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Meredith S, Majam V, Zheng H, Verma N, Puri A, Akue A, KuKuruga M, Oakley M, Kumar S. Protective efficacy and correlates of immunity of immunodominant recombinant Babesia microti antigens. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0016223. [PMID: 37728332 PMCID: PMC10580920 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00162-23] [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: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesia microti, an intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasite, is the primary causative agent of human babesiosis and an emerging threat to public health in the United States and elsewhere. An effective vaccine against B. microti would reduce disease severity in acute babesiosis patients and shorten the parasitemic period in asymptomatic individuals, thereby minimizing the risk of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis. Here we report on immunogenicity, protective efficacy, and correlates of immunity following immunization with four immunodominant recombinantly produced B. microti antigens-Serine Reactive Antigen 1 (SERA1), Maltese Cross Form Related Protein 1 (MCFRP1), Piroplasm β-Strand Domain 1 (PiβS1), and Babesia microti Alpha Helical Cell Surface Protein 1 (BAHCS1)-delivered subcutaneously in Montanide ISA 51/CpG adjuvant in three doses to BALB/c mice. Following B. microti parasite challenge, BAHCS1 led to the highest reduction in peak parasitemia (67.8%), followed by SERA1 (44.8%) and MCFRP1 (41.9%); PiβS1 (27.6%) had minimal protective effect. All four B. microti antigens induced high ELISA total IgG and each isotype; however, antibody levels did not directly correlate with anti-parasitic activity in mice. Increased prechallenge levels of some cell populations including follicular helper T cells (TFH) and memory B cells, along with a set of six cytokines [IL-1α, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, IL-12(p40), and G-CSF] that belong to both innate and adaptive immune responses, were generally associated with protective immunity. Our results indicate that mechanisms driving recombinant B. microti antigen-induced immunity are complex and multifactorial. We think that BAHCS1 warrants further evaluation in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Meredith
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Victoria Majam
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Hong Zheng
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Nitin Verma
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Ankit Puri
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Adovi Akue
- Division of Bacterial, Parasitic, and Allergenic Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark KuKuruga
- Division of Bacterial, Parasitic, and Allergenic Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Miranda Oakley
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Sanjai Kumar
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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Maye J, Cabezas-Cruz A. Alternative and Complementary Approaches to Consider for Effective Babesia Vaccine Development. Pathogens 2023; 12:1166. [PMID: 37764974 PMCID: PMC10537028 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Babesia genus encompasses several species of apicomplexan hemoprotozoan parasites [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Maye
- SEPPIC Paris La Défense, 92250 La Garenne Colombes, France
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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Advances in Babesia Vaccine Development: An Overview. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020300. [PMID: 36839572 PMCID: PMC9962624 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne zoonotic disease, which is caused by various species of intracellular Babesia parasite. It is a problem not only for the livestock industry but also for global health. Significant global economic losses, in particular in cattle production, have been observed. Since the current preventive measures against babesiosis are insufficient, there is increasing pressure to develop a vaccine. In this review, we survey the achievements and recent advances in the creation of antibabesiosis vaccine. The scope of this review includes the development of a vaccine against B. microti, B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. orientalis and B. divergens. Here, we present different strategies in their progress and evaluation. Scientists worldwide are still trying to find new targets for a vaccine that would not only reduce symptoms among animals but also prevent the further spread of the disease. Molecular candidates for the production of a vaccine against various Babesia spp. are presented. Our study also describes the current prospects of vaccine evolution for successful Babesia parasites elimination.
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Al-Nazal H, Low L, Kumar S, Good MF, Stanisic DI. A vaccine for human babesiosis: prospects and feasibility. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:904-918. [PMID: 35933301 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.07.005] [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: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic Babesia parasites. It is a well-known illness in companion animals and livestock, resulting in substantial economic losses in the cattle industry. Babesiosis is also recognized as an emerging zoonosis of humans in many countries worldwide. There is no vaccine against human babesiosis. Currently, preventive measures are focused on vector avoidance. Although not always effective, treatment includes antimicrobial therapy and exchange transfusion. In this review, we discuss the host's immune response to the parasite, vaccines being used to prevent babesiosis in animals, and lessons from malaria vaccine development efforts to inform the development of a human babesiosis vaccine. An effective human vaccine would be a significant advance towards curtailing this rapidly emerging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Al-Nazal
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia
| | - Leanne Low
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Sanjai Kumar
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Michael F Good
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia
| | - Danielle I Stanisic
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia.
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Florin-Christensen M, Wieser SN, Suarez CE, Schnittger L. In Silico Survey and Characterization of Babesia microti Functional and Non-Functional Proteases. Pathogens 2021; 10:1457. [PMID: 34832610 PMCID: PMC8621943 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human babesiosis caused by the intraerythrocytic apicomplexan Babesia microti is an expanding tick-borne zoonotic disease that may cause severe symptoms and death in elderly or immunocompromised individuals. In light of an increasing resistance of B. microti to drugs, there is a lack of therapeutic alternatives. Species-specific proteases are essential for parasite survival and possible chemotherapeutic targets. However, the repertoire of proteases in B. microti remains poorly investigated. Herein, we employed several combined bioinformatics tools and strategies to organize and identify genes encoding for the full repertoire of proteases in the B. microti genome. We identified 64 active proteases and 25 nonactive protease homologs. These proteases can be classified into cysteine (n = 28), serine (n = 21), threonine (n = 14), asparagine (n = 7), and metallopeptidases (n = 19), which, in turn, are assigned to a total of 38 peptidase families. Comparative studies between the repertoire of B. bovis and B. microti proteases revealed differences among sensu stricto and sensu lato Babesia parasites that reflect their distinct evolutionary history. Overall, this data may help direct future research towards our understanding of the biology and pathogenicity of Babesia parasites and to explore proteases as targets for developing novel therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Florin-Christensen
- Instituto de Patobiologia Veterinaria (IPVET), Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Hurlingham C1033AAE, Argentina; (S.N.W.); (L.S.)
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1033AAJ, Argentina
| | - Sarah N. Wieser
- Instituto de Patobiologia Veterinaria (IPVET), Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Hurlingham C1033AAE, Argentina; (S.N.W.); (L.S.)
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1033AAJ, Argentina
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99163, USA;
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Leonhard Schnittger
- Instituto de Patobiologia Veterinaria (IPVET), Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Hurlingham C1033AAE, Argentina; (S.N.W.); (L.S.)
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1033AAJ, Argentina
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Pre-clinical evaluation of a whole-parasite vaccine to control human babesiosis. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 29:894-903.e5. [PMID: 33989514 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Babesia spp. are tick-transmitted intra-erythrocytic protozoan parasites that infect humans and animals, causing a flu-like illness and hemolytic anemia. There is currently no human vaccine available. People most at risk of severe disease are the elderly, immunosuppressed, and asplenic individuals. B. microti and B. divergens are the predominant species affecting humans. Here, we present a whole-parasite Babesia vaccine. To establish proof-of-principle, we employed chemically attenuated B. microti parasitized red blood cells from infected mice. To aid clinical translation, we produced liposomes containing killed parasite material. Vaccination significantly reduces peak parasitemia following challenge. B cells and anti-parasite antibodies do not significantly contribute to vaccine efficacy. Protection is abrogated by the removal of CD4+ T cells or macrophages prior to challenge. Importantly, splenectomized mice are protected by vaccination. To further facilitate translation, we prepared a culture-based liposomal vaccine and demonstrate that this performs as a universal vaccine inducing immunity against different human Babesia species.
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Fereig RM, Shimoda N, Abdelbaky HH, Kuroda Y, Nishikawa Y. Neospora GRA6 possesses immune-stimulating activity and confers efficient protection against Neospora caninum infection in mice. Vet Parasitol 2019; 267:61-68. [PMID: 30878088 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination has the potential to be the most cost-effective control measure for reducing the economic burden of neosporosis in cattle. In this study, the immune-stimulatory effect of recombinant Neospora caninum dense granule protein 6 (NcGRA6) was confirmed via its triggering of IL-12p40 production in murine macrophages. BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant NcGRA6 fused with glutathione S-transferase (GST) protein with or without oligomannose-coated-liposomes (OMLs) as the potential adjuvant. Specific IgG1 antibody production was observed from 21 and 35 days after the first immunization in NcGRA6+GST- and NcGRA6+GST-OML-immunized mice, respectively. However, specific IgG2a was detected 1 week after the infection, and IgG2a levels of the NcGRA6+GST- group were higher than those of the NcGRA6+GST-OML-group. Moreover, spleen cell proliferation with concomitant interferon-gamma production was detected in mice immunized with NcGRA6+GST, indicating that a significant cellular immune response was induced. Mouse survival rates against N. caninum challenge infection were 91.7% for NcGRA6+GST and 83.3% for NcGRA6+GST-OML, which were significantly higher than those of control groups (GST-OML: 25%, phosphate-buffered saline: 16.7%). This indicates that naked NcGRA6+GST induced protective immunity. Thus, our findings highlight the immune-stimulating potential of NcGRA6 and the ability to induce protective immunity against N. caninum infection in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragab M Fereig
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; Research Center for Global Agromedicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena City, Qena 83523, Egypt
| | - Naomi Shimoda
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Hanan H Abdelbaky
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kuroda
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Tokai University, Kita-kaname, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
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Man S, Fu Y, Guan Y, Feng M, Qiao K, Li X, Gao H, Cheng X. Evaluation of a Major Surface Antigen of Babesia microti Merozoites as a Vaccine Candidate against Babesia Infection. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2545. [PMID: 29312230 PMCID: PMC5742146 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesia species are tick-borne intraerythrocytic protozoa that cause babesiosis in humans worldwide. No vaccine has yet proven effective against Babesia infection. Surface antigens of merozoites are involved in the invasion of erythrocytes by Babesia. Surface antigens may be presented by both babesial sporozoites and merozoites and provide a general target for antibody-mediated inhibition of erythrocyte invasion. Here we evaluated a major surface antigen of B. microti merozoites, BMSA, as a potential vaccine to prevent babesiosis. Our data indicated that bmsa is transcribed during different phases, including ring form, amoeboid form, and merozoites, and that its expression is significantly increased in mature merozoites. The protein was found to be located in the membrane of B. microti and in the cytoplasm of infected erythrocytes. The immune response induced by BMSA had a significant inhibitory effect on parasite invasion of the host erythrocytes (83.3% inhibition of invasion) and parasite growth in vivo. The levels of parasitemia significantly decreased after BMSA vaccination when mice were infected with babesia parasite. Importantly, protective immunity was significantly related to the upregulation of the Th17 cytokine interleukin-17, the Th1 cytokine interleukin-12p70 and the Th2 cytokines, such as interleukin-4, -6, and -10. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis indicated that interleukin-17 facilitated the secretion of Th2 cytokines, such as interleukin-10, -4, and -6, thereby inducing a predominately Th2 protective immune response and promoting the expression a high level of special IgG1 against Babesia infection. Further, an anti-BMSA monoclonal antibody successfully protected NOD/SCID mice from a challenge with B. microti. Taken together, our results indicated that BMSA induces a protective immune response against Babesia infection and may serve as a potential vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suqin Man
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongfeng Fu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Guan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Feng
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Qiao
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueping Li
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongjian Gao
- Department of Electron Microscopy, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xunjia Cheng
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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