Lipophosphoglycans from dermotropic Leishmania infantum are more pro-inflammatory than those from viscerotropic strains

Author(s)

Cardoso, Camila A. ; Araujo, Gabriela, V ; Sandoval, Carmen M. ; Nogueira, Paula M. ; Zuniga, Concepcion ; Sosa-Ochoa, Wilfredo H. ; Laurenti, Marcia D. ; Soares, Rodrigo P.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz; v. 115, p. 6-pg., 2020-01-01.

Abstract

Although Leishmania infantum is well-known as the aethiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), in some Central American countries it may cause atypical non-ulcerated cutaneous leishmaniasis ( NUCL). However, the mechanisms favoring its establishment in the skin are still unknown. Lipophosphoglycan (LPG) is the major Leishmania multivirulence factor involved in parasite-host interaction. In the case of viscerotropic L. infantum, it causes an immunosuppression during the interaction with macrophages. Here, we investigated the biochemical and functional roles of LPGs from four dermotropic L. infantum strains from Honduras during in vitro interaction with murine macrophages. LPGs were extracted, purified and their repeat units analysed. They did not have side chains consisting of Gal(beta 1,4)Man(alpha 1)-PO4 common to all LPGs. Peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c and C57BL/6 were exposed to LPG for nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine (TNF-alpha and, IL-6) production. LPGs from dermotropic strains from Honduras triggered higher NO and cytokine levels compared to those from viscerotropic strains. In conclusion, LPGs from dermotropic strains are devoid of side-chains and exhibit high pro-inflammatory activity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/04698-6 - Non-ulcerated or atipycal Cutaneous Leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi in the municipality of Amapala, Valle, Honduras: immunohistopathological characterization of skin lesions with emphasis in the participation of antigen presenting cells
• Grantee: Carmen Maria Sandoval Pacheco
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/24834-9 - Evaluation of the experimental infection in hamster by isolated parasites of atypical cutaneous lesion and human visceral caused by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi in the municipality of Amapala, Valle, Honduras
• Grantee: Gabriela Venicia Araujo Flores
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/50315-0 - Leishmaniasis in Latin America: an advanced perspective on immunopathogenetic factors of cutaneous and visceral infection, immunomodulators of the sandflies vector saliva and immunogenic exo-antigens of Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi as vaccine candidates
• Grantee: Marcia Dalastra Laurenti
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants