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Trypanosoma cruzi P21 protein exacerbates Leishmania (L.) amazonensis infection

Thaise Lara Teixeira1, Samuel Cota Teixeira1, Bruna Cristina Borges1

  • 1Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Experimental Parasitology
|October 26, 2024
PubMed

Insights

The recombinant protein rP21, effective against Trypanosoma cruzi, unexpectedly worsened Leishmania amazonensis infections in mice. This study highlights rP21

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Immunology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions globally, with limited treatment options.
  • A T. cruzi-derived recombinant protein (rP21) shows promise in modulating immunity and controlling T. cruzi infections.
  • The therapeutic potential of rP21 against other trypanosomatids, like Leishmania, is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of rP21 as a therapeutic agent against Leishmania (L.) amazonensis infection.
  • To determine if rP21's immunomodulatory effects extend to Leishmania infections.
  • To assess the impact of rP21 treatment on parasite load and host immune response in a murine model of leishmaniasis.

Main Methods:

  • A murine model of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis infection was established in BALB/c mice.
  • Infected mice were treated with the recombinant protein rP21.
  • Parasite load, lesion size, and inflammatory infiltrate in paw tissues were quantified.

Main Results:

  • rP21 treatment did not improve, but rather exacerbated, L. (L.) amazonensis infection.
  • Increased parasite burdens and larger lesion sizes were observed in rP21-treated mice.
  • rP21 administration led to intensified inflammatory responses in the infected paw tissues.

Conclusions:

  • The recombinant protein rP21 is not a suitable therapeutic candidate for Leishmania (L.) amazonensis infection.
  • rP21 may potentially worsen the disease progression in leishmaniasis.
  • Further research is needed to understand the differential effects of rP21 on distinct trypanosomatid infections.
Keywords:
ImmunomodulationInfectionLeishmania (L.) amazonensisParasite-host interactionRecombinant protein

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