Total serum N-glycans mark visceral leishmaniasis in human infections with Leishmania infantum

Author(s)

Porcino, Gabriane Nascimento ; Bladergroen, Marco Rene ; Dotz, Viktoria ; Nicolardi, Simone ; Memarian, Elham ; Gardinassi, Luiz Gustavo ; Costa, Carlos Henrique Nery ; Almeida, Roque Pacheco de ; Santos, Isabel Kinney Ferreira de Miranda ; Wuhrer, Manfred

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ISCIENCE; v. 26, n. 7, p. 24-pg., 2023-07-21.

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a clinical form of leishmaniasis with high mortality rates when not treated. Diagnosis suffers from invasive techniques and suboptimal sensitivities. The current (affordable) treatment with pentavalent antimony as advised by the WHO is possibly harmful to the patient. There is need for an improved diagnosis to prevent possibly unnecessary treatment. N-glycan analysis may aid in diagnosis. We evaluated the N-glycan profiles from active VL, asymptomatic infections (ASYMP) and controls from non-endemic (NC) and endemic (EC) areas. Active VL has a distinct N-glycome profile that associates with disease severity. Our study suggests that the observed glycan signatures could be a valuable additive to diagnosis and assist in identifying possible markers of disease and understanding the pathogenesis of VL. Further studies are warranted to assess a possible future role of blood glycome analysis in active VL diagnosis and should aim at disease specificity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/19789-0 - Exploratory studies on factors that affect outcomes of infections with Leishmania infantum in humans
• Grantee: Isabel Kinney Ferreira de Miranda Santos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/18527-3 - The role of IgG FC N-glycosylation on the pathogenesis of visceral leishmaniasis: insights into new strategies of therapy
• Grantee: Gabriane Nascimento Porcino
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/07820-9 - Patterns of N-Glycosylation of IgG Fc Regions: Role in Regulation of Immune Responses against Leishmania infantum and Application in New Therapeutical Strategies for Kala Azar
• Grantee: Isabel Kinney Ferreira de Miranda Santos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants