Evaluation of Leishmania infantum vaccine system: in vitro infection and immunotherapy

• Grant number: 22/04873-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2022
• End date: September 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Protozoology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: Selma Giorgio
• Grantee: Julia Miralha Rodrigues Moraes Leite
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Leishmaniasis are neglected diseases that cause several clinical forms.It is an endemic disease of South America and there are several factors that increaseits endemic potential. Prophylactic measures are relatively effective, but treatment is expensive andinaccessible and there are no prophylactic vaccines, thus controlling the disease is difficult. Based onthese facts it is created the need to study alternatives, such as immunotherapy. Fromgenetically edited transgenic parasites, that is, parasites with toxic proteins expressed in theamastigote, we will analyze the immunotherapeutic potential. The objectives of this project are: to test in vitro theproliferative capacity of promastigotes and to infect macrophages, as well as to assess whether miceinfected with L. infantum subsequently treated with the genetically edited parasites showreduction in parasite load.