Les leishmanioses sont des maladies causées par une vingtaine d’espèces de protozoaires flagellés appartenant au genre Leishmania. Elles sont responsables d’une inflammation chronique tous comme les atteintes cancéreuses. Nous avons réalisé une revue de la littérature qui a permis de mettre en évidence les relations existantes entre les cancers et les leishmanioses. Nous avons mis en évidence les similarités cliniques de ces deux pathologies pouvant provoquer des erreurs de diagnostic fatales. Nous avons également recensé de nombreux cas de co-localisation des deux pathologies. Enfin, l’ensemble de cette étude soulève le potentiel lien de causalité des leishmanioses dans l’apparition de certains cancers. De plus, les traitements actuels contre les leishmanioses viscérales sont toxiques, présentent une efficacité limitée et un coût trop élevé. Il est donc nécessaire d’évaluer l’activité anti-Leishmania de nouveaux traitements. Dans ce but, un protocole de criblage in vitro de nouvelles molécules d’origine naturelle, actives contre Leishmania infantum, a été mis en place, utilisant des leishmanies bioluminescentes. Ce protocole a permis la sélection des extraits d’intérêts.Le second travail original a porté sur le phénomène de rechute après traitement souvent observé chez les patients. L’existence d’un ou plusieurs sanctuaires de persistance du parasite, pourrait être responsable de ces rechutes. En nous plaçant, dans le modèle murin, nous avons observé la présence de parasites au sein des tissus adipeux. Ainsi, le tissu adipeux semble pouvoir constituer un des sanctuaires potentiels de persistance des leishmanies. / Leishmaniases are chronic diseases caused by twenty species of flagellated protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Leishmaniases are responsible of a chronic inflammation as well as malignant diseases. Today, the relationship between chronic inflammation and cancers is well documented but the link between leishmaniases and cancers is under-explored. A literature review highlighted different links between leishmaniasis and malignant diseases. First, we shown the importance of differential diagnosis between these pathologies that can be clinically close . Then, we gathered clinical cases where leishmaniases and malignant diseases were present. Finally, this study raises the concern of the involvement of leishmaniasis in cancers development. In this thesis, two original works were performed simultaneously. Current treatments of visceral leishmaniasis are toxic, with limited efficacy and are too expensive. To date, no human vaccine exists. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new treatments against Leishmania. For this purpose, we performed an in vitro screening of new natural active molecule against Leishmania infantum, using bioluminescent Leishmania. This screening allowed us to rule out toxic natural extracts, and to select interesting extracts that were tested in vitro and in vivo studies.The second original work focused on relapse after treatment often observed in patients. Existence of sanctuaries site of leishmania parasite could be responsible for these relapses. In mouse model, we highlighted the presence of Leishmania in adipose tissue. We hypothesized that this tissue can be a sanctuary site for the parasite to persist.

No description available.

In contrast to most blood sucking flies, the structure of the spermathecae in phlebotomine sandflies exhibits extraordinary diversity. The objective of this study was to investigate the fine structure of the spermathecae in relation to mating of phlebotomine sandflies. Light microscopy and electron (scanning and transmission) microscopy were used to examine species of four representative subgenera from the Old World Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) babu, Phlebotomus (Euphlebotomus) argentipes, P. (Phlebotomus) papatasi and P. (Larroussius) langeroni. The spermathecae of P. papatasi is composed of a pair long spermathecal ducts, a cylindrical spermatheca surrounded by a visceral muscle and a spherical gland attached by an epithelial layer. The internal histology of the spermathecae in all the four species includes: a simple epithelial layer of class 1 epidermal cells, elaborate glandular cells (class 3 epidermal cells) each having receiving and conducting ductules ("end apparatus") and a cytological apodeme, which is a new finding for the insect epidermis. The glandular cells are connected to the lumen of the spermatheca by cuticular ductules passing through a cuticular block which has a high resilin content. The spermathecal complex is enveloped in a supercontracting visceral muscular system and has a myoneural junction. Based on this study a new terminology for the spermathecal morphology is proposed. The spermathecae undergo substantial physiological changes during the female gonotrophic cycle based on studies with Phlebotomus papatasi and P. argentipes. A histochemical study revealed a mucopolysaccharide secretory-mass in the newly emerged fly. During insemination, spermatophores are deposited in the spermathecal ducts. Previous reports of mating plugs in sandflies appear to be artifacts. The histology of the spermatophore is described and the anatomical evidence for sperm competition and and II displacement presented. Blood-feeding stimulates the release of sperm from spermatophoroand then they migrate to the lumen of the spermatheca. The fine structure of spermatozoa in P. papatasi and P. argentipes during their morphological change, such as acrosomal membrane casting off described. Physical evidence suggests that P .papatasi is inseminated more than once in each gonotrophic cycle, and that further insemination is necessary for subsequent cycles. The lock-and-key hypothesis has been suggested as an important mechanism for species evolution. To test this, the length of the spermathecal duct and aedeagal filament were examined from 28 species of 13 subgenera of the Old World phelebotomine sandflies. In general, there was a positive correlation between these variables but in most taxa the aedeagal filaments were long for direct insemination of the spermathecal proper. that These findings indicate.sperm competition takes place. Given the structural diversity of the spermathecae and its significance in mating strategies, and the importance of spermathecae in phlebotomine systematics, a comparative morphological study of spermathecal variation with male genitalic variation d· was made to classify the Old World phlebotomines. Twenty nine taxa representative.all the Old World subgenera were analyzed by cladistic methods. The phylogenetic groupings based on these characters generally confirmed the presently accepted system, and that all the vectors of human leishmaniasis are in recent terminal taxa

As leishmanioses constituem um grupo de zoonoses causadas por várias espécies do gênero Leishmania. O diagnóstico molecular associado aos exames clínicos, sorológicos e parasitológicos facilitam a investigação epidemiológica e controle das infecções. A PCR convencional (cPCR) e em tempo real (qPCR) são utilizadas para detectar moléculas de DNA do parasita em diferentes amostras biológicas, no entanto, quando a carga parasitária é baixa, resultados falsos-negativos são comuns na rotina diagnóstica. O objetivo deste estudo foi o avaliar a utilidade dos iniciadores para qPCR para substituir ou associar à cPCR no diagnóstico molecular da leishmaniose visceral (LV) e leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA). Foram testados iniciadores moleculares pelo sistema TaqMan® com o objetivo de discriminar Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis e Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi a partir de sequências da actina de Leishmania. O gênero Leishmania foi identificado pelos iniciadores LEISH18S que amplifica uma região 18S de Leishmania. Os iniciadores ACTLDon amplifica uma região da actina de L. (L.) infantum chagasi. L. (V.) braziliensis foi identificada pelos iniciadores ACTLVian, que amplifica uma região da actina do complexo L. (V.) braziliensis. Foram testadas 581 amostras de DNA, extraídas de sangue, necropsias de órgãos, aspirados de linfonodo ou medula e biópsia de lesão. Para LV foram testadas 361 amostras (243 caninas e 118 humanas). Destas, 214 foram positivas na cPCR, foi o padrão ouro, e a sensibilidade com os iniciadores da qPCR variou de 92,99% (199) a 95,32% (204). A especificidade foi determinada por 147 amostras negativas na cPCR e variou de 95,91% (141) a 98,63% (145). Os índices de concordância variaram de 92,99% (RV1/RV2; LEISH18S e ACTLDon) a 95,32% (RV1-RV2 e LEISH18S). Foram testadas 220 amostras para LTA. A especificidade com os iniciadores foi determinada por 80 amostras negativas e os resultados foram 98,75% e 100% para LEISH18S e ACTLVian respectivamente, e das 140 amostras positivas na cPCR 129 (92.14%) e 124 (88,57%) foram positivas com os iniciadores LEISH18S e ACTLVian respectivamente. Os índices de concordância foram de 88,57% (LB-3C/LU-5A/ACTLVian/LEISH18S) e 92,14% (LB-3C/LU-5A e LEISH18S). Estes resultados mostram que a associação dos iniciadores para qPCR em conjunto com a cPCR pode aumentar a detecção do parasita em amostras clínicas. / Leishmaniasis are a group of zoonosis caused by several species belonging to the genus Leishmania. The molecular diagnostic associated with the clinical, serological and parasitological examination favor the epidemiological investigation and the infection control. The conventional PCR (cPCR) and the real time PCR (qPCR) are used to detect the parasite as from DNA molecules in a number of biological samples, however, when the parasite load is low, false results are common in the diagnostic routine. The ain of the present study was to evaluate the advantage of the primers in qPCR in order to replace or associate with cPCR in the molecular diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) molecular diagnostic. The primers were tested on TaqMan® system in order to discriminate Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leshmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi based on a sequence of Leishmania actin. The genus Leishmania was recognized by the primer LEISH18S, which amplifies an 18S region of Leishmania. The primer ACTLDon amplifies a region of the L. (L.) infantum chagasi actin. The L. (V.) braziliensis was determined by the primer ACTLVian and this primer amplifies a region of the L. (V.) braziliensis complex actin. A total of 581 DNA samples were tested. These samples were extracted from blood, organs necropsy, lymph node and bone marrow aspirate and lesion biopsy. A number of 361 samples (243 canine and 118 human) were tested for VL. From these 361 samples, 241 were positive in cPCR and the sensitivity in the qPCR primers ranged from 92,99% (199) to 95,32 (204). The specificity was determined by 147 negative samples in cPCR and ranged from 95,91% (141) to 98,63 % (145). The agreement indices ranged from 92,99% (RV1/RV2; LEISH18S e ACTLDon) to 95,32% (RV1-RV2 and LEISH18S). A total of 220 samples were tested for CL. The primer\'s specificity was determined by 80 negative samples and the results were 98,75% and 100% for LEISH18S and ACTLVan respectively, and from 140 positive samples in cPCR 129 (92,14%) and 124 (88,57%) were positive for primers LEISH18S and ACTLVian respectively. The agreement indices were 88,57% (LB-3/LU-5A/ACTLVian/LEISH18S) and 92,14% (LB-3C/LU-5A and LEISH18S). These results show that the primers for qPCR are likely to improve the detection of the parasite in clinical samples. These results show that the associate use of qPCR primers with cPCR primers can increase the detection of the parasite in clinical samples.

As leishmanioses constituem um grupo de zoonoses causadas por várias espécies do gênero Leishmania. O diagnóstico molecular associado aos exames clínicos, sorológicos e parasitológicos facilitam a investigação epidemiológica e controle das infecções. A PCR convencional (cPCR) e em tempo real (qPCR) são utilizadas para detectar moléculas de DNA do parasita em diferentes amostras biológicas, no entanto, quando a carga parasitária é baixa, resultados falsos-negativos são comuns na rotina diagnóstica. O objetivo deste estudo foi o avaliar a utilidade dos iniciadores para qPCR para substituir ou associar à cPCR no diagnóstico molecular da leishmaniose visceral (LV) e leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA). Foram testados iniciadores moleculares pelo sistema TaqMan® com o objetivo de discriminar Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis e Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi a partir de sequências da actina de Leishmania. O gênero Leishmania foi identificado pelos iniciadores LEISH18S que amplifica uma região 18S de Leishmania. Os iniciadores ACTLDon amplifica uma região da actina de L. (L.) infantum chagasi. L. (V.) braziliensis foi identificada pelos iniciadores ACTLVian, que amplifica uma região da actina do complexo L. (V.) braziliensis. Foram testadas 581 amostras de DNA, extraídas de sangue, necropsias de órgãos, aspirados de linfonodo ou medula e biópsia de lesão. Para LV foram testadas 361 amostras (243 caninas e 118 humanas). Destas, 214 foram positivas na cPCR, foi o padrão ouro, e a sensibilidade com os iniciadores da qPCR variou de 92,99% (199) a 95,32% (204). A especificidade foi determinada por 147 amostras negativas na cPCR e variou de 95,91% (141) a 98,63% (145). Os índices de concordância variaram de 92,99% (RV1/RV2; LEISH18S e ACTLDon) a 95,32% (RV1-RV2 e LEISH18S). Foram testadas 220 amostras para LTA. A especificidade com os iniciadores foi determinada por 80 amostras negativas e os resultados foram 98,75% e 100% para LEISH18S e ACTLVian respectivamente, e das 140 amostras positivas na cPCR 129 (92.14%) e 124 (88,57%) foram positivas com os iniciadores LEISH18S e ACTLVian respectivamente. Os índices de concordância foram de 88,57% (LB-3C/LU-5A/ACTLVian/LEISH18S) e 92,14% (LB-3C/LU-5A e LEISH18S). Estes resultados mostram que a associação dos iniciadores para qPCR em conjunto com a cPCR pode aumentar a detecção do parasita em amostras clínicas. / Leishmaniasis are a group of zoonosis caused by several species belonging to the genus Leishmania. The molecular diagnostic associated with the clinical, serological and parasitological examination favor the epidemiological investigation and the infection control. The conventional PCR (cPCR) and the real time PCR (qPCR) are used to detect the parasite as from DNA molecules in a number of biological samples, however, when the parasite load is low, false results are common in the diagnostic routine. The ain of the present study was to evaluate the advantage of the primers in qPCR in order to replace or associate with cPCR in the molecular diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) molecular diagnostic. The primers were tested on TaqMan® system in order to discriminate Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leshmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi based on a sequence of Leishmania actin. The genus Leishmania was recognized by the primer LEISH18S, which amplifies an 18S region of Leishmania. The primer ACTLDon amplifies a region of the L. (L.) infantum chagasi actin. The L. (V.) braziliensis was determined by the primer ACTLVian and this primer amplifies a region of the L. (V.) braziliensis complex actin. A total of 581 DNA samples were tested. These samples were extracted from blood, organs necropsy, lymph node and bone marrow aspirate and lesion biopsy. A number of 361 samples (243 canine and 118 human) were tested for VL. From these 361 samples, 241 were positive in cPCR and the sensitivity in the qPCR primers ranged from 92,99% (199) to 95,32 (204). The specificity was determined by 147 negative samples in cPCR and ranged from 95,91% (141) to 98,63 % (145). The agreement indices ranged from 92,99% (RV1/RV2; LEISH18S e ACTLDon) to 95,32% (RV1-RV2 and LEISH18S). A total of 220 samples were tested for CL. The primer\'s specificity was determined by 80 negative samples and the results were 98,75% and 100% for LEISH18S and ACTLVan respectively, and from 140 positive samples in cPCR 129 (92,14%) and 124 (88,57%) were positive for primers LEISH18S and ACTLVian respectively. The agreement indices were 88,57% (LB-3/LU-5A/ACTLVian/LEISH18S) and 92,14% (LB-3C/LU-5A and LEISH18S). These results show that the primers for qPCR are likely to improve the detection of the parasite in clinical samples. These results show that the associate use of qPCR primers with cPCR primers can increase the detection of the parasite in clinical samples.

Leishmaniases is a group of diseases caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. The estimated number of deaths from visceral leishmaniases ranges from 20,000 to 50,000 annually. The most common treatment over the past 60 years has been pentavalent antimonials. Besides the doubtful effectiveness, they present several disadvantages such as the need for parenteral administration, large doses, long treatment, severe toxicity and parasite resistance. Buparvaquone (BPQ), a drug used for veterinary treatment of theileriosis, showed promising activity against Leishmania spp. However, due to its low aqueous solubility and bioavailability, it has failed in in vivo tests. The use of nanotechnologies has the potential to overcome these drawbacks due to the following advantages: increase in drug water-solubility, increase in therapeutic efficacy and treatment toxicity reduction. Therefore, the present work aimed the development, optimization, physical-chemical evaluation and in vitro performances of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for BPQ encapsulation. The NLC preparation was performed by high pressure homogenization, and surface response and factorial design were applied to formulation optimization. In vitro dissolution profiles were evaluated in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 with tween 80 0.07% w/v or sodium dodecyl sulfate 1% w/v and simulated body fluid pH 7.4. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in mouse peritoneal macrophages and leishmanicidal activity in L. infantum amastigotes. Six optimized NCL were prepared and they showed solubility improvement from 1.5- fold to 611-fold when compared with free BPQ, depending on the formulation and medium. Dissolution profiles showed the NLC formulation suitability for BPQ regarding oral administration, the release could reach 83.29% of a 4mg dose in 30 minutes for formulation of 175.1 nm, while the free drug could be dissolved only 2.89% of the same dose after 4 hours. Moreover, formulation of 230.7 nm showed 81.42% of drug release in in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 with dodecyl sulfate 1.0% w/v after 30 minutes, while BPQ did not dissolved. Cytotoxicity assay showed the safety of all formulations. The iv CC50 values were close to 500 µM, while the IC50 against amastigotes was only 456.5 nM for free BPQ. Developed NLCs showed an increase in IC50 from 2.0 to 3.1-fold when compared to free drug in the in vitro leishmanicidal evaluation. Therefore, the NLC containing BPQ are a promising alternative for the treatment of leishmaniases as oral and parenteral drug dosage forms. Additionally, they have a potential use for lymphatic targeted drug delivery, which can be an innovative approach for this neglected disease. / Leishmanioses são um grupo de doenças causadas por parasitas do gênero Leishmania. O número estimado de óbitos por leishmaniose visceral varia entre 20.000 e 50.000 por ano. O tratamento mais comum nos últimos 60 anos tem sido os antimônios pentavalentes. Além da eficácia duvidosa, eles apresentam várias desvantagens, como a necessidade de administração parenteral, altas doses, tratamento prolongado, toxicidade severa e resistência parasitária. Buparvaquona (BPQ), um fármaco usado para tratamento veterinário da teileriose, mostrou atividade promissora contra Leishmania donovani. No entanto, devido à sua baixa solubilidade e biodisponibilidade aquosa, falhou em testes in vivo. O uso das nanotecnologias tem o potencial de superar esses obstáculos devido às seguintes vantagens: aumento da solubilidade em água, aumento da eficácia terapêutica e redução da toxicidade do tratamento. Portanto, o presente trabalho objetivou o desenvolvimento, otimização, avaliação físico-química e avaliação do desempenho in vitro de carreadores lipídicos nanoestruturados (NLC) para o encapsulação da BPQ. A preparação do NLC foi realizada por homogeneização de alta pressão e superfície de resposta e planejamento fatorial foram aplicados à otimização das formulações. Os perfis de dissolução in vitro foram avaliados em tampão fosfato pH 7.4 com tween 80 a 0.07% p/v ou dodecilsulfato de sódio 1.0% p/v e fluido corporal simulado pH 7.4. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada em macrófagos peritoneais de camundongos e atividade leishmanicida em amastigotas de L. infantum. Foram preparados quatro NCL otimizados e mostraram melhora da solubilidade de 1,5 a 611 vezes quando comparado com a BPQ livre, dependendo da formulação e do meio. Os perfis de dissolução mostraram a adequação da formulação NLC para BPQ em relação à administração oral. A dissolução pode atingir 83,29% de uma dose de 4.0 mg em 30 minutos para a formulação de 175,1 nm, enquanto o fármaco livre dissolveu apenas vi 2,89% da mesma dose após 4 horas. Além disso, a formulação de 230,7 nm mostrou 81,42% de liberação do fármaco em tampão fosfato pH 7.4 com dodecil sulfato de sódio 1.0% p/v após 30 minutos, enquanto o BPQ não se dissolveu. O teste de citotoxicidade mostrou a segurança de todas as formulações. Os valores CC50 foram próximos de 500 µM, enquanto o IC50 em amastigotas foi de apenas 456,5 nM para BPQ livre. Os NLC desenvolvidos mostraram um aumento no IC50 de 2,0 a 3,1 vezes quando comparado ao;fármaco livre na avaliação leishmanicida in vitro. Logo, as NLC contendo BPQ são uma alternativa promissora para o tratamento de leishmanioses como formas farmacêuticas oral e parenteral. Além disso, eles têm um uso potencial para a sítio-específico ao sistema linfático, o que pode ser uma abordagem inovadora para esta doença negligenciada.

Leishmaniases is a group of diseases caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. The estimated number of deaths from visceral leishmaniases ranges from 20,000 to 50,000 annually. The most common treatment over the past 60 years has been pentavalent antimonials. Besides the doubtful effectiveness, they present several disadvantages such as the need for parenteral administration, large doses, long treatment, severe toxicity and parasite resistance. Buparvaquone (BPQ), a drug used for veterinary treatment of theileriosis, showed promising activity against Leishmania spp. However, due to its low aqueous solubility and bioavailability, it has failed in in vivo tests. The use of nanotechnologies has the potential to overcome these drawbacks due to the following advantages: increase in drug water-solubility, increase in therapeutic efficacy and treatment toxicity reduction. Therefore, the present work aimed the development, optimization, physical-chemical evaluation and in vitro performances of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for BPQ encapsulation. The NLC preparation was performed by high pressure homogenization, and surface response and factorial design were applied to formulation optimization. In vitro dissolution profiles were evaluated in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 with tween 80 0.07% w/v or sodium dodecyl sulfate 1% w/v and simulated body fluid pH 7.4. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in mouse peritoneal macrophages and leishmanicidal activity in L. infantum amastigotes. Six optimized NCL were prepared and they showed solubility improvement from 1.5- fold to 611-fold when compared with free BPQ, depending on the formulation and medium. Dissolution profiles showed the NLC formulation suitability for BPQ regarding oral administration, the release could reach 83.29% of a 4mg dose in 30 minutes for formulation of 175.1 nm, while the free drug could be dissolved only 2.89% of the same dose after 4 hours. Moreover, formulation of 230.7 nm showed 81.42% of drug release in in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 with dodecyl sulfate 1.0% w/v after 30 minutes, while BPQ did not dissolved. Cytotoxicity assay showed the safety of all formulations. The iv CC50 values were close to 500 µM, while the IC50 against amastigotes was only 456.5 nM for free BPQ. Developed NLCs showed an increase in IC50 from 2.0 to 3.1-fold when compared to free drug in the in vitro leishmanicidal evaluation. Therefore, the NLC containing BPQ are a promising alternative for the treatment of leishmaniases as oral and parenteral drug dosage forms. Additionally, they have a potential use for lymphatic targeted drug delivery, which can be an innovative approach for this neglected disease. / Leishmanioses são um grupo de doenças causadas por parasitas do gênero Leishmania. O número estimado de óbitos por leishmaniose visceral varia entre 20.000 e 50.000 por ano. O tratamento mais comum nos últimos 60 anos tem sido os antimônios pentavalentes. Além da eficácia duvidosa, eles apresentam várias desvantagens, como a necessidade de administração parenteral, altas doses, tratamento prolongado, toxicidade severa e resistência parasitária. Buparvaquona (BPQ), um fármaco usado para tratamento veterinário da teileriose, mostrou atividade promissora contra Leishmania donovani. No entanto, devido à sua baixa solubilidade e biodisponibilidade aquosa, falhou em testes in vivo. O uso das nanotecnologias tem o potencial de superar esses obstáculos devido às seguintes vantagens: aumento da solubilidade em água, aumento da eficácia terapêutica e redução da toxicidade do tratamento. Portanto, o presente trabalho objetivou o desenvolvimento, otimização, avaliação físico-química e avaliação do desempenho in vitro de carreadores lipídicos nanoestruturados (NLC) para o encapsulação da BPQ. A preparação do NLC foi realizada por homogeneização de alta pressão e superfície de resposta e planejamento fatorial foram aplicados à otimização das formulações. Os perfis de dissolução in vitro foram avaliados em tampão fosfato pH 7.4 com tween 80 a 0.07% p/v ou dodecilsulfato de sódio 1.0% p/v e fluido corporal simulado pH 7.4. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada em macrófagos peritoneais de camundongos e atividade leishmanicida em amastigotas de L. infantum. Foram preparados quatro NCL otimizados e mostraram melhora da solubilidade de 1,5 a 611 vezes quando comparado com a BPQ livre, dependendo da formulação e do meio. Os perfis de dissolução mostraram a adequação da formulação NLC para BPQ em relação à administração oral. A dissolução pode atingir 83,29% de uma dose de 4.0 mg em 30 minutos para a formulação de 175,1 nm, enquanto o fármaco livre dissolveu apenas vi 2,89% da mesma dose após 4 horas. Além disso, a formulação de 230,7 nm mostrou 81,42% de liberação do fármaco em tampão fosfato pH 7.4 com dodecil sulfato de sódio 1.0% p/v após 30 minutos, enquanto o BPQ não se dissolveu. O teste de citotoxicidade mostrou a segurança de todas as formulações. Os valores CC50 foram próximos de 500 µM, enquanto o IC50 em amastigotas foi de apenas 456,5 nM para BPQ livre. Os NLC desenvolvidos mostraram um aumento no IC50 de 2,0 a 3,1 vezes quando comparado ao;fármaco livre na avaliação leishmanicida in vitro. Logo, as NLC contendo BPQ são uma alternativa promissora para o tratamento de leishmanioses como formas farmacêuticas oral e parenteral. Além disso, eles têm um uso potencial para a sítio-específico ao sistema linfático, o que pode ser uma abordagem inovadora para esta doença negligenciada.

Leishmaniosen gehören zu den tropischen Krankheiten und bedrohen geschätzte 350 Millionen Menschen in 88 Ländern weltweit. Die schwerste Form, viszerale Leishmaniose, betrifft die ärmsten Bevölkerungsschichten und ist die Ursache für circa 50 000 Todesfälle pro Jahr. Es wird angenommen, dass die Entwicklung eines Impfstoffs möglich ist, aber trotz aller Bemühungen, steht derzeit noch kein Impfstoff zur Verfügung. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde ein Impfstoff gegen viszerale Leishmaniose entwickelt und in vivo auf pre-klinischer Ebene getestet. Des Weiteren wurden rekombinante Membranvesikel konstruiert, um ein Boostreagenz zu erhalten. Die Herstellung sowohl des rekombinanten Salmonellenimpfstoffs als auch der Membranvesikel sollte, trotz des geringen Handelspreis, ökonomisch praktikabel sein, was besonders wichtig ist für Menschen in den betroffenen Entwicklungsländern. Der erste Schritt war die Auswahl neuartiger Antigenkandidaten aus einem Proteomics Datensatz, in dem beide Leishmania Lebensformen verglichen wurden. Der Schwerpunkt wurde auf abundante, hypothetische Proteine gelegt, die sowohl in Pro- als auch Amastigoten identifiziert wurden, in Leishmanienarten hochkonserviert sind aber gleichzeitig keine Sequenzhomologien zu humanen und murinen Proteinen besitzen. Diese Antigene wurden in unterschiedlicher Menge auf der Oberfläche und im Cytoplasma von S. typhimurium SL3261 und auch auf Membranvesikeln exprimiert. Impfstämme wurden selektiert in Hinsicht auf ihre bakterielle Fitness und Antigenexpression. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass LinJ08.1140-, LinJ23.0410-exprimierende Impfstämme oder eine Mischung dieser in der Lage waren besonders anfällige BALB/c Mäuse vor L. major und wichtiger L. donovani Infektion zu schützen. Analyse der humoralen Immunantwort deutet darauf hin, dass der Impfschutz das Ergbnis einer TH1 Antwort war. Erste Schritte zur Aufklärung struktureller und funktioneller Eigenschaften von LinJ08.1140 wurden unternommen. Es wird allgemein angenommen, dass antigenspezifische CD4+ und CD8+ T-Zellen am Schutz beteiligt sind. Daher wurde für LinJ08.1140 potentielle MHC-I Epitope mit Hilfe von bioinformatischen Programmen vorhergesagt. Zusätzlich deuten Fluoreszenz-färbungen mit antigenspezifischen Antikörpern in L. major Promastigoten darauf hin, dass LinJ08.1140 eine Rolle bei der Zellteilung spielt. / Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease and currently an estimated 350 million people in 88 countries around the world are at risk. Its most severe form, visceral leishmaniasis, affects the poorest people in a population and causes an estimated 50 000 deaths every year. Vaccination is thought to be feasible but despite all efforts, no vaccine is yet available. Vaccines will mainly be targeted for people in developing countries such as India, thus focus has to be placed on affordability. In this thesis a vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis was designed and evaluated in vivo at pre-clinical level. Furthermore, recombinant outer membrane vesicles were developed in an attempt to create a booster reagent. Both, the recombinant salmonella vaccine and the preparation of outer membrane vesicles should be commercially viable, and can still be sold at low prices, which is crucial for people in developing countries. First, novel antigen candidates were selected using proteomics data comparing leishmania life stages. Abundant and hypothetic proteins, which have been identified in both parasite life stages and have high sequence homology throughout Leishmania species while lacking homologues in human and mouse, were selected. These antigens were differentially expressed on the surface or in the cytosol of S. typhimurium SL3261 and in the form of outer membrane vesicles. A two step procedure was developed to select optimised vaccine strains based on bacterial fitness and antigen expression. Selected salmonella strains expressing LinJ08.1140, LinJ23.0410 or an admixture of these strains are shown to protect susceptible BALB/c mice by reducing visceralisation of L. major and more importantly L. donovani infections. Analysis of vaccine specific antibody responses suggests that protection resulted from induction of a TH1 response. First steps were undertaken towards resolving functional and structural properties of the most protective antigen LinJ08.1140. Putative MHC-I epitopes of antigen LinJ08.1140 were predicted using bioinformatics since antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are believed to be required. In addition, immunofluorescent staining of LinJ08.1140 in L. major promastigotes suggested a functional role for this antigen in parasite cell division, since especially dividing cells emmited a strong fluorescence signal.

Submitted by Geandra Rodrigues (geandrar@gmail.com) on 2018-03-28T11:47:33Z No. of bitstreams: 0 / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2018-03-28T17:39:03Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-28T17:39:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-02-20 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As leishmanioses são um conjunto de doenças infecciosas causadas por protozoários do gênero Leishmania sp, responsáveis por um grande impacto socioeconômico mundial. Os tratamentos disponíveis para leishmanioses são limitados por apresentarem alta toxicidade, administração parenteral prolongada, alto custo e efeitos colaterais. Os esteroides constituem um grupo de compostos bastante diversificados com variada aplicabilidade na farmacologia. No entanto, a atividade antileishmanial desta classe ainda é pouco explorada. No presente trabalho, investigamos os efeitos antileishmanial de derivados sintéticos do colesterol e dos ácidos biliares cólico e desoxicólico. Além disso, determinamos, in vitro, possíveis alvos/alterações celulares importantes na atividade biológica do composto mais promissor, bem como analisamos in silico sua biodisponibilidade oral e propriedades farmacocinéticas. A atividade antipromastigota em Leishmania sp e citotoxicidade em macrófagos peritoneais foram determinadas pelo método colorimétrico MTT. A atividade antiamastigota foi avaliada em macrófagos infectados com L. amazonensis RFP após 72 horas de tratamento através de fluorimetria. Os efeitos do melhor composto em alvos celulares foram realizados utilizando marcação fluorescentes em promastigotas tratadas, e as análises in silico foram realizadas através de uma simulação computacional. Em uma análise geral dos resultados obtidos pelos testes in vitro, observa-se que entre os derivados esteroidais testados neste trabalho, os derivados do ácido desoxicólico apresentaram o melhor efeito antileishmanial para as formas promastigotas e amastigotas in vitro. Dentre esta série de compostos, o composto 11d (CI50 = 15,04 μM) é o mais seletivo para amastigotas de L. amazonensis (IS >9,78) e o mais específico para a forma intracelular desta espécie. Este composto tem como provável alvo celular a mitocôndria, aumentando a produção de EROs e diminuindo o potencial de membrana mitocondrial. Além do mais, o composto mostrou causar danos no conteúdo de DNA do parasito. Estudos das propriedades físico-químicas e farmacocinéticas do composto 11d mostrou que ele possui capacidade de permear por membranas biológicas sendo possível a administração por via oral. / Leishmaniasis is a group of infectious diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania sp, responsible for a great socioeconomic impact worldwide. The available treatments for leishmaniasis are limited because they present high toxicity, parenteral administration, high cost and side effects. Steroids are a diversified group of compounds with varied applicability in pharmacology. However, the antileishmanial activity of this class is still little explored. In the present work, we investigated the antileishmanial effects of groups of steroidal derivatives: cholesterol; colic and deoxycholic acid. In addition, we determined, in vitro, possible important cellular targets/alterations in the biological activity of the most promising compound and in silico analysis of its oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. The antipromastigote activity in Leishmania sp and cytotoxicity in peritoneal macrophages were determined by the colorimetric method MTT. The antiamastigote activity was evaluated in with L. amazonensis-infected macrophages after 72 hours of treatment. The effects of the best compound on promastigote targets were performed using fluorescent labeling on treated promastigotes, and in silico analyzes were performed using computational tools. In a general analysis of the results obtained by the in vitro tests, it is observed that among the steroid derivatives tested in this work, the derivatives of deoxycholic acid presented the best antileishmanial effect for the promastigote and amastigote forms in vitro. Among this series of compounds, compound 11d (IC50 = 15.34 μM) is the most selective for L. amazonensis (SI>9.78) and the most specific for the intracellular form of this species. This compound has as probable cellular target the mitochondria, increasing the ROS production and decreasing the ΔΨm. Moreover, the compound has been shown to cause damage to the DNA content of the parasite. In silico studies of the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of compound 11d showed that it has the ability to permeate through biological membranes and oral administration is possible.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2018-09-04T12:21:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 julianaalvesdossantos.pdf: 6726995 bytes, checksum: 163bba695e13c229bbca29494d3542e4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2018-09-04T13:16:46Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 julianaalvesdossantos.pdf: 6726995 bytes, checksum: 163bba695e13c229bbca29494d3542e4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-04T13:16:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 julianaalvesdossantos.pdf: 6726995 bytes, checksum: 163bba695e13c229bbca29494d3542e4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-13 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A presente tese, intitulada "Preparação e avaliação biológica de conjugados esteroides/bases de Schiff" trata, sobretudo, da preparação, caracterização e avaliação do potencial biológico de compostos orgânicos contendo uma porção esteroidal associada a uma base de Schiff nos quais a conjugação se deu nas posições C-3 ou C-24 dos núcleos esteroidais cólico, desoxicólico ou colesterol. Além destes, encontra-se descrita também a preparação de derivados destas duas classes de compostos de forma não conjugada. Os compostos aqui descritos foram preparados através da utilização de metodologias clássicas em síntese orgânica, as quais envolvem a formação de amidas, reações de esterificação e formação de iminas; todas relacionadas à química de compostos carbonílicos. As estruturas químicas dos produtos obtidos, bem como as dos intermediários sintéticos, foram devidamente confirmadas por espectroscopia no infravermelho, de ressonância magnética nuclear de próton e de carbono, por espectrometria de massas, além de faixa de fusão e análise elementar. Os compostos sintetizados foram avaliados como potenciais antiparasitários (leishmanicidas e antimaláricos), antibacterianos (antituberculosos) e antioxidantes (inibidores do radical DPPH). Tais propriedades foram selecionadas por já serem atividades descritas para as duas classes de moléculas exploradas neste trabalho- derivados esteroidais e bases de Schiff. Baseado nas estruturas dos compostos descritos neste trabalho realizou-se também testes de avaliação da atividade fotoprotetora (fatores de proteção solar UVA e UVB e determinação do comprimento de onda crítico) de alguns dos conjugados obtidos. Grande parte dos compostos sintéticos apresentaram atividade biológica promissora. / The thesis entitled ―Preparation and biological evaluation of conjugated steroids/Schiff bases‖ deals mainly with the preparation, characterization and evaluation of the biological potential of organic compounds containing a steroid portion associated with a Schiff base in which the conjugation occurred the C-3 or C-24 positions of the steroid nucleus cholic, deoxycholic or cholesterol. In addition, is also described the preparation of derivatives of these two classes of compounds in non conjugated form. The compounds described herein were prepared by using classical methods of organic synthesis, which involves amide formation, sterification and imine formation; all related to chemistry of carbonyl compounds. The chemical structures of the obtained products, as well as synthetic intermediates were confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance of proton and carbon, by mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and melting point. The synthesized compounds were evaluated as potential antiparasitic (antileishmanial and antimalarial), antibacterial (antituberculosis) and antioxidants (DPPH radical inhibitors). These properties have been selected by already being activities described for the two classes of molecules explored in this work-steroidal derivatives and bases Schiff. Based on the structures of the compounds described in this work also conducted evaluation tests of sunscreen activity (sun protection factor UVA and UVB, and determining the critical wavelength) of some of the conjugates. Much of the synthetic compounds showed promising biological activity.