Publication
Title
Long-term hematopoietic stem cells trigger quiescence in Leishmania parasites
Author
Abstract
Addressing the challenges of quiescence and post-treatment relapse is of utmost importance in the microbiology field. This study shows that Leishmania infantum and L. donovani parasites rapidly enter into quiescence after an estimated 2–3 divisions in both human and mouse bone marrow stem cells. Interestingly, this behavior is not observed in macrophages, which are the primary host cells of the Leishmania parasite. Transcriptional comparison of the quiescent and non-quiescent metabolic states confirmed the overall decrease of gene expression as a hallmark of quiescence. Quiescent amastigotes display a reduced size and signs of a rapid evolutionary adaptation response with genetic alterations. Our study provides further evidence that this quiescent state significantly enhances resistance to treatment. Moreover, transitioning through quiescence is highly compatible with sand fly transmission and increases the potential of parasites to infect cells. Collectively, this work identified stem cells in the bone marrow as a niche where Leishmania quiescence occurs, with important implications for antiparasitic treatment and acquisition of virulence traits.
Language
English
Source (journal)
PLoS pathogens. - San Francisco, Calif.
Publication
San Francisco, Calif. : 2024
ISSN
1553-7366
1553-7374
DOI
10.1371/JOURNAL.PPAT.1012181
Volume/pages
20 :4 (2024) , p. 1-21
Article Reference
e1012181
ISI
001209022100001
Pubmed ID
38656959
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Characterizing the bone marrow as a parasitological niche responsible for antileishmanial treatment failure.
Scrutinizing the role of mast cells during human and murine Leishmania infections.
Veterinary and human parasitology.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 29.04.2024
Last edited 06.07.2024
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