Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kendi Okuda, Miriam Maria Silva Costa Franco, Ari Yasunaga, Ricardo Gazzinelli, Michel Rabinovitch, Sara Cherry, Neal Silverman
Summary: Leishmania parasites utilize virulence mechanisms to invade and replicate in macrophages, inhibiting host defenses and altering gene expression to enhance their survival and replication.
Article
Microbiology
Raquel Garcia-Hernandez, Ana Perea-Martinez, Jose Ignacio Manzano, Laura C. Terron-Camero, Eduardo Andres-Leon, Francisco Gamarro
Summary: Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, lacks an effective vaccine and drug resistance as well as therapeutic failure are major challenges for treatment. This study found significant changes in gene expression in Leishmania parasites isolated from patients with therapeutic failure. These changes may improve the survival of the parasites in host cells, contributing to therapeutic failure.
Article
Microbiology
Jessica C. Paula, Nilma S. Fernandes, Thaysa K. Karam, Paula Barea, Maria H. Sarragiotto, Tania Ueda-Nakamura, Sueli O. Silva, Celso Nakamura
Summary: The study demonstrated that RCC and C5 are effective against intracellular amastigotes of L. amazonensis by inducing oxidative stress and ultrastructural changes such as accumulation of lipid bodies and autophagic vacuoles, leading to parasite death.
FUTURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Sergio Sifontes-Rodriguez, Alma Reyna Escalona-Montano, Daniel Andres Sanchez-Almaraz, Ofelia Perez-Olvera, Maria Magdalena Aguirre-Garcia
Summary: This study presents a simplified method for screening antileishmanial drugs without the need for detergent. The results of this method were similar to the gold standard Giemsa-stained culture enumeration, and the risk of contamination and experimental error were reduced.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGICAL METHODS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Tamara Salloum, Sima Tokajian, Robert P. Hirt
Summary: Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania parasites, has diverse clinical manifestations and outcomes. Global RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) is a powerful tool for analyzing transcriptome changes in Leishmania parasites and host cells. Recent research also suggests a potential role of bacterial members in sandfly gut microbiota and host skin microbiota in influencing leishmaniasis pathology.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Greta Volpedo, Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez, Timur Gannavaram, Hannah L. Markle, Nazli Azodi, Shinjiro Hamano, Greg Matlashewski, Sreenivas Gannavaram, Hira L. Nakhasi, Abhay R. Satoskar
Summary: Leishmaniasis is a prevalent tropical disease for which there is currently no approved human vaccine. In this study, a live attenuated L. mexicana strain was developed and shown to induce a strong immune response in mice. The research also revealed the important role of the pentose phosphate pathway in the immune mechanism of protection.
Article
Biophysics
Yang Yang, Aofei Liu, Ching -Ting Tsai, Chun Liu, Joseph C. Wu, Bianxiao Cui
Summary: The unintended binding of small-molecule drugs to ion channels can cause arrhythmia and heart failure. However, the low throughput of current intracellular recording techniques limits the assessment of drug toxicity. To address this challenge, we have developed the NcEA technology, which enables robust, parallel, and long-duration recording of intracellular action potentials. This technology has the potential to be used in preclinical drug screening.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jafeth Carrasco, Jim H. Chang, Laura Pineda, Iliana Quintero, Rita Giovani, Carmenza Spadafora, Ricardo Lleonart, Carlos M. Restrepo
Summary: Protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania cause leishmaniasis, a disease with variable clinical manifestations that affects millions of people worldwide. In this study, genetically modified L. panamensis and L. donovani strains were generated with constitutive expression of the gene encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) integrated into the locus that encodes for 18S rRNA (ssu). The expression of eGFP gene was evaluated by flow cytometry.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Dan Zilberstein, Peter J. Myler
Summary: Leishmania parasites cause human leishmaniasis and cycle between hosts, utilizing sensors to adjust arginine transporter levels in response to environmental arginine concentrations.
CURRENT OPINION IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Visnu Chaparro, Tyson E. Graber, Tommy Alain, Maritza Jaramillo
Summary: This study reveals the early transcriptional remodelling in macrophages infected with amastigotes or promastigotes of Leishmania donovani, showing differential modulation of host mRNAs associated with immune functions and cytoprotective mechanisms. The results demonstrate that parasite stage-driven changes in mRNA abundance contribute to orchestrating both protective and deleterious responses in host cells during infection.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Eleanor C. Saunders, Marijke F. Sernee, Julie E. Ralton, Malcolm J. McConville
Summary: Leishmania parasites can survive long-term in the mature phagolysosome compartment of host cells by switching to a slow growth state and activating a stringent metabolic response. The heterogeneous expression of this response in vivo reflects temporal and spatial differences in lesion tissues, including dormant stages.
CURRENT OPINION IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Baijayanti Jha, Marta Reverte, Catherine Ronet, Florence D. Prevel, Florence D. Morgenthaler, Chantal Desponds, Lon-Fye Lye, Katherine L. L. Owens, Leonardo Scarpellino, Lalit Kumar Dubey, Amelie Sabine, Tatiana V. V. Petrova, Sanjiv A. A. Luther, Stephen M. M. Beverley, Nicolas Fasel
Summary: The lymphatic system may serve as an efficient route for infected cells to escape from the primary site and colonize distant organs, especially when infection is associated with inflammation and exacerbated by the presence of viral endosymbiont. This study sheds light on the role of the lymphatic system in facilitating metastasis of infections caused by protozoan parasites.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Roberto Docampo, Silvia N. J. Moreno
Summary: This review examines recent findings in calcium ion signaling in two groups of intracellular protist parasites, the apicomplexan and the trypanosomatid parasites, which may facilitate invasion, respond to environmental changes within the host, or regulate the function of their intracellular organelles.
CURRENT OPINION IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Laura Machin, Rachel Napoles, Lars Gille, Lianet Monzote
Summary: The study demonstrated that artemisinin derivatives showed promising in vitro and in vivo activities against Leishmania amazonensis, with potential for further development as a treatment option in areas where parasite resistance to current drugs is a concern.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Dan Zilberstein
Summary: Leishmania parasites reside in phagolysosomes of macrophages where they sense the lysosome-specific environment for differentiation initiation. Protein kinase A plays a crucial role as the gatekeeper in this process.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pablo Bilbao-Ramos, Dolores R. Serrano, Helga Karina Ruiz Saldana, Juan J. Torrado, Francisco Bolas-Fernandez, Maria Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Aikaterini Lalatsa, Larry Statts, Jessica Adriana de Jesus, Olivia Adewusi, Maria Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela, Francisco Bolas-Fernandez, Marcia Dalastra Laurenti, Luiz Felipe Domingues Passero, Dolores R. Serrano
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela, Sergi Segarra, Dolores R. Serrano, Francisco Bolas-Fernandez
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Raquel Fernandez-Garcia, Larry Statts, Jessica A. de Jesus, Maria Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela, Liliana Bautista, Ruben Simao, Francisco Bolas-Fernandez, Maria Paloma Ballesteros, Marcia Dalastra Laurenti, Luiz F. D. Passero, Aikaterini Lalatsa, Dolores R. Serrano
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Juan C. Ticona, Pablo Bilbao-Ramos, Ninoska Flores, M. Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela, Francisco Bolas-Fernandez, Ignacio A. Jimenez, Isabel L. Bazzocchi
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Isabel Gonzalez-Alvarez, Veronica Vivancos, Carmen Coll, Barbara Sanchez-Dengra, Elena Aznar, Alejandro Ruiz-Picazo, Marival Bermejo, Felix Sancenon, Maria Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela, Marta Gonzalez-Alvarez, Ramon Martinez-Manez
Summary: Giardiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Giardia intestinalis, primarily in the duodenum. Metronidazole is commonly used for treatment, but high doses can lead to side effects, prompting the need for new drug delivery systems. Research shows that gated mesoporous silica microparticles can achieve localized drug release in the duodenum, reducing systemic effects.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Samantha Moratal, M. Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela, Jesus Cardells, Naima M. Marco-Hirs, Silvia Puigcercos, Victor Lizana, Jordi Lopez-Ramon
Article
Infectious Diseases
Miguel A. Gonzalez-Cardenete, Fatima Rivas, Rachel Basset, Marco Stadler, Steffen Hering, Jose M. Padron, Ramon J. Zaragoza, Maria Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela
Summary: The study synthesized new abietane-type diterpenoids and conducted biological investigations, revealing the impact of different functional groups on activity and providing insights into structure-activity relationships. These compounds displayed bioactivity against human solid tumor cell lines, parasitic Leishmania species, and malaria strains, and also modulated GABA(A) receptors. Comparisons were made with previously reported C18-functionalized analogs.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Iratxe Barbolla, Leidi Hernandez-Suarez, Viviana Quevedo-Tumailli, Deyani Nocedo-Mena, Sonia Arrasate, Maria Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela, Humberto Gonzalez-Diaz, Nuria Sotomayor, Esther Lete
Summary: Development of new molecules for leishmaniasis treatment is urgent due to drug toxicity and resistance issues. Pyrrolo[1,2-b]isoquinoline core was used as a starting point, and palladium-catalyzed cascade reactions were developed for synthesis of C-10 substituted derivatives with promising activity.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Samantha Moratal, Maria Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela, Alba Marti-Marco, Silvia Puigcercos, Naima Maria Marco-Hirs, Candela Domenech, Elena Corcuera, Jesus Cardells, Victor Lizana, Jordi Lopez-Ramon
Summary: Cryptosporidium is a common pathogen that infects various vertebrates, including humans and marine fishes. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of Cryptosporidium species in edible marine fishes in the Western Mediterranean. The results showed that wild fish from the vicinity of fish farms were the most affected group, with two main species identified - C. molnari (fish specific) and zoonotic C. ubiquitum. The presence of zoonotic C. ubiquitum in European sea bass highlights a potential risk for fish consumers.
Article
Plant Sciences
Miriam Diaz-Diaz, Alexander Bernal-Cabrera, Antonio Trapero, Ricardo Medina-Marrero, Sergio Sifontes-Rodriguez, Rene Dionisio Cupull-Santana, Milagro Garcia-Bernal, Carlos Agusti-Brisach
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of 60 actinobacterial strains as biological control agents against the two major soil-borne pathogens of Phaseolus vulgaris in Cuba, Macrophomina phaseolina and Rhizoctonia solani. Among the tested strains, 40 and 25 strains inhibited the mycelial growth of M. phaseolina and R. solani, respectively, with 18 strains showing a common effect against both pathogens. The most effective strains, identified as species belonging to the genus Streptomyces, exhibited significant enzymatic and biochemical activity, and two strains, CBQ-EA-2 and CBQ-B-8, showed the highest effectiveness in vitro. Additionally, seed treatments with the combination of these two strains significantly reduced the disease severity caused by both pathogens.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Carlos Santiago, Bernabe Ortega-Tenezaca, Iratxe Barbolla, Brenda Fundora-Ortiz, Sonia Arrasate, Maria Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela, Humberto Gonzalez-Diaz, Nuria Sotomayor, Esther Lete
Summary: In this study, the authors used the SOFT.PTML tool to pre-process a ChEMBL dataset of pre-clinical assays of anti-leishmanial compound candidates. They compared different ML algorithms and found that the IFPTML-LOGR model had excellent specificity and sensitivity values. They illustrated the use of the software with a practical case study and identified compounds with potential activity. They also performed a computational high-throughput screening and validated the accuracy of the model.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sergio Sifontes-Rodriguez, Claudia Sissely Chaviano-Montes de Oca, Lianet Monzote-Fidalgo, Susana Meneses-Gomez, Niurka Mollineda-Diogo, Jose Antonio Escario Garcia-Trevijano
Summary: The study evaluated the balance of activity-toxicity of different doses of amphotericin B in the treatment of leishmaniasis. Results showed that doses of 7.5 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg of amphotericin B significantly reduced lesion size and parasite load without toxicity in mice infected with L. amazonensis.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Juan C. Ticona, Pablo Bilbao-Ramos, Angel Amesty, Ninoska Flores, M. Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela, Isabel L. Bazzocchi, Ignacio A. Jimenez
Summary: This study isolated and identified new flavonoids from Piper species and investigated their antiprotozoal activity and pharmacokinetic properties. One compound, compound 4, showed remarkable antiparasitic activity against Giardia intestinalis and demonstrated excellent selectivity on murine macrophages. Furthermore, structure-activity relationship studies revealed that the activity of flavonoids is influenced by substitution patterns, functional group types, and the flavonoid skeleton.
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Biomedical
Juan Valentin Lorenzo-Ginori, Lyanett Chinea-Valdes, Yanela Izquierdo-Torres, Ruben Orozco-Morales, Niurka Mollineda-Diogo, Sergio Sifontes-Rodriguez, Alfredo Meneses-Marcel
VIII LATIN AMERICAN CONFERENCE ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING AND XLII NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2020)
