Review
Cell Biology
Manu Kupani, Rajeev K. Pandey, Sanjana Mehrotra
Summary: Neutrophils play a crucial role in the initial defense against Leishmania parasites and their interaction with the parasites can influence the outcome of the disease. Recent research has provided new insights into the role of neutrophils in visceral leishmaniasis, as well as their early interaction with the parasite in mouse models of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Adam J. Roberts, Han B. Ong, Simon Clare, Cordelia Brandt, Katherine Harcourt, Susanne U. Franssen, James A. Cotton, Nicole Mueller-Sienerth, Gavin J. Wright
Summary: This study aims to discover essential proteins for in vitro growth and host infection of Leishmania spp., with the goal of identifying subunit vaccine candidates. Through in silico analysis and genome editing, potential subunit vaccine candidates have been identified. Preclinical trials in a murine model showed significant levels of protection against splenic infection.
Article
Immunology
Pauline Formaglio, Mohamad Alabdullah, Anastasios Siokis, Juliane Handschuh, Ina Sauerland, Yan Fu, Anna Krone, Patricia Gintschel, Juliane Stettin, Sandrina Heyde, Juliane Mohr, Lars Philipsen, Anja Schroeder, Philippe A. Robert, Gang Zhao, Sahamoddin Khailaie, Anne Dudeck, Jessica Bertrand, Gerald F. Spaeth, Sascha Kahlfuss, Philippe Bousso, Burkhart Schraven, Jochen Huehn, Sebastian Binder, Michael Meyer-Hermann, Andreas J. Mueller
Summary: Nitric oxide plays a dual role in controlling Leishmania major by directly killing the pathogen and restricting the supply of host cells necessary for pathogen proliferation.
Article
Biology
Armanda Viana Rodrigues, Ana Valerio-Bolas, Graca Alexandre-Pires, Maria Aires Pereira, Telmo Nunes, Dario Ligeiro, Isabel Pereira da Fonseca, Gabriela Santos-Gomes
Summary: This study compares the innate immune response to L. infantum infection of two different macrophage lineages: blood macrophages and liver macrophages (Kupffer cells). The findings show that blood macrophages are susceptible to parasite infection and the parasites quickly subvert the immune mechanisms of these cells. On the other hand, liver macrophages are not extensively activated upon initial contact with the parasite but appear to be more efficient in managing parasite infection, contributing to the liver's ability to naturally restrain Leishmania dissemination.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Geovanna Vioti, Mariana Dantas da Silva, Fredy Galvis-Ovallos, Maria Luana Alves, Diogo Tiago da Silva, Joao Augusto Franco Leonel, Nuno Wolfgang Balbini Pereira, Julia Cristina Benassi, Julio Cesar Pereira Spada, Carla Maia, Eunice Aparecida Bianchi Galati, Wilma Aparecida Starke-Buzetti, Tricia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira
Summary: The study demonstrates that naturally infected cats are capable of transmitting L. infantum to sand flies. Through clinical evaluation and diagnosis of 240 cats, the research examined the role of cats in the transmission of visceral leishmaniasis.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Katiuska Passelli, Oaklyne Billion, Fabienne Tacchini-Cottier
Summary: Leishmania parasites, transmitted by infected sand flies, cause a range of diseases in mammals. Neutrophils are crucial in the defense against these parasites, although some Leishmania species have developed ways to survive within them. Neutrophils also play a role in shaping the skin microenvironment during infection, influencing the adaptive immune response and disease outcome.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Marco Antonio Cabrera Gonzalez, Ana Alice Maia Goncalves, Jennifer Ottino, Jaqueline Costa Leite, Lucilene Aparecida Resende, Otoni Alves Melo-Junior, Patricia Silveira, Mariana Santos Cardoso, Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara, Lilian Lacerda Bueno, Renato Lima Santos, Tatiane Furtado de Carvalho, Giani Martins Garcia, Paulo Ricardo de Oliveira Paes, Alexsandro Sobreira Galdino, Miguel Angel Chavez-Fumagalli, Marilia Martins Melo, Denise Silveira-Lemos, Olindo Assis Martins-Filho, Walderez Ornelas Dutra, Vanessa Carla Furtado Mosqueira, Rodolfo Cordeiro Giunchetti
Summary: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a fatal disease caused by Leishmania infantum, and dogs are the main reservoirs. A vaccine against canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is important in controlling human and CVL infections by reducing L. infantum infection. This study evaluated the potential of two polymeric nanoformulations loaded with Leishmania amazonensis antigens as a VL vaccine using golden hamsters as a model. The results showed that the vaccines had no adverse reactions and significantly reduced the parasitic load in the liver and spleen. These vaccines may be promising candidates for a VL vaccine.
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
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ilka Grewe, Thomas Theo Brehm, Benno Kreuels, Oliver M. Steinmetz, Bernhard Dumoulin, Anne Marie Asemissen, Dennis Tappe, Michael Ramharter, Stefan Schmiedel
Summary: We report a case of Leishmania infantum reactivation in an immunocompetent patient who developed visceral leishmaniasis with secondary IgA nephropathy nine years after an initial episode of mucosal leishmaniasis, which had been treated with liposomal amphotericin B.
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jonathan L. M. Fontes, Bianca R. Mesquita, Reginaldo Brito, Juliana C. S. Gomes, Caroline V. B. de Melo, Washington L. C. dos Santos
Summary: The spleen plays a crucial role in the immunopathogenesis of visceral leishmaniasis, with alterations in white-pulp microenvironments increasing susceptibility to coinfections and mortality in patients. Using modified immunohistochemistry with biotinylated soluble L. infantum membrane antigens, researchers detected the presence of anti-L. infantum antibody-secreting cells in spleen sections from CanL-affected dogs. CanL dogs displayed hyperglobulinemia and more plasma cells in their RP compared to healthier controls, with a lower proportion of Anti-Leish-PC in RP than in PALS. Dysproteinemia was associated with plasmacytosis in both RP and PALS, correlating with a more severe clinical presentation.
Article
Microbiology
Patricia de Almeida Machado, Pollyanna Stephanie Gomes, Victor Midlej, Elaine Soares Coimbra, Herbert Leonel de Matos Guedes
Summary: The study revealed the potential antileishmanial effect of PF-429242, which induces various cellular alterations in the parasite, such as mitochondrial damage, neutral lipids accumulation, oxidative stress, and autophagy leading to the death of L. infantum. Additionally, PF-429242 treatment modulated host cellular responses that favor the development of an immune response against the parasite.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Barrack O. Owino, Jackline Milkah Mwangi, Steve Kiplagat, Hannah Njiriku Mwangi, Johnstone M. Ingonga, Alphine Chebet, Philip M. Ngumbi, Jandouwe Villinger, Daniel K. Masiga, Damaris Matoke-Muhia
Summary: The study investigated transmission, vector abundance, distribution, and reservoir hosts of Leishmania in Merti sub-County, Kenya. Findings suggest potential involvement of Sergentomyia sand flies in Leishmania transmission, questioning the exclusively Phlebotomus sand flies' role in human leishmaniases. The presence of Trypanosoma DNA indicates possible mechanical transmission and the preference for different blood meal hosts was observed.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Anurag Kumar Kushwaha, Breanna M. Scorza, Om Prakash Singh, Edgar Rowton, Phillip Lawyer, Shyam Sundar, Christine A. Petersen
Summary: Leishmania donovani is the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis on the Indian subcontinent, transmitted by sand flies which have been shown to feed on domestic animals in addition to humans. Understanding the role of non-human reservoirs in transmission is critical for sustainable elimination goals. Efforts towards VL elimination in the region may be hindered by the presence of animal reservoirs.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Manish Mishra, Manisha Yadav, Sandeep Kumar, Raj Kumar, Pradip Sen
Summary: The outcome of visceral leishmaniasis relies on the dominance of Th1 or Th2 cell response, which is elicited by cDC1 or cDC2. During chronic infection, the balance shifts towards cDC2 subtype, and TIM-3 on DCs plays a key role in mediating this effect through the STAT3 pathway.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wandayi Emmanuel Amlabu, Cynthia Mmalebna Amisigo, Christine Achiaa Antwi, Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare, Theresa Manful Gwira
Summary: Leishmaniasis, closely associated with poverty, is a disease that requires new chemotherapeutic approaches. This study evaluated the antileishmanial potency of eighteen compounds and found that some of them exhibited cytotoxic effects on the parasites, affecting their biology. Further in vivo studies are recommended to validate the findings.
Article
Immunology
Thaiane Pinto Moreira, Carla Daiane Ferreira de Sousa, Victor Rodrigues de Melo Costa, Celso Martins Queiroz-Junior, Franciele Martins Santos, Caio Santos Bonilha, Lisia Maria Esper, Mauricio Lacerda Nogueira, Thiago Mattar Cunha, Mauro Martins Teixeira, Vivian Vasconcelos Costa, Daniele da Gloria de Souza
Summary: This study describes a novel mouse model of CHIKV infection and evaluates the role of tumour necrosis factor in the disease's pathogenesis. It shows that TNF plays a dual role in viral clearance and driving tissue damage and hypernociception. Therefore, TNF inhibitors may have therapeutic benefits, but viral levels must be monitored and used in combination with antiviral drugs when treating CHIKV-infected patients.
Article
Immunology
Marco A. Ataide, Graziele Z. Manin, Samuel S. Oliveira, Rhanoica O. Guerra, Dario S. Zamboni
Summary: Flagellin-induced activation of NAIP/NLRC4 inflammasome and pyroptosis play critical roles in restricting Legionella pneumophila infection. In this study, we found temporal coordination of two independent innate immunity pathways, inflammasome activation and CCR2-mediated recruitment of Mo-DC, in controlling the infection. The inflammasome activation is important at the early stage of infection, while Mo-DC recruitment is crucial for efficient bacterial clearance at the late stage. Mo-DC emergence depends on CCR2-signaling and is independent of inflammasome activation and pyroptosis. Additionally, Mo-DC compartment produces the most cytokines among monocyte-derived cells in the infected lung. The simultaneous ablation of CCR2 and NLRC4 axes results in aggravated bacterial burden in the lung, indicating the interplay between inflammasome activation and CCR2-mediated immune response in restricting bacterial infection.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Carlos A. Fuzo, Thais F. C. Fraga-Silva, Sandra R. Maruyama, Victor A. F. Bastos, Luana A. Rogerio, Nayore T. Takamiya, Pedro V. da Silva-Neto, Vinicius E. Pimentel, Diana M. Toro, Malena M. Perez, Jonatan C. S. de Carvalho, Ingryd Carmona-Garcia, Camilla N. S. Oliveira, Augusto M. Degiovani, Fatima M. Ostini, Leticia F. Constant, Alessandro P. de Amorim, Fernando C. Vilar, Marley R. Feitosa, Rogerio S. Parra, Jose J. R. da Rocha, Omar Feres, Gilberto G. Gaspar, Angelina L. Viana, Ana P. M. Fernandes, Isabel K. F. M. Santos, Elisa M. S. Russo, Cristina R. B. Cardoso, Carlos A. Sorgi, Lucia H. Faccioli, Vania L. D. Bonato, Marcelo Dias-Baruffi
Summary: COVID-19 patients exhibit a wide range of clinical manifestations due to the heterogeneity of the host immune response. By analyzing blood transcriptome, demographic data, clinical aspects, and laboratory findings, we identified perturbations in the blood-leukocyte transcriptional profile that are associated with COVID-19 aggravation and stratify patients according to disease severity. These molecular changes involve processes that inhibit lymphocyte activation and promote neutrophil activation, and the central genes of this unique neutrophil signature are S100A9, ANXA3, CEACAM6, VNN1, OLFM4, IL1R2, TCN1, and CD177.
Article
Cell Biology
Vanessa de Fatima Borges, Leticia Selinger Galant, Alexandre Kanashiro, Fernanda Vargas e Silva Castanheira, Valter Vinicius Silva Monteiro, Diego angelo Duarte, Filipe Camargo Rodrigues, Camila Meirelles de Souza Silva, Ayda Henriques Schneider, Guilherme Cesar Martelossi Cebinelli, Mikhael Haruo Fernandes de Lima, Joao Paulo de Biaso Viola, Thiago Mattar Cunha, Claudio Miguel da Costa Neto, Jose Carlos Farias Alves-Filho, Andre Sampaio Pupo, Fernando de Queiroz Cunha
Summary: This study investigated the effects of FK506 on sepsis immunopathology and found that FK506 treatment resulted in failed neutrophil migration, leading to increased bacteremia and systemic inflammatory response, causing higher organ damage and mortality rates.
INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Marcelo Franchin, Thaise Mayumi Taira, Douglas da Silva Prado, Cesar Augusto Speck Hernandez, Fabio Bonifacio de Andrade, Henrique Ballassini Abdalla, Marcelo Henrique Napimoga, Thiago Mattar Cunha, Sandra Yasuyo Fukada, Pedro Luiz Rosalen
Summary: In this study, we investigated the modulatory effects of PI3K gamma on IL-17A expression and the progression of experimental periodontitis in vivo. Our results showed that PI3K gamma inhibitor can attenuate alveolar bone loss and downregulate IL-17A and Rankl gene expression.
INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Felipe Cerni, Isadora Oliveira, Francielle Cordeiro, Karla Bordon, Isabela Ferreira, Wuelton Monteiro, Eliane Arantes, Thiago Cunha, Manuela Pucca
Summary: This study evaluated the pain behavior induced by T. serrulatus venom and its isolated neurotoxins in mice, and found that different neurotoxins caused varying degrees of pain behavior. Additionally, the researchers developed a mice-derived polyclonal antibody targeting Ts5, which was able to neutralize the effect of this neurotoxin and significantly reduce the nociception produced by the whole venom. This study is the first to explore the effects of different classes of T. serrulatus neurotoxins on nociception, and demonstrates the important role of Ts5 in scorpion sting-induced pain.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sergio M. Borghi, Tiago H. Zaninelli, Telma Saraiva-Santos, Mariana M. Bertozzi, Renato D. R. Cardoso, Thacyana T. Carvalho, Camila R. Ferraz, Doumit Camilios-Neto, Fernando Q. Cunha, Thiago M. Cunha, Felipe A. Pinho-Ribeiro, Rubia Casagrande, Waldiceu A. Verri
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the effect of pentoxifylline (Ptx) on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in untrained mice exposed to intense acute swimming exercise. They found that Ptx treatment reduced mechanical hyperalgesia caused by intense acute swimming in a dose-dependent manner. Ptx also inhibited neutrophil recruitment, oxidative stress, and cytokine production in the muscle tissue and spinal cord, as well as reduced glial cell activation in the spinal cord. These findings suggest that Ptx can alleviate pain in DOMS by targeting peripheral and spinal cord mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ellen Gomes, Luana Aparecida Rogerio, Nayore Tamie Takamiya, Caroline Torres, Joao Santana da Silva, Roque Pacheco Almeida, Sandra Regina Maruyama
Summary: This dataset is related to the article "Insight Into the Long Noncoding RNA and mRNA Coexpression Profile in the Human Blood Transcriptome Upon Leishmania infantum Infection" by S.R. Maruyama, C.A. Fuzo, A.E.R. Oliveira, L.A. Rogerio, N.T. Takamiya, G. Pessenda, E.V. de Melo, A.M. da Silva, A.R. Jesus, V. Carregaro, H.I. Nakaya, R.P. Almeida and J.S. da Silva. Frontiers in Immunology, 2022. The dataset was generated by reusing raw sequencing data and performing a dual RNA-seq mapping procedure to analyze parasite transcripts in blood samples from visceral leishmaniasis patients. The highest number of reads mapped to the L. infantum genome was observed in diseased patients with active infection, and parasite reads were still detected even after six months of treatment and in asymptomatic individuals. This original dataset can be further used to study host or parasite transcripts.
Article
Cell Biology
N. B. Amaral, T. S. Rodrigues, M. C. Giannini, M. I. Lopes, L. P. Bonjorno, P. I. S. O. Menezes, S. M. Dib, S. L. G. Gigante, M. N. Benatti, U. C. Rezek, L. L. Emrich-Filho, B. A. Sousa, S. C. L. Almeida, R. Luppino-Assad, F. P. Veras, A. H. Schneider, L. O. S. Leiria, L. D. Cunha, J. C. Alves-Filho, T. M. Cunha, E. Arruda, C. H. Miranda, A. Pazin-Filho, M. Auxiliadora-Martins, M. C. Borges, B. A. L. Fonseca, V. R. Bollela, C. M. Del-Ben, F. Q. Cunha, R. C. Santana, F. C. Vilar, D. S. Zamboni, P. Louzada-Junior, R. D. R. Oliveira
Summary: This study evaluated whether colchicine treatment was associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in patients with COVID-19. The results showed that colchicine reduced the need for supplemental oxygen and the length of hospitalization, and lowered the serum levels of Casp1p20 and IL-18 in the first two days of treatment.
INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Tamara S. Rodrigues, Camila C. S. Caetano, Keyla S. G. de Sa, Leticia Almeida, Amanda Becerra, Augusto Goncalves, Leticia de Sousa Lopes, Samuel Oliveira, Danielle P. A. Mascarenhas, Sabrina S. Batah, Bruna M. Silva, Giovanni F. Gomes, Ricardo Castro, Ronaldo B. Martins, Jonathan Avila, Fabiani G. Frantz, Thiago M. Cunha, Eurico Arruda, Fernando Q. Cunha, Helder Nakaya, Larissa D. Cunha, Alexandre T. Fabro, Paulo Louzada-Junior, Rene D. R. de Oliveira, Dario S. Zamboni
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 infection activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and leads to inflammation and severe COVID-19. Human caspase-4 (mouse caspase-11) is upregulated and activated by SARS-CoV-2, contributing to NLRP3 activation. In vivo studies using transgenic hACE2 humanized mice show that hACE2 Casp11(-/-) mice are protected from disease development, with reduced lung damage, clinical symptoms, and mortality. Analysis of human samples from fatal COVID-19 cases reveals the expression of CASP4 in patient lungs, which correlates with inflammasome components and inflammatory mediators. These findings suggest CASP4/11 as a potential target for therapeutic interventions in COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Wallace Pitanga Bezerra, Raiza Nara Cunha Moizeis, Amanda Costa Ayres Salmeron, Hannaly Wana Bezerra Pereira, Joselio Maria Galvao de Araujo, Paulo Marcos Matta Guedes, Jose Verissimo Fernandes, Manuela Sales Lima Nascimento
Summary: Chikungunya disease (CHIKD) is a viral disease characterized by arthralgia and high morbidity. Inflammatory mediators and type I interferons play important roles in its pathogenesis. This study found that the expression of RNA-specific pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and their adaptor molecules is upregulated in acute CHIKD patients. Additionally, cytokine expression related to inflammatory and antiviral responses, such as IL-6, IL-12, IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, and IFN-gamma, was significantly increased. Understanding the immune response and virus clearance mechanisms in CHIKD is crucial for developing effective treatments to reduce disease severity.
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Jonatan C. S. de Carvalho, Pedro V. da Silva-Neto, Diana M. Toro, Carlos A. Fuzo, Viviani Nardini, Vinicius E. Pimentel, Malena M. Perez, Thais F. C. Fraga-Silva, Camilla N. S. Oliveira, Augusto M. Degiovani, Fatima M. Ostini, Marley R. Feitosa, Rogerio S. Parra, Jose J. R. da Rocha, Omar Feres, Fernando C. Vilar, Gilberto G. Gaspar, Isabel K. F. M. Santos, Ana P. M. Fernandes, Sandra R. Maruyama, Elisa M. S. Russo, Vania L. D. Bonato, Cristina R. B. Cardoso, Marcelo Dias-Baruffi, Lucia H. Faccioli, Carlos A. Sorgi
Summary: COVID-19 is associated with immune dysregulation, and glucocorticoids (GCs) have attracted attention for their role in inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system also regulates immune response. However, the effect of GCs on the lipid pathway in COVID-19 therapy is still unknown.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Keyla S. G. de Sa, Luana A. Amaral, Tamara S. Rodrigues, Adriene Y. Ishimoto, Warrison A. C. de Andrade, Leticia de Almeida, Felipe Freitas-Castro, Sabrina S. Batah, Sergio C. Oliveira, Monica T. Pastorello, Alexandre T. Fabro, Dario S. Zamboni
Summary: In this study, it is demonstrated that Gasdermin-D (GSDMD) is activated during the early stages of Leishmania infection, promoting NLRP3 inflammasome activation without causing cell death. GSDMD is cleaved into a noncanonical fragment, indicating the subversion of host response by Leishmania. Skin biopsies from patients with leishmaniasis also show activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and GSDMD.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
