FVB/NJ strain as a mouse model for cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania (L.) amazonensis

Autor(es)

Guilherme Moreira Paiva Carrara ^[1] ; Beatriz Simonsen Stolf ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Departamento de Parasitologia - Brasil

^[2] Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Departamento de Parasitologia - Brasil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz; v. 119, 2024-03-15.

Resumo

BACKGROUND Leishmaniases encompass a spectrum of neglected diseases caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania, grouped in two forms: tegumentary and visceral leishmaniasis. OBJECTIVES In this study, we propose Friend Virus B NIH Jackson (FVB/NJ) mouse strain as a new experimental model of infection with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, the second most prevalent agent of tegumentary leishmaniasis in Brazil. METHODS AND FINDINGS We performed in vitro infections of FVB/NJ macrophages and compared them with BALB/c macrophages, showing that BALB/c cells have higher infection percentages and a higher number of amastigotes/cell. Phagocytosis assays indicated that BALB/c and FVB/NJ macrophages have similar capacity to uptake parasites after 5 min incubations. We also investigated promastigotes’ resistance to sera from FVB/NJ and BALB/c and observed no difference between the two sera, even though FVB/NJ has a deficiency in complement components. Finally, we subcutaneously infected FVB/NJ and BALB/c mice with 2 × 106 parasites expressing luciferase. Analysis of lesion development for 12 weeks showed that FVB/NJ and BALB/c mice have similar lesion profiles and parasite burdens. MAIN CONCLUSIONS This work characterises for the first time the FVB/NJ mouse as a new model for tegumentary leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (L.) amazonensis. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 21/08915-4 - Identificação de fatores relacionados com fagocitose e sobrevivência de L. amazonensis por comparação de proteomas e análise de mutantes por CRISPR-Cas9
• Beneficiário: Beatriz Simonsen Stolf
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 18/14972-8 - Papel de sCD100 na infecção in vitro e in vivo por diferentes espécies de Leishmania
• Beneficiário: Beatriz Simonsen Stolf
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular