Photobiology Applied to Health (PhotoBioS Lab), Universidade Do Vale Do Paraíba, Av. Shishima Hifumi, 2911, Urbanova, São José Dos Campos, SP, Brazil.
Cancer Molecular Biology Laboratory, Universidade Do Vale Do Paraíba, Av. Shishima Hifumi, 2911, Urbanova, São José Dos Campos, SP, Brazil.
Parasitol Res. 2024 Feb 29;123(2):146. doi: 10.1007/s00436-024-08155-8.
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease mainly affecting low-income populations. Conventional treatment involves several side effects, is expensive, and, in addition, protozoa can develop resistance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising alternative in treating the disease. PDT involves applying light at a specific wavelength to activate a photosensitive compound (photosensitizer, PS), to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Curcumin and its photochemical characteristics make it a good candidate for photodynamic therapy. Studies evaluating gene expression can help to understand the molecular events involved in the cell death caused by PDT. In the present study, RNA was extracted from promastigotes from the control and treated groups after applying PDT. RT-qPCR was performed to verify the expression of the putative ATPase beta subunit (ATPS), ATP synthase subunit A (F0F1), argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS), ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2), glycoprotein 63 (GP63), superoxide dismutase (FeSODA), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) genes (QR). The results suggest that PDT altered the expression of genes that participate in oxidative stress and cell death pathways, such as ATPS, FeSODA, and G6PD. The ATP-F0F1, ASS, and GP63 genes did not have their expression altered. However, it is essential to highlight that other genes may be involved in the molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress and, consequently, in the death of parasites.
利什曼病是一种主要影响低收入人群的被忽视疾病。传统的治疗方法涉及多种副作用，费用昂贵，此外，原生动物可能会产生抗药性。光动力疗法（PDT）是治疗这种疾病的一种很有前途的替代方法。PDT 涉及在特定波长下应用光来激活光敏化合物（光敏剂，PS），以产生活性氧物种（ROS）。姜黄素及其光化学特性使其成为光动力疗法的良好候选物。评估基因表达的研究有助于了解 PDT 引起的细胞死亡所涉及的分子事件。在本研究中，从对照组和治疗组的前鞭毛体中提取 RNA，然后应用 PDT。进行 RT-qPCR 以验证假定的 ATP 酶β亚基（ATPS）、ATP 合酶亚基 A（F0F1）、精氨酸琥珀酸合酶 1（ASS）、ABC 盒亚家族 G 成员 2（ABCG2）、糖蛋白 63（GP63）、超氧化物歧化酶（FeSODA）和葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶（G6PDH）基因（QR）的表达。结果表明，PDT 改变了参与氧化应激和细胞死亡途径的基因的表达，如 ATPS、FeSODA 和 G6PD。ATP-F0F1、ASS 和 GP63 基因的表达没有改变。然而，必须强调的是，其他基因可能参与氧化应激的分子机制，从而参与寄生虫的死亡。
