Hira Nakhasi - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Hira Nakhasi

npj Vaccines, 2022

Leishmaniasis is a neglected protozoan disease affecting over 12 million people globally with no ... more Leishmaniasis is a neglected protozoan disease affecting over 12 million people globally with no approved vaccines for human use. New World cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by L. mexicana is characterized by the development of chronic non-healing skin lesions. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique, we have generated live attenuated centrin knockout L. mexicana (LmexCen−/−) parasites. Centrin is a cytoskeletal protein important for cellular division in eukaryotes and, in Leishmania, is required only for intracellular amastigote replication. We have investigated the safety and immunogenicity characteristics of LmexCen−/− parasites by evaluating their survival and the cytokine production in bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro. Our data shows that LmexCen−/− amastigotes present a growth defect, which results in significantly lower parasitic burdens and increased protective cytokine production in infected BMDMs and BMDCs, compared to the wild type (W...

Nature Communications, 2020

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania protozoa transmitted by infect... more Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania protozoa transmitted by infected sand flies. Vaccination through leishmanization with live Leishmania major has been used successfully but is no longer practiced because it resulted in occasional skin lesions. A second generation leishmanization is described here using a CRISPR genome edited L. major strain (LmCen−/−). Notably, LmCen−/− is a genetically engineered centrin gene knock-out mutant strain that is antibiotic resistant marker free and does not have detectable off-target mutations. Mice immunized with LmCen−/− have no visible lesions following challenge with L. major-infected sand flies, while non-immunized animals develop large and progressive lesions with a 2-log fold higher parasite burden. LmCen−/− immunization results in protection and an immune response comparable to leishmanization. LmCen−/− is safe since it is unable to cause disease in immunocompromised mice, induces robust host protection against v...

BMC infectious diseases, Dec 22, 2017

Leishmania donovani is the etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Indian subcont... more Leishmania donovani is the etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Indian subcontinent. However, it is also known to cause cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan L. donovani differs from other L. donovani strains, both at the molecular and biochemical level. To investigate the different species or strain-specific differences of L. donovani in Sri Lanka we evaluated sequence variation of the kinetoplastid DNA (kDNA). Parasites isolated from skin lesions of 34 CL patients and bone marrow aspirates from 4 VL patients were genotyped using the kDNA minicircle PCR analysis. A total of 301 minicircle sequences that included sequences from Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and six reference species of Leishmania were analyzed. Haplotype diversity of Sri Lankan isolates were high (H = 0.757) with strong inter-geographical genetic differentiation (F > 0.25). In this study, L. donovani isolates clustered according to their geographic origin, while Sri Lankan isolates ...

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Frontiers in immunology, 2017

Currently, there is no vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Toward developing an effectiv... more Currently, there is no vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Toward developing an effective vaccine, we have reported extensively on the immunogenicity of live attenuated mutants in naive animal models. In VL endemic areas, asymptomatic carriers outnumber symptomatic cases of VL and are considered to be a reservoir of infection. Vaccination of asymptomatic cases represents a viable strategy to eliminate VL. Immunological correlates of protection thus derived might have limited applicability in conditions where the immunized host has prior exposure to virulent infection. To examine whether parasites can induce protective immunity in experimental hosts that have low-level parasitemia from a previous exposure mimicking an asymptomatic condition, we infected C57Bl/6 mice with wild-type parasites expressing LLO epitope ( 10, i.v.). After 3 weeks, the mice with low levels of parasitemia were immunized with parasites expressing 2W epitope ( 3 × 10 i.v.) to characterize the immune re...

Biochimica et biophysica acta, Jan 22, 2018

Expression of the intracellular form amastigote specific genes in the Leishmania donovani parasit... more Expression of the intracellular form amastigote specific genes in the Leishmania donovani parasite plays a major role in parasite replication in the macrophage. In the current work, we have characterized a novel hypothetical gene, Ld30b that is specifically transcribed in the intracellular stage of the parasite. The recombinant Ld30b protein exists as a pentamer in solution as identified by native-PAGE and size exclusion gel chromatography. Structural analysis using circular dichroism and molecular modeling indicate that Ld30b belongs to family of cAMP-dependent protein kinase type I-alpha regulatory subunit. Co-localization immunofluorescence microscopy and western blot analyses (using anti-Ld30b antibody and anti-hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase, a glycosome marker) on the isolated parasite glycosome organelle fractions show that Ld30b is localized in glycosome, though lacked a glycosome targeting PTS1/2 signal in the protein sequence. Episomal expression of Ld30b i...

Cell host & microbe, Jan 10, 2018

Leishmania donovani parasites are the cause of visceral leishmaniasis and are transmitted by bite... more Leishmania donovani parasites are the cause of visceral leishmaniasis and are transmitted by bites from phlebotomine sand flies. A prominent feature of vector-transmitted Leishmania is the persistence of neutrophils at bite sites, where they protect captured parasites, leading to enhanced disease. Here, we demonstrate that gut microbes from the sand fly are egested into host skin alongside Leishmania parasites. The egested microbes trigger the inflammasome, leading to a rapid production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), which sustains neutrophil infiltration. Reducing midgut microbiota by pretreatment of Leishmania-infected sand flies with antibiotics or neutralizing the effect of IL-1β in bitten mice abrogates neutrophil recruitment. These early events are associated with impairment of parasite visceralization, indicating that both gut microbiota and IL-1β are important for the establishment of Leishmania infections. Considering that arthropods harbor a rich microbiota, its potential eges...

Scientific reports, Jan 16, 2017

Mast Cells (MCs) are one of the first immune cells encountered by invading pathogens. Their prese... more Mast Cells (MCs) are one of the first immune cells encountered by invading pathogens. Their presence in large numbers in the superficial dermis, where Leishmania is encountered, suggests that they may play a critical role in immune responses to Leishmania. In this study the interactions of Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of visceral Leishmaniasis, and Leishmania tropica, the causative agent of cutaneous Leishmaniasis with MCs were studied. Co-culture of Leishmania with Peritoneal Mast Cells (PMCs) from BALB/c mice and Rat Basophilic Leukaemia (RBL-2H3) MCs led to significant killing of L. tropica and to a lesser extent of L. donovani. Also, while there was significant uptake of L. tropica by MCs, L. donovani was not phagocytosed. There was significant generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) by MCs on co-culture with these species of Leishmania which may contribute to their clearance. Interactions of MCs with Leishmania led to generation of MC extracellular traps compris...

Scientific reports, Jan 31, 2017

Ly6Chi inflammatory monocytes (iMO) are critical for host defense against toxoplasmosis and malar... more Ly6Chi inflammatory monocytes (iMO) are critical for host defense against toxoplasmosis and malaria but their role in leishmaniasis is unclear. In this study, we report a detrimental role of Ly6Chi iMOs in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania donovani. We demonstrate that Ly6Chi iMOs are continuously recruited into the spleen and liver during L. donovani infection and they are preferential targets for the parasite. Using microarray-based gene expression profiling, we show that Ly6Chi iMOs isolated from the infected liver and spleen have distinct phenotypic and activation profiles. Furthermore, we demonstrate that blocking the recruitment of Ly6Chi iMOs into the liver and spleen during L. donovani infection using a CCR2 antagonist reduces the frequency of the pathogenic IFN-γ/IL10 dual producer CD4+ T cells in the spleen and leads to a significant reduction in parasite loads in the liver and spleen. Using STAT1-/- mice we show that STAT1 is critical for mediating the recr...

Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950), 2018

No vaccine exists against visceral leishmaniasis. To develop effective vaccines, we have previous... more No vaccine exists against visceral leishmaniasis. To develop effective vaccines, we have previously reported protective role of live attenuated centrin gene-deleted Leishmania donovani (LdCen-/- ) parasites through induction of Th1 type immune response in mice, hamsters, and dogs. In this study, we specifically explored the role of Th17 cells in LdCen-/- -induced host protection in mice. Our results showed that compared with wild-type L. donovani infection, LdCen-/- parasites induce significantly higher expression of Th17 differentiation cytokines in splenic dendritic cells. There was also induction of IL-17 and its promoting cytokines in total splenocytes and in both CD4 and CD8 T cells following immunization with LdCen-/- Upon challenge with wild-type parasites, IL-17 and its differentiating cytokines were significantly higher in LdCen-/- -immunized mice compared with nonimmunized mice that resulted in parasite control. Alongside IL-17 induction, we observed induction of IFN-γ-pro...

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2016

Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani cause... more Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani causes severe disease. Age appears to be critical in determining the clinical outcome of VL and at present there is no effective vaccine available against VL for any age group. Previously, we showed that genetically modified live attenuated L. donovani parasites (LdCen-/-) induced a strong protective innate and adaptive immune response in young mice. In this study we analyzed LdCen-/-parasite mediated modulation of innate and adaptive immune response in aged mice (18 months) and compared to young (2 months) mice.

Parasites & Vectors, 2016

Background: Live attenuated Leishmania donovani parasites as LdCen −/− were shown to confer prote... more Background: Live attenuated Leishmania donovani parasites as LdCen −/− were shown to confer protective immunity against Leishmania infection in mice, hamsters, and dogs. Strong immunogenicity in dogs vaccinated with LdCen −/− has been previously reported, including increased antibody response favoring Th1 response lymphoproliferative responses, CD4 + and CD8 + T-cells activation, increased levels of Th1 and reduction of Th2 cytokines, in addition to a significant reduction in parasite burden after 18 and 24 months post virulent parasite challenge. Methods: Aimed at validating a new method using in vitro co-culture systems with macrophages and purified CD4 + or CD8 + or CD4 + :CD8 + T-cells of immunized dogs with both LdCen −/− and Leishmune® to assess microbicide capacity of macrophages and the immune response profile as the production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-12, IL-4 and IL-10 cytokines. Results and discussion: Our data showed co-cultures of macrophages and purified T-cells from dogs immunized with LdCen −/− and challenged with L. infantum were able to identify high microbicidal activity, especially in the co-culture using CD4 + T-cells, as compared to the Leishmune® group. Similarly, co-cultures with CD8 + T-cells or CD4 + :CD8 + T-cells in both experimental groups were able to detect a reduction in the parasite burden in L. infantum infected macrophages. Moreover, co-cultures using CD4 + or CD8 + or CD4 + :CD8 + T-cells from immunized dogs with both LdCen −/− and Leishmune® were able to identify higher levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 cytokines, reduced levels of IL-4 and IL-10, and a higher IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio. While the highest IFN-γ levels and IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio were the hallmarks of LdCen −/− group in the coculture using CD4 + T-cells, resulting in strong reduction of parasitism, the Leishmune® immunization presented a differential production of TNF-α in the co-culture using CD4 + :CD8 + T-cells.

Frontiers in Immunology, 2016

No licensed human vaccines are currently available against any parasitic disease including leishm... more No licensed human vaccines are currently available against any parasitic disease including leishmaniasis. Several antileishmanial vaccine formulations have been tested in various animal models, including genetically modified live-attenuated parasite vaccines. Experimental infection studies have shown that Leishmania parasites utilize a broad range of strategies to undermine effector properties of host phagocytic cells, i.e., dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (MΦ). Furthermore, Leishmania parasites have evolved strategies to actively inhibit TH1 polarizing functions of DCs and to condition the infected MΦ toward anti-inflammatory/alternative/M2 phenotype. The altered phenotype of phagocytic cells is characterized by decreased production of antimicrobial reactive oxygen, nitrogen molecules, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ, IL-12, and TNF-α. These early events limit the activation of TH1-effector cells and set the stage for pathogenesis. Furthermore, this early control of innate immunity by the virulent parasites results in substantial alteration in the adaptive immunity characterized by reduced proliferation of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells and TH2-biased immunity that results in production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as TGF-β, and IL-10. More recent studies have also documented the induction of coinhibitory ligands, such as CTLA-4, PD-L1, CD200, and Tim-3, that induce exhaustion and/or non-proliferation in antigen-experienced T cells. Most of these studies focus on viral infections in chronic phase, thus limiting the direct application of these results to parasitic infections and much less to parasitic vaccines. However, these studies suggest that vaccine-induced protective immunity can be modulated using strategies that enhance the costimulation that might reduce the threshold necessary for T cell activation and conversely by strategies that reduce or block inhibitory molecules, such as PD-L1 and CD200. In this review, we will focus on the polarization of antigen-presenting cells and subsequent role of costimulatory and coinhibitory molecules in mediating vaccine-induced immunity using live-attenuated Leishmania parasites as specific examples.

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, Jul 25, 2016

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani There are no ... more Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani There are no vaccines and available drugs against leishmaniasis are toxic. Immunomodulators that specifically boost the anti-microbial activities of the immune cells could alleviate several of these limitations. Therefore, finding novel immunomodulators for VL therapy is a pressing need. This study is aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory role of leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone capable of regulating the immune response, in L. donovani-infected mice. We observed that recombinant leptin treatment reduced splenic parasite burden compared with non-treated infected normal mice. Decrease in parasite burden correlated with an induction of innate immune response in antigen-presenting cells that showed an increase in nitric oxide, enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine (interferon gamma [IFNγ], interleukin12 [IL]12, and IL1β) response in the splenocytes, indicating host-protecting Th1 response mediated by l...

Transfusion, Jun 2, 2016

The implementation of nucleic acid-based tests for blood donor screening has improved the safety ... more The implementation of nucleic acid-based tests for blood donor screening has improved the safety of the blood supply; however, the increasing number of emerging pathogen tests is burdensome. Development of multiplex testing platforms that allow simultaneous screening for different pathogens is a potential solution. The TessArray resequencing microarray is a platform that allows multiplex detection and identification of 97 different blood-borne pathogens in one single test. The objective was to evaluate the lowest concentration detected in blood or plasma, species discrimination, and applicability of the TessArray microarray platform for testing blood donors. Human blood or plasma spiked with selected pathogens (10,000, 1000, or 100 cells or copies/mL), including three viral, four bacterial, and four protozoan pathogens were each tested on this platform. The nucleic acids were extracted, amplified using multiplexed sets of pooled specific primers, fragmented, labeled, and hybridized ...

Infection and Immunity, 2015

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) causes significant mortality and there is no effective vaccine. Previ... more Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) causes significant mortality and there is no effective vaccine. Previously, we have shown that genetically modifiedLeishmania donovaniparasites, here described as live attenuated parasites, induce a host protective adaptive immune response in various animal models. In this study, we demonstrate an innate immune response upon infection with live attenuated parasites in macrophages from BALB/c mice bothin vitroandin vivo. In vitroinfection of macrophages with live attenuated parasites (compared to that with wild-type [WT]L. donovaniparasites) induced significantly higher production of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interleukin-12 [IL-12], gamma interferon [IFN-γ], and IL-6), chemokines (monocyte chemoattractant protein 1/CCL-2, macrophage inflammatory protein 1α/CCL-3, and IP-10), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide, while concomitantly reducing anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and arginase-1 activities, suggesti...

The Indian journal of medical research, 2006

Leishmaniasis causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide and is an important public hea... more Leishmaniasis causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide and is an important public health problem. Even though it is endemic in developing countries in tropical regions of the world,in recent years economic globalization and increased travel has extended its reach to people in developed countries. Leishmania is usually spread by the bite of the female sandfly. In addition, naïve populations can be exposed to Leishmania infection through transfusion of blood and blood products from infected asymptomatic individuals. There are several clinical forms of leishmaniasis caused by different species of the parasite. In some cases, the only possible cure for this disease is drug treatment. However, prolonged use of such drugs has led to parasite drug resistance. At present there are no effective vaccines against Leishmania. Many vaccine strategies have been pursued, including the use of whole cell lysate, killed, avirulent or irradiated parasites. Additionally, DNA vaccines and pu...

Pathogenesis of Leishmaniasis, 2014

ABSTRACT Leishmaniasis is a protozoan parasitic disease endemic to the tropical and subtropical r... more ABSTRACT Leishmaniasis is a protozoan parasitic disease endemic to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with three major clinical forms, self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, and fatal visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Drug treatment is expensive, and often results in the development of resistance due to lack of compliance and prolonged use. No vaccine is available against leishmaniasis. Immunization with fi rst- and second-generation Leishmania vaccines has shown some effi cacy in animal models but little or none in humans. However, individuals who recover from a natural infection are protected from reinfection and develop lifelong protection, suggesting infection may be a prerequisite for creating immunological memory. Genetically altered live attenuated parasites with controlled infectivity could achieve such immunological memory and yield protection without overt disease. In this chapter, we discuss development and characteristics of genetically altered live attenuated Leishmania donovani parasites and their possible use as vaccine candidates against VL. In addition, we discuss the challenges with regard to safety and immunogenicity of the live attenuated parasites.

Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2012

Leishmaniasis is a protozoan parasitic disease endemic to the tropical and subtropical regions of... more Leishmaniasis is a protozoan parasitic disease endemic to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with three major clinical forms, self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Drug treatments are expensive and often result in the development of drug resistance. No vaccine is available against leishmaniasis. SubunitLeishmaniavaccine immunization in animal models has shown some efficacy but little or none in humans. However, individuals who recover from natural infection are protected from reinfection and develop life-long protection, suggesting that infection may be a prerequisite for immunological memory. Thus, genetically altered live-attenuated parasites with controlled infectivity could achieve such memory. In this paper, we discuss development and characteristics of genetically altered, live-attenuatedLeishmania donovaniparasites and their possible use as vaccine candidates against VL. In addition, we d...

The Lancet Global Health, 2014