Research on Leishmaniasis Studies

Characterization of the dual functions of Leishmania CK1.2 in both the parasite and the macrophage

This study identifies L-CK1.2 interacting partners in Leishmania and host macrophages, revealing its dual role in parasite survival and host immune processes.

IL-35 produced by dendritic cells via TIM-3-STAT3 signaling contributes to the development of visceral leishmaniasis

This study identifies the TIM-3-STAT3-IL-35 axis in dendritic cells as a driver of immunosuppression in visceral leishmaniasis, showing that STAT3 inhibition reduces disease severity.

New insights on the Feeding Site and Salivation by Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) During Blood Ingestion on Host Skin

This study uses intravital microscopy and fluorescent labeling to characterize the mechanics of mouthpart movements and salivation dynamics during blood feeding in Lutzomyia longipalpis, revealing a coordinated process involving tissue disruption, salivary secretion, and host vascular modulation.

Five-layer systems analysis of Leishmania stage differentiation reveals an essential role for protein degradation in parasite development

The paper uses a five-layer systems analysis to show that protein degradation, not genomic changes, drives stage differentiation in Leishmania parasites.

Tracking the Spread of a Naturally Occurring Leishmania infantumMutant: A qPCR-Based Investigation in Strains and Clinical Samples

This paper develops a qPCR-based tool to detect and quantify Leishmania infantum genotypes with and without a 12 Kb deletion in clinical and cultured samples, finding DEL genotypes are more frequent and widespread.

Anti- Leishmania-activated C-kinase monoclonal antibody immunohistochemical technique for cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosis

This paper develops and validates an anti-LACK monoclonal antibody immunohistochemistry technique for diagnosing cutaneous leishmaniasis, showing improved sensitivity and specificity compared to standard methods.

A single-cell transcriptomic atlas of peripheral blood immune cells spanning progressive canine leishmaniosis

The paper creates a single-cell RNA sequencing atlas of immune cells in dogs with progressive canine leishmaniosis, identifying immune cell phenotypes and transcriptional states associated with disease progression.

Tissue-specific improvements in CD4+ T cell responses after treatment for visceral leishmaniasis.

This study examines CD4+ T cell responses in visceral leishmaniasis using single-cell RNA sequencing, revealing transcriptional heterogeneity and regulatory mechanisms affecting immune function.

Novel Binding Partners of the Vacuolar Transporter Chaperone (VTC) complex in Acidocalcisomes of Leishmania tarentolae

This study identifies three novel VTC binding partners in Leishmania tarentolae acidocalcisomes using BioID and confirms their interactions through microscopy and structural predictions.

Direct quantitative PCR detects genetic biomarkers of antileishmanial drug resistance in clinical samples from dogs with leishmaniosis

This paper develops a direct quantitative PCR test to detect genetic drug-resistance biomarkers in Leishmania infantum from dogs with leishmaniosis, showing high specificity and sensitivity.

Impact of Bacterial Membrane Vesicles on Cellular Responses in Leishmania amazonensis-Infected Macrophages In Vitro

This study shows that bacterial membrane vesicles from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus enhance inflammation in Leishmania amazonensis-infected macrophages.

Multi-drug tolerance in Leishmania persister-like cells

The paper identifies persister-like cells in Leishmania that survive antimony treatment and show cross-tolerance to other drugs.

Chemical degradation identified Human p38-MAPK as a host target to combat parasitic infections

This study shows that degrading host p38-MAPK with NR-7h reduces parasite load in Leishmania and Plasmodium infections and enhances antiparasitic therapy when combined with Amphotericin B.

p1/s1, a 3'-nucleotidase/nuclease, allows Leishmania major to circumvent host innate immune response mechanisms

This study identifies p1/s1, a 3'-nucleotidase/nuclease in Leishmania major, which helps the parasite evade host immune responses by generating adenosine and degrading neutrophil extracellular traps.

Chemical genetics reveals Leishmania KKT2 and CRK9 kinase activity is required for cell cycle progression

This study identifies KKT2 and CRK9 as essential kinases for Leishmania cell cycle progression using chemical genetics and CRISPR-Cas9.

Human sand fly challenge elicits saliva-specific innate and type 1-polarized immunity that promotes Leishmania killing

This study shows that repeated sand fly bites induce immune responses to salivary proteins that enhance Leishmania killing in macrophages.

Cryptic Sex in Leishmania Depends on SPO11 Paralogs

This study identifies the roles of SPO11 paralogs in Leishmania hybridization, showing they are essential for efficient mating and genome segregation.

Genomic Characterization of a Locally Transmitted Leishmania mexicana Isolate from Texas

This study reports the first whole-genome sequence of Leishmania mexicana from a locally transmitted case in Texas, identifying genetic variations and SNPs with potential functional impacts.

Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes invade non-phagocytic cells via highly localized parasite-induced actin remodeling.

This study shows Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes invade non-phagocytic cells through localized actin remodeling and Rho GTPase-driven processes, distinct from promastigote mechanisms.

Glycosomal Aquaglyceroporin 1 Dual Role in Iron Homeostasis and Antimony Susceptibility in Leishmania amazonensis

This study identifies AQP1 in L. amazonensis as a glycosomal protein critical for iron homeostasis, osmoregulation, and antimony susceptibility, with distinct roles compared to other Leishmania species.

Targeting Leishmania donovani Sphingosine Kinase 1 using PF-543 enhances immune response and limits parasite load

This paper evaluates PF-543, a SphK1 inhibitor, against Leishmania donovani, showing reduced parasite load and enhanced immune response both in vitro and in vivo.

Ontogeny-independent expression of LPCAT2 in granuloma macrophages during experimental visceral leishmaniasis

The paper uses multimodal imaging and single-cell transcriptomics to identify LPCAT2-mediated membrane remodeling in granuloma macrophages during visceral leishmaniasis.

The UTRs of Leishmania donovani vary in length and are enriched in potential regulatory structures

This study annotates UTRs in Leishmania donovani and finds they vary in length and are enriched in G-quadruplex structures, suggesting a key role in post-transcriptional regulation.

Platelet DKK1 promotes tolerogenic dendritic cells and non-healing responses in cutaneous leishmaniasis

This study shows that platelet-derived DKK1 promotes non-healing in cutaneous leishmaniasis by inducing tolerogenic dendritic cells and Th2/Th1-IL-10 responses.

Quantitative proteomics of infected macrophages reveals novel Leishmania virulence factors

This study identifies novel Leishmania virulence factors through proteomics of infected macrophages and presents a database for further research.

Functional dissection of Leishmania major membrane components in resistance to cholesterol-dependent cytolysins

This study investigates how Leishmania major resists cholesterol-dependent cytolysins by analyzing the role of membrane components in toxin binding and cytotoxicity.

Uptake and survival of Leishmania amazonensis in Acanthamoeba castellanii: An infection organism model?

This study investigates the interaction between Leishmania amazonensis and Acanthamoeba castellanii, showing that the parasite survives inside the amoeba and can be cleared over time, suggesting a potential model for studying leishmanicidal mechanisms.

Intralysosomal pathogens differentially influence the proteolytic potential of their niche

This study compares how two intralysosomal pathogens, C. burnetii and L. mexicana, affect lysosomal proteolytic activity and proteome changes in host cells.

Exploiting nectar and blood feeding cues and phagostimulants to optimise Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits against a sand fly vector of leishmaniasis.

This study improves Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSB) by incorporating blood feeding cues like bovine serum albumin and ATP, enhancing insecticide efficacy against sand flies.

Plants with promising antileishmanial activity in Colombia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This review and meta-analysis evaluates Colombian medicinal plants for antileishmanial activity, finding promising IC50 values and selectivity indices in certain species.