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.
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Han Boon Ong, Simon Clare, Adam Jonathan Roberts, Mary Edythe Wilson, Gavin James Wright
Summary: The paper has been amended and the revised version can be accessed through a link at the top of the paper.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Guilherme Augusto Sanches Roque, Nahiara Esteves Zorgi, Francisca Janaina Soares Rocha, Marina Floro e Silva, Thalita Fernanda Araujo, Daniel Ruiz Abanades, Selma Giorgio
Summary: The group developed transgenic L. infantum promastigote lines expressing toxic proteins, which showed satisfactory immune protection in mice when immunized with two doses of the transfected parasites. This indicates the potential of L. infantum transfected with a toxic plasmid as a candidate vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Jan Votypka, Claudio Bandi, Sara Epis, David Modry, Lucie Ticha, Petr Volf, Domenico Otranto
Summary: Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical parasitic disease transmitted by sand flies. L. tarentolae, previously considered non-pathogenic to mammals, has shown transient infectivity to them. Recent molecular diagnostics and serological positivity to L. tarentolae in humans and dogs have sparked interest in the interactions between mammals, reptiles, and Leishmania infantum, the main cause of leishmaniasis.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Hadar Marcus, Emily Thompson, Yan Zhou, Michael Bailey, Mitzi M. Donaldson, Daphne A. Stanley, Clement Asiedu, Kathryn E. Foulds, Mario Roederer, Juan Moliva, Nancy J. Sullivan
Summary: Heterologous prime-boost immunization regimens have been shown to protect non-human primates against Ebola virus, with different strategies inducing either CD4(+) or CD8(+) T-cell responses while maintaining high levels of antibodies. A single DNA prime immunization can generate a stable memory response that can be boosted 3 years later by rAd5. This suggests that DNA/rAd5 prime-boost provides a flexible platform for generating desirable T-cell memory responses.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ting Huang, Kelei Zhao, Xuhao Song, Tao Song, Xinrong Wang, Xiuyue Zhang, Bisong Yue, Yiwen Chu
Summary: This study developed a heterologous prime-boost vaccination scheme utilizing a DNA vaccine and a subunit vaccine to enhance immune responses against T. pyogenes in mice. The results showed that this vaccination strategy reduced bacterial burdens and boosted humoral and cellular immune responses, effectively protecting the mice from T. pyogenes infection.
Article
Immunology
Sabrina de Oliveira Emerick, Thais Vieira de Carvalho, Bianca Meirelles Miranda, Adriana Carneiro da Silva, Thais Viana Fialho Martins, Leandro Licursi de Oliveira, Eduardo de Almeida Marques-da-Silva
Summary: The study evaluated the immunization using different vaccines and adjuvants against L. chagasi infection, and found that the LPG3-SAP vaccine significantly reduced parasite load in both spleen and liver in mice, inducing Th1/Th17 response and IL-10 production.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniela P. Lage, Amanda S. Machado, Danniele L. Vale, Camila S. Freitas, Fernanda F. Ramos, Fernanda Ludolf, Joao A. Oliveira-da-Silva, Raquel S. Bandeira, Alessandra M. Silva, Luciana C. Simoes, Jamil S. Oliveira, Myron Christodoulides, Miguel A. Chavez-Fumagali, Bruno M. Roatt, Vivian T. Martins, Flavia P. Linhares, Jamille M. O. Cardoso, Isabela A. G. Pereira, Grasiele S. V. Tavares, Thiago A. R. Reis, Eduardo A. F. Coelho
Summary: Leishmania virulence proteins, such as the GTP-binding protein, have potential as vaccine candidates against disease. In this study, the gene encoding GTP was cloned and the recombinant protein was evaluated as a vaccine candidate against Leishmania infantum infection. The results showed that the vaccine induced a Th1-type immune response and significantly reduced parasite load in mice.
Article
Immunology
Daniela P. Lage, Danniele L. Vale, Flavia P. Linhares, Camila S. Freitas, Amanda S. Machado, Jamille M. O. Cardoso, Daysiane de Oliveira, Nathalia C. Galvani, Marcelo P. de Oliveira, Joao A. Oliveira-da-Silva, Fernanda F. Ramos, Grasiele S. Tavares, Fernanda Ludolf, Raquel S. Bandeira, Isabela A. G. Pereira, Miguel A. Chavez-Fumagalli, Bruno M. Roatt, Ricardo A. Machado-de-Avila, Myron Christodoulides, Eduardo A. F. Coelho, Vivian T. Martins
Summary: The study developed a recombinant chimeric protein ChimT based on immunogenic Leishmania proteins and evaluated its immunogenicity and protective efficacy as a potential vaccine for human visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The results showed that ChimT, when combined with adjuvants, induced a specific Th1-type immune response and significantly reduced parasite load in internal organs, indicating its promising potential as a VL vaccine candidate.
Article
Immunology
Joao Guilherme Lino da Silva, Ana Alice Maia Goncalves, Liliam Teixeira Oliveira, Giani Martins Garcia, Mauricio Azevedo Batista, Ludmila Zanandreis de Mendonca, Kelvinson Fernandes Viana, Rita de Cassia Oliveira Sant'Ana, Otoni Alves de Oliveira Melo Junior, Denise Silveira-Lemos, Walderez Ornelas Dutra, Olindo Assis Martins-Filho, Alexsandro Sobreira Galdino, Sandra Aparecida Lima de Moura, Vanessa Carla Furtado Mosqueira, Rodolfo Cordeiro Giunchetti
Summary: Recent studies suggest that antigens in microparticles can enhance the immunogenicity of antiLeishmania vaccines. This study investigates the in situ effect of chitosan-coated poly(D,L-lactic) acid submicrometric particles (SMP) as adjuvants and analyzes their inflammatory profile and toxicity. The results show that SMPs promote cell recruitment without tissue damage and stimulate early innate immune responses. They also demonstrate reduced NK cell count and impaired T and B cell subsets in mice vaccinated with SMPs encapsulating Leishmania braziliensis antigen.
Article
Immunology
Samira Salari, Iraj Sharifi, Mehdi Bamorovat, Pooya Ghasemi Nejad Almani
Summary: This study focused on the construction and evaluation of two Leishmaniasis antigens using prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems, along with a CpG adjuvant. The results indicated that the eukaryotic subunit vaccines were more effective than prokaryotic vaccines in inducing immune responses and providing protection. Further research is needed to optimize the vaccine's effectiveness and immune memory stimulation.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Valter Viana Andrade-Neto, Juliana da Silva Pacheco, Job Domingos Inacio, Elmo Eduardo Almeida-Amaral, Eduardo Caio Torres-Santos, Edezio Ferreira Cunha-Junior
Summary: Translation studies involving drug reuse and combination therapies can lead to higher success rates in drug development, as evidenced by the promising results of spironolactone in treating leishmaniasis. Further research is needed to explore the potential benefits of combining spironolactone with meglumine antimoniate for improved parasite load control.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Jean-Louis Palgen, Yanis Feraoun, Gaelle Dzangue-Tchoupou, Candie Joly, Frederic Martinon, Roger Le Grand, Anne-Sophie Beignon
Summary: Optimizing vaccination strategies involves understanding how vaccine history affects memory B and T cell characteristics. Innate cells, particularly myeloid lineage cells, respond differently to first and second vaccine doses, affecting innate immune responses. Trained innate cells have the potential to improve vaccination strategies by enhancing antigen uptake, presentation, migration, and cytokine production.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deep Bhowmik, Achyut Bhuyan, Seshan Gunalan, Gugan Kothandan, Diwakar Kumar
Summary: In this study, a global multiepitope subunit vaccination against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was designed using innovative immunoinformatics technique. The vaccine showed promising immunogenicity and has the potential to eradicate the disease in the future.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Rupal Ojha, Kailash Chand, Balachandar Vellingiri, Vijay Kumar Prajapati
Summary: This study aimed to develop a more potent vaccine candidate against visceral leishmaniasis. The recombinant vaccine candidate Leisp was expressed, purified, and characterized. The expression modulation of different cytokines was evaluated in THP1 cell lines, and the impact of the vaccine protein candidates in infected conditions was determined. The results showed that the candidate vaccine could significantly upregulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, indicating its potential inductive efficacy for inflammation in Leishmania-infected cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Neda Moazzezy, Elham Rismani, Maryam Rezaei, Mohammad Reza Asadi Karam, Sima Rafati, Saeid Bouzari, Mana Oloomi
Summary: The development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has led to the attention of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). This study computationally investigated the interaction between derived peptides and bacterial membrane and found that the derived peptides could exhibit similar antimicrobial effects to HNP-1. Furthermore, chemical modifications improved the physicochemical properties of the peptides and retained similar binding affinity.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Correction
Virology
Rezvan Tavakoli, Pooneh Rahimi, Mojtaba Hamidi-Fard, Sana Eybpoosh, Delaram Doroud, Iraj Ahmadi, Enayat Anvari, Mohammadreza Aghasadeghi, Abolfazl Fateh
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Rezvan Tavakoli, Pooneh Rahimi, Mojtaba Hamidi-Fard, Sana Eybpoosh, Delaram Doroud, Seyed Amir Sadeghi, Mohammadali Zaheri Birgani, Mohammadreza Aghasadeghi, Abolfazl Fateh
Summary: This study analyzed the expression of TRIM5 a and TRIM22 in blood samples of 330 COVID-19 patients. The results showed that the expression of these genes was correlated with the severity of the disease. Lower expression levels of TRIM5 a and TRIM22 were found in severe cases, while higher expression of TRIM22 was observed in mild cases.
ARCHIVES OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Arash Nikyar, Azam Bolhassani, Elnaz Agi
Summary: This study demonstrated that the use of LL-37 for DNA delivery, Montanide 720 as an adjuvant, and heterologous DNA prime/protein boost strategy could significantly enhance immune responses and maintain cytokine secretion. Therefore, the heterologous DNA + LL-37 prime/protein + Montanide boost regimen can be considered as a potent strategy for the development of therapeutic HIV vaccines.
BIOTECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Alireza Milani, Elnaz Agi, Mohammad Hassan Pouriayevali, Mahdieh Motamedi-Rad, Fatemeh Motevalli, Azam Bolhassani
Summary: In this study, researchers investigated the immune responses of mice immunized with dendritic cells loaded with HIV-1 proteins. The results showed that using Hsp27 as an adjuvant and a heterologous DC prime/protein boost regimen significantly improved immune responses. This finding suggests that the DC Hsp27-Nef prime/protein Hsp27-Nef boost regimen may be a promising candidate for HIV-1 vaccine development.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Niloofar Khairkhah, Ali Namvar, Azam Bolhassani
Summary: Novel effective drugs or therapeutic vaccines have been developed to combat viral infections. Non-viral carriers, such as cell penetrating peptides (CPPs), are being used for efficient drug delivery to target cells. CPPs have shown potential for cargo delivery, but there are limitations such as lack of tissue specificity and stability, hindering their clinical applications. Various strategies are being explored to improve the properties of CPPs.
MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Azam Bolhassani
Summary: Lipidic carriers play a crucial role in vaccine and therapeutic strategies by effectively delivering various molecules, improving protective potency, and providing multiple functions. They have broad potential in local tissue distribution, antigen processing, and nanoparticle delivery.
MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Behnam Hasannejad-Asl, Farkhondeh Pooresmaeil, Shahla Takamoli, Mehran Dabiri, Azam Bolhassani
Summary: Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) or protein transduction domains (PTDs) are effective biological nanocarriers that can overcome the inadequate permeability of cellular membranes and deliver membrane-impermeable substances into cells. The physicochemical properties of CPPs, the cargo they carry, the concentration, and the cell type all play a significant role in the internalization mechanism. CPPs can enhance endosomal escape efficiency, target specific cells, and improve antigen uptake, processing, and presentation. They have the potential to be used as therapeutic agents for various medical conditions and have been extensively studied for vaccine delivery.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Elahe Akbari, Masoud Seyedinkhorasani, Azam Bolhassani
Summary: Despite the success of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in preventing HIV-1 progression, therapeutic vaccination is being explored as an alternative approach to control the virus and eliminate the need for lifelong ART. By targeting preferred HIV-1 epitopes, novel immunogens can induce broad coverage of global HIV-1 strains and HLA alleles, while preventing immune induction to undesirable epitopes.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Rezvan Tavakoli, Pooneh Rahimi, Mojtaba Hamidi-Fard, Sana Eybpoosh, Delaram Doroud, Iraj Ahmadi, Enayat Anvari, Mohammadreza Aghasadeghi, Abolfazl Fateh
Summary: Tavakoli et al. discovered a potential association between the TRIM56 gene and severe COVID-19 infections. The study found lower levels of TRIM56 in COVID-19 patients, especially those who were severely ill, suggesting a possible role of TRIM56 in the severity of the disease.
Article
Virology
Niloofar Khairkhah, Azam Bolhassani, Farzad Rajaei, Reza Najafipour
Summary: Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 is the most common sexually transmitted virus associated with cervical cancer. In this study, optimal gRNA sequences targeting HPV16 E5, E6, E7, and p97 promoter for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing were designed. The E6 + E7-treated group showed the best treatment efficacy, with a high percentage of cleaved caspase-3 positive cells (45.75%) and a low mitotic index of 2-3. Additionally, the potential of LL-37 peptide to overcome the CRISPR/Cas9 delivery challenge was demonstrated for the first time. Overall, the study suggests that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing is an effective, specific, and nontoxic treatment for pre-existing tumors, and the future of precise gene therapy in cancer patients is very promising.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maryam Moazami Goodarzi, Reza Jalalirad, Delaram Doroud, Hamidreza Hozouri, Mohammadreza Aghasadeghi, Mahdi Paryan
Summary: In this study, the purification of VLP-based recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (rHBsAg) was optimized by selecting buffering conditions. The new purification method showed improved protein purity and can be a substitute for the conventional method.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fatemeh Rezaei, Ali Namvar, Elahe Akbari, Fatemeh Heidarnejad, Azam Bolhassani
Summary: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) can improve the presentation of tumor antigens and have potential for use in therapeutic vaccine design. In this study, in silico analyses and molecular docking were performed to compare different vaccine constructs linking human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 E7 protein to Hsp27 or Hsp70. The results showed that the whole sequence of Hsp27 had a better interaction with receptors and higher immunogenicity than Hsp70, suggesting its potential as a vaccine candidate against HPV-related cancers.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alireza Milani, Elahe Akbari, Parisa Moradi Pordanjani, Fateme Jamshidi, Shahrzad Ghayoumi, Seyed Amir Sadeghi, Azam Bolhassani
Summary: This study demonstrated the importance of Hsps in enhancing antigen-specific immunity, with the C-Hsp70 region showing better adjuvant properties for inducing cellular immunity in the improvement of HIV-1 therapeutic vaccines. The findings suggest that HSPs may be effective adjuvants for enhancing immune responses against pathogens.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Yasaman Taslimi, Nasrin Masoudzadeh, Fariborz Bahrami, Sima Rafati
Summary: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most frequent form of leishmaniases, associated with skin inflammation and ulceration. Understanding the interaction of different phagocytic cells in the recognition and uptake of different Leishmania species is critical for controlling the infection.
EXPERT REVIEW OF PROTEOMICS
(2022)
