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Pasquarelli RR, Quan JJ, Cheng ES, Yang V, Britton TA, Sha J, Wohlschlegel JA, Bradley PJ. Characterization and functional analysis of Toxoplasma Golgi-associated proteins identified by proximity labeling. mBio 2024:e0238024. [PMID: 39345210 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02380-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii possesses a highly polarized secretory pathway that contains both broadly conserved eukaryotic organelles and unique apicomplexan organelles, which play essential roles in the parasite's lytic cycle. As in other eukaryotes, the T. gondii Golgi apparatus sorts and modifies proteins prior to their distribution to downstream organelles. Many of the typical trafficking factors found involved in these processes are missing from apicomplexan genomes, suggesting that these parasites have evolved unique proteins to fill these roles. Here, we identify a Golgi-localizing protein (ULP1), which is structurally similar to the eukaryotic trafficking factor p115/Uso1. We demonstrate that depletion of ULP1 leads to a dramatic reduction in parasite fitness that is the result of defects in microneme secretion, invasion, replication, and egress. Using ULP1 as bait for TurboID proximity labeling and immunoprecipitation, we identify 11 more Golgi-associated proteins and demonstrate that ULP1 interacts with the T. gondii-conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex. These proteins include both conserved trafficking factors and parasite-specific proteins. Using a conditional knockdown approach, we assess the effect of each of these 11 proteins on parasite fitness. Together, this work reveals a diverse set of T. gondii Golgi-associated proteins that play distinct roles in the secretory pathway. As several of these proteins are absent outside of the Apicomplexa, they represent potential targets for the development of novel therapeutics against these parasites. IMPORTANCE Apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii infect a large percentage of the world's population and cause substantial human disease. These widespread pathogens use specialized secretory organelles to infect their host cells, modulate host cell functions, and cause disease. While the functions of the secretory organelles are now better understood, the Golgi apparatus of the parasite remains largely unexplored, particularly regarding parasite-specific innovations that may help direct traffic intracellularly. In this work, we characterize ULP1, a protein that is unique to parasites but shares structural similarity to the eukaryotic trafficking factor p115/Uso1. We show that ULP1 plays an important role in parasite fitness and demonstrate that it interacts with the conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex. We then use ULP1 proximity labeling to identify 11 additional Golgi-associated proteins, which we functionally analyze via conditional knockdown. This work expands our knowledge of the Toxoplasma Golgi apparatus and identifies potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Justin J Quan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Emily S Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Vivian Yang
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Timmie A Britton
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jihui Sha
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - James A Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Peter J Bradley
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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2
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Arya A, Chaudhry S, Yadav K, Tamang S, Meena SS, Matlani M, Pande V, Singh V. Screening Clinical, Laboratory and Host Markers for Diagnosis of Disease Severity in Plasmodium vivax Clinical Samples. Indian J Microbiol 2024; 64:1278-1289. [PMID: 39282159 PMCID: PMC11399495 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-024-01324-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most infectious disease that affects lives of million people throughout the world. Recently, there are several reports which indicate Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) causing severe disease in infected patients from different parts of the world. For P. vivax disease severity, the data related to immunological and inflammatory status in human host is very limited. In the present study clinical parameters, cytokine profile and integrin gene were analyzed in P. vivax clinical patients. A total of 169 P. vivax samples were collected and categorized into severe vivax malaria (SVM; n = 106) and non-severe vivax malaria (NSVM; n = 63) according to WHO severity criteria. We measured host biomarker levels of interferon (IFN-γ), superoxide dismutase (SOD-1), interleukins viz. (IL-6, IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in patient plasma samples by ELISA for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in severe malaria. Host integrin gene was genotyped using PCR assay. In our study, thrombocytopenia and anemia were major symptoms in severe P. vivax patients. In analyzed SVM and NSVM groups a significant increase in cytokine levels (IL-10, IL-6, and TNF-α) and anti-oxidant enzyme SOD-1 was found. Our study results also showed a higher pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ) to anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokine ratio in severe vivax patients. Integrin gene showed no mutation with respect to thrombocytopenic patients among clinically defined groups. It was observed that severe vivax cases had increased cytokine levels irrespective of age and sex of the patients along with thrombocytopenia and other clinical manifestations. The results of current findings could serve as baseline data for evaluating severe malaria parameters during P. vivax infections and will help in developing an effective biomarker for diagnosis. Graphical Abstract Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-024-01324-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Arya
- Cell Biology Laboratory and Malaria Parasite Bank, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263001 India
| | - Shewta Chaudhry
- Cell Biology Laboratory and Malaria Parasite Bank, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263001 India
| | - Karmveer Yadav
- Cell Biology Laboratory and Malaria Parasite Bank, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Suman Tamang
- Cell Biology Laboratory and Malaria Parasite Bank, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Shyam Sundar Meena
- Department of Pediatrics VMMC, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Monika Matlani
- Department of Microbiology, VMMC, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Veena Pande
- Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263001 India
| | - Vineeta Singh
- Cell Biology Laboratory and Malaria Parasite Bank, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh India
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3
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Molina-de la Fuente I, Tahita MC, Bérenger K, Ta Tang TH, García L, González V, Benito A, Hübschen JM, Tinto H, Berzosa P. Malaria diagnosis challenges and pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions using pregnant women as sentinel population in Nanoro region, Burkina Faso. Pathog Glob Health 2024; 118:481-491. [PMID: 39140699 PMCID: PMC11441055 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2024.2388489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria in pregnancy causes adverse consequences and prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential for case management. In malaria endemic countries, diagnosis is mainly based on rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and microscopy. However, increasing reports of false negatives caused by low parasitemia and pfhrp2/3 deletions raise concerns about HRP2-based RDT usefulness. This study aimed to assess RDT and microscopy performance and to describe pfhrp2/3 deletions in a cohort of 418 pregnant women in Burkina Faso. Malaria was diagnosed using RDT and microscopy and blood samples were collected during antenatal care visits. Diagnostic results were compared to PCR as gold standard. Pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions were characterized for patients with confirmed P. falciparum infection. RDT had better sensitivity (76%) but lower specificity (83%) than microscopy (sensitivity = 57%; specificity = 98%). Low parasitemia (<150 parasites/µL), especially in multigravidae, was the principal factor causing false negatives by both methods. Moreover, pfhrp2 deletion frequency among overall false negatives by RDT was 21.43%. Higher frequency of deletions was found among all samples, independently of RDT result, for example around 2% of samples had double deletions meaning that the majority of deletions had no effect on RDT testing. Finally, it was found higher pfhrp2 deletion in women with lower uterine height during the first trimester. Wider and National surveillance study of deletions is recommended among pregnant women and in Burkina Faso.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Molina-de la Fuente
- Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
- Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERINFEC - CIBER Infectious Diseases (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marc Christian Tahita
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Sante/Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Kabore Bérenger
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Sante/Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Thuy Huong Ta Tang
- Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERINFEC - CIBER Infectious Diseases (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luz García
- Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERINFEC - CIBER Infectious Diseases (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Vicenta González
- Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERINFEC - CIBER Infectious Diseases (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín Benito
- Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERINFEC - CIBER Infectious Diseases (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Judith M Hübschen
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Halidou Tinto
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Sante/Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Pedro Berzosa
- Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERINFEC - CIBER Infectious Diseases (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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4
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Back PS, Senthilkumar V, Choi CP, Quan JJ, Lou Q, Snyder AK, Ly AM, Lau JG, Zhou ZH, Ward GE, Bradley PJ. Alveolin proteins in the Toxoplasma inner membrane complex form a highly interconnected structure that maintains parasite shape and replication. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002809. [PMID: 39264987 PMCID: PMC11421793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 09/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites possess several specialized structures to invade their host cells and replicate successfully. One of these is the inner membrane complex (IMC), a peripheral membrane-cytoskeletal system underneath the plasma membrane. It is composed of a series of flattened, membrane-bound vesicles and a cytoskeletal subpellicular network (SPN) comprised of intermediate filament-like proteins called alveolins. While the alveolin proteins are conserved throughout the Apicomplexa and the broader Alveolata, their precise functions and interactions remain poorly understood. Here, we describe the function of one of these alveolin proteins in Toxoplasma, IMC6. Disruption of IMC6 resulted in striking morphological defects that led to aberrant invasion and replication but surprisingly minor effects on motility. Deletion analyses revealed that the alveolin domain alone is largely sufficient to restore localization and partially sufficient for function. As this highlights the importance of the IMC6 alveolin domain, we implemented unnatural amino acid photoreactive crosslinking to the alveolin domain and identified multiple binding interfaces between IMC6 and 2 other cytoskeletal IMC proteins-IMC3 and ILP1. This provides direct evidence of protein-protein interactions in the alveolin domain and supports the long-held hypothesis that the alveolin domain is responsible for filament formation. Collectively, our study features the conserved alveolin proteins as critical components that maintain the parasite's structural integrity and highlights the alveolin domain as a key mediator of SPN architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S Back
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Vignesh Senthilkumar
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Charles P Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Justin J Quan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Qing Lou
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Anne K Snyder
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Andrew M Ly
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Justin G Lau
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Z Hong Zhou
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Gary E Ward
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Peter J Bradley
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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5
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Oaikhena EE, Yahaya UA, Abdulsalami SM, Egbe NL, Adeyemi MM, Ungogo MA, Ebiloma GU, Zoiku FK, Fordjour PA, Elati HAA, Quashie NB, Igoli JO, Gray AI, Lawson C, Ferro VA, de Koning HP. The activities of suaveolol and other compounds from Hyptis suaveolens and Momordica charantia against the aetiological agents of African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis and malaria. Exp Parasitol 2024; 263-264:108807. [PMID: 39043327 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
African trypanosomiasis and malaria are among the most severe health challenges to humans and livestock in Africa and new drugs are needed. Leaves of Hyptis suaveolens Kuntze (Lamiaceae) and Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) were extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate, and then methanol, and subjected to silica gel column chromatography. Structures of six isolated compounds were elucidated through NMR and HR-EIMS spectrometry. Callistrisic acid, dehydroabietinol, suaveolic acid, suaveolol, and a mixture of suaveolol and suaveolic acid (SSA) were obtained from H. suaveolens, while karavilagenin D and momordicin I acetate were obtained from M. charantia. The isolated biomolecules were tested against trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and T. congolense, and against Plasmodium falciparum. The most promising EC50 values were obtained for the purified suaveolol fraction, at 2.71 ± 0.36 μg/mL, and SSA, exhibiting an EC50 of 1.56 ± 0.17 μg/mL against T. b. brucei trypomastigotes. Suaveolic acid had low activity against T. b. brucei but displayed moderate activity against T. congolense trypomastigotes at 11.1 ± 0.5 μg/mL. Suaveolol and SSA were also tested against T. evansi, T. equiperdum, Leishmania major and L. mexicana but the antileishmanial activity was low. Neither of the active compounds, nor the mixture of the two, displayed any cytotoxic effect on human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells at even the highest concentration tested, being 200 μg/mL. We conclude that suaveolol and its mixture possessed significant and selective trypanocidal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enimie E Oaikhena
- Department of Biotechnology, Nigerian Defence Academy, PMB 2109, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Umar A Yahaya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Nigerian Defence Academy, PMB 2109, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Sani M Abdulsalami
- Department of Biotechnology, Nigerian Defence Academy, PMB 2109, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Nkechi L Egbe
- Department of Biotechnology, Nigerian Defence Academy, PMB 2109, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Modupe M Adeyemi
- Department of Chemistry, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Marzuq A Ungogo
- Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, EH8 PYL, UK
| | - Godwin U Ebiloma
- School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, M5 4NT, Manchester, UK
| | - Felix K Zoiku
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Prince A Fordjour
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Hamza A A Elati
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmacy College, University of Elmergib, Al Khums, Libya
| | - Neils B Quashie
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Ghana; Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, Ghana
| | - John O Igoli
- Department of Chemistry, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, PMB 2373, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria; Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Alexander I Gray
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Christopher Lawson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Valerie A Ferro
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Harry P de Koning
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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6
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Pasquarelli RR, Sha J, Wohlschlegel JA, Bradley PJ. BCC0 collaborates with IMC32 and IMC43 to form the Toxoplasma gondii essential daughter bud assembly complex. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012411. [PMID: 39024411 PMCID: PMC11288415 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii divides by endodyogeny, in which two daughter buds are formed within the cytoplasm of the maternal cell using the inner membrane complex (IMC) as a scaffold. During endodyogeny, components of the IMC are synthesized and added sequentially to the nascent daughter buds in a tightly regulated manner. We previously showed that the early recruiting proteins IMC32 and IMC43 form an essential daughter bud assembly complex which lays the foundation of the daughter cell scaffold in T. gondii. In this study, we identify the essential, early recruiting IMC protein BCC0 as a third member of this complex by using IMC32 as bait in both proximity labeling and yeast two-hybrid screens. We demonstrate that BCC0's localization to daughter buds depends on the presence of both IMC32 and IMC43. Deletion analyses and functional complementation studies reveal that residues 701-877 of BCC0 are essential for both its localization and function and that residues 1-899 are sufficient for function despite minor mislocalization. Pairwise yeast two-hybrid assays additionally demonstrate that BCC0's essential domain binds to the coiled-coil region of IMC32 and that BCC0 and IMC43 do not directly interact. This data supports a model for complex assembly in which an IMC32-BCC0 subcomplex initially recruits to nascent buds via palmitoylation of IMC32 and is locked into the scaffold once bud elongation begins by IMC32 binding to IMC43. Together, this study dissects the organization and function of a complex of three early recruiting daughter proteins which are essential for the proper assembly of the IMC during endodyogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca R. Pasquarelli
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jihui Sha
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - James A. Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Bradley
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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7
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Pasquarelli RR, Quan JJ, Cheng ES, Yang V, Britton TA, Sha J, Wohlschlegel JA, Bradley PJ. Characterization and functional analysis of Toxoplasma Golgi-associated proteins identified by proximity labelling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.02.578703. [PMID: 38352341 PMCID: PMC10862792 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.02.578703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii possesses a highly polarized secretory pathway that contains both broadly conserved eukaryotic organelles and unique apicomplexan organelles which play essential roles in the parasite's lytic cycle. As in other eukaryotes, the T. gondii Golgi apparatus sorts and modifies proteins prior to their distribution to downstream organelles. Many of the typical trafficking factors found involved in these processes are missing from apicomplexan genomes, suggesting that these parasites have evolved unique proteins to fill these roles. Here we identify a novel Golgi-localizing protein (ULP1) which contains structural homology to the eukaryotic trafficking factor p115/Uso1. We demonstrate that depletion of ULP1 leads to a dramatic reduction in parasite fitness and replicative ability. Using ULP1 as bait for TurboID proximity labelling and immunoprecipitation, we identify eleven more novel Golgi-associated proteins and demonstrate that ULP1 interacts with the T. gondii COG complex. These proteins include both conserved trafficking factors and parasite-specific proteins. Using a conditional knockdown approach, we assess the effect of each of these eleven proteins on parasite fitness. Together, this work reveals a diverse set of novel T. gondii Golgi-associated proteins that play distinct roles in the secretory pathway. As several of these proteins are absent outside of the Apicomplexa, they represent potential targets for the development of novel therapeutics against these parasites. Importance Apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii infect a large percentage of the world's population and cause substantial human disease. These widespread pathogens use specialized secretory organelles to infect their host cells, modulate host cell functions, and cause disease. While the functions of the secretory organelles are now better understood, the Golgi apparatus of the parasite remains largely unexplored, particularly regarding parasite-specific innovations that may help direct traffic intracellularly. In this work, we characterize ULP1, a protein that is unique to parasites but shares structural similarity to the eukaryotic trafficking factor p115/Uso1. We show that ULP1 plays an important role in parasite replication and demonstrate that it interacts with the conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex. We then use ULP1 proximity labelling to identify eleven additional Golgi-associated proteins which we functionally analyze via conditional knockdown. This work expands our knowledge of the Toxoplasma Golgi apparatus and identifies potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
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8
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Amwoma JG, Kituyi S, Wakoli DM, Ochora DO, Chemwor G, Maisiba R, Okore W, Opot B, Juma D, Muok EM, Garges EC, Egbo TE, Nyabuga FN, Andagalu B, Akala HM. Comparative analysis of peripheral whole blood transcriptome from asymptomatic carriers reveals upregulation of subsets of surface proteins implicated in Plasmodium falciparum phenotypic plasticity. Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 37:101596. [PMID: 38146350 PMCID: PMC10749222 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanism underlying Plasmodium falciparum's persistence in the asymptomatic phase of infection remains largely unknown. However, large-scale shifts in the parasites' gene expression during asymptomatic infections may enhance phenotypic plasticity, maximizing their fitness and leading to the persistence of the asymptomatic infections. To uncover these mechanisms, we aimed to identify parasite genetic factors implicated in asymptomatic infections through whole transcriptome analysis. We analyzed publicly available transcriptome datasets containing asymptomatic malaria (ASM), uncomplicated malaria (SM), and malaria-naïve (NSM) samples from 35 subjects for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and long noncoding RNAs. Our analysis identified 755 and 1773 DEGs in ASM vs SM and NSM, respectively. These DEGs revealed sets of genes coding for proteins of unknown functions (PUFs) upregulated in ASM vs SM and ASM, suggesting their role in underlying fundamental molecular mechanisms during asymptomatic infections. Upregulated genes in ASM vs SM revealed a subset of 24 clonal variant genes (CVGs) involved in host-parasite and symbiotic interactions and modulation of the symbiont of host erythrocyte aggregation pathways. Moreover, we identified 237 differentially expressed noncoding RNAs in ASM vs SM, of which 11 were found to interact with CVGs, suggesting their possible role in regulating the expression of CVGs. Our results suggest that P. falciparum utilizes phenotypic plasticity as an adaptive mechanism during asymptomatic infections by upregulating clonal variant genes, with long noncoding RNAs possibly playing a crucial role in their regulation. Thus, our study provides insights into the parasites' genetic factors that confer a fitness advantage during asymptomatic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G. Amwoma
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Kenya
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Sarah Kituyi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Kenya
- Forgarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dancan M. Wakoli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, Kenya
| | - Douglas O. Ochora
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kisii University, Kenya
- DSI/NWU, Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Gladys Chemwor
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Risper Maisiba
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Winnie Okore
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Maseno University, Kenya
| | - Benjamin Opot
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Dennis Juma
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Eric M.O. Muok
- Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Eric C. Garges
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya
| | - Timothy E. Egbo
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya
| | | | - Ben Andagalu
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Hoseah M. Akala
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
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9
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Liang R, Rao H, Pang Q, Xu R, Jiao Z, Lin L, Li L, Zhong L, Zhang Y, Guo Y, Xiao N, Liu S, Chen XF, Su XZ, Li J. Human ApoE2 protects mice against Plasmodium berghei ANKA experimental cerebral malaria. mBio 2023; 14:e0234623. [PMID: 37874152 PMCID: PMC10746236 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02346-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Cerebral malaria (CM) is the deadliest complication of malaria infection with an estimated 15%-25% mortality. Even with timely and effective treatment with antimalarial drugs such as quinine and artemisinin derivatives, survivors of CM may suffer long-term cognitive and neurological impairment. Here, we show that human apolipoprotein E variant 2 (hApoE2) protects mice from experimental CM (ECM) via suppression of CD8+ T cell activation and infiltration to the brain, enhanced cholesterol metabolism, and increased IFN-γ production, leading to reduced endothelial cell apoptosis, BBB disruption, and ECM symptoms. Our results suggest that hApoE can be an important factor for risk assessment and treatment of CM in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hengjun Rao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Qin Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Ruixue Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Zhiwei Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Lirong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Li Zhong
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yixin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yazhen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Nengming Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Shengfa Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiao-Fen Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin-zhuan Su
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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10
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Pasquarelli RR, Back PS, Sha J, Wohlschlegel JA, Bradley PJ. Identification of IMC43, a novel IMC protein that collaborates with IMC32 to form an essential daughter bud assembly complex in Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011707. [PMID: 37782662 PMCID: PMC10569561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The inner membrane complex (IMC) of Toxoplasma gondii is essential for all phases of the parasite's life cycle. One of its most critical roles is to act as a scaffold for the assembly of daughter buds during replication by endodyogeny. While many daughter IMC proteins have been identified, most are recruited after bud initiation and are not essential for parasite fitness. Here, we report the identification of IMC43, a novel daughter IMC protein that is recruited at the earliest stages of daughter bud initiation. Using an auxin-inducible degron system we show that depletion of IMC43 results in aberrant morphology, dysregulation of endodyogeny, and an extreme defect in replication. Deletion analyses reveal a region of IMC43 that plays a role in localization and a C-terminal domain that is essential for the protein's function. TurboID proximity labelling and a yeast two-hybrid screen using IMC43 as bait identify 30 candidate IMC43 binding partners. We investigate two of these: the essential daughter protein IMC32 and a novel daughter IMC protein we named IMC44. We show that IMC43 is responsible for regulating the localization of both IMC32 and IMC44 at specific stages of endodyogeny and that this regulation is dependent on the essential C-terminal domain of IMC43. Using pairwise yeast two-hybrid assays, we determine that this region is also sufficient for binding to both IMC32 and IMC44. As IMC43 and IMC32 are both essential proteins, this work reveals the existence of a bud assembly complex that forms the foundation of the daughter IMC during endodyogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca R. Pasquarelli
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Peter S. Back
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jihui Sha
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - James A. Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Bradley
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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11
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Winskill P, Dhabangi A, Kwambai TK, Mori AT, Mousa A, Okell LC. Estimating the burden of severe malarial anaemia and access to hospital care in East Africa. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5691. [PMID: 37709763 PMCID: PMC10502125 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41275-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe malarial anaemia can be fatal if not promptly treated. Hospital studies may under-represent the true burden because cases often occur in settings with poor access to healthcare. We estimate the relationship of community prevalence of malaria infection and severe malarial anaemia with the incidence of severe malarial anaemia cases in hospital, using survey data from 21 countries and hospital data from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The estimated percentage of severe malarial anaemia cases that were hospitalised is low and consistent for Kenya (21% (95% CrI: 7%, 47%)), Tanzania (18% (95% CrI: 5%, 52%)) and Uganda (23% (95% CrI: 9%, 48%)). The majority of severe malarial anaemia cases remain in the community, with the consequent public health burden being contingent upon the severity of these cases. Alongside health system strengthening, research to better understand the spectrum of disease associated with severe malarial anaemia cases in the community is a priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Winskill
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College, London, W2 1PG, UK.
| | - Aggrey Dhabangi
- Child Health and Development Centre, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Titus K Kwambai
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Global Health Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Amani Thomas Mori
- Health Economics Leadership and Translational Ethics Research Group (HELTER), Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Arstadveien 17, 5009, Bergen, Norway
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box, 65001, Dar es-Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Andria Mousa
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Lucy C Okell
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College, London, W2 1PG, UK
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12
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Back PS, Senthilkumar V, Choi CP, Ly AM, Snyder AK, Lau JG, Ward GE, Bradley PJ. The Toxoplasma subpellicular network is highly interconnected and defines parasite shape for efficient motility and replication. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.10.552545. [PMID: 37609316 PMCID: PMC10441382 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.10.552545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites possess several specialized structures to invade their host cells and replicate successfully. One of these is the inner membrane complex (IMC), a peripheral membrane-cytoskeletal system underneath the plasma membrane. It is composed of a series of flattened, membrane-bound vesicles and a cytoskeletal subpellicular network (SPN) comprised of intermediate filament-like proteins called alveolins. While the alveolin proteins are conserved throughout the Apicomplexa and the broader Alveolata, their precise functions and interactions remain poorly understood. Here, we describe the function of one of these alveolin proteins, TgIMC6. Disruption of IMC6 resulted in striking morphological defects that led to aberrant motility, invasion, and replication. Deletion analyses revealed that the alveolin domain alone is largely sufficient to restore localization and partially sufficient for function. As this highlights the importance of the IMC6 alveolin domain, we implemented unnatural amino acid photoreactive crosslinking to the alveolin domain and identified multiple binding interfaces between IMC6 and two other cytoskeletal proteins - IMC3 and ILP1. To our knowledge, this provides the first direct evidence of protein-protein interactions in the alveolin domain and supports the long-held hypothesis that the alveolin domain is responsible for filament formation. Collectively, our study features the conserved alveolin proteins as critical components that maintain the parasite's structural integrity and highlights the alveolin domain as a key mediator of SPN architecture.
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13
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Tembo D, Harawa V, Tran TC, Afran L, Molyneux ME, Taylor TE, Seydel KB, Nyirenda T, Russell DG, Mandala W. The ability of Interleukin-10 to negate haemozoin-related pro-inflammatory effects has the potential to restore impaired macrophage function associated with malaria infection. Malar J 2023; 22:125. [PMID: 37060041 PMCID: PMC10103463 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04539-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in the clearance of Plasmodium falciparum during the early stages of the infection, increased levels of these cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of severe malaria. Amongst various parasite-derived inducers of inflammation, the malarial pigment haemozoin (Hz), which accumulates in monocytes, macrophages and other immune cells during infection, has been shown to significantly contribute to dysregulation of the normal inflammatory cascades. METHODS The direct effect of Hz-loading on cytokine production by monocytes and the indirect effect of Hz on cytokine production by myeloid cells was investigated during acute malaria and convalescence using archived plasma samples from studies investigating P. falciparum malaria pathogenesis in Malawian subjects. Further, the possible inhibitory effect of IL-10 on Hz-loaded cells was examined, and the proportion of cytokine-producing T-cells and monocytes during acute malaria and in convalescence was characterized. RESULTS Hz contributed towards an increase in the production of inflammatory cytokines, such as Interferon Gamma (IFN-γ), Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and Interleukin 2 (IL-2) by various cells. In contrast, the cytokine IL-10 was observed to have a dose-dependent suppressive effect on the production of TNF among other cytokines. Cerebral malaria (CM) was characterized by impaired monocyte functions, which normalized in convalescence. CM was also characterized by reduced levels of IFN-γ-producing T cell subsets, and reduced expression of immune recognition receptors HLA-DR and CD 86, which also normalized in convalescence. However, CM and other clinical malaria groups were characterized by significantly higher plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines than healthy controls, implicating anti-inflammatory cytokines in balancing the immune response. CONCLUSIONS Acute CM was characterized by elevated plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines but lower proportions of cytokine-producing T-cells and monocytes that normalize during convalescence. IL-10 is also shown to have the potential to indirectly prevent excessive inflammation. Cytokine production dysregulated by the accumulation of Hz appears to impair the balance of the immune response to malaria and exacerbates pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dumizulu Tembo
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi.
| | - Visopo Harawa
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Tam C Tran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Louise Afran
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Malcolm E Molyneux
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Terrie E Taylor
- Blantyre Malaria Project, Blantyre, Malawi
- Michigan State University, Michigan, USA
| | - Karl B Seydel
- Blantyre Malaria Project, Blantyre, Malawi
- Michigan State University, Michigan, USA
| | | | - David G Russell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Wilson Mandala
- Acadamey of Medical Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Blantyre, Malawi.
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14
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Paolo Piccaluga P, Ignatius W. Pathology of Malaria. Infect Dis (Lond) 2023. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.110579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is an acute febrile illness that is caused by infection with Plasmodium spp. parasites. Malaria is a serious illness and sometimes it may be fatal resulting in mortality and morbidity. The clinical picture painted in patients with malarial infection occurs following the release of the merozoites into the bloodstream following the rupture of infected red cells. In the infection with the P. falciparum, the commonest form affecting humans, all stages of red cells are infected making the infection quite severe as compared to infection with other species which infects the old and young red cells only which contributes to a small percentage of red cells. In this chapter, the Authors review the current knowledge about Malaria epidemiology, pathogenesis and anatomic pathology. The diverse clinical pictures as well as the association with genetic conditions and diseases are discussed.
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15
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Back PS, Moon AS, Pasquarelli RR, Bell HN, Torres JA, Chen AL, Sha J, Vashisht AA, Wohlschlegel JA, Bradley PJ. IMC29 Plays an Important Role in Toxoplasma Endodyogeny and Reveals New Components of the Daughter-Enriched IMC Proteome. mBio 2023; 14:e0304222. [PMID: 36622147 PMCID: PMC9973257 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03042-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Toxoplasma inner membrane complex (IMC) is a unique organelle that plays critical roles in parasite motility, invasion, egress, and replication. The IMC is delineated into the apical, body, and basal regions, defined by proteins that localize to these distinct subcompartments. The IMC can be further segregated by proteins that localize specifically to the maternal IMC, the daughter bud IMC, or both. While the function of the maternal IMC has been better characterized, the precise roles of most daughter IMC components remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the daughter protein IMC29 plays an important role in parasite replication. We show that Δimc29 parasites exhibit severe replication defects, resulting in substantial growth defects and loss of virulence. Deletion analyses revealed that IMC29 localization is largely dependent on the N-terminal half of the protein containing four predicted coiled-coil domains while IMC29 function requires a short C-terminal helical region. Using proximity labeling, we identify eight novel IMC proteins enriched in daughter buds, significantly expanding the daughter IMC proteome. We additionally report four novel proteins with unique localizations to the interface between two parasites or to the outer face of the IMC, exposing new subregions of the organelle. Together, this work establishes IMC29 as an important early daughter bud component of replication and uncovers an array of new IMC proteins that provides important insights into this organelle. IMPORTANCE The inner membrane complex (IMC) is a conserved structure across the Apicomplexa phylum, which includes obligate intracellular parasites that cause toxoplasmosis, malaria, and cryptosporidiosis. The IMC is critical for the parasite to maintain its intracellular lifestyle, particularly in providing a scaffold for daughter bud formation during parasite replication. While many IMC proteins in the later stages of division have been identified, components of the early stages of division remain unknown. Here, we focus on the early daughter protein IMC29, demonstrating that it is crucial for faithful parasite replication and identifying specific regions of the protein that are important for its localization and function. We additionally use proximity labeling to reveal a suite of daughter-enriched IMC proteins, which represent promising candidates to further explore this IMC subcompartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S. Back
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Andy S. Moon
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Hannah N. Bell
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Juan A. Torres
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Allan L. Chen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jihui Sha
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ajay A. Vashisht
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - James A. Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Peter J. Bradley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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16
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Towards Arginase Inhibition: Hybrid SAR Protocol for Property Mapping of Chlorinated N-arylcinnamamides. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043611. [PMID: 36835023 PMCID: PMC9968098 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of seventeen 4-chlorocinnamanilides and seventeen 3,4-dichlorocinnamanilides were characterized for their antiplasmodial activity. In vitro screening on a chloroquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum 3D7/MRA-102 highlighted that 23 compounds possessed IC50 < 30 µM. Typically, 3,4-dichlorocinnamanilides showed a broader range of activity compared to 4-chlorocinnamanilides. (2E)-N-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)prop-2-en-amide with IC50 = 1.6 µM was the most effective agent, while the other eight most active derivatives showed IC50 in the range from 1.8 to 4.6 µM. A good correlation between the experimental logk and the estimated clogP was recorded for the whole ensemble of the lipophilicity generators. Moreover, the SAR-mediated similarity assessment of the novel (di)chlorinated N-arylcinnamamides was conducted using the collaborative (hybrid) ligand-based and structure-related protocols. In consequence, an 'averaged' selection-driven interaction pattern was produced based in namely 'pseudo-consensus' 3D pharmacophore mapping. The molecular docking approach was engaged for the most potent antiplasmodial agents in order to gain an insight into the arginase-inhibitor binding mode. The docking study revealed that (di)chlorinated aromatic (C-phenyl) rings are oriented towards the binuclear manganese cluster in the energetically favorable poses of the chloroquine and the most potent arginase inhibitors. Additionally, the water-mediated hydrogen bonds were formed via carbonyl function present in the new N-arylcinnamamides and the fluorine substituent (alone or in trifluoromethyl group) of N-phenyl ring seems to play a key role in forming the halogen bonds.
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17
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Farinella DN, Kaur S, Tran V, Cabrera-Mora M, Joyner CJ, Lapp SA, Pakala SB, Nural MV, DeBarry JD, Kissinger JC, Jones DP, Moreno A, Galinski MR, Cordy RJ. Malaria disrupts the rhesus macaque gut microbiome. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 12:1058926. [PMID: 36710962 PMCID: PMC9880479 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1058926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that a relationship exists between severity and transmissibility of malaria and variations in the gut microbiome, yet only limited information exists on the temporal dynamics of the gut microbial community during a malarial infection. Here, using a rhesus macaque model of relapsing malaria, we investigate how malaria affects the gut microbiome. In this study, we performed 16S sequencing on DNA isolated from rectal swabs of rhesus macaques over the course of an experimental malarial infection with Plasmodium cynomolgi and analyzed gut bacterial taxa abundance across primary and relapsing infections. We also performed metabolomics on blood plasma from the animals at the same timepoints and investigated changes in metabolic pathways over time. Members of Proteobacteria (family Helicobacteraceae) increased dramatically in relative abundance in the animal's gut microbiome during peak infection while Firmicutes (family Lactobacillaceae and Ruminococcaceae), Bacteroidetes (family Prevotellaceae) and Spirochaetes amongst others decreased compared to baseline levels. Alpha diversity metrics indicated decreased microbiome diversity at the peak of parasitemia, followed by restoration of diversity post-treatment. Comparison with healthy subjects suggested that the rectal microbiome during acute malaria is enriched with commensal bacteria typically found in the healthy animal's mucosa. Significant changes in the tryptophan-kynurenine immunomodulatory pathway were detected at peak infection with P. cynomolgi, a finding that has been described previously in the context of P. vivax infections in humans. During relapses, which have been shown to be associated with less inflammation and clinical severity, we observed minimal disruption to the gut microbiome, despite parasites being present. Altogether, these data suggest that the metabolic shift occurring during acute infection is associated with a concomitant shift in the gut microbiome, which is reversed post-treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sukhpreet Kaur
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - ViLinh Tran
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Monica Cabrera-Mora
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States,Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Chester J. Joyner
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States,Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Stacey A. Lapp
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States,Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Suman B. Pakala
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Mustafa V. Nural
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Jeremy D. DeBarry
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States,Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States,Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States,Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States,Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Dean P. Jones
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Alberto Moreno
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States,Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Mary R. Galinski
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States,Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Regina Joice Cordy
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States,Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States,*Correspondence: Regina Joice Cordy,
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18
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Hetzel MW, Awor P, Tshefu A, Omoluabi E, Burri C, Signorell A, Lambiris MJ, Visser T, Cohen JM, Buj V, Lengeler C. Pre-referral rectal artesunate: no cure for unhealthy systems. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 23:e213-e217. [PMID: 36549311 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(22)00762-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pre-referral rectal artesunate suppositories can save the lives of children with severe malaria if patients receive adequate post-referral care. A multi-country randomised controlled trial reporting on the efficacy of rectal artesunate informed the current WHO guidelines. In October, 2022, we reported on the findings of the Community Access to Rectal Artesunate for Malaria (CARAMAL) project, a carefully monitored roll-out of quality-assured rectal artesunate into established community-based health-care systems in DR Congo, Nigeria, and Uganda. The aim of the project was to understand the challenges involved in the successful real-world implementation of pre-referral rectal artesunate and to inform subsequent scale-up in endemic countries. In our study, we found that children treated with pre-referral rectal artesunate in routine clinical practice did not have an increased chance of survival, most likely explained by shortfalls along the continuum of care. A substantial proportion of the more than 6200 severely ill children that were followed up 28 days after treatment initiation did not receive comprehensive severe malaria care, either due to an incomplete referral to a secondary facility, or due to incomplete post-referral treatment. The observational study design allowed for a realistic assessment of the obstacles involved in implementing pre-referral rectal artesunate in settings where malaria mortality remains high. Without improving the entire continuum of care, children will continue to die from severe malaria and promising interventions will fail to meet their full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel W Hetzel
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Phyllis Awor
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Christian Burri
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aita Signorell
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mark J Lambiris
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Valentina Buj
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; UNICEF, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christian Lengeler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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19
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Chuljerm H, Maneekesorn S, Punsawad C, Somsak V, Ma Y, Ruangsuriya J, Srichairatanakool S, Koonyosying P. Deferiprone-Resveratrol Hybrid, an Iron-Chelating Compound, Acts as an Antimalarial and Hepatoprotective Agent in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice. Bioinorg Chem Appl 2022; 2022:3869337. [PMID: 36466999 PMCID: PMC9715320 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3869337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Free heme in plasma acts as a prooxidant; thus, it is bound to hemopexin and eliminated by the liver. High iron content in the liver can support Plasmodium growth and cause oxidative liver injury. Inversely, the withholding of excessive iron can inhibit this growth and protect the liver against malaria infection. This study examined the effects of a deferiprone-resveratrol (DFP-RVT) hybrid on malaria parasites and its relevant hepatoprotective properties. Mice were infected with P. berghei, gavage DFP-RVT, deferiprone (DFP), and pyrimethamine (PYR) for 8 consecutive days. Blood and liver parameters were then evaluated. The presence of blood-stage parasites was determined using the microscopic Giemsa staining method. Subsequently, plasma liver enzymes, heme, and concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were determined. The liver tissue was examined pathologically and heme and TBARS concentrations were then quantified. The results indicate that the suppression potency against P. berghei growth occurred as follows: PYR > DFP-RVT hybrid > DFP. Importantly, DFP-RVT significantly improved RBC size, restored alanine aminotransferase and alkaline activities, and increased heme and TBARS concentrations. The compound also reduced the liver weight index, heme, and TBARS concentrations significantly when compared to mice that were untreated. Our findings support the contention that the hepatoprotective effect of DFP-RVT is associated with parasite burden, iron depletion, and lipid peroxidation in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hataichanok Chuljerm
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
- School of Health Sciences Research, Research Institute for Health Sciences Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences and Non Communicable Diseases Research Group (EOHS and NCD Research Group), Research Institute for Health Sciences Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | | | - Chuchard Punsawad
- School of Medicine, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Voravuth Somsak
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Yongmin Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taizhou University, Zhejiang 318000, China
| | - Jetsada Ruangsuriya
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Somdet Srichairatanakool
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Pimpisid Koonyosying
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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20
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Chhibber-Goel J, Shukla A, Shanmugam D, Sharma A. Profiling of metabolic alterations in mice infected with malaria parasites via high-resolution metabolomics. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 252:111525. [PMID: 36209797 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria infection can result in distinct clinical outcomes from asymptomatic to severe. The association between patho-physiological changes and molecular changes in the host, and their correlation with severity of malaria progression is not fully understood. METHODS In this study, we addressed mass spectrometry-based temporal profiling of serum metabolite levels from mice infected with Plasmodium berhgei (strain ANKA). RESULTS We show global perturbations and identify changes in specific metabolites in correlation with disease progression. While metabolome-wide changes were apparent in late-stage malaria, a subset of metabolites exhibited highly correlated changes with disease progression. These metabolites changed early on following infection and either continued or maintained the change as mice developed severe disease. Some of these have the potential to be sentinel metabolites for severe malaria. Moreover, glycolytic metabolites, purine nucleotide precursors, tryptophan and its bioactive derivatives were many fold decreased in late-stage disease. Interestingly, uric acid, a metabolic waste reported to be elevated in severe human malaria, increased with disease progression, and subsequently appears to be detoxified into allantoin. This detoxification mechanism is absent in humans as they lack the enzyme uricase. CONCLUSIONS We have identified candidate marker metabolites that may be of relevance in the context of human malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Chhibber-Goel
- Molecular Medicine, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Anurag Shukla
- Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411008, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Dhanasekaran Shanmugam
- Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411008, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Amit Sharma
- Molecular Medicine, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110067, India; ICMR-National institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi 110077, India.
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Masserey T, Penny MA, Lee TE. Patient variability in the blood-stage dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum captured by clustering historical data. Malar J 2022; 21:300. [PMID: 36289505 PMCID: PMC9608883 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04317-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mathematical models provide an understanding of the dynamics of a Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage infection (within-host models), and can predict the impact of control strategies that affect the blood-stage of malaria. However, the dynamics of P. falciparum blood-stage infections are highly variable between individuals. Within-host models use different techniques to capture this inter-individual variation. This struggle may be unnecessary because patients can be clustered according to similar key within-host dynamics. This study aimed to identify clusters of patients with similar parasitaemia profiles so that future mathematical models can include an improved understanding of within-host variation. METHODS Patients' parasitaemia data were analyzed to identify (i) clusters of patients (from 35 patients) that have a similar overall parasitaemia profile and (ii) clusters of patients (from 100 patients) that have a similar first wave of parasitaemia. For each cluster analysis, patients were clustered based on key features which previous models used to summarize parasitaemia dynamics. The clustering analyses were performed using a finite mixture model. The centroid values of the clusters were used to parameterize two established within-host models to generate parasitaemia profiles. These profiles (that used the novel centroid parameterization) were compared with profiles that used individual-specific parameterization (as in the original models), as well as profiles that ignored individual variation (using overall means for parameterization). RESULTS To capture the variation of within-host dynamics, when studying the overall parasitaemia profile, two clusters efficiently grouped patients based on their infection length and the height of the first parasitaemia peak. When studying the first wave of parasitaemia, five clusters efficiently grouped patients based on the height of the peak and the speed of the clearance following the peak of parasitaemia. The clusters were based on features that summarize the strength of patient innate and adaptive immune responses. Parameterizing previous within host-models based on cluster centroid values accurately predict individual patient parasitaemia profiles. CONCLUSION This study confirms that patients have personalized immune responses, which explains the variation of parasitaemia dynamics. Clustering can guide the optimal inclusion of within-host variation in future studies, and inform the design and parameterization of population-based models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiery Masserey
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Basel-Land, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Melissa A Penny
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Basel-Land, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tamsin E Lee
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Basel-Land, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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22
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Awor P, Kimera J, Brunner NC, Athieno P, Tumukunde G, Angiro I, Signorell A, Delvento G, Lee T, Amutuhaire M, Opigo J, Kaggwa FM, Kagwire F, Nakiganda J, Burri C, Lengeler C, Hetzel MW. Care Seeking and Treatment of Febrile Children with and without Danger Signs of Severe Disease in Northern Uganda: Results from Three Household Surveys (2018-2020). Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:934-938. [PMID: 36037867 PMCID: PMC9651542 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification, stabilization, and prompt referral of children with signs of severe febrile disease (danger signs) in rural communities are crucial for preventing complications and death from severe malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea. We set out to determine the treatment-seeking practices and treatment patterns for children < 5 years of age with an acute febrile illness, with or without danger signs of severe disease, in a highly malaria-endemic area of northern Uganda. Three household surveys were conducted from November through December each year in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Overall, 30% of the children in the study were reported to have had a WHO-classified danger sign including convulsions, unconsciousness/unusually sleepy, inability to feed or drink, and vomiting everything. Only half of the children in this study sought care from a health provider. However, significantly more children with danger signs of severe disease sought and received treatment and diagnostics from a health provider, compared with those without danger signs (adjusted odds ratio: 1.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.2-2.0; P < 0.01). In the total population studied, care seeking in the public sector was 26% and similar to care seeking in the private sector (24%). Community health workers were used as the first source of care by 12% of the children. Approximately 38% of the children who were reported to have danger signs of severe disease requiring prompt referral and treatment did not seek care from a health provider. Understanding and addressing barriers to accessing healthcare could contribute to better treatment seeking practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis Awor
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph Kimera
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nina C. Brunner
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Irene Angiro
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Aita Signorell
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Delvento
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tristan Lee
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Jimmy Opigo
- National Malaria Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | - Christian Burri
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Lengeler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel W. Hetzel
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Antimalarial activity and biochemical effects of saponin-rich extract of Dianthus basuticus Burtt Davy in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. ADVANCES IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13596-021-00571-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Matthews K, Lamoureux ES, Myrand-Lapierre ME, Duffy SP, Ma H. Technologies for measuring red blood cell deformability. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:1254-1274. [PMID: 35266475 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc01058a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Human red blood cells (RBCs) are approximately 8 μm in diameter, but must repeatedly deform through capillaries as small as 2 μm in order to deliver oxygen to all parts of the body. The loss of this capability is associated with the pathology of many diseases, and is therefore a potential biomarker for disease status and treatment efficacy. Measuring RBC deformability is a difficult problem because of the minute forces (∼pN) that must be exerted on these cells, as well as the requirements for throughput and multiplexing. The development of technologies for measuring RBC deformability date back to the 1960s with the development of micropipette aspiration, ektacytometry, and the cell transit analyzer. In the past 10 years, significant progress has been made using microfluidics by leveraging the ability to precisely control fluid flow through microstructures at the size scale of individual RBCs. These technologies have now surpassed traditional methods in terms of sensitivity, throughput, consistency, and ease of use. As a result, these efforts are beginning to move beyond feasibility studies and into applications to enable biomedical discoveries. In this review, we provide an overview of both traditional and microfluidic techniques for measuring RBC deformability. We discuss the capabilities of each technique and compare their sensitivity, throughput, and robustness in measuring bulk and single-cell RBC deformability. Finally, we discuss how these tools could be used to measure changes in RBC deformability in the context of various applications including pathologies caused by malaria and hemoglobinopathies, as well as degradation during storage in blood bags prior to blood transfusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerryn Matthews
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054-6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Erik S Lamoureux
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054-6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Marie-Eve Myrand-Lapierre
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054-6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Simon P Duffy
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Institute of Technology, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hongshen Ma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054-6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Urologic Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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25
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Kamau A, Paton RS, Akech S, Mpimbaza A, Khazenzi C, Ogero M, Mumo E, Alegana VA, Agweyu A, Mturi N, Mohammed S, Bigogo G, Audi A, Kapisi J, Sserwanga A, Namuganga JF, Kariuki S, Otieno NA, Nyawanda BO, Olotu A, Salim N, Athuman T, Abdulla S, Mohamed AF, Mtove G, Reyburn H, Gupta S, Lourenço J, Bejon P, Snow RW. Malaria hospitalisation in East Africa: age, phenotype and transmission intensity. BMC Med 2022; 20:28. [PMID: 35081974 PMCID: PMC8793189 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-021-02224-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the age patterns of disease is necessary to target interventions to maximise cost-effective impact. New malaria chemoprevention and vaccine initiatives target young children attending routine immunisation services. Here we explore the relationships between age and severity of malaria hospitalisation versus malaria transmission intensity. METHODS Clinical data from 21 surveillance hospitals in East Africa were reviewed. Malaria admissions aged 1 month to 14 years from discrete administrative areas since 2006 were identified. Each site-time period was matched to a model estimated community-based age-corrected parasite prevalence to provide predictions of prevalence in childhood (PfPR2-10). Admission with all-cause malaria, severe malaria anaemia (SMA), respiratory distress (RD) and cerebral malaria (CM) were analysed as means and predicted probabilities from Bayesian generalised mixed models. RESULTS 52,684 malaria admissions aged 1 month to 14 years were described at 21 hospitals from 49 site-time locations where PfPR2-10 varied from < 1 to 48.7%. Twelve site-time periods were described as low transmission (PfPR2-10 < 5%), five low-moderate transmission (PfPR2-10 5-9%), 20 moderate transmission (PfPR2-10 10-29%) and 12 high transmission (PfPR2-10 ≥ 30%). The majority of malaria admissions were below 5 years of age (69-85%) and rare among children aged 10-14 years (0.7-5.4%) across all transmission settings. The mean age of all-cause malaria hospitalisation was 49.5 months (95% CI 45.1, 55.4) under low transmission compared with 34.1 months (95% CI 30.4, 38.3) at high transmission, with similar trends for each severe malaria phenotype. CM presented among older children at a mean of 48.7 months compared with 39.0 months and 33.7 months for SMA and RD, respectively. In moderate and high transmission settings, 34% and 42% of the children were aged between 2 and 23 months and so within the age range targeted by chemoprevention or vaccines. CONCLUSIONS Targeting chemoprevention or vaccination programmes to areas where community-based parasite prevalence is ≥10% is likely to match the age ranges covered by interventions (e.g. intermittent presumptive treatment in infancy to children aged 2-23 months and current vaccine age eligibility and duration of efficacy) and the age ranges of highest disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Kamau
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | | | - Samuel Akech
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Arthur Mpimbaza
- Child Health and Development Centre, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Cynthia Khazenzi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Morris Ogero
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eda Mumo
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Victor A Alegana
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ambrose Agweyu
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Neema Mturi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Shebe Mohammed
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Godfrey Bigogo
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Allan Audi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - James Kapisi
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Simon Kariuki
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Nancy A Otieno
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Bryan O Nyawanda
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Ally Olotu
- Ifakara Health Institute, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Nahya Salim
- Ifakara Health Institute, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Amina F Mohamed
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre/Joint Malaria Programme, Moshi, Tanzania
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - George Mtove
- National Institute for Medical Research, Amani Research Centre, Muheza, Tanzania
| | - Hugh Reyburn
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sunetra Gupta
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - José Lourenço
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Philip Bejon
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert W Snow
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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26
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Vicentini VM, Nascimento WDSPD, Almeida ML, Medeiros DSSD, Santos APDAD, Costa JD‘AN, Pereira DB, Tada MS, Calderon LDA, Teles CBG. In vitro and ex vivo antiplasmodial activity of 1-(3-benzyloxy-4-methoxy-phenyl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-phenyl)-propan-1-one) against circulating strains of Plasmodium spp. in the state of Rondônia, Brazil. BRAZ J PHARM SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/s2175-97902022e20453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Leonardo de Azevedo Calderon
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Rondônia, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Brazil; Rede de Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Amazônia Legal, Brazil
| | - Carolina Bioni Garcia Teles
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Rondônia, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Brazil; Centro Universitário São Lucas, Brazil; Rede de Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Amazônia Legal, Brazil
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27
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Wilairatana P, Mahannop P, Tussato T, Hayeedoloh IM, Boonhok R, Klangbud WK, Mala W, Kotepui KU, Kotepui M. C-reactive protein as an early biomarker for malaria infection and monitoring of malaria severity: a meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22033. [PMID: 34764364 PMCID: PMC8585865 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01556-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated whether C-reactive protein (CRP) can be used as a marker for the early detection and monitoring of malaria severity. Potentially relevant studies were searched in Medline (PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science. Differences in CRP between (1) severe malaria and uncomplicated malaria, (2) uncomplicated malaria and asymptomatic malaria, (3) uncomplicated malaria and febrile/healthy controls, and (4) asymptomatic malaria and febrile/healthy controls were estimated using random-effects models. Twenty-nine studies were included for meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis demonstrated higher mean CRP levels in (1) patients with severe malaria compared with uncomplicated malaria (p < 0.001, standard mean difference [SMD]: 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91-2.12, I2: 95.1%), (2) patients with uncomplicated malaria than in those with asymptomatic malaria (p: 0.001, SMD: 1.65, 95% CI: 0.67-2.62, I2: 96.7%), (3) patients with uncomplicated malaria compared with febrile/healthy controls (p < 0.001, SMD: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.37-3.40, I2: 98.5%), and (4) patients with asymptomatic malaria compared with febrile/healthy controls (p < 0.001, SMD: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.60-3.50, I2: 99.2%). This study demonstrated CRP levels are a biomarker for the early detection and monitoring of malaria severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polrat Wilairatana
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Praphassorn Mahannop
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Thanita Tussato
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - I-Mee Hayeedoloh
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Rachasak Boonhok
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Wiyada Kwanhian Klangbud
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Wanida Mala
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Manas Kotepui
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
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Metabolomic Analysis of Diverse Mice Reveals Hepatic Arginase-1 as Source of Plasma Arginase in Plasmodium chabaudi Infection. mBio 2021; 12:e0242421. [PMID: 34607466 PMCID: PMC8546868 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02424-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections disrupt host metabolism, but the factors that dictate the nature and magnitude of metabolic change are incompletely characterized. To determine how host metabolism changes in relation to disease severity in murine malaria, we performed plasma metabolomics on eight Plasmodium chabaudi-infected mouse strains with diverse disease phenotypes. We identified plasma metabolic biomarkers for both the nature and severity of different malarial pathologies. A subset of metabolic changes, including plasma arginine depletion, match the plasma metabolomes of human malaria patients, suggesting new connections between pathology and metabolism in human malaria. In our malarial mice, liver damage, which releases hepatic arginase-1 (Arg1) into circulation, correlated with plasma arginine depletion. We confirmed that hepatic Arg1 was the primary source of increased plasma arginase activity in our model, which motivates further investigation of liver damage in human malaria patients. More broadly, our approach shows how leveraging phenotypic diversity can identify and validate relationships between metabolism and the pathophysiology of infectious disease. IMPORTANCE Malaria is a severe and sometimes fatal infectious disease endemic to tropical and subtropical regions. Effective vaccines against malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites remain elusive, and malaria treatments often fail to prevent severe disease. Small molecules that target host metabolism have recently emerged as candidates for therapeutics in malaria and other diseases. However, our limited understanding of how metabolites affect pathophysiology limits our ability to develop new metabolite therapies. By providing a rich data set of metabolite-pathology correlations and by validating one of those correlations, our work is an important step toward harnessing metabolism to mitigate disease. Specifically, we showed that liver damage in P. chabaudi-infected mice releases hepatic arginase-1 into circulation, where it may deplete plasma arginine, a candidate malaria therapeutic that mitigates vascular stress. Our data suggest that liver damage may confound efforts to increase levels of arginine in human malaria patients.
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29
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Panda SK, Saxena S, Gupta PSS, Rana MK. Inhibitors of Plasmepsin X Plasmodium falciparum: Structure-based pharmacophore generation and molecular dynamics simulation. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.116851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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30
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Opi DH, Kurtovic L, Chan JA, Horton JL, Feng G, Beeson JG. Multi-functional antibody profiling for malaria vaccine development and evaluation. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:1257-1272. [PMID: 34530671 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1981864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A vaccine would greatly accelerate current global efforts toward malaria elimination. While a partially efficacious vaccine has been achieved for Plasmodium falciparum, a major bottleneck in developing highly efficacious vaccines is a lack of reliable correlates of protection, and the limited application of assays that quantify functional immune responses to evaluate and down-select vaccine candidates in pre-clinical studies and clinical trials. AREAS COVERED In this review, we describe the important role of antibodies in immunity against malaria and detail the nature and functional activities of antibodies against the malaria-causing parasite. We highlight the growing understanding of antibody effector functions against malaria and in vitro assays to measure these functional antibody responses. We discuss the application of these assays to quantify antibody functions in vaccine development and evaluation. EXPERT OPINION It is becoming increasingly clear that multiple antibody effector functions are involved in immunity to malaria. Therefore, we propose that evaluating vaccine candidates needs to move beyond individual assays or measuring IgG magnitude alone. Instead, vaccine evaluation should incorporate the full breadth of antibody response types and harness a wider range of assays measuring functional antibody responses. We propose a 3-tier approach to implementing assays to inform vaccine evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Herbert Opi
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Liriye Kurtovic
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jo-Anne Chan
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jessica L Horton
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gaoqian Feng
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - James G Beeson
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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Neutrophils dominate in opsonic phagocytosis of P. falciparum blood-stage merozoites and protect against febrile malaria. Commun Biol 2021; 4:984. [PMID: 34413459 PMCID: PMC8376957 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02511-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody-mediated opsonic phagocytosis (OP) of Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage merozoites has been associated with protection against malaria. However, the precise contribution of different peripheral blood phagocytes in the OP mechanism remains unknown. Here, we developed an in vitro OP assay using peripheral blood leukocytes that allowed us to quantify the contribution of each phagocytic cell type in the OP of merozoites. We found that CD14 + +CD16- monocytes were the dominant phagocytic cells at very low antibody levels and Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) IIA plays a key role. At higher antibody levels however, neutrophils were the main phagocytes in the OP of merozoites with FcγRIIIB acting synergistically with FcγRIIA in the process. We found that OP activity by neutrophils was strongly associated with protection against febrile malaria in longitudinal cohort studies performed in Ghana and India. Our results demonstrate that peripheral blood neutrophils are the main phagocytes of P. falciparum blood-stage merozoites.
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Plasmodium falciparum transcription in different clinical presentations of malaria associates with circulation time of infected erythrocytes. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4711. [PMID: 34330920 PMCID: PMC8324851 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25062-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Following Plasmodium falciparum infection, individuals can remain asymptomatic, present with mild fever in uncomplicated malaria cases, or show one or more severe malaria symptoms. Several studies have investigated associations between parasite transcription and clinical severity, but no broad conclusions have yet been drawn. Here, we apply a series of bioinformatic approaches based on P. falciparum's tightly regulated transcriptional pattern during its ~48-hour intraerythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC) to publicly available transcriptomes of parasites obtained from malaria cases of differing clinical severity across multiple studies. Our analysis shows that within each IDC, the circulation time of infected erythrocytes without sequestering to endothelial cells decreases with increasing parasitaemia or disease severity. Accordingly, we find that the size of circulating infected erythrocytes is inversely related to parasite density and disease severity. We propose that enhanced adhesiveness of infected erythrocytes leads to a rapid increase in parasite burden, promoting higher parasitaemia and increased disease severity.
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Sazed SA, Kibria MG, Alam MS. An Optimized Real-Time qPCR Method for the Effective Detection of Human Malaria Infections. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:736. [PMID: 33919020 PMCID: PMC8142979 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11050736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymerase chain reaction, although an expensive method for the detection of human Plasmodium spp., is still considered the finest for the diagnosis of malaria. The conventional diagnostic PCR is an inexpensive process but consumes a lot of time, reagents and lacks sensitivity. On the other hand, real-time PCR assays currently being used are mostly probe-based expensive methods and sometimes not feasible to detect all the species in a single amplification reaction condition. Here we have established a real-time PCR method that is time and cost effective with a single protocol to detect and distinguish five human Plasmodium species using the existing primers efficiently. The primers used here are being used in the conventional method and the sensitivity as well as specificity of this method has also been immensely improved (100%). The lower limit of detection for Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium malariae are 0.064 parasites/µL, 1.6 parasites/µL, and 0.32 parasites/µL respectively and no cross reactivity was observed. Besides, we have analyzed melt curves that can be used for further species confirmation and validation purposes using multiplex systems. This method, therefore, can be considered as an alternative to the existing lineup for molecular diagnosis of malaria in endemic countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mohammad Shafiul Alam
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Diseases Research, Bangladesh Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (S.A.S.); (M.G.K.)
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Chakrabarti M, Joshi N, Kumari G, Singh P, Shoaib R, Munjal A, Kumar V, Behl A, Abid M, Garg S, Gupta S, Singh S. Interaction of Plasmodium falciparum apicortin with α- and β-tubulin is critical for parasite growth and survival. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4688. [PMID: 33633135 PMCID: PMC7907060 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83513-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytoskeletal structures of Apicomplexan parasites are important for parasite replication, motility, invasion to the host cell and survival. Apicortin, an Apicomplexan specific protein appears to be a crucial factor in maintaining stability of the parasite cytoskeletal assemblies. However, the function of apicortin, in terms of interaction with microtubules still remains elusive. Herein, we have attempted to elucidate the function of Plasmodium falciparum apicortin by monitoring its interaction with two main components of parasite microtubular structure, α-tubulin-I and β-tubulin through in silico and in vitro studies. Further, a p25 domain binding generic drug Tamoxifen (TMX), was used to disrupt PfApicortin-tubulin interactions which led to the inhibition in growth and progression of blood stage life cycle of P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malabika Chakrabarti
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Nishant Joshi
- grid.410868.30000 0004 1781 342XDepartment of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida, 201314 UP India
| | - Geeta Kumari
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Preeti Singh
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Rumaisha Shoaib
- grid.411818.50000 0004 0498 8255Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025 India
| | - Akshay Munjal
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Vikash Kumar
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Ankita Behl
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Mohammad Abid
- grid.411818.50000 0004 0498 8255Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025 India
| | - Swati Garg
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Sonal Gupta
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Shailja Singh
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India ,grid.410868.30000 0004 1781 342XDepartment of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida, 201314 UP India
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Multivalent Interactions Drive the Toxoplasma AC9:AC10:ERK7 Complex To Concentrate ERK7 in the Apical Cap. mBio 2021; 13:e0286421. [PMID: 35130732 PMCID: PMC8822341 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02864-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The Toxoplasma inner membrane complex (IMC) is a specialized organelle that is crucial for the parasite to establish an intracellular lifestyle and ultimately cause disease. The IMC is composed of both membrane and cytoskeletal components, further delineated into the apical cap, body, and basal subcompartments. The apical cap cytoskeleton was recently demonstrated to govern the stability of the apical complex, which controls parasite motility, invasion, and egress. While this role was determined by individually assessing the apical cap proteins AC9, AC10, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK7, how the three proteins collaborate to stabilize the apical complex is unknown. In this study, we use a combination of deletion analyses and yeast two-hybrid experiments to establish that these proteins form an essential complex in the apical cap. We show that AC10 is a foundational component of the AC9:AC10:ERK7 complex and demonstrate that the interactions among them are critical to maintaining the apical complex. Importantly, we identify multiple independent regions of pairwise interaction between each of the three proteins, suggesting that the AC9:AC10:ERK7 complex is organized by multivalent interactions. Together, these data support a model in which multiple interacting domains enable the oligomerization of the AC9:AC10:ERK7 complex and its assembly into the cytoskeletal IMC, which serves as a structural scaffold that concentrates ERK7 kinase activity in the apical cap. IMPORTANCE The phylum Apicomplexa consists of obligate, intracellular parasites, including the causative agents of toxoplasmosis, malaria, and cryptosporidiosis. Hallmarks of these parasites are the IMC and the apical complex, both of which are unique structures that are conserved throughout the phylum and required for parasite survival. The apical cap portion of the IMC has previously been shown to stabilize the apical complex. Here, we expand on those studies to determine the precise protein-protein interactions of the apical cap complex that confer this essential function. We describe the multivalent nature of these interactions and show that the resulting protein oligomers likely tether ERK7 in the apical cap. This study represents the first description of the architecture of the apical cap at a molecular level, expanding our understanding of the unique cell biology that drives Toxoplasma infections.
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Identification and Molecular Dissection of IMC32, a Conserved Toxoplasma Inner Membrane Complex Protein That Is Essential for Parasite Replication. mBio 2021; 12:mBio.03622-20. [PMID: 33593973 PMCID: PMC8545131 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03622-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The inner membrane complex (IMC) is a unique organelle of apicomplexan parasites that plays critical roles in parasite motility, host cell invasion, and replication. Despite the common functions of the organelle, relatively few IMC proteins are conserved across the phylum and the precise roles of many IMC components remain to be characterized. Here, we identify a novel component of the Toxoplasma gondii IMC (IMC32) that localizes to the body portion of the IMC and is recruited to developing daughter buds early during endodyogeny. IMC32 is essential for parasite survival, as its conditional depletion results in a complete collapse of the IMC that is lethal to the parasite. We demonstrate that localization of IMC32 is dependent on both an N-terminal palmitoylation site and a series of C-terminal coiled-coil domains. Using deletion analyses and functional complementation, we show that two conserved regions within the C-terminal coiled-coil domains play critical roles in protein function during replication. Together, this work reveals an essential component of parasite replication that provides a novel target for therapeutic intervention of T. gondii and related apicomplexan parasites.IMPORTANCE The IMC is an important organelle that apicomplexan parasites use to maintain their intracellular lifestyle. While many IMC proteins have been identified, only a few central players that are essential for internal budding have been described and even fewer are conserved across the phylum. Here, we identify IMC32, a novel component of the Toxoplasma gondii IMC that localizes to very early daughter buds, indicating a role in the early stages of parasite replication. We then demonstrate that IMC32 is essential for parasite survival and pinpoint conserved regions within the protein that are important for membrane association and daughter cell formation. As IMC32 is unique to these parasites and not present in their mammalian hosts, it serves as a new target for the development of drugs that exclusively affect these important intracellular pathogens.
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Omer S, Franco-Jarava C, Noureldien A, Omer M, Abdelrahim M, Molina I, Adam I. Impact of placental malaria on maternal, placental and fetal cord responses and its role in pregnancy outcomes in women from Blue Nile State, Sudan. Malar J 2021; 20:35. [PMID: 33422078 PMCID: PMC7797158 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03580-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum infected cells in the placenta results in placental malaria (PM). It activates the mother's immune cells and induces secretion of inflammatory cytokines, which might influence pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to investigate the cytokines (levels IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, and INF γ) in maternal peripheral, placental, and umbilical cord blood in response to PM and the extent to which this may influence maternal haemoglobin levels and birth weight. Methods A total of 185 consenting Sudanese women from Blue Nile State were enrolled at delivery time in a cross-sectional study conducted between Jan 2012-Dec 2015. Malaria infection in the collected maternal peripheral, placental, umbilical cord samples was determined microscopically, and ELISA was used to measure the plasma levels IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, and INF γ in the collected positive and negative malaria samples. Results Elevated levels of IL-4 and IL-10 and reduced levels of IL-6 were detected in the malaria positive samples in comparison to the negative ones in the three types of the samples investigated. Maternal, IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly higher in the samples collected from the PM infected group compared to the non-infected control (P < 0.001). While the absence of PM was significantly associated with the IL-6 and maternal IFN-γ levels, maternal IL-17A, placental and umbilical cord IFN-γ levels showed no significant difference (P = 0.214, P = 0.065, P = 0.536, respectively) due to infection. Haemoglobin level and birth weight were increased in the group with high levels of IL-6 and IL-17A, but not in the group with IL-4 and IL-10 levels. While significantly negative correlation was found between IFN-γ levels and birth weight for all three types of samples, only maternal peripheral IFN-γ level was significantly positively correlated with maternal haemoglobin (r = 0.171, P = 0.020). Conclusion These results suggest that PM induces mother’s immune response and impairs her cytokine profile, which might alter maternal haemoglobin levels and the baby's birth weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia Omer
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Khartoum, Sudan.
| | | | - Ali Noureldien
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mona Omer
- Bioscience Research Institute, Ibn Sina University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mutasim Abdelrahim
- Ed-Damazin Hospital, Blue Nile State Ministry of Health, Ed-Damazin, Sudan
| | - Israel Molina
- Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ishag Adam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Kumar V, Ray S, Aggarwal S, Biswas D, Jadhav M, Yadav R, Sabnis SV, Banerjee S, Talukdar A, Kochar SK, Shetty S, Sehgal K, Patankar S, Srivastava S. Multiplexed quantitative proteomics provides mechanistic cues for malaria severity and complexity. Commun Biol 2020; 3:683. [PMID: 33204009 PMCID: PMC7672109 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01384-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Management of severe malaria remains a critical global challenge. In this study, using a multiplexed quantitative proteomics pipeline we systematically investigated the plasma proteome alterations in non-severe and severe malaria patients. We identified a few parasite proteins in severe malaria patients, which could be promising from a diagnostic perspective. Further, from host proteome analysis we observed substantial modulations in many crucial physiological pathways, including lipid metabolism, cytokine signaling, complement, and coagulation cascades in severe malaria. We propose that severe manifestations of malaria are possibly underpinned by modulations of the host physiology and defense machinery, which is evidently reflected in the plasma proteome alterations. Importantly, we identified multiple blood markers that can effectively define different complications of severe falciparum malaria, including cerebral syndromes and severe anemia. The ability of our identified blood markers to distinguish different severe complications of malaria may aid in developing new clinical tests for monitoring malaria severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Sandipan Ray
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Shalini Aggarwal
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Deeptarup Biswas
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Manali Jadhav
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Radha Yadav
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Sanjeev V Sabnis
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Soumaditya Banerjee
- Medicine Department, Medical College Hospital Kolkata, 88, College Street, Kolkata, 700073, India
| | - Arunansu Talukdar
- Medicine Department, Medical College Hospital Kolkata, 88, College Street, Kolkata, 700073, India
| | - Sanjay K Kochar
- Department of Medicine, Malaria Research Centre, S.P. Medical College, Bikaner, 334003, India
| | - Suvin Shetty
- Dr. L H Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | | | - Swati Patankar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Sanjeeva Srivastava
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India.
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Frimpong A, Amponsah J, Adjokatseh AS, Agyemang D, Bentum-Ennin L, Ofori EA, Kyei-Baafour E, Akyea-Mensah K, Adu B, Mensah GI, Amoah LE, Kusi KA. Asymptomatic Malaria Infection Is Maintained by a Balanced Pro- and Anti-inflammatory Response. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:559255. [PMID: 33281757 PMCID: PMC7705202 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.559255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are important mediators of immunity and are associated with malaria disease outcomes. However, their role in the establishment of asymptomatic infections, which may precede the development of clinical symptoms, is not as well-understood. Methods We determined the association of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines and other immune effector molecules with the development of asymptomatic malaria. We measured and compared the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12p70, IL-17A, and granzyme B, the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 and the regulatory cytokine IL-10 from children with asymptomatic malaria infections (either microscopic or submicroscopic) and uninfected controls using Luminex. Results We show that individuals with microscopic asymptomatic malaria had significantly increased levels of TNF-α and IL-6 compared to uninfected controls. Children with either microscopic or submicroscopic asymptomatic malaria exhibited higher levels of IFN-γ, IL-17A, and IL-4 compared to uninfected controls. The levels of most of the pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines were comparable between children with microscopic and submicroscopic infections. The ratio of IFN-γ/IL-10, TNF-α/IL-10, IL-6/IL-10 as well as IFN-γ/IL-4 and IL-6/IL-4 did not differ significantly between the groups. Additionally, using a principal component analysis, the cytokines measured could not distinguish amongst the three study populations. This may imply that neither microscopic nor submicroscopic asymptomatic infections were polarized toward a pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory response. Conclusion The data show that asymptomatic malaria infections result in increased plasma levels of both pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines relative to uninfected persons. The balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are, however, largely maintained and this may in part, explain the lack of clinical symptoms. This is consistent with the generally accepted observation that clinical symptoms develop as a result of immunopathology involving dysregulation of inflammatory mediator balance in favor of pro-inflammatory mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustina Frimpong
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jones Amponsah
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Abigail Sena Adjokatseh
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Dorothy Agyemang
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Lutterodt Bentum-Ennin
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ebenezer Addo Ofori
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Eric Kyei-Baafour
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Akyea-Mensah
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bright Adu
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Gloria Ivy Mensah
- Department of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Linda Eva Amoah
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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40
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Prior KF, Rijo-Ferreira F, Assis PA, Hirako IC, Weaver DR, Gazzinelli RT, Reece SE. Periodic Parasites and Daily Host Rhythms. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 27:176-187. [PMID: 32053788 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Biological rhythms appear to be an elegant solution to the challenge of coordinating activities with the consequences of the Earth's daily and seasonal rotation. The genes and molecular mechanisms underpinning circadian clocks in multicellular organisms are well understood. In contrast, the regulatory mechanisms and fitness consequences of biological rhythms exhibited by parasites remain mysterious. Here, we explore how periodicity in parasite traits is generated and why daily rhythms matter for parasite fitness. We focus on malaria (Plasmodium) parasites which exhibit developmental rhythms during replication in the mammalian host's blood and in transmission to vectors. Rhythmic in-host parasite replication is responsible for eliciting inflammatory responses, the severity of disease symptoms, and fueling transmission, as well as conferring tolerance to anti-parasite drugs. Thus, understanding both how and why the timing and synchrony of parasites are connected to the daily rhythms of hosts and vectors may make treatment more effective and less toxic to hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley F Prior
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology & Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Filipa Rijo-Ferreira
- Department of Neuroscience, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute & Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Patricia A Assis
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Isabella C Hirako
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - David R Weaver
- Department of Neurobiology & NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ricardo T Gazzinelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Sarah E Reece
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology & Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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A micro-epidemiological report on the unstable transmission of malaria in Aligarh, India. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2020; 11:e00161. [PMID: 32642569 PMCID: PMC7334815 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2020.e00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
India contributes approximately 70% to the malaria burden of Southeast Asia. The transmission of disease in the country is generally hypoendemic, seasonal and unstable. Most researchers focus upon the hyperendemic malarious regions with stable malaria transmission. There is paucity of data regarding malaria transmission in hypoendemic regions, here we are presenting an epidemiological picture of clinical manifestations through a hospital-based survey in Aligarh, India, during 2016-18. Two thousand sixty-eight patients were diagnosed with malaria infection in Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital (JNMCH), out of which 1104 were enrolled for clinical analysis. Ninety per cent of the cases were reported during July-November, and the rest in the dry season. A progressive increase in the prevalence rate was observed during the study period, i.e. 4.8, 7.57 and 8.7% in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. Of the total cases, 75.77% had vivax malaria, while rest suffered from falciparum malaria. The risk of disease was significantly higher in the age group 0-15 years compared to all other age groups (p < .0001). The infection rate was higher in males (61%) compared to females (39%) p < .0001. Overall 8.6% of the patients had severe malaria who fulfilled the WHO criteria. The increasing rate of malaria infection during the study period and a considerable no. of severe vivax malaria cases warrant an efficient disease monitoring system, pointing towards the need to carry out micro-epidemiological studies in order to estimate the real burden of malaria in the country.
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Early Perturbations in Glucose Utilization in Malaria-Infected Murine Erythrocytes, Liver and Brain Observed by Metabolomics. Metabolites 2020; 10:metabo10070277. [PMID: 32645891 PMCID: PMC7407383 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10070277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigation of glucose utilization during an infection is central to the study of energy metabolism. The heavy utilization of glucose by the malaria parasite, and the consequences of this process, have been investigated extensively. However, host glucose utilization during early infection has not been explored to date. In a first attempt, this article investigates the changes in the host glucose utilization in Balb/c mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA using 13C-labeled glucose infusion followed by NMR spectroscopy. The results suggested significant alterations of liver, brain and red blood cell (RBC) glucose utilization during early infection when the parasitemia was <1%. At the pathway level, we observed a decrease in the shunt metabolite 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate in the RBCs. Glycolysis and pathways associated with it, along with fatty acid unsaturation, were altered in the liver. Significant changes were observed in the central carbon metabolic pathways in the brain. These results have implications in understanding the host physiology during early infection and pave the way for detailed flux analysis of the proposed perturbed pathways.
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RAGE modulatory effects on cytokines network and histopathological conditions in malarial mice. Exp Parasitol 2020; 216:107946. [PMID: 32622941 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This study was aimed at investigating the involvement of Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) during malaria infection and the effects of modulating RAGE on the inflammatory cytokines release and histopathological conditions of affected organs in malarial animal model. Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) ANKA-infected ICR mice were treated with mRAGE/pAb and rmRAGE/Fc Chimera drugs from day 1 to day 4 post infection. Survival and parasitaemia levels were monitored daily. On day 5 post infection, mice were sacrificed, blood were drawn for cytokines analysis and major organs including kidney, spleen, liver, brain and lungs were extracted for histopathological analysis. RAGE levels were increased systemically during malaria infection. Positive correlation between RAGE plasma concentration and parasitaemia development was observed. Treatment with RAGE related drugs did not improve survival of malaria-infected mice. However, significant reduction on the parasitaemia levels were recorded. On the other hand, inhibition and neutralization of RAGE production during the infection significantly increased the plasma levels of interleukin (IL-4, IL-17A, IL-10 and IL-2) and reduced interferon (IFN)-γ secretion. Histopathological analysis revealed that all treated malarial mice showed a better outcome in histological assessment of affected organs (brain, liver, spleen, lungs and kidney). RAGE is involved in malaria pathogenesis and targeting RAGE could be beneficial in malaria infected host in which RAGE inhibition or neutralization increased the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and IL-4) and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine (IFNγ) which may help alleviate tissue injury and improve histopathological conditions of affected organs during the infection.
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Rathore I, Mishra V, Patel C, Xiao H, Gustchina A, Wlodawer A, Yada RY, Bhaumik P. Activation mechanism of plasmepsins, pepsin-like aspartic proteases from Plasmodium, follows a unique trans-activation pathway. FEBS J 2020; 288:678-698. [PMID: 32385863 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria produce plasmepsins (PMs), pepsin-like aspartic proteases that are important antimalarial drug targets due to their role in host hemoglobin degradation. The enzymes are synthesized as inactive zymogens (pro-PMs), and the mechanism of their conversion to the active, mature forms has not been clearly elucidated. Our structural investigations of vacuolar pro-PMs with truncated prosegment (pro-tPMs) reveal that the formation of the S-shaped dimer is their innate property. Further structural studies, biochemical analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that disruption of the Tyr-Asp loop (121p-4), coordinated with the movement of the loop L1 (237-247) and helix H2 (101p-113p), is responsible for the extension of the pro-mature region (harboring the cleavage site). Consequently, under acidic pH conditions, these structural changes result in the dissociation of the dimers to monomers and the protonation of the residues in the prosegment prompts its unfolding. Subsequently, we demonstrated that the active site of the monomeric pro-tPMs with the unfolded prosegment is accessible for peptide substrate binding; in contrast, the active site is blocked in folded prosegment form of pro-tPMs. Thus, we propose a novel mechanism of auto-activation of vacuolar pro-tPMs that under acidic conditions can form a catalytically competent active site. One monomer cleaves the prosegment of the other one through a trans-activation process, resulting in formation of mature enzyme. As a result, once a mature enzyme is generated, it leads to the complete conversion of all the inactive pro-tPMs to their mature form. DATABASE: Atomic coordinates and structure factors have been submitted in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) under the PDB IDs 6KUB, 6KUC, and 6KUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishan Rathore
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Vandana Mishra
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Chandan Patel
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Huogen Xiao
- Summerland Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland, BC, Canada
| | - Alla Gustchina
- Protein Structure Section, Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Alexander Wlodawer
- Protein Structure Section, Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Rickey Y Yada
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Prasenjit Bhaumik
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
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45
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da Silva MA, Veloso MP, de Souza Reis K, de Matos Passarini G, Dos Santos APDA, do Nascimento Martinez L, Fokoue HH, Kato MJ, Teles CBG, Kuehn CC. In silico evaluation and in vitro growth inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum by natural amides and synthetic analogs. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1879-1887. [PMID: 32382989 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06681-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Malaria, caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, is a disease that infects hundreds of millions of people annually, causing an enormous social burden in many developing countries. Since current antimalarial drugs are starting to face resistance by the parasite, the development of new therapeutic options has been prompted. The enzyme Plasmodium falciparum enoyl-ACP reductase (PfENR) has a determinant role in the fatty acid biosynthesis of this parasite and is absent in humans, making it an ideal target for new antimalarial drugs. In this sense, the present study aimed at evaluating the in silico binding affinity of natural and synthetic amides through molecular docking, in addition to their in vitro activity against P. falciparum by means of the SYBR Green Fluorescence Assay. The in vitro results revealed that the natural amide piplartine (1a) presented partial antiplasmodial activity (20.54 μM), whereas its synthetic derivatives (1m-IC50 104.45 μM), (1b, 1g, 1k, and 14f) and the natural amide piperine (18a) were shown to be inactive (IC50 > 200 μM). The in silico physicochemical analyses demonstrated that compounds 1m and 14f violated the Lipinski's rule of five. The in silico analyses showed that 14f presented the best binding affinity (- 13.047 kcal/mol) to PfENR and was also superior to the reference inhibitor triclosan (- 7.806 kcal/mol). In conclusion, we found that the structural modifications in 1a caused a significant decrease in antiplasmodial activity. Therefore, new modifications are encouraged in order to improve the activity observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minelly Azevedo da Silva
- Programa de Pós graduação em Biologia Experimental, PGBIOEXP, Porto Velho, Brazil.
- Instituto Federal de Rondônia, IFRO, Porto Velho / Rondônia, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal de Rondônia -UNIR, Porto Velho, Brazil.
| | - Márcia Paranho Veloso
- Laboratório de Avaliação e de Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas, Alfenas - MG, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas - MG, Brazil
| | - Kassius de Souza Reis
- Laboratório de Avaliação e de Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas, Alfenas - MG, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas - MG, Brazil
| | - Guilherme de Matos Passarini
- Programa de Pós graduação em Biologia Experimental, PGBIOEXP, Porto Velho, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Rondônia -UNIR, Porto Velho, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rondônia (FIOCRUZ -RO) / EpiAmO, Porto Velho, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula de Azevedo Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós graduação em Biologia Experimental, PGBIOEXP, Porto Velho, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Rondônia -UNIR, Porto Velho, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rondônia (FIOCRUZ -RO) / EpiAmO, Porto Velho, Brazil
| | - Leandro do Nascimento Martinez
- Programa de Pós graduação em Biologia Experimental, PGBIOEXP, Porto Velho, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Rondônia -UNIR, Porto Velho, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rondônia (FIOCRUZ -RO) / EpiAmO, Porto Velho, Brazil
| | | | - Massuo Jorge Kato
- Instituto de Química da Universidade de São Paulo, IQ-USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolina Bioni Garcia Teles
- Programa de Pós graduação em Biologia Experimental, PGBIOEXP, Porto Velho, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Rondônia -UNIR, Porto Velho, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rondônia (FIOCRUZ -RO) / EpiAmO, Porto Velho, Brazil
- Centro Universitário São Lucas, UniSL, Porto Velho, Brazil
| | - Christian Collins Kuehn
- Programa de Pós graduação em Biologia Experimental, PGBIOEXP, Porto Velho, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Rondônia -UNIR, Porto Velho, Brazil
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46
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Severe malaria. Current concepts and practical overview: What every intensivist should know. Intensive Care Med 2020; 46:907-918. [PMID: 32347322 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-020-06019-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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47
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Jones S, Hodel EM, Sharma R, Kay K, Hastings IM. Optimal Treatments for Severe Malaria and the Threat Posed by Artemisinin Resistance. J Infect Dis 2020; 219:1243-1253. [PMID: 30517708 PMCID: PMC6452316 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Standard treatment for severe malaria is with artesunate; patient survival in the 24 hours immediately posttreatment is the key objective. Clinical trials use clearance rates of circulating parasites as their clinical outcome, but the pathology of severe malaria is attributed primarily to noncirculating, sequestered, parasites, so there is a disconnect between existing clinical metrics and objectives. Methods We extend existing pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling methods to simulate the treatment of 10000 patients with severe malaria and track the pathology caused by sequestered parasites. Results Our model recovered the clinical outcomes of existing studies (based on circulating parasites) and showed a “simplified” artesunate regimen was noninferior to the existing World Health Organization regimen across the patient population but resulted in worse outcomes in a subgroup of patients with infections clustered in early stages of the parasite life cycle. This same group of patients were extremely vulnerable to resistance emerging in parasite early ring stages. Conclusions We quantify patient outcomes in a manner appropriate for severe malaria with a flexible framework that allows future researchers to implement their beliefs about underlying pathology. We highlight with some urgency the threat posed to treatment of severe malaria by artemisinin resistance in parasite early ring stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Jones
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Maria Hodel
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Raman Sharma
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Kay
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Ian M Hastings
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
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48
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Anvikar AR, van Eijk AM, Shah A, Upadhyay KJ, Sullivan SA, Patel AJ, Joshi JM, Tyagi S, Singh R, Carlton JM, Gupta H, Wassmer SC. Clinical and epidemiological characterization of severe Plasmodium vivax malaria in Gujarat, India. Virulence 2020; 11:730-738. [PMID: 32490754 PMCID: PMC7549892 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1773107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The mounting evidence supporting the capacity of Plasmodium vivax to cause severe disease has prompted the need for a better characterization of the resulting clinical complications. India is making progress with reducing malaria, but epidemics of severe vivax malaria in Gujarat, one of the main contributors to the vivax malaria burden in the country, have been reported recently and may be the result of a decrease in transmission and immune development. Over a period of one year, we enrolled severe malaria patients admitted at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat, to investigate the morbidity of severe vivax malaria compared to severe falciparum malaria. Patients were submitted to standard thorough clinical and laboratory investigations and only PCR-confirmed infections were selected for the present study. Severevivax malaria (30 patients) was more frequent than severe falciparum malaria (8 patients) in our setting, and it predominantly affected adults (median age 32 years, interquartile range 22.5 years). This suggests a potential age shift in anti-malarial immunity, likely to result from the recent decrease in transmission across India. The clinical presentation of severe vivax patients was in line with previous reports, with jaundice as the most common complication. Our findings further support the need for epidemiological studies combining clinical characterization of severe vivax malaria and serological evaluation of exposure markers to monitor the impact of elimination programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupkumar R. Anvikar
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Institute of Malaria Research Field Unit, Civil Hospital, Nadiad, India
| | - Anna Maria van Eijk
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Asha Shah
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College (BJMC), Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Kamlesh J. Upadhyay
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College (BJMC), Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Steven A. Sullivan
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ankita J. Patel
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College (BJMC), Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Jaykumar M. Joshi
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College (BJMC), Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Suchi Tyagi
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College (BJMC), Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Ranvir Singh
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College (BJMC), Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Jane M. Carlton
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Himanshu Gupta
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Samuel C. Wassmer
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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49
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Aggarwal B, Sharma P, Lamba H. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry characterization of bioactive compounds from Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. F.) stem bark with promising in vitro antiplasmodial activity. J Pharm Bioallied Sci 2020; 12:42-47. [PMID: 32801599 PMCID: PMC7397993 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_41_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extract of Ziziphus nummularia stem bark as well as the determination of core structure fractionated from its crude extract. Materials and Methods: The antiplasmodial activity of stem bark extracts was investigated by in vitro schizont maturation inhibition assay against Plasmodium falciparum (both chloroquine sensitive and resistant). The crude extract was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrophotometry (GC–MS). Result: Both alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extracts showed their potential toward in vitro antiplasmodial activity against P. falciparum strains MRC-02 (CQ sensitive) and RKL-09 (CQ resistant). Alcoholic extract showed more promising antiplasmodial activity with Inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.130 and 1.191 for MRC-02 and RKL-09 strains, respectively, as compared to hydroalcoholic extract with IC50 of 1.856 and 2.981 for MRC-02 and RKL-09 strains, respectively. No morphological changes in erythrocytes were observed when investigated for chemical injury to the erythrocytes. Chemical characterization of alcoholic extract was performed by GC–MS analysis to identify the bioactive compounds that are responsible for antiplasmodial activity. Alkyl esters, phenolics, and flavonoids were found as major compounds and also showed resemblance to existing antimalarial drugs. Conclusion: The findings suggested that the investigated extracts will provide a foundation for combating the resistant strains of P. falciparum. Also, the compounds isolated from Z. nummularia crude extract are viable newer chemical antimalarial candidates requiring further investigation.
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50
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Dayanand KK, Kishore P, Chandrashekar V, Achur RN, Ghosh SK, Kakkilaya SB, Kumari SN, Tiwari S, Boloor A, Devi R, Gowda DC. Malaria Severity in Mangaluru City in the Southwestern Coastal Region of India. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019; 100:275-279. [PMID: 30734693 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Dakshina Kannada district in the Southwestern region of Karnataka state, India, including Mangaluru city is endemic to malaria. About 80% of malaria infections in Mangaluru and its surrounding areas are caused by Plasmodium vivax and the remainder is due to Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria-associated clinical complications significantly occur in this region. Here, we report the pathological conditions of 41 cases of fatal severe malaria, admitted to the district government hospital in Mangaluru city during January 2013 through December 2016. The results of clinical, hematological, and biochemical analyses showed that most of these severe malaria cases were associated with thrombocytopenia, anemia, metabolic acidosis, acute respiratory distress, and single or multi-organ dysfunction involving liver, kidney, and brain. Of the 41 fatal malaria cases, 24, 10, and seven patients had P. vivax, P. falciparum, and P. vivax and P. falciparum mixed infections, respectively. These data suggest that besides P. falciparum that is known to extensively cause severe and fatal malaria illnesses, P. vivax causes fatal illnesses substantially in this region, an observation that is consistent with recent findings in other regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran K Dayanand
- Department of Biochemistry, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, India.,Department of Biochemistry, K. S. Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE University, Mangaluru, India
| | - Punnath Kishore
- Department of Biochemistry, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, India.,Department of Biochemistry, K. S. Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE University, Mangaluru, India
| | - Valleesha Chandrashekar
- Department of Biochemistry, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, India.,Department of Biochemistry, K. S. Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE University, Mangaluru, India
| | | | - Susanta K Ghosh
- Department of Biological Control, National Institute of Malaria Research, Poojanahalli, India
| | | | - Suchetha N Kumari
- Department of Biochemistry, K. S. Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE University, Mangaluru, India
| | - Satyanarayan Tiwari
- Department of Biological Control, National Institute of Malaria Research, Poojanahalli, India
| | - Archith Boloor
- Department of Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India
| | | | - D Channe Gowda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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