Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Juliana Figueiredo Peixoto, Luiz Filipe Goncalves-Oliveira, Franklin Souza-Silva, Luzia Monteiro de Castro Cortes, Geovane Dias-Lopes, Flavia de Oliveira Cardoso, Rafael de Oliveira Santos, Beatriz Ferreira de Carvalho Patricio, Caroline Deckmann Nicoletti, Carolina Guimaraes de Souza Lima, Katia da Silva Calabrese, Davyson de Lima Moreira, Helvecio Vinicius Antunes Rocha, Fernando de Carvalho da Silva, Vitor Francisco Ferreira, Carlos Roberto Alves
Summary: Oil-in-water microemulsions loaded with epoxy-alpha-lapachone (ELAP-ME) were successfully developed and showed good stability. ELAP-ME demonstrated promising activity against murine infection with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
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
Immunology
Raiza Raianne Luz Rodrigues, Thais Amanda Lima Nunes, Alyne Rodrigues de Araujo, Jose Delano Barreto Marinho Filho, Marcos Vinicius da Silva, Fernando Aecio de Amorim Carvalho, Otilia Deusdenia Loiola Pessoa, Hozana Patricia Silva Freitas, Klinger Antonio da Franca Rodrigues, Ana Jersia Araujo
Summary: The study demonstrated that CORe from Cordia polycephala has antileishmanial activity, being effective against the parasite while non-toxic to host cells. It showed greater efficacy in inhibiting amastigote growth and higher selectivity indexes compared to reference drugs.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Mauricio S. Pena, Fenny Hui Fen Tang, Fernando Alves de Lima Franco, Alessandro Taunay Rodrigues, Guilherme Moreira Paiva Carrara, Thais Larissa Silva Araujo, Ricardo Jose Giordano, Giuseppe Palmisano, Maristela Martins de Camargo, Silvia Reni Bortolin Uliana, Beatriz Simonsen Stolf
Summary: Leishmaniases, caused by protozoan parasites, affect 12 million people worldwide. In this study, the LRR17 gene and protein were identified in Leishmania species. The protein LaLRR17 was found to increase infectivity when overexpressed in Leishmania (L.) amazonensis promastigotes. Further investigation revealed that macrophage GRP78 is a ligand for LaLRR17 and blocking this interaction prevents the increase in infection conferred by LaLRR17. These findings provide insights into the mechanism of phagocytosis in Leishmania infections.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andreza do Socorro Silva da Veiga, Fernando Tobias Silveira, Edilene Oliveira da Silva, Jose Antonio Picanco Diniz Junior, Sanderson Correa Araujo, Marliane Batista Campos, Andrey Moacir do Rosario Marinho, Geraldo Celio Brandao, Valdicley Vieira Vale, Sandro Percario, Maria Fani Dolabela
Summary: This study evaluated the morphological changes caused by fractions and subfractions obtained from barks of Aspidosperna nitidum against L. (L.) amazonensis promastigotes. The results suggest that alkaloids isolated from A. nitidum show potential as leishmanicidal agents. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed changes in the parasites' morphology after treatment with the active fractions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jonathan Miguel Zanatta, Stephanie Maia Acuna, Yan de Souza Angelo, Camilla de Almeida Bento, Jean Pierre Schatzman Peron, Beatriz Simonsen Stolf, Sandra Marcia Muxel
Summary: This study investigated the effects of L-arginine and polyamines on L. amazonensis infection and the transcriptional regulation of genes related to arginine metabolism and proinflammatory response in BALB/c macrophages. The results showed that putrescine supplementation reduced the percentage of infected macrophages compared to other supplements. Additionally, the availability of polyamines was found to interfere with cytokine/chemokine production.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Patricia de A. Machado, Pollyanna S. Gomes, Monique P. D. Carneiro, Victor Midlej, Elaine S. Coimbra, Herbert L. de Matos Guedes
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of serine proteases in Leishmania and evaluates the antileishmanial effects of a serine protease inhibitor, TPCK. TPCK shows selectivity for the parasite and has significant activity against both promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms. The treated parasites exhibit various alterations, suggesting potential mechanisms contributing to their death. In vivo studies show that TPCK reduces lesion size and parasite loads, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for leishmaniasis.
Article
Immunology
Fernanda Tomiotto-Pellissier, Milena Menegazzo Miranda-Sapla, Taylon Felipe Silva, Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti, Manoela Daiele Goncalves, Virginia Marcia Concato, Ana Carolina Jacob Rodrigues, Mariana Barbosa Detoni, Idessania Nazareth Costa, Carolina Panis, Ivete Conchon-Costa, Juliano Bordignon, Wander Rogerio Pavanelli
Summary: This study revealed that BALB/c mice had worse disease outcomes than C57BL/6 mice when infected with Leishmania amazonensis, with higher parasitic load and elevated levels of IL-6. C57BL/6 mice showed a more effective immune response, characterized by higher levels of IFN-gamma and superoxide anion. Adoptive transfer of macrophages from C57BL/6 to BALB/c mice resulted in improved outcomes, indicating the importance of Arg-1 related macrophages in the pathogenesis of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Liliane Sena Pinheiro, Valter Viana Andrade-Neto, Marcio Mantuano-Barradas, Elisa Cavalcante Pereira, Rodrigo Cesar Fernandes Barbosa, Marcia Cristina Campos de Oliveira, Rubem Figueiredo Sadok Menna-Barreto, Edezio Ferreira Cunha-Junior, Eduardo Caio Torres-Santos
Summary: The study investigated the effects of exogenously added trans, trans-farnesol on the proliferation ability of Leishmania amazonensis. The results showed that trans, trans-farnesol inhibited the cell cycle and proliferation of L. amazonensis without causing DNA fragmentation or loss of mitochondrial functionality. Additionally, the study identified the presence of alpha-farnesene and beta-farnesene in the lipid secretome of the parasite and identified the farnesene synthase gene responsible for their production.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Fabia Tomie Tano, Erich Loza Telleria, Felipe Dutra Rego, Felipe Soares Coelho, Eloiza de Rezende, Rodrigo Pedro Soares, Yara Maria Traub-Cseko, Beatriz Simonsen Stolf
Summary: We found that L. amazonensis promastigotes and amastigotes of the PH8 strain were more virulent and showed different proteomes compared to LV79. PH8 promastigotes were more phagocytized by macrophages, and their membrane-enriched proteomes and LPG characteristics differed from LV79. PH8 promastigotes exhibited higher infectivity, complement resistance, and efficiency in infecting the permissive vector Lutzomyia longipalpis. These findings suggest that PH8 is better adapted to the sand fly and more likely to survive in the vertebrate host.
Article
Immunology
Thais Amanda de Lima Nunes, Malu Mateus Santos, Mariana Silva de Oliveira, Julyanne Maria Saraiva de Sousa, Raiza Raianne Luz Rodrigues, Paulo Sergio de Araujo Sousa, Alyne Rodrigues de Araujo, Anna Carolina Toledo da Cunha Pereira, Gustavo Portela Ferreira, Jefferson Almeida Rocha, Virmondes Rodrigues Junior, Marcos Vinicius da Silva, Klinger Antonio da Franca Rodrigues
Summary: Curzerene, a component of Eugenia uniflora essential oil, showed effective and selective antileishmanial activity against promastigotes and amastigotes. It induced apoptosis and secondary necrosis in parasites, and demonstrated immunomodulatory effects in infected macrophages.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Iasmin Aparecida Cunha Araujo, Renata Cristina De Paula, Ceres Luciana Alves, Karen Ferraz Faria, Marco Miguel de Oliveira, Gabriela Goncalves Mendes Takarada, Eliane Maritns Ferreira Abdias Dias, Alaide Braga de Oliveira, Sydnei Magno da Silva
Summary: The main form of control of leishmaniasis is the treatment, however various side effects and poor efficacy are associated with presently available drugs. The investigation of bioactive natural products for new antileishmanial drugs is a valid approach. The present study reports the in vitro efficacy of natural isoflavonoids and terpenes against Leishmania infantum and L. amazonensis and their cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Daniela Coelho, Beatriz Veleirinho, Leticia Mazzarino, Thais Alberti, Elizandra Buzanello, Regina Eva Oliveira, Rosendo Augusto Yunes, Milene Moraes, Mario Steindel, Marcelo Maraschin
Summary: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a global public health issue, and the use of synthetic chalcones shows promise in developing molecules with anti-leishmaniasis activity.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Parasitology
Taylon Felipe Silva, Fernanda Tomiotto-Pellissier, Aline Kuhn Sbruzzi Pasquali, Fernanda Pinto-Ferreira, Wander Rogerio Pavanelli, Ivete Conchon-Costa, Italmar Teodorico Navarro, Eloiza Teles Caldart
Summary: The study revealed that the exact mechanism leading to different clinical manifestations among strains of the same species is still uncertain, and future studies are needed to better elucidate this phenomenon.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rafael M. Oliveira, Thaise L. Teixeira, Cassiano C. Rodrigues, Aline A. da Silva, Bruna C. Borges, Rebecca T. S. Brigido, Samuel C. Teixeira, Marlus A. Dos Santos, Joao Paulo S. Servato, Debora de O. Santos, Marcelo J. B. Silva, Luiz R. Goulart, Claudio da Silva
Summary: The study revealed the critical role of gal-3 in the host response to infection by L. (L.) amazonensis, controlling parasite invasion, replication, and formation of endocytic vesicles. Mice with gal-3 deficiency showed an exacerbated inflammatory response.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raquel Santos-de-Souza, Luzia Monteiro de Castro Cortes, Karen dos Santos Charret, Lea Cysne-Finkelstein, Carlos Roberto Alves, Franklin Souza-Silva
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2019)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Laura Barral-Veloso, Barbara Cristina de Albuquerque Melo, Raquel Santos-de-Souza, Lea Cysne-Finkelstein, Franklin Souza-Silva, Fernanda Nunes Santos, Joel Fontes de Sousa, Carlos Roberto Alves
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Laura Barral Veloso, Flavia de Oliveira Cardoso, Karen dos Santos Charret, Matheus Pereira de Sa Silva, Luzia Monteiro de Castro Cortes, Katia da Silva Calabrese, Franklin Souza da Silva, Joel Fontes de Sousa, Marilia Fonseca Rocha, Carlos Roberto Alves
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Geovane Dias-Lopes, Anabel Zabala-Penafiel, Barbara Cristina de Albuquerque-Melo, Franklin Souza-Silva, Laura Menaguali do Canto, Lea Cysne-Finkelstein, Carlos Roberto Alves
Summary: Leishmania spp. can be fatal and their main forms, promastigotes and amastigotes, can be maintained in vitro. Differentiation from promastigotes to axenic amastigotes has been proposed, but a consensus on inducing parameters and biomarkers is needed for better accuracy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guilherme C. Lechuga, Franklin Souza-Silva, Carolina Q. Sacramento, Monique R. O. Trugilho, Richard H. Valente, Paloma Napoleao-Pego, Suelen S. G. Dias, Natalia Fintelman-Rodrigues, Jairo R. Temerozo, Nicolas Carels, Carlos R. Alves, Mirian C. S. Pereira, David W. Provance, Thiago M. L. Souza, Salvatore G. De-Simone
Summary: This study found that at least five proteins (S, N, M, Nsp3, and Nsp7) of SARS-CoV-2 recruit Hb/metabolites. The motifs of the RDB of SARS-CoV-2 spike that binds Hb and the sites of the heme bind-N protein were revealed. Additionally, these compounds and PpIX block virus adsorption and replication.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Artur A. M. L. Brandt, Rodrigo N. Rodrigues-da-Silva, Josue C. Lima-Junior, Carlos R. Alves, Franklin de Souza-Silva
Summary: This study conducted molecular analysis on the interaction between peptide TT830-843 from tetanus toxin and murine MHC (H-2), revealing a complex dissociation mechanism and the formation of a stable complex. The results were further validated by SPR assays, confirming the consistency between computational simulations and experimental data.
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Barbara Cristina de Albuquerque-Melo, Lea Cysne-Finkelstein, Luiz Filipe Goncalves-Oliveira, Cynthia Machado Cascabulho, Andrea Henriques-Pons, Mirian Claudia de Souza Pereira, Carlos Roberto Alves, Geovane Dias-Lopes
Summary: This study investigates the role of Leishmania spp. population structure on the adaptive capacity of the parasite. The results show that different subpopulations of L. (V.) braziliensis have varying infection capacity and ability to modulate cytokine levels in murine macrophages. The interactions between subpopulations also affect the infection process. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of parasite infection.
Article
Virology
Paolla Beatriz A. Pinto, Tamiris A. C. Barros, Lauro M. Lima, Agatha R. Pacheco, Maysa L. Assis, Bernardo A. S. Pereira, Antonio J. S. Goncalves, Adriana S. Azevedo, Ana Gisele C. Neves-Ferreira, Simone M. Costa, Ada M. B. Alves
Summary: In this study on dengue disease, a bicistronic plasmid pNS1/E/D2 encoding DENV2 envelope (E) and non-structural 1 (NS1) proteins was constructed. Vaccination with pNS1/E/D2 or pcTPANS1 + pE1D2 induced immune responses against NS1 and E proteins in mice, and provided protection against DENV2.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Juliana Figueiredo Peixoto, Luiz Filipe Goncalves-Oliveira, Franklin Souza-Silva, Luzia Monteiro de Castro Cortes, Geovane Dias-Lopes, Flavia de Oliveira Cardoso, Rafael de Oliveira Santos, Beatriz Ferreira de Carvalho Patricio, Caroline Deckmann Nicoletti, Carolina Guimaraes de Souza Lima, Katia da Silva Calabrese, Davyson de Lima Moreira, Helvecio Vinicius Antunes Rocha, Fernando de Carvalho da Silva, Vitor Francisco Ferreira, Carlos Roberto Alves
Summary: Oil-in-water microemulsions loaded with epoxy-alpha-lapachone (ELAP-ME) were successfully developed and showed good stability. ELAP-ME demonstrated promising activity against murine infection with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Adriane Silva Oliveira, Lara Mata Aredes-Riguetti, Bernardo Acacio Santini Pereira, Carlos Roberto Alves, Franklin Souza-Silva
Summary: This study investigated the degrons present in immune system proteins of Mus musculus and their potential roles in Leishmania spp. The analysis identified degron motifs in murine cytokines and transcription factors and predicted their interaction network. It suggests that degrons may play a role in the immune responses in leishmaniases as targets for parasite proteases activity.
Article
Parasitology
Luiz Filipe Goncalves-Oliveira, Juliana Figueiredo Peixoto, Geovane Dias-Lopes, Franklin Souza-Silva, Luzia Monteiro de Castro Cortes, Helvecio Vinicius Antunes Rocha, Carlos Roberto Alves
Summary: The current treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis using first and second-choice drugs has adverse effects and leads to the emergence of treatment-refractory parasites. This study investigated the effects of nystatin cream as a topical treatment in mice infected with Leishmania (L.) amazonensis. The results showed that nystatin cream significantly reduced swelling/edema and parasite load in the paws and draining lymph nodes of infected mice.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edlainne Pinheiro Ferreira-Sena, Daiana de Jesus Hardoim, Flavia de Oliveira Cardoso, Luiz Ney d'Escoffier, Isabela Ferreira Soares, Joao Pedro Rangel da Silva Carvalho, Ricardo Almir Angnes, Stenio Perdigao Fragoso, Carlos Roberto Alves, Salvatore Giovanni De-Simone, Josue da Costa Lima-Junior, Alvaro Luiz Bertho, Tania Zaverucha-do-Valle, Franklin Souza da Silva, Katia da Silva Calabrese
Summary: Leishmaniasis is a complex and diverse disease that is considered a major public health problem. Despite the availability of treatment options, there are currently no vaccines for cutaneous leishmaniasis. This study focused on the prediction and characterization of antigenic epitopes that could interact with major histocompatibility complex class I in mice or humans. Through a combination of immunogenicity prediction and interaction assays, nine antigenic peptides were identified as strong candidates for the development of a peptide vaccine against leishmaniasis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Anabel Zabala-Penafiel, Maria Fantinatti, Geovane Dias-Lopes, Jessica Leite da Silva, Luciana de Freitas Campos Miranda, Marcelo Rosandiski Lyra, Maria Ines Fernandes Pimentel, Fatima Conceicao-Silva, Carlos Roberto Alves
Summary: This study reports the first detection of LRV1 in clinical isolates of L. (V.) braziliensis from Santa Catarina state, Brazil.
MEMORIAS DO INSTITUTO OSWALDO CRUZ
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Luzia Monteiro de Castro Cortes, Daniela de Pita-Pereira, Priscila Silva Grijo Farani, Bernardo Acacio Santini Pereira, Geovane Dias-Lopes, Franklin Souza da Silva, Paloma Resende Correa, Roger Magno Macedo Silva, Suzana Corte-Real, Felio Jesus Bello, Leila Mendonca-Lima, Otacilio da Cruz Moreira, Mariana Caldas Waghabi, Carlos Roberto Alves
MEMORIAS DO INSTITUTO OSWALDO CRUZ
(2020)
