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Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Investigating the Phagocytosis of Leishmania using Confocal Microscopy
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Investigating the Phagocytosis of Leishmania using Confocal Microscopy

Published on: July 29, 2021

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mGem: Extracellular vesicles in Leishmania-secret messengers driving infection and disease

Patricia Xander1, Camila I de Oliveira2,3

  • 1Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, UNIFESP, Diadema, Brazil.

Mbio
|September 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Leishmania parasites cause leishmaniasis, a global disease transmitted by insects. This review explores how parasite-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry virulence factors and impact host immune responses.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Leishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic disease transmitted by insect vectors.
  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by Leishmania parasites and infected cells, playing roles in biological processes.
  • Leishmania-derived EVs are known to modulate host cells and influence the immune system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in Leishmania biology and pathogenesis.
  • To examine EVs as carriers of Leishmania virulence factors.
  • To analyze the impact of Leishmania-derived EVs on the host immune response.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on extracellular vesicles (EVs) in leishmaniasis.
  • Analysis of studies investigating Leishmania virulence factors carried by EVs.
  • Synthesis of research on the immunomodulatory effects of Leishmania-derived EVs.

Main Results:

  • Leishmania-derived EVs act as crucial mediators, transporting virulence factors that influence parasite biology.
  • These EVs significantly modulate host cell functions and alter the host's immune response.
  • EVs play a complex role in the intricate host-parasite interactions during leishmaniasis.

Conclusions:

  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key players in Leishmania pathogenesis and parasite biology.
  • Understanding Leishmania-EV interactions is vital for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Further research into EVs offers potential for new diagnostic and treatment approaches for leishmaniasis.
Keywords:
immune modulationleishmaniasispathogenesisvesicles

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