Recent advances in surface plasmon resonance as a powerful approach for studying Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi parasites

Abstract

Leishmaniases and Chagas disease pose significant health challenges, particularly in tropical regions among impoverished communities. These conditions prevail in areas characterized by limited resources and have necessitated the continuous development of various techniques for the detection and identification of causative parasites of both diseases since the early 20th century. The demand for rapid, sensitive, and practical diagnostic tools, especially for point-of-care applications, has led to the exploration of biosensors as a promising approach to addressing this critical need. This review discusses Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technology, as a robust and sensitive tool to assess proteins from Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi, as well as their interplay within host organisms. Closely related methodologies, encompassing both SPR and SPR Imaging (SPRi), underscoring their contributions to unraveling the intricate dynamics inherent to the host-parasite interface are addressed. Furthermore, practical aspects of SPR experimentation, including the utilization of sensor chips featuring self-assembled monolayer-based gold surfaces and non-cross-linked carboxymethylated dextran, are shown as an update on our understanding of SPR assays in the context of molecular recognitions within the parasite-host interaction framework. Recent discoveries encompassing parasite biology, interactions with compounds relevant to chemotherapy, and the intricate interplay of cellular, humoral, and innate immune responses, all facilitated by SPR technology are discussed.

Keywords

• Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)
• Trypanosoma cruzi
• Leishmania spp.
• Parasite diagnosis
• Therapeutic targets