The protein map of the protozoan parasite Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum during growth phase transition and temperature stress.

Leishmania parasites cause a spectrum of diseases termed leishmaniasis, which manifests in two main clinical forms, cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Leishmania promastigotes transit from proliferative exponential to quiescent stationary phases inside the insect vector, a relevant step that recapitulates early molecular events of metacyclogenesis. During the insect blood meal of the mammalian hosts, the released parasites interact initially with the skin, an event marked by temperature changes.

Effect of DODAB Nano-Sized Cationic Bilayer Fragments against .

The dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) is a double-chained cationic lipid with potent bactericide and fungistatic activities; however, its toxicity on protozoan parasites is still unknown. Here, we show the antileishmanial activity of DODAB nano-sized cationic bilayer fragments on stationary-phase promastigotes and amastigotes of , the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Upon treatment with DODAB, we analyzed the parasite surface zeta-potential, parasite viability, cellular structural modifications, and intracellular proliferation.

Sugar-based colloidal nanocarriers for topical meglumine antimoniate application to cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment: Ex vivo cutaneous retention and in vivo evaluation.

The leishmaniases are a group of diseases caused by protozoan parasites from Leishmania species. Effectiveness therapies for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), the most common form, are still needed to be developed since the available drugs such as meglumine antimoniate (MA) present severe adverse reactions. Here, we develop and characterize maltodextrin polymeric colloidal nanocarriers containing MA (PCN-MA) for topical CL treatment.

Preclinical Investigation of Methylene Blue-mediated Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy on Leishmania Parasites Using Real-Time Bioluminescence.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected disease that promotes destructive lesions. Difficulties in treatment are related to accessibility of drugs, resistance and toxicity. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT) has been emerging as a promising treatment for CL.

Nitric oxide-loaded chitosan nanoparticles as an innovative antileishmanial platform.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that demands for new therapeutic strategies due to adverse side effects and resistance development promoted by current drugs. Nitric oxide (NO)-donors show potential to kill Leishmania spp. but their use is limited because of their instability.

TLR9/MyD88/TRIF signaling activates host immune inhibitory CD200 in Leishmania infection.

Virulent protozoans named Leishmania in tropical and subtropical areas produce devastating diseases by exploiting host immune responses. Amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis stimulate macrophages to express CD200, an immunomodulatory ligand, which binds to its cognate receptor (CD200R) and inhibits the inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide (iNOS/NO) signaling pathways, thereby promoting intracellular survival. However, the mechanisms underlying CD200 induction in macrophages remain largely unknown.

Amoebicidal activity of phytosynthesized silver nanoparticles and their in vitro cytotoxicity to human cells.

Acanthamoeba causes infections in humans and other animals and it is important to develop treatment therapies. Jatropha curcas, Jatropha gossypifolia and Euphorbia milii plant extracts synthesized stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that were relatively stable. Amoebicidal activity of J.

Chemical composition and amoebicidal activity of Croton pallidulus, Croton ericoides, and Croton isabelli (Euphorbiaceae) essential oils.

Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoebae genus that causes amoebic keratitis which is a painful sight-threatening disease of the eyes. Its treatment is difficult, and the search for new drugs is very important. Here, essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of Croton pallidulus, Croton isabelli, and Croton ericoides (Euphorbiaceae), native plants of Southern Brazil, were tested against Acanthamoeba polyphaga and analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Amoebicidal activity and chemical composition of Pterocaulon polystachyum (Asteraceae) essential oil.

Acanthamoeba species are free-living amoebae that constitute an etiological agent of Acanthamoeba keratitis, an illness that may cause severe ocular inflammation and blindness and has a very difficult treatment. These molecules that are found in plants may be an alternative for the development of new drugs. Plants of the genus Pterocaulon (Asteraceae) are used in folk medicine as an antiseptic and antifungal agent.

Lipoteichoic acid from Staphylococcus aureus increases matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages: modulation by A2A and A2B adenosine receptors.

Peptidoglycan (PEG) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) are the main constituents of Gram-positive bacteria cell wall and are described to modulate immune functions. Increased levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were described in endotoxemia, suggesting that they participate to tecidual damage, multiple organs failure and vascular disfunction. Staphylococcus aureus PEG is described to increase MMPs 2 and 9 levels in plasma from rat and MMP 9 secretion by human neutrophils, however, the effect of LTA on MMPs is unknown.

High glucose increases RAW 264.7 macrophages activation by lipoteichoic acid from Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and accelerated atherosclerosis, which has been associated to hyperglycemia and chronic inflammation. Activated macrophages are described to participate in atherosclerosis due to foam cell formation and pro-inflammatory mediators production. Bacterial infections are described to accelerate atherosclerosis, moreover, gram-positive and negative bacterial DNA was described in atherosclerotic plaques.