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Trypanosomatid Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Immunogens for Chagas Disease
Juliana Bernardi Aggio1, Verônica Vitória Vedam1,2, Líndice Mitie Nisimura1,3
1Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ-PR), Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 26, 2025
Summary
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from non-pathogenic parasites like Trypanosoma rangeli and Phytomonas serpens show potential in reducing Trypanosoma cruzi parasite load. However, these EVs did not improve survival against Chagas disease, indicating limited protective efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Chagas disease poses a significant public health challenge with few treatment options.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from Trypanosoma cruzi often promote parasite survival by modulating host immunity.
- Novel preventive strategies against Chagas disease are urgently needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize EVs from non-pathogenic Trypanosoma rangeli and Phytomonas serpens.
- To evaluate their potential as cross-protective immunogens against Trypanosoma cruzi infection.
- To compare their immunogenic properties with EVs from T. cruzi.
Main Methods:
- EV isolation and characterization using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis and electron microscopy.
- Comparative proteomic analysis of EVs via LC-MS/MS.
- In vitro and in vivo assays using PBMCs and BALB/c mice to assess immunomodulation and protection against T. cruzi.
Main Results:
- Proteomic analysis revealed shared proteins, including calpain-like cysteine peptidase and elongation factor 2, between EVs of T. rangeli, P. serpens, and T. cruzi.
- In vitro, T. rangeli EVs reduced T. cruzi host cell infection rates.
- In vivo, immunization with T. rangeli and P. serpens EVs significantly reduced parasitemia in mice challenged with T. cruzi, but did not improve survival.
Conclusions:
- Non-pathogenic trypanosomatid EVs possess immunogenic properties and can decrease parasitic load.
- Current EV-based strategies show limited efficacy in preventing Chagas disease progression and mortality.
- Further research is required to optimize EV-based approaches for effective Chagas disease immunity.
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