Phagosomal evaluation of hematin anhydride as a Leishmania infantum antigen nanocarrier

• Grant number: 22/16132-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: May 20, 2023
• End date: August 22, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Marina Tiemi Shio
• Grantee: Letícia Torres Dias
• Supervisor: Leonardo da Silva Augusto
• Host Institution: Universidade de Santo Amaro (UNISA). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/01138-2 - Evaluation of hematin anhydride as a nanocarrier in cross-presentation of Leishmania protozoan antigens: immunotherapy strategy for Leishmaniasis, BP.MS

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease with a worldwide distribution resulting in a public health problem. In Brazil, leishmaniasis is mainly caused by the species Leishmania (L) infantum chagasi, L. (L) amazonensis, and L. (V) braziliensis, leading to the clinical manifestation including visceral, cutaneous, which can be localized or diffuse, and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, respectively. Given the urgent need to identify new treatments against leishmaniosis, one of the highest priorities in the field is to search for new effective methods to treat the disease including development of vaccines against animal reservoirs. Besides the humoral immune response, the immunization can promote and enhance CD8+ T cells activation via antigen cross-presentation, which occurs in antigen-presenting cells (APCs). The presentation occurs through antigens endocytosis and via the MHC class I molecule, resulting in CD8+ T cells activation. Interestingly, by using the hematin anhydride crystal synthesis, we are able to couple substances in the gaps between the nanocrystal domains due their amphiphilic properties. This project aims to elucidate at cellular levels the role of phagosomal pathway into hematin anhydride as a Leishmania infantum antigen nanocarrier by using hematin anhydride coupled or coated with Leishmania infantum antigens. This study will provide much-needed insight into phagosomal role in antigen nanocarrier, putting us in a better position to develop novel therapies to treat leishmaniasis. (AU)