visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis: an immunoinformatics-based approach. J Mol Model 2023; 29:99. [PMID: 36928431 PMCID: PMC10018593 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-023-05503-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Leishmaniasis is a group of vector-borne infectious diseases caused by over 20 pathogenic Leishmania species that are endemic in many tropical and subtropical countries. The emergence of drug-resistant strains, the adverse side effects of anti-Leishmania drugs, and the absence of a preventative vaccination strategy threaten the sensitive population. Recently, many groups of researchers have exploited the field of reverse vaccinology to develop vaccines, focusing chiefly on inducing immunity against either visceral or cutaneous leishmaniasis. METHODS This present work involves retrieving twelve experimentally validated leishmanial antigenic protein sequences from the UniProt database, followed by their antigenicity profiling employing ANTIGENpro and Vaxijen 2.0 servers. MHC-binding epitopes for the same were predicted using both NetCTL 1.2 and SYFPEITHI servers, while epitopes for B cell were computed using ABCpred and BepiPred 2.0 servers. The screened epitopes with significantly higher scores were utilized for designing the vaccine construct with appropriate linkers and natural adjuvant. The secondary and tertiary structures of the synthetic peptide were determined by conditional random fields, shallow neural networks, and profile-profile threading alignment with iterative structure assembly simulations, respectively. The 3-D vaccine model was validated through CASP10-tested refinement and the MolProbity web server. Molecular docking and multi-scale normal mode analysis simulation were performed to analyze the best vaccine-TLR complex. Finally, computational immune simulation findings revealed promising cellular and humoral immune responses, suggesting that the engineered chimeric peptide is a potential broad-spectrum vaccine against visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mainak Bhattacharjee
- Department of Biotechnology, Heritage Institute of Technology, 994, Madurdaha, Kolkata, 700107, India
| | - Monojit Banerjee
- Department of Zoology, Triveni Devi Bhalotia College, Raniganj, 713347, India
| | - Arun Mukherjee
- Department of Zoology, Triveni Devi Bhalotia College, Raniganj, 713347, India.
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16
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Developing Anti-Babesia bovis Blood Stage Vaccines: A New Perspective Regarding Synthetic Vaccines. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065219. [PMID: 36982294 PMCID: PMC10049154 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis is caused by the Apicomplexa parasites from the genus Babesia. It is one of the most important tick-borne veterinary diseases worldwide; Babesia bovis being the species associated with the most severe clinical signs of the disease and causing the greatest economic losses. Many limitations related to chemoprophylaxis and the acaricides control of transmitting vectors have led to the adoption of live attenuated vaccine immunisation against B. bovis as an alternative control strategy. However, whilst this strategy has been effective, several drawbacks related to its production have prompted research into alternative methodologies for producing vaccines. Classical approaches for developing anti-B. bovis vaccines are thus discussed in this review and are compared to a recent functional approach to highlight the latter’s advantages when designing an effective synthetic vaccine targeting this parasite.
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17
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Nie J, Wang Q, Jin S, Yao X, Xu L, Chang Y, Ding F, Li Z, Sun L, Shi Y, Shan Y. Self-assembled multiepitope nanovaccine based on NoV P particles induces effective and lasting protection against H3N2 influenza virus. NANO RESEARCH 2023; 16:7337-7346. [PMID: 36820263 PMCID: PMC9933037 DOI: 10.1007/s12274-023-5395-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Current seasonal influenza vaccines confer only limited coverage of virus strains due to the frequent genetic and antigenic variability of influenza virus (IV). Epitope vaccines that accurately target conserved domains provide a promising approach to increase the breadth of protection; however, poor immunogenicity greatly hinders their application. The protruding (P) domain of the norovirus (NoV), which can self-assemble into a 24-mer particle called the NoV P particle, offers an ideal antigen presentation platform. In this study, a multiepitope nanovaccine displaying influenza epitopes (HMN-PP) was constructed based on the NoV P particle nanoplatform. Large amounts of HMN-PP were easily expressed in Escherichia coli in soluble form. Animal experiments showed that the adjuvanted HMN-PP nanovaccine induced epitope-specific antibodies and haemagglutinin (HA)-specific neutralizing antibodies, and the antibodies could persist for at least three months after the last immunization. Furthermore, HMN-PP induced matrix protein 2 extracellular domain (M2e)-specific antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses, and a nucleoprotein (NP)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response. These results indicated that the combination of a multiepitope vaccine and self-assembled NoV P particles may be an ideal and effective vaccine strategy for highly variable viruses such as IV and SARS-CoV-2. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at 10.1007/s12274-023-5395-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaojiao Nie
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, 130012 China
| | - Qingyu Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, 130012 China
| | - Shenghui Jin
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, 130012 China
| | - Xin Yao
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, 130012 China
| | - Lipeng Xu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, 130012 China
| | - Yaotian Chang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, 130012 China
| | - Fan Ding
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, 130012 China
| | - Zeyu Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, 130012 China
| | - Lulu Sun
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, 130012 China
| | - Yuhua Shi
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, 130012 China
| | - Yaming Shan
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, 130012 China
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, 130012 China
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18
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Margaroni M, Agallou M, Tsanaktsidou E, Kammona O, Kiparissides C, Karagouni E. Immunoinformatics Approach to Design a Multi-Epitope Nanovaccine against Leishmania Parasite: Elicitation of Cellular Immune Responses. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:304. [PMID: 36851182 PMCID: PMC9960668 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by an intracellular parasite of the genus Leishmania with different clinical manifestations that affect millions of people worldwide, while the visceral form may be fatal if left untreated. Since the available chemotherapeutic agents are not satisfactory, vaccination emerges as the most promising strategy for confronting leishmaniasis. In the present study, a reverse vaccinology approach was adopted to design a pipeline starting from proteome analysis of three different Leishmania species and ending with the selection of a pool of MHCI- and MHCII-binding epitopes. Epitopes from five parasite proteins were retrieved and fused to construct a multi-epitope chimeric protein, named LeishChim. Immunoinformatics analyses indicated that LeishChim was a stable, non-allergenic and immunogenic protein that could bind strongly onto MHCI and MHCII molecules, suggesting it as a potentially safe and effective vaccine candidate. Preclinical evaluation validated the in silico prediction, since the LeishChim protein, encapsulated simultaneously with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) into poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles, elicited specific cellular immune responses when administered to BALB/c mice. These were characterized by the development of memory CD4+ T cells, as well as IFNγ- and TNFα-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, supporting the potential of LeishChim as a vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritsa Margaroni
- Immunology of Infection Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 125 21 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Agallou
- Immunology of Infection Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 125 21 Athens, Greece
| | - Evgenia Tsanaktsidou
- Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 57 001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Olga Kammona
- Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 57 001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Costas Kiparissides
- Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 57 001 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54 124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evdokia Karagouni
- Immunology of Infection Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 125 21 Athens, Greece
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19
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Lopes Valentim Di Paschoale Ostolin T, Rodrigues Gusmão M, Augusto Siqueira Mathias F, Mirelle de Oliveira Cardoso J, Mendes Roatt B, Dian de Oliveira Aguiar-Soares R, Conceição Ruiz J, de Melo Resende D, Cristiane Fortes de Brito R, Barbosa Reis A. A specific Leishmania infantum polyepitope vaccine triggers Th1-type immune response and protects against experimental visceral leishmaniasis. Cell Immunol 2022; 380:104592. [PMID: 36084402 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2022.104592] [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: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The development of an immunogenic, effective, and safe vaccine is essential as an alternative for disease control. The present study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity and efficacy potential of a polyepitope T-cell antigen candidate against visceral leishmaniasis in a murine model. BALB/c mice were immunized with three doses subcutaneously with Poly-T Leish alone or adjuvanted with Saponin plus Monophosphoryl lipid A, with 15-day intervals between doses, and challenged with 107 stationary-phase Leishmania infantum promastigotes via tail vein. Immunogenicity and parasitism in spleen and liver of immunized mice were evaluated 45 days post-challenge. Our results revealed that the immunization with Poly-T Leish and Poly-T Leish/SM increases the percentage of specific T (CD4+ and CD8+) lymphocytes proliferation in vitro after antigen-specific stimulation. Also, Poly-T Leish and Poly-T Leish/SM groups showed a high percentage of IFN-γ and TNF-α-producing T cells, meanwhile, the Poly-T Leish/SM group also showed an increased percentage of multifunctional T cells producing double and triple-positive (IFN-γ+TNF-α+IL-2+) cytokines. The immunization with Poly-T Leish or Poly-T Leish/SM stimulated a decreased IL-4 and IL-10 compared to the Saline and adjuvant group. Poly-T Leish/SM immunized mice exhibit a noteworthy reduction in the parasite burden (spleen and liver) through real-time PCR (96%). Moreover, we observed higher nitrite secretion in 120-hour stimulated-culture supernatant using Griess method. We demonstrated that the Poly-T Leish/SM candidate was potentially immunogenic, providing enhancement of protective immune mechanisms, and conferred protection reducing parasitism. Our candidate was considered potential against visceral leishmaniasis, and eventually, could be tested in phase I and II clinical trials in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miriã Rodrigues Gusmão
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernando Augusto Siqueira Mathias
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Grupo Informática de Biossistemas e Genômica, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jamille Mirelle de Oliveira Cardoso
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Centro Universitário Presidente Tancredo de Almeida Neves (UNIPTAN), São João del Rei, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bruno Mendes Roatt
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Dian de Oliveira Aguiar-Soares
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jeronimo Conceição Ruiz
- Grupo Informática de Biossistemas e Genômica, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela de Melo Resende
- Grupo Informática de Biossistemas e Genômica, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rory Cristiane Fortes de Brito
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Barbosa Reis
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciências e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
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20
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Evaluation of calpain T-cell epitopes as vaccine candidates against experimental Leishmania major infection: a pilot study. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3275-3285. [PMID: 36102970 PMCID: PMC9471026 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07657-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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21
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Wang X, Chen J, Zheng J. The state of the art of extracellular vesicle research in protozoan infection. Front Genet 2022; 13:941561. [PMID: 36035188 PMCID: PMC9417467 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.941561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoan diseases seriously affect the health of human beings, livestock and poultry and lead to high economic and medical costs. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous structures formed through biological processes that play important roles in immune regulation. Studies have shown that parasites transmit information to hosts through EVs to modulate host immune responses. The major roles played by EVs released from parasites involve facilitating parasitization of the host. In this review, we discuss relevant recently obtained data on EVs secreted by different kinds of protozoa, including their molecular mechanisms, and discuss the roles played by EVs in the occurrence and development of parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jingtong Zheng
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Jingtong Zheng,
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22
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Immunoprophylaxis using polypeptide chimera vaccines plus adjuvant system promote Th1 response controlling the spleen parasitism in hamster model of visceral leishmaniasis. Vaccine 2022; 40:5494-5503. [PMID: 35963820 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.08.005] [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: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, several advances have been observed in vaccinology especially for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). One of the tools employed is epitope prediction by immunoinformatic approaches that reduce the time and cost to develop a vaccine. In this scenario, immunoinformatics is being more often used to develop vaccines for NTDs, in particular visceral leishmaniasis (VL) which is proven not to have an effective vaccine yet. Based on that, in a previous study, two predicted T-cell multi-epitope chimera vaccines were experimentally validated in BALB/c mice to evaluate the immunogenicity, central and effector memory and protection against VL. Considering the results obtained in the mouse model, we assessed the immune response of these chimeras inMesocricetus auratushamster, which displays, experimentally, similar pathological status to human and dog VL disease. Our findings indicate that both chimeras lead to a dominant Th1 response profile, inducing a strong cellular response by increasing the production of IFN-γ and TNF-α cytokines associated with a decrease in IL-10. Also, the chimeras reduced the spleen parasite load and the weight a correlation between protector immunological mechanisms and consistent reduction of the parasitic load was observed. Our results demonstrate that both chimeras were immunogenic and corroborate with findings in the mouse model. Therefore, we reinforce the use of the hamster as a pre-clinical model in vaccination trials for canine and human VL and the importance of immunoinformatic to identify epitopes to design vaccines for this important neglected disease.
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23
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Health-Promoting and Therapeutic Attributes of Milk-Derived Bioactive Peptides. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14153001. [PMID: 35893855 PMCID: PMC9331789 DOI: 10.3390/nu14153001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Milk-derived bioactive peptides (BAPs) possess several potential attributes in terms of therapeutic capacity and their nutritional value. BAPs from milk proteins can be liberated by bacterial fermentation, in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis, food processing, and gastrointestinal digestion. Previous evidence suggested that milk protein-derived BAPs have numerous health-beneficial characteristics, including anti-cancerous activity, anti-microbial activity, anti-oxidative, anti-hypertensive, lipid-lowering, anti-diabetic, and anti-osteogenic. In this literature overview, we briefly discussed the production of milk protein-derived BAPs and their mechanisms of action. Milk protein-derived BAPs are gaining much interest worldwide due to their immense potential as health-promoting agents. These BAPs are now used to formulate products sold in the market, which reflects their safety as natural compounds. However, enhanced commercialization of milk protein-derived BAPs depends on knowledge of their particular functions/attributes and safety confirmation using human intervention trials. We have summarized the therapeutic potentials of these BAPs based on data from in vivo and in vitro studies.
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24
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Mazire PH, Saha B, Roy A. Immunotherapy for visceral leishmaniasis: A trapeze of balancing counteractive forces. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 110:108969. [PMID: 35738089 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani, residing and replicating within the cells of the monocyte-macrophage (mono-mac) lineage, causes visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in humans. While, Leishmania infantum, is the main causative agent for zoonotic VL, where dogs are the main reservoirs of the disease. The chemotherapy is a serious problem because of restricted repertoire of drugs, drug-resistant parasites, drug-toxicity and the requirement for parenteral administration, which is a problem in resource-starved countries. Moreover, immunocompromised individuals, particularly HIV-1 infected are at higher risk of VL due to impairment in T-helper cell and regulatory cell responses. Furthermore, HIV-VL co-infected patients report poor response to conventional chemotherapy. Recent efforts are therefore directed towards devising both prophylactic and therapeutic immunomodulation. As far as prophylaxis is concerned, although canine vaccines for the disease caused by Leishmania infantum or Leishmania chagasi are available, no vaccine is available for use in humans till date. Therefore, anti-leishmanial immunotherapy triggering or manipulating the host's immune response is gaining momentum during the last two decades. Immunomodulators comprised of small molecules, anti-leishmanial peptides, complex ligands for host receptors, cytokines or their agonists and antibodies have been given trials both in experimental models and in humans. However, the success of immunotherapy in humans remains a far-off target. We, therefore, propose that devising a successful immunotherapy is an act of balancing enhanced beneficial Leishmania-specific responses and deleterious immune activation/hyperinflammation just as the swings in a trapeze.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka H Mazire
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411007, India
| | - Bhaskar Saha
- National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411007, India
| | - Amit Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411007, India.
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25
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The History of Live Attenuated Centrin Gene-Deleted Leishmania Vaccine Candidates. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040431. [PMID: 35456106 PMCID: PMC9025045 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, caused by an infection of the Leishmania protozoa, is a neglected tropical disease and a major health problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with approximately 350 million people worldwide at risk and 2 million new cases occurring annually. Current treatments for leishmaniasis are not highly efficacious and are associated with high costs, especially in low- and middle-income endemic countries, and high toxicity. Due to a surge in the incidence of leishmaniases worldwide, the development of new strategies such as a prophylactic vaccine has become a high priority. However, the ability of Leishmania to undermine immune recognition has limited our efforts to design safe and efficacious vaccines against leishmaniasis. Numerous antileishmanial vaccine preparations based on DNA, subunit, and heat-killed parasites with or without adjuvants have been tried in several animal models but very few have progressed beyond the experimental stage. However, it is known that people who recover from Leishmania infection can be protected lifelong against future infection, suggesting that a successful vaccine requires a controlled infection to develop immunologic memory and subsequent long-term immunity. Live attenuated Leishmania parasites that are non-pathogenic and provide a complete range of antigens similarly to their wild-type counterparts could evoke such memory and, thus, would be effective vaccine candidates. Our laboratory has developed several live attenuated Leishmania vaccines by targeted centrin gene disruptions either by homologous recombination or, more recently, by using genome editing technologies involving CRISPR-Cas9. In this review, we focused on the sequential history of centrin gene-deleted Leishmania vaccine development, along with the characterization of its safety and efficacy. Further, we discussed other major considerations regarding the transition of dermotropic live attenuated centrin gene-deleted parasites from the laboratory to human clinical trials.
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26
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Long Q, Yang Y, Yang M, Bai H, Sun W, Yang X, Huang W, Li D, Ma Y. Recombinant VLPs empower RBM peptides showing no immunogenicity in native SARS-COV-2 protein to elicit a robust neutralizing antibody response. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2022; 41:102527. [PMID: 35104670 PMCID: PMC8800570 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2022.102527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
New SARS-COV-2 vaccine strategies are still urgently needed, especially for emerging virus mutations and variants. In this study, we focused on analyzing the antigenicity and vaccine potency of linear peptide epitopes located in receptor binding motif (RBM) of spike (S) protein. Nine 12 to 16-mer overlapping peptides (P1-P9) were synthesized chemically and coupled to carrier protein KLH for the immunization in mice. Four of identified peptides were further engineered to present on the surface of recombinant Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) virus-like particles (VLPs) respectively. Antisera obtained from VLPs -immunized mice demonstrated strong reactivity and affinity to S1 protein or inactivated virus and neutralizing activity against virus infection in vitro. This study indicates that recombinant VLPs empower peptides which display underprivileged antigenicity in native protein to elicit high levels of neutralizing antibody, providing potential epitope candidates and an effective delivery strategy for the development of a multi-epitope vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Long
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Mengli Yang
- National Kunming High-level Biosafety Primate Research Center, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Yunnan, China
| | - Hongmei Bai
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Wenjia Sun
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Xu Yang
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Weiwei Huang
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Duo Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China; Department of Acute Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Provincial Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Kunming, China
| | - Yanbing Ma
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.
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27
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Bai Y, Wang Q, Liu M, Bian L, Liu J, Gao F, Mao Q, Wang Z, Wu X, Xu M, Liang Z. The next major emergent infectious disease: reflections on vaccine emergency development strategies. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:471-481. [PMID: 35080441 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2027240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Major emergent infectious diseases (MEID) pose the most serious threat to human health. The research proposes targeted response strategies for the prevention and control of potential MEID. AREAS COVERED Based on the analysis of infectious diseases, this research analyzes pandemics that have a high probability of occurrence and aims to synthesize the past experience and lessons learned of controlling infectious diseases such as coronavirus, influenza, Ebola, etc. In addition, by integrating major infectious disease response guidelines developed by WHO, the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom, we intend to bring forward national vaccine R&D development strategies for emergency use. EXPERT OPINION We advise to establish and improve existing laws, regulations, and also prevention and control systems for the emergent R&D and application of vaccines in response to potential infectious diseases. The strategies would not only help increase the various abilities in response to the research, development, evaluation, production, and supervision of emergency vaccines, but also establish surrogate endpoint of immunogenicity protection in early clinical studies to enable a rapid evaluation of the efficacy of emergency vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Bai
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Beijing, China
| | - Mingchen Liu
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Beijing, China
| | - Lianlian Bian
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyang Liu
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Gao
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Beijing, China
| | - Qunying Mao
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongfang Wang
- Guangzhou Laboratory. No. 9 XingDaoHuanBei Road, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing Wu
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Xu
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenglun Liang
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, Beijing, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Beijing, China
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Koirala P, Bashiri S, Toth I, Skwarczynski M. Current Prospects in Peptide-Based Subunit Nanovaccines. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2022; 2412:309-338. [PMID: 34918253 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1892-9_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination renders protection against pathogens via stimulation of the body's natural immune responses. Classical vaccines that utilize whole organisms or proteins have several disadvantages, such as induction of undesired immune responses, poor stability, and manufacturing difficulties. The use of minimal immunogenic pathogen components as vaccine antigens, i.e., peptides, can greatly reduce these shortcomings. However, subunit antigens require a specific delivery system and immune adjuvant to increase their efficacy. Recently, nanotechnology has been extensively utilized to address this issue. Nanotechnology-based formulation of peptide vaccines can boost immunogenicity and efficiently induce cellular and humoral immune responses. This chapter outlines the recent developments and advances of nano-sized delivery platforms for peptide antigens, including nanoparticles composed of polymers, peptides, lipids, and inorganic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashamsa Koirala
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sahra Bashiri
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. .,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia. .,School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Samtiya M, Acharya S, Pandey KK, Aluko RE, Udenigwe CC, Dhewa T. Production, Purification, and Potential Health Applications of Edible Seeds' Bioactive Peptides: A Concise Review. Foods 2021; 10:foods10112696. [PMID: 34828976 PMCID: PMC8621896 DOI: 10.3390/foods10112696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Edible seeds play a significant role in contributing essential nutritional needs and impart several health benefits to improve the quality of human life. Previous literature evidence has confirmed that edible seed proteins, their enzymatic hydrolysates, and bioactive peptides (BAPs) have proven and potential attributes to ameliorate numerous chronic disorders through the modulation of activities of several molecular markers. Edible seed-derived proteins and peptides have gained much interest from researchers worldwide as ingredients to formulate therapeutic functional foods and nutraceuticals. In this review, four main methods are discussed (enzymatic hydrolysis, gastrointestinal digestion, fermentation, and genetic engineering) that are used for the production of BAPs, including their purification and characterization. This article’s main aim is to provide current knowledge regarding several health-promoting properties of edible seed BAPs in terms of antihypertensive, anti-cancer, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinal Samtiya
- Department of Nutrition Biology, School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh 123031, India;
| | - Sovon Acharya
- Research and Development Unit, Abiocis Bio-Science Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad 500026, India; (S.A.); (K.K.P.)
| | - Kush Kumar Pandey
- Research and Development Unit, Abiocis Bio-Science Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad 500026, India; (S.A.); (K.K.P.)
| | - Rotimi E. Aluko
- Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
- Correspondence: (R.E.A.); (T.D.)
| | - Chibuike C. Udenigwe
- School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada;
| | - Tejpal Dhewa
- Department of Nutrition Biology, School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh 123031, India;
- Correspondence: (R.E.A.); (T.D.)
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A T-Cell Epitope-Based Multi-Epitope Vaccine Designed Using Human HLA Specific T Cell Epitopes Induces a Near-Sterile Immunity against Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis in Hamsters. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9101058. [PMID: 34696166 PMCID: PMC8537199 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease affecting 12 million people annually. Even in the second decade of the 21st century, it has remained without an effective vaccine for human use. In the current study, we designed three multiepitope vaccine candidates by the selection of multiple IFN-γ inducing MHC-I and MHC-II binder T-cell specific epitopes from three previously identified antigen genes of Leishmania donovani from our lab by an immuno-informatic approach using IFNepitope, the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) T cell epitope identification tools, NET-MHC-1, and NET MHC-2 webservers. We tested the protective potential of these three multiepitope proteins as a vaccine in a hamster model of visceral leishmaniasis. The immunization data revealed that the vaccine candidates induced a very high level of Th1 biased protective immune response in-vivo in a hamster model of experimental visceral leishmaniasis, with one of the candidates inducing a near-sterile immunity. The vaccinated animals displayed highly activated monocyte macrophages with the capability of clearing intracellular parasites due to increased respiratory burst. Additionally, these proteins induced activation of polyfunctional T cells secreting INF-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 in an ex-vivo stimulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, further supporting the protective nature of the designed candidates.
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Volpedo G, Huston RH, Holcomb EA, Pacheco-Fernandez T, Gannavaram S, Bhattacharya P, Nakhasi HL, Satoskar AR. From infection to vaccination: reviewing the global burden, history of vaccine development, and recurring challenges in global leishmaniasis protection. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:1431-1446. [PMID: 34511000 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1969231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem and the second most lethal parasitic disease in the world due to the lack of effective treatments and vaccines. Even when not lethal, leishmaniasis significantly affects individuals and communities through life-long disabilities, psycho-sociological trauma, poverty, and gender disparity in treatment. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the most relevant and recent research available on Pubmed and GoogleScholar highlighting leishmaniasis' global impact, pathogenesis, treatment options, and lack of effective control strategies. An effective vaccine is necessary to prevent morbidity and mortality, lower health care costs, and reduce the economic burden of leishmaniasis for endemic low- and middle-income countries. Since there are several forms of leishmaniasis, a pan-Leishmania vaccine without geographical restrictions is needed. This review also focuses on recent advances and common challenges in developing prophylactic strategies against leishmaniasis. EXPERT OPINION Despite advances in pre-clinical vaccine research, approval of a human leishmaniasis vaccine still faces major challenges - including manufacturing of candidate vaccines under Good Manufacturing Practices, developing well-designed clinical trials suitable in endemic countries, and defined correlates of protection. In addition, there is a need to explore Challenge Human Infection Model to avoid large trials because of fluctuating incidence and prevalence of leishmanasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Volpedo
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ryan H Huston
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Erin A Holcomb
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Parna Bhattacharya
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Abhay R Satoskar
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Zutshi S, Sarode AY, Ghosh SK, Jha MK, Sudan R, Kumar S, Sadhale LP, Roy S, Saha B. LmjF.36.3850, a novel hypothetical Leishmania major protein, contributes to the infection. Immunology 2021; 163:460-477. [PMID: 33764520 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania is a protozoan parasite that resides in mammalian macrophages and inflicts the disease known as leishmaniasis. Although prevalent in 88 countries, an anti-leishmanial vaccine remains elusive. While comparing the virulent and avirulent L. major transcriptomes by microarray, PCR and functional analyses for identifying a novel virulence-associated gene, we identified LmjF.36.3850, a hypothetical protein significantly less expressed in the avirulent parasite and without any known function. Motif search revealed that LmjF.36.3850 protein shared phosphorylation sites and other structural features with sucrose non-fermenting protein (Snf7) that shuttles virulence factors. LmjF.36.3850 was predicted to bind diacylglycerol (DAG) with energy value similar to PKCα and PKCβ, to which DAG is a cofactor. Indeed, 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), a DAG analogue, enhanced the phosphorylation of PKCα and PKCβI. We cloned LmjF.36.3850 gene in a mammalian expression vector and primed susceptible BALB/c mice followed by challenge infection. We observed a higher parasite load, comparable antibody response and higher anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10, while expression of major anti-leishmanial cytokine, IFN-γ, remained unchanged in LmjF.36.3850-vaccinated mice. CSA restimulated LN cells from vaccinated mice after challenge infection secreted comparable IL-4 and IL-10 but reduced IFN-γ, as compared to controls. These observations suggest a skewed Th2 response, diminished IFN-γ secreting Th1-TEM cells and increased central and effector memory subtype of Th2, Th17 and Treg cells in the vaccinated mice. These data indicate that LmjF.36.3850 is a plausible virulence factor that enhances disease-promoting response, possibly by interfering with PKC activation and by eliciting disease-promoting T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Raki Sudan
- National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
| | | | - Somenath Roy
- Department of Human Physiology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, India
| | - Bhaskar Saha
- National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India.,Trident Academy of Creative Technology, Chandrasekharpur, India
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Zhang J, He J, Liao X, Xiao Y, Liang C, Zhou Q, Chen H, Zheng Z, Qin H, Chen D, Chen Q, Li J, Chen J. Development of dominant epitope-based vaccines encoding Gp63, Kmp-11 and Amastin against visceral leishmaniasis. Immunobiology 2021; 226:152085. [PMID: 33910113 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2021.152085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The most dangerous form of leishmaniasis is Visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The elimination of VL depends not only on agent treatments but also on effective vaccines against Leishmania parasites. Epitope-based vaccines composed of alternative short antigenic epitopes have the advantages of MHC epitope easy designing, which has broad application prospects. In a previous study, we analyzed Leishmania Gp63, Kmp-11 and Amastin protein sequence in silico, and found that the amino acid fragments of Gp63 (138-360aa), Kmp-11 (1-91aa) and Amastin (1-72aa) were rich in dominant epitopes. In this study, we used the three amino acid fragments as multi-epitope vaccine candidates to construct DNA and protein vaccines. BALB/c mice were vaccinated with the DNA and protein vaccines by DNA prime-protein boost strategy and challenged with Leishmania promastigotes. To evaluate vaccine immunogenicity and immunoprotection, serum specific antibody titers and cytokines were detected using ELISA, splenic CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, livers were made into pathological sections to observe pathological changes, and splenic parasitic loads were quantified using qPCR. The results showed that the increased specific IgG titers from vaccinated mice supported the vaccine immunogenicity. The increased cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12 and TNF-α), splenic CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and hepatic granulomas, and the decreased splenic parasitic loads (parasite reduction rates of Gp63, Kmp-11 and Amatin groups were 89%, 86% and 79%, respectively) from immunized mice post-infection were suggested the good immunoprotection of the vaccines. Our study demonstrated that vaccines based on the dominant epitopes of Gp63, Kmp-11 and Amastin with DNA prime-protein boost vaccination strategy showed significant immune effects against Leishmania, especially the Gp63 group showed a nearly 90% parasites reduction rate. This study will provide references for visceral leishmaniasis epitope vaccine design and immune strategy selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhui Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinlei He
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuechun Liao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuying Xiao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chang Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Han Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiwan Zheng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hanxiao Qin
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dali Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiwei Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiao Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jianping Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Zahedi SN, Hejazi SH, Boshtam M, Amini F, Fazeli H, Sarmadi M, Rahimi M, Khanahmad H. Recombinant C-Reactive Protein: A Potential Candidate for the Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis of BALB/c Mice Caused by Leishmania major. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:53-59. [PMID: 32676917 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-020-00251-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Leishmaniasis, a widespread parasitic disease, is a public health concern that is endemic in more than 90 countries. Owing to the drug resistance and also undesirable complications, designing new therapeutic methods are essential. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein of plasma with several immune modulatory functions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of human recombinant CRP (hrCRP) on treating cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice models. METHODS hrCRP was expressed in E. coli Rosetta-gami and extracted from the SDS-PAGE gel. Male BALB/c mice were inoculated subcutaneously at the base of their tails by 1 × 105 stationary-phase of Leishmania major promastigotes (MHRO/IR/75/ER) suspended in sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Nodules and subsequently, ulcers developed 14 days post-injection. 1.5 µg of the purified protein was administered on lesions of pre-infected mice by Leishmania major in the intervention group for five consecutive days. RESULTS The mean area of the lesions was decreased by about seven folds in the intervention group as compared to the control group after two weeks of the treatment (p = 0.024). The results were verified by the real-time polymerase chain reaction so that the parasite burden was determined 27 times in the control group as compared to the intervention group (p = 0.02). Two weeks after treatment, the conversion of the lesions to scars in the intervention group was observed. CONCLUSION The results indicate a potential therapeutic role for hrCRP in improving cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major in mice models. The healing was in a stage-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Noushin Zahedi
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezarjerib Street, 8174643446, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Seyed Hossein Hejazi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maryam Boshtam
- Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Farahnaz Amini
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Healthy Aging, Medical Aesthetics and Regenerative Medicine, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hossein Fazeli
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Sarmadi
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezarjerib Street, 8174643446, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahsa Rahimi
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezarjerib Street, 8174643446, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Khanahmad
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezarjerib Street, 8174643446, Isfahan, Iran.
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Shermeh AS, Zahedifard F, Habibzadeh S, Taheri T, Rafati S, Seyed N. Evaluation of protection induced by in vitro maturated BMDCs presenting CD8 + T cell stimulating peptides after a heterologous vaccination regimen in BALB/c model against Leishmania major. Exp Parasitol 2021; 223:108082. [PMID: 33581108 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a complex vector-borne disease mediated by Leishmania parasite and a strong and long-lasting CD4+ Th1 and CD8+-T cell immunity is required to control the infection. Thus far multivalent subunit vaccines have met this requirement more promisingly. However several full protein sequences cannot be easily arranged in one construct. Instead, new emerging immune-informatics based epitope formulations surpass this restriction. Herein, we aimed to examine the protective potential of a dendritic cell based vaccine presenting epitopes to CD8+ and CD4+-T cells in combination with DNA vaccine encoding the same epitopes against murine cutaneous leishmaniasis. Immature DCs were loaded with epitopes (selected from parasite proteome) in vitro with or without CpG oligonucleotides and were used to immunize BALB/c mice. Peptide coding DNA was used to boost the system and immunological responses were evaluated after Leishmania (L.) major infectious challenge. The pre-challenge response to included epitopes was Th1 polarized which potentially lowered the infection at early time points post-challenge but not at later weeks. Collectively, DC prime-DNA boost was found to be a promising approach for Th1 polarization however the constituent epitopes undoubtedly make a significant contribution in the protection outcome of the vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Sadeghi Shermeh
- Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farnaz Zahedifard
- Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Habibzadeh
- Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Taheri
- Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Rafati
- Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negar Seyed
- Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Guedes DC, Santiani MH, Carvalho J, Soccol CR, Minozzo JC, Machado de Ávila RA, de Moura JF, Ramos ELP, Castro GR, Chávez-Olórtegi C, Thomaz-Soccol V. In silico and in vitro Evaluation of Mimetic Peptides as Potential Antigen Candidates for Prophylaxis of Leishmaniosis. Front Chem 2021; 8:601409. [PMID: 33520931 PMCID: PMC7843434 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.601409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Antigen formulation is the main feature for the success of leishmaniosis diagnosis and vaccination, since the disease is caused by different parasite species that display particularities which determine their pathogenicity and virulence. It is desirable that the antigens are recognized by different antibodies and are immunogenic for almost all Leishmania species. To overcome this problem, we selected six potentially immunogenic peptides derived from Leishmania histones and parasite membrane molecules obtained by phage display or spot synthesis and entrapped in liposome structures. We used these peptides to immunize New Zealand rabbits and determine the immunogenic capacity of the chimeric antigen. The peptides induced the production of antibodies as a humoral immune response against L. braziliensis or L. infantum. Next, to evaluate the innate response to induce cellular activation, macrophages from the peptide mix-immunized rabbits were infected in vitro with L. braziliensis or L. infantum. The peptide mix generated the IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-4 and TGF-β that led to Th1 and Th2 cellular immune responses. Interestingly, this mix of peptides also induced high expression of iNOS. These results suggest that the mix of peptides derived from histone and parasites membrane molecules was able to mimic parasites proteins and induce cytokines important to CD4+ T cell Th1 and Th2 differentiation and effector molecule to control the parasite infection. Finally, this peptide induced an immune balance that is important to prevent immunopathological disorders, inflammatory reactions, and control the parasite infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Carbonera Guedes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Strictu Sensu em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Manuel Hospinal Santiani
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Strictu Sensu em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Joyce Carvalho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Strictu Sensu em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Carlos Ricardo Soccol
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Strictu Sensu em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - João Carlos Minozzo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Strictu Sensu em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.,Centro de Produção e Pesquisa de Imunobilógicos, Secretaria De Saúde do Estado do Paraná, Piraquara, Brazil
| | | | - Juliana Ferreira de Moura
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Strictu Sensu em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Eliezer Lucas Pires Ramos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Strictu Sensu em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Guillermo Raul Castro
- Laboratorio de Nanobiomateriales, CINDEFI, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP)-CONICET (CCT La Plata), La Plata, Argentina.,Max Planck Laboratory for Structural Biology, Chemistry and Molecular Biophysics of Rosario (MPLbioR, UNR-MPIbpC), Partner Laboratory of the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry (MPIbpC, MPG), Centro de Estudios Interdisciplinarios (CEI), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Carlos Chávez-Olórtegi
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciência Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vanete Thomaz-Soccol
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Strictu Sensu em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
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Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the chronic debilitating vector-borne diseases caused by obligate intracellular protozoa. The global burden of disease although not increasing but potential risk of spread is there. At least 20 species of Leishmania are pathogenic to human beings. The transmission is from female sandfly through a blood meal. The disease pathogenesis is dependent on parasite and host mechanism-primarily cell-mediated immunity. The three common forms are visceral, cutaneous, and mucocutaneous. The diagnostic tests are mainly based on aspiration from the spleen or bone marrow. The use of K39 antibodies is the best serodiagnostic test. Antimonial, amphotericin B, miltefosine, and paromomycin are the drugs used to treat leishmaniasis. Amphotericin therapy shows the response within 7 to 10 days in most subjects, and 2 weeks of therapy is sufficient. However, those going into relapse need new treatment regimes. There is a definite benefit of combination therapy. However, there is still no breakthrough on a vaccine for prophylaxis. How to cite this article: Daga MK, Rohatgi I, Mishra R. Leishmaniasis. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(Suppl 2):S166-S170.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mradul K Daga
- Department of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Ishan Rohatgi
- Department of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Rashmi Mishra
- Department of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
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38
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Shivanna SK, Nataraj BH. Revisiting therapeutic and toxicological fingerprints of milk-derived bioactive peptides: An overview. FOOD BIOSCI 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2020.100771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Tosyali OA, Allahverdiyev A, Bagirova M, Abamor ES, Aydogdu M, Dinparvar S, Acar T, Mustafaeva Z, Derman S. Nano-co-delivery of lipophosphoglycan with soluble and autoclaved leishmania antigens into PLGA nanoparticles: Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo immunostimulatory effects against visceral leishmaniasis. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2020; 120:111684. [PMID: 33545846 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.111684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to encapsulate lipophosphoglycan molecule (LPG) which is one of the most immunogenic antigens of Leishmania parasites into PLGA nanoparticles with autoclaved or soluble leishmanial antigens, characterize synthetized nanoparticles with different methods and evaluate their in vitro/in vivo immunostimulatory activities to develop new vaccine candidates. PLGA nanoparticles including LPG and autoclaved leishmania antigen (ALA) or soluble leishmania antigen (ALA) were synthetized by double emulsion solvent evaporation method. The synthetized nanoparticles were characterized by SEM and Zeta-sizer instruments for determination of size, zeta potentials and polydispersity index (PDI) values. The antigen release profiles and encapsulation efficiencies were determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Griess reaction and ELISA tests were used for measurements of produced nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine levels of macrophages and splenocytes treated with nanoparticles. For determination of protective effects of nanoparticles, parasite reduction in livers and spleens of immunized mice were calculated by LDU values post-infection. According to results, (SLA-LPG) PLGA NPs and (ALA-LPG) PLGA NPs possessed the sizes of 253 and 307 nm respectively. Antigen-loaded nanoparticles elevated the released NO amounts from macrophages for 14 and 18-folds in contrast to control. Furthermore, synthetized nanoparticles significantly triggered macrophages to produce excessive levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 cytokines. Besides it was detected that vaccination of mice with (SLA-LPG) PLGA NPs and (ALA-LPG) PLGA NPs elicited approximately 80% protection from Visceral Leishmaniasis. Furthermore, (SLA-LPG) PLGA NPs and (ALA-LPG) PLGA NPs lead to 10 to 14-folds increase in secreted Th1 cytokine levels from splenocytes than control demonstrating abundantly stimulation of T cell response following to vaccination with nano-vaccine formulations. These results reveal that both (SLA-LPG) PLGA NPs and (ALA-LPG) PLGA NPs have excellent immunostimulatory activities and they are promising nanovaccine formulations for the prevention of leishmaniasis in near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Ayse Tosyali
- Yildiz Technical University, Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Faculty, Bioengineering Department, 34220 Esenler-Istanbul, Turkey; Beykent University, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Biomedical Engineering Department, 34398 Sarıyer-Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Adil Allahverdiyev
- V. Akhundov National Scientific Research Medical Prophylactic Institute, Baku, Azerbaijan.
| | - Melahat Bagirova
- V. Akhundov National Scientific Research Medical Prophylactic Institute, Baku, Azerbaijan
| | - Emrah Sefik Abamor
- Yildiz Technical University, Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Faculty, Bioengineering Department, 34220 Esenler-Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Aydogdu
- Yildiz Technical University, Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Faculty, Bioengineering Department, 34220 Esenler-Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sahar Dinparvar
- Yildiz Technical University, Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Faculty, Bioengineering Department, 34220 Esenler-Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tayfun Acar
- Yildiz Technical University, Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Faculty, Bioengineering Department, 34220 Esenler-Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Mustafaeva
- Yildiz Technical University, Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Faculty, Bioengineering Department, 34220 Esenler-Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serap Derman
- Yildiz Technical University, Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Faculty, Bioengineering Department, 34220 Esenler-Istanbul, Turkey
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Varma DM, Redding EA, Bachelder EM, Ainslie KM. Nano- and Microformulations to Advance Therapies for Visceral Leishmaniasis. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 7:1725-1741. [PMID: 33966377 PMCID: PMC10372633 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a deadly, vector-borne, neglected tropical disease endemic to arid parts of the world and is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania. Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for this systemic disease, and multiple potent therapies exist against this intracellular parasite. However, several factors, such as systemic toxicity, high costs, arduous treatment regimen, and rising drug resistance, are barriers for effective therapy against VL. Material-based platforms have the potential to revolutionize chemotherapy for leishmaniasis by imparting a better pharmacokinetic profile and creating patient-friendly routes of administration, while also lowering the risk for drug resistance. This review highlights promising drug delivery strategies and novel therapies that have been evaluated in preclinical models, demonstrating the potential to advance chemotherapy for VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devika M. Varma
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Redding
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Eric M. Bachelder
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Kristy M. Ainslie
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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A Canine-Directed Chimeric Multi-Epitope Vaccine Induced Protective Immune Responses in BALB/c Mice Infected with Leishmania infantum. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030350. [PMID: 32629975 PMCID: PMC7563305 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases are complex vector-borne diseases caused by intracellular parasites of the genus Leishmania. The visceral form of the disease affects both humans and canids in tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean regions. One health approach has suggested that controlling zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) could have an impact on the reduction of the human incidence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Despite the fact that a preventive vaccination could help with leishmaniasis elimination, effective vaccines that are able to elicit protective immune responses are currently lacking. In the present study, we designed a chimeric multi-epitope protein composed of multiple CD8+ and CD4+ T cell epitopes which were obtained from six highly immunogenic proteins previously identified by an immunoproteomics approach, and the N-termini of the heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis served as an adjuvant. A preclinical evaluation of the candidate vaccine in BALB/c mice showed that when it was given along with the adjuvant Addavax it was able to induce strong immune responses. Cellular responses were dominated by the presence of central and effector multifunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T memory cells. Importantly, the vaccination reduced the parasite burden in both short-term and long-term vaccinated mice challenged with Leishmania infantum. Protection was characterized by the continuing presence of IFN-γ+TNFα+-producing CD8+ and CD4+ T cells and increased NO levels. The depletion of CD8+ T cells in short-term vaccinated mice conferred a significant loss of protection in both target organs of the parasite, indicating a significant involvement of this population in the protection against L. infantum challenge. Thus, the overall data could be considered to be a proof-of-concept that the design of efficacious T cell vaccines with the help of reverse vaccinology approaches is possible.
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Ejazi SA, Ghosh S, Bhattacharyya A, Kamran M, Das S, Bhowmick S, Rahaman M, Goswami RP, Ali N. Investigation of the antigenicity and protective efficacy of Leishmania promastigote membrane antigens in search of potential diagnostic and vaccine candidates against visceral leishmaniasis. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:272. [PMID: 32473634 PMCID: PMC7260476 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04138-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), is a parasitic disease that causes serious medical consequences if treatment is delayed. Despite a decline in the number of VL cases in the Indian subcontinent, the commencement of the disease in newer areas continues to be a major concern. Although serological diagnosis mainly by immunochromatographic tests has been found to be effective, a test of cure in different phases of treatment is still desired. Even though a good prophylactic response has been obtained in murine models by a number of vaccine candidates, few have been proposed for human use. METHODS In this study, nine antigenic components (31, 34, 36, 45, 51, 63, 72, 91 and 97 kDa) of Leishmania promastigote membrane antigens (LAg), were electroeluted and evaluated through ELISA to diagnose and distinguish active VL from one month cured and six months post-treatment patients. Further, to investigate the immunogenicity of electroeluted proteins, human PBMCs of cured VL patients were stimulated with 31, 34, 51, 63, 72 and 91 kDa proteins. RESULTS We found that 34 and 51 kDa proteins show 100% sensitivity and specificity with healthy controls and other diseases. After six months post-treatment, antibodies to 72 and 91 kDa antigens show a significant decline to almost normal levels. This suggests that 34 and 51 kDa proteins are efficient in diagnosis, whereas 72 and 91 kDa proteins may be used to monitor treatment outcome. In another assay, 51 and 63 kDa proteins demonstrated maximum ability to upregulate IFN-γ and IL-12 with minimum induction of IL-10 and TGF-β. The results indicating that 51 and 63 kDa proteins could be strong candidates for human immunization against VL. In contrast, 34 and 91 kDa proteins demonstrated a reverse profile and may not be a good vaccine candidate. CONCLUSIONS The preliminary data obtained in this study proposes the potential of some of the antigens in Leishmania diagnosis and for test of cure. Additionally, some antigens demonstrated good immunoprophylactic cytokine production through T cell-mediated immune response, suggesting future vaccine candidates for VL. However, further studies are necessary to explore these antigens in diagnosis and to access the long-term immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarfaraz Ahmad Ejazi
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Smriti Ghosh
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.,Department of Botany, Serampore College, Hooghly, Serampore, West Bengal, India
| | - Anirban Bhattacharyya
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Mohd Kamran
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Sonali Das
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Sudipta Bhowmick
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.,Dr. Kanailal Bhattacharyya College, Dharmatala, Ramrajatala, Santragachi, Howrah, West Bengal, India
| | - Mehebubar Rahaman
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Rama Prosad Goswami
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Nahid Ali
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
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Khan MAA, Ami JQ, Faisal K, Chowdhury R, Ghosh P, Hossain F, Abd El Wahed A, Mondal D. An immunoinformatic approach driven by experimental proteomics: in silico design of a subunit candidate vaccine targeting secretory proteins of Leishmania donovani amastigotes. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:196. [PMID: 32295617 PMCID: PMC7160903 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04064-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by dimorphic Leishmania species is a parasitic disease with high socioeconomic burden in endemic areas worldwide. Sustaining control of VL in terms of proper and prevailing immunity development is a global necessity amid unavailability of a prophylactic vaccine. Screening of experimental proteome of the human disease propagating form of Leishmania donovani (amastigote) can be more pragmatic for in silico mining of novel vaccine candidates. Methods By using an immunoinformatic approach, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell-specific epitopes from experimentally reported L. donovani proteins having secretory potential and increased abundance in amastigotes were screened. A chimera linked with a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) peptide adjuvant was constructed and evaluated for physicochemical characteristics, binding interaction with TLR4 in simulated physiological condition and the trend of immune response following hypothetical immunization. Results Selected epitopes from physiologically important L. donovani proteins were found mostly conserved in L. infantum, covering theoretically more than 98% of the global population. The multi-epitope chimeric vaccine was predicted as stable, antigenic and non-allergenic. Structural analysis of vaccine-TLR4 receptor docked complex and its molecular dynamics simulation suggest sufficiently stable binding interface along with prospect of non-canonical receptor activation. Simulation dynamics of immune response following hypothetical immunization indicate active and memory B as well as CD4+ T cell generation potential, and likely chance of a more Th1 polarized response. Conclusions The methodological approach and results from this study could facilitate more informed screening and selection of candidate antigenic proteins for entry into vaccine production pipeline in future to control human VL.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Anik Ashfaq Khan
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Jenifar Quaiyum Ami
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Khaledul Faisal
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Rajashree Chowdhury
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Prakash Ghosh
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Faria Hossain
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Ahmed Abd El Wahed
- Microbiology and Animal Hygiene Division, Georg-August-University Goettingen, Burckhardtweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Dinesh Mondal
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
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Hamrouni S, Bras-Gonçalves R, Kidar A, Aoun K, Chamakh-Ayari R, Petitdidier E, Messaoudi Y, Pagniez J, Lemesre JL, Meddeb-Garnaoui A. Design of multi-epitope peptides containing HLA class-I and class-II-restricted epitopes derived from immunogenic Leishmania proteins, and evaluation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses induced in cured cutaneous leishmaniasis subjects. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008093. [PMID: 32176691 PMCID: PMC7098648 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human leishmaniasis is a public health problem worldwide for which the development of a vaccine remains a challenge. T cell-mediated immune responses are crucial for protection. Peptide vaccines based on the identification of immunodominant T cell epitopes able to induce T cell specific immune responses constitute a promising strategy. Here, we report the identification of human leukocyte antigen class-I (HLA-I) and -II (HLA-II)-restricted multi-epitope peptides from Leishmania proteins that we have previously described as vaccine candidates. Promastigote Surface Antigen (PSA), LmlRAB (L. major large RAB GTPase) and Histone (H2B) were screened, in silico, for T cell epitopes. 6 HLA-I and 5 HLA-II-restricted multi-epitope peptides, able to bind to the most frequent HLA molecules, were designed and used as pools to stimulate PBMCs from individuals with healed cutaneous leishmaniasis. IFN-γ, IL-10, TNF-α and granzyme B (GrB) production was evaluated by ELISA/CBA. The frequency of IFN-γ-producing T cells was quantified by ELISpot. T cells secreting cytokines and memory T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. 16 of 25 peptide pools containing HLA-I, HLA-II or HLA-I and -II peptides were able to induce specific and significant IFN-γ levels. No IL-10 was detected. 6 peptide pools were selected among those inducing the highest IFN-γ levels for further characterization. 3/6 pools were able to induce a significant increase of the percentages of CD4+IFN-γ+, CD8+IFN-γ+ and CD4+GrB+ T cells. The same pools also induced a significant increase of the percentages of bifunctional IFN-γ+/TNF-α+CD4+ and/or central memory T cells. We identified highly promiscuous HLA-I and -II restricted epitope combinations from H2B, PSA and LmlRAB proteins that stimulate both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in recovered individuals. These multi-epitope peptides could be used as potential components of a polytope vaccine for human leishmaniasis. The control of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease of public health importance, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, mainly relies on chemotherapy, which is highly toxic. Currently, there is no vaccine against human leishmaniasis. Peptide-based vaccines consisting of T cell epitopes identified within proteins of interest by epitope predictive algorithms are a promising strategy for vaccine development. Here, we identified multi-epitope peptides composed of HLA-I and -II-restricted epitopes, using immunoinformatic tools, within Leishmania proteins previously described as potential vaccine candidates. We showed that multi-epitope peptides used as pools were able to activate IFN-γ producing CD4+ as well as CD8+ T cells, both required for parasite elimination. In addition, granzyme B-producing CD4+ T cells, bifunctional CD4+ IFN-γ+/TNF-α+ and/or TNF-α+/IL-2+ T cells as well as CD4+ and CD8+ central memory T cells, all involved in Leishmania infection control, were significantly increased in response to multi-epitope peptide stimulation. As far as we know, no study has described the detection of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations in response to stimulation by both HLA-I and II-restricted peptides in humans. The immunogenic HLA-I and -II-restricted multi-epitope peptides identified in this study could constitute potential vaccine candidates against human leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarra Hamrouni
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie et Biomolécules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisie
- Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, Tunis, Tunisie
- UMR INTERTRYP, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Karim Aoun
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie et Biomolécules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisie
| | - Rym Chamakh-Ayari
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie et Biomolécules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisie
- Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, Tunis, Tunisie
| | - Elodie Petitdidier
- UMR INTERTRYP, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Yasmine Messaoudi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie et Biomolécules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisie
- Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, Tunis, Tunisie
- UMR INTERTRYP, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Julie Pagniez
- UMR INTERTRYP, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Loup Lemesre
- UMR INTERTRYP, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Amel Meddeb-Garnaoui
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologie et Biomolécules, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisie
- * E-mail:
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dos Santos Meira C, Gedamu L. Protective or Detrimental? Understanding the Role of Host Immunity in Leishmaniasis. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7120695. [PMID: 31847221 PMCID: PMC6956275 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7120695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania are the causative agents of leishmaniasis, a vector-borne disease of major public health concern, estimated to affect 12 million people worldwide. The clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis are highly variable and can range from self-healing localized cutaneous lesions to life-threatening disseminated visceral disease. Once introduced into the skin by infected sandflies, Leishmania parasites interact with a variety of immune cells, such as neutrophils, monocytes, dendritic cells (DCs), and macrophages. The resolution of infection requires a finely tuned interplay between innate and adaptive immune cells, culminating with the activation of microbicidal functions and parasite clearance within host cells. However, several factors derived from the host, insect vector, and Leishmania spp., including the presence of a double-stranded RNA virus (LRV), can modulate the host immunity and influence the disease outcome. In this review, we discuss the immune mechanisms underlying the main forms of leishmaniasis, some of the factors involved with the establishment of infection and disease severity, and potential approaches for vaccine and drug development focused on host immunity.
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Ropón-Palacios G, Chenet-Zuta ME, Otazu K, Olivos-Ramirez GE, Camps I. Novel multi-epitope protein containing conserved epitopes from different Leishmania species as potential vaccine candidate: Integrated immunoinformatics and molecular dynamics approach. Comput Biol Chem 2019; 83:107157. [PMID: 31751887 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2019.107157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniosis, caused by intracellular parasites of the genus Leishmania, has become a serious public health problem around the world, and for which there are currently extensive limitations. In this work, a theoretical model was proposed for the development of a multi-epitope vaccine. The protein GP63 of the parasite was selected for epitopes prediction, due to its important biological role for the infection process and abundance. IEDB tools were used to determine epitopes B and T in Leishmania braziliensis; besides, other conserved epitopes in three species were selected. To improve immunogenicity, 50S ribosomal protein L7 / L12 (ID: P9WHE3) was used as a domain of adjuvant in the assembly process. The folding arrangement of the vaccine was obtained through homologous modeling multi-template with MODELLER v9.21, and a Ramachandran plot analysis was done. Furthermore, physicochemical properties were described with the ProtParam tool and secondary structure prediction combining GOR-IV and SOPMA tools. Finally, a molecular dynamics simulation (50 ns) was performed to establish flexibility and conformational changes. The analysis of the results indicates high conservancy in the epitopes predicted among the four species. Moreover, Ramachandran plot, physicochemical parameters, and secondary structure prediction suggest a stable conformation of the vaccine, after a minimum conformational change that was evaluated with the free energy landscape. The conformational change does not drive any substantial change for epitope exposition on the surface. The vaccine proposed could be tested experimentally to guide new approaches in the development of pan-vaccines; vaccines with regions conserved in multiple species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georcki Ropón-Palacios
- Laboratório de Modelagem Computacional - LaModel, Instituto de Ciências Exatas - ICEx, Universidade Federal de Alfenas - UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Manuel E Chenet-Zuta
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universitaria N°3004 Distrito Federal, Mexico
| | - Kewin Otazu
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Av. Floral No1153, Puno, Peru
| | - Gustavo E Olivos-Ramirez
- Laboratorio de Evaluación de los Recursos Acuáticos y Cultivo de Especies Auxiliares, Departamento Académico de Biología, Microbiología y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Santa, Nuevo Chimbote, Peru
| | - Ihosvany Camps
- Laboratório de Modelagem Computacional - LaModel, Instituto de Ciências Exatas - ICEx, Universidade Federal de Alfenas - UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Peptide-based vaccine successfully induces protective immunity against canine visceral leishmaniasis. NPJ Vaccines 2019; 4:49. [PMID: 31815006 PMCID: PMC6884440 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-019-0144-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs are the main reservoir of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis. Vaccination is a promising approach to help control leishmaniasis and to interrupt transmission of the Leishmania parasite. The promastigote surface antigen (PSA) is a highly immunogenic component of Leishmania excretory/secretory products. A vaccine based on three peptides derived from the carboxy-terminal part of Leishmania amazonensis PSA and conserved among Leishmania species, formulated with QA-21 as adjuvant, was tested on naive Beagle dogs in a preclinical trial. Four months after the full course of vaccination, dogs were experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum promastigotes. Immunization of dogs with peptide-based vaccine conferred immunity against experimental infection with L. infantum. Evidence for macrophage nitric oxide production and anti-leishmanial activity associated with IFN-γ production by lymphocytes was only found in the vaccinated group. An increase in specific IgG2 antibodies was also measured in vaccinated dogs from 2 months after immunization. Additionally, after challenge with L. infantum, the parasite burden was significantly lower in vaccinated dogs than in the control group. These data strongly suggest that this peptide-based vaccine candidate generated cross-protection against zoonotic leishmaniasis by inducing a Th1-type immune response associated with production of specific IgG2 antibodies. This preclinical trial including a peptide-based vaccine against leishmaniasis clearly demonstrates effective protection in a natural host. This approach deserves further investigation to enhance the immunogenicity of the peptides and to consider the possible engineering of a vaccine targeting several Leishmania species. Leishmaniasis, caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania, can present in different forms depending on the infecting species. Visceral leishmaniasis is associated with migration of the parasite, in this case Leishmania infantum, to various organs and can infect both humans and canids. Here Rachel Bras-Gonçalves and colleagues test a Leishmania vaccine for dogs as they are the main reservoir for this zoonotic disease. The vaccine is based on the abundant immunogenic component of Leishmania excretory/secretory product, promastigote surface antigen (PSA); specifically, three peptides from the carboxyl-terminal of PSA, which is conserved in Leishmania species. Uninfected Beagle dogs were immunized with QA-21 as an adjuvant, and no local or systemic adverse reactions were observed. Four months later after three doses of the vaccine, dogs were infected with L. infantum promastigotes. Vaccination provided immunity with reduced parasite burden and this was associated with macrophage anti-leishmanial activity, increased IFN-y and nitric oxide production and increased Leishmania-specific IgG2 antibodies.
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A new multi-epitope peptide vaccine induces immune responses and protection against Leishmania infantum in BALB/c mice. Med Microbiol Immunol 2019; 209:69-79. [PMID: 31696313 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-019-00640-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a tropical and subtropical disease which is endemic in more than eighty countries around the world. Leishmania infantum is one of the main causative agents of VL disease. Currently, there is no approved-to-market vaccine for VL therapy. In this study, we evaluated cellular and humoral immune responses induced by our newly designed multi-epitope vaccine in BALB/c mice. Four antigenic proteins, including histone H1, sterol 24-c-methyltransferase (SMT), Leishmania-specific hypothetical protein (LiHy), and Leishmania-specific antigenic protein (LSAP) were chosen for the prediction of potential immunodominant epitopes. Moreover, to enhance vaccine immunogenicity, two toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4) agonists, resuscitation-promoting factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (RpfE and RpfB), were employed as the built-in adjuvants. Immunization with the designed multi-epitope vaccine elicited a robust Th1-type immune response, compared to other groups, as shown by increased levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IgG2a. Furthermore, a significant decrease was observed in Th-2-type-related cytokines such as IL-4 in immunized mice. The designed construct also induced a significant reduction in parasite load (p < 0.0001), conferring protection against L. infantum challenge. This study could be promising in gaining insight towards the potential of peptide epitope-based vaccines as effective protective approaches against Leishmania species.
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Arayici PP, Acar T, Ucar B, Karahan M, Arslan BA, Mustafaeva Z. Rabies Virus 31D Peptide‐[P(VP‐co‐AA)] Conjugates: Synthesis, Characterization and Cytotoxicity Evaluation. ChemistrySelect 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201901375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pelin Pelit Arayici
- Bioengineering DepartmentChemistry and Metallurgy FacultyYildiz Technical University İstanbul 34220 Turkey
| | - Tayfun Acar
- Bioengineering DepartmentChemistry and Metallurgy FacultyYildiz Technical University İstanbul 34220 Turkey
| | - Burcu Ucar
- Bioengineering DepartmentChemistry and Metallurgy FacultyYildiz Technical University İstanbul 34220 Turkey
| | - Mesut Karahan
- Biomedical Devices DepartmentVocational School of Health ServicesUskudar University Istanbul 34662 Turkey
| | - Belkis Atasever Arslan
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsFaculty of Engineering and Natural SciencesUskudar University Istanbul 34662 Turkey
| | - Zeynep Mustafaeva
- Bioengineering DepartmentChemistry and Metallurgy FacultyYildiz Technical University İstanbul 34220 Turkey
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Mada SB, Ugwu CP, Abarshi MM. Health Promoting Effects of Food-Derived Bioactive Peptides: A Review. Int J Pept Res Ther 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-019-09890-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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