An inclusive assessment of apoptosis mechanisms in Leishmania species: A narrative literature review

Leishmaniasis, the most neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, poses a substantial global health concern. The present review provides an in-depth overview of current findings on apoptosis and cell death mechanisms in leishmaniasis, integrating current advan...

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Main Authors: Soheil Sadr, Iraj Sharifi, Solmaz Morovati, Helia Sepahvand, Shakiba Nazemian, Mehdi Bamorovat, Zahra Rezaeian, Baharak Akhtardanesh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X25000202
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author Soheil Sadr
Iraj Sharifi
Solmaz Morovati
Helia Sepahvand
Shakiba Nazemian
Mehdi Bamorovat
Zahra Rezaeian
Baharak Akhtardanesh
author_facet Soheil Sadr
Iraj Sharifi
Solmaz Morovati
Helia Sepahvand
Shakiba Nazemian
Mehdi Bamorovat
Zahra Rezaeian
Baharak Akhtardanesh
author_sort Soheil Sadr
collection DOAJ
description Leishmaniasis, the most neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, poses a substantial global health concern. The present review provides an in-depth overview of current findings on apoptosis and cell death mechanisms in leishmaniasis, integrating current advancements and key components. It explores the intricate interaction between Leishmania spp. and host cell apoptosis, a crucial basis of disease outcome. Leishmania spp. and host cell death pathways interplay is highly complex and multi-layered, and the current review discusses how Leishmania parasites manipulate host cell apoptotic signal transduction to establish and sustain infection. This includes the subversion of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic signaling, the modulation of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins, and managing host cell death machinery for their survival and pathogenesis. Moreover, the present review explores the emerging evidence of apoptosis in Leishmania parasites. This fascinating phenomenon, while less widely studied, recommends immense therapeutic potential in targeting parasite-persistent mechanisms. Finally, we critically analyze the challenges and future directions in this field, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of the merits and mediator molecular mechanisms underlying Leishmania-induced apoptosis and its implications for novel therapeutic strategies against this debilitating disease.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-0758f8fecbc04b099a499ee15f341afc2025-08-20T03:21:52ZengElsevierCurrent Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases2667-114X2025-01-01710026010.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100260An inclusive assessment of apoptosis mechanisms in Leishmania species: A narrative literature reviewSoheil Sadr0Iraj Sharifi1Solmaz Morovati2Helia Sepahvand3Shakiba Nazemian4Mehdi Bamorovat5Zahra Rezaeian6Baharak Akhtardanesh7Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, IranLeishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Corresponding author.Division of Biotechnology, Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, IranUniversity of Tehran, Tehran, IranDepartment of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, IranLeishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranLeishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, IranLeishmaniasis, the most neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, poses a substantial global health concern. The present review provides an in-depth overview of current findings on apoptosis and cell death mechanisms in leishmaniasis, integrating current advancements and key components. It explores the intricate interaction between Leishmania spp. and host cell apoptosis, a crucial basis of disease outcome. Leishmania spp. and host cell death pathways interplay is highly complex and multi-layered, and the current review discusses how Leishmania parasites manipulate host cell apoptotic signal transduction to establish and sustain infection. This includes the subversion of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic signaling, the modulation of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins, and managing host cell death machinery for their survival and pathogenesis. Moreover, the present review explores the emerging evidence of apoptosis in Leishmania parasites. This fascinating phenomenon, while less widely studied, recommends immense therapeutic potential in targeting parasite-persistent mechanisms. Finally, we critically analyze the challenges and future directions in this field, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of the merits and mediator molecular mechanisms underlying Leishmania-induced apoptosis and its implications for novel therapeutic strategies against this debilitating disease.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X25000202LeishmaniasisApoptosisProgrammed cell deathParasite-host interactionsImmune evasionDrug discovery
spellingShingle Soheil Sadr
Iraj Sharifi
Solmaz Morovati
Helia Sepahvand
Shakiba Nazemian
Mehdi Bamorovat
Zahra Rezaeian
Baharak Akhtardanesh
An inclusive assessment of apoptosis mechanisms in Leishmania species: A narrative literature review
Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases
Leishmaniasis
Apoptosis
Programmed cell death
Parasite-host interactions
Immune evasion
Drug discovery
title An inclusive assessment of apoptosis mechanisms in Leishmania species: A narrative literature review
title_full An inclusive assessment of apoptosis mechanisms in Leishmania species: A narrative literature review
title_fullStr An inclusive assessment of apoptosis mechanisms in Leishmania species: A narrative literature review
title_full_unstemmed An inclusive assessment of apoptosis mechanisms in Leishmania species: A narrative literature review
title_short An inclusive assessment of apoptosis mechanisms in Leishmania species: A narrative literature review
title_sort inclusive assessment of apoptosis mechanisms in leishmania species a narrative literature review
topic Leishmaniasis
Apoptosis
Programmed cell death
Parasite-host interactions
Immune evasion
Drug discovery
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X25000202
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