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Rosenkranz M, Nkumama IN, Ogwang R, Kraker S, Blickling M, Mwai K, Odera D, Tuju J, Fürle K, Frank R, Chepsat E, Kapulu MC, Study Team CS, Osier FH. Full-length MSP1 is a major target of protective immunity after controlled human malaria infection. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202301910. [PMID: 38803222 PMCID: PMC11106525 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202301910] [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: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) is the most abundant protein on the surface of the invasive merozoite stages of Plasmodium falciparum and has long been considered a key target of protective immunity. We used samples from a single controlled human malaria challenge study to test whether the full-length version of MSP1 (MSP1FL) induced antibodies that mediated Fc-IgG functional activity in five independent assays. We found that anti-MSP1FL antibodies induced complement fixation via C1q, monocyte-mediated phagocytosis, neutrophil respiratory burst, and natural killer cell degranulation as well as IFNγ production. Activity in each of these assays was strongly associated with protection. The breadth of MSP1-specific Fc-mediated effector functions was more strongly associated with protection than the individual measures and closely mirrored what we have previously reported using the same assays against merozoites. Our findings suggest that MSP1FL is an important target of functional antibodies that contribute to a protective immune response against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micha Rosenkranz
- https://ror.org/013czdx64 Centre of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Irene N Nkumama
- B Cell Immunology, German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, Germany
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Rodney Ogwang
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Sara Kraker
- https://ror.org/013czdx64 Centre of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marie Blickling
- https://ror.org/013czdx64 Centre of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kennedy Mwai
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Dennis Odera
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - James Tuju
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Kristin Fürle
- https://ror.org/013czdx64 Centre of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roland Frank
- https://ror.org/013czdx64 Centre of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Emily Chepsat
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Melissa C Kapulu
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Chmi-Sika Study Team
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Faith Ha Osier
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- https://ror.org/041kmwe10 Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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2
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Bhalerao P, Singh S, Prajapati VK, Bhatt TK. Exploring malaria parasite surface proteins to devise highly immunogenic multi-epitope subunit vaccine for Plasmodium falciparum. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2024; 22:100377. [PMID: 38797552 PMCID: PMC11089370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgeb.2024.100377] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria has remained a major health concern for decades among people living in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Plasmodium falciparum is one of the critical species that cause severe malaria and is responsible for major mortality. Moreover, the parasite has generated resistance against all WHO recommended drugs and therapies. Therefore, there is an urgent need for preventive measures in the form of reliable vaccines to achieve the target of a malaria-free world. Surface proteins are the preferable choice for subunit vaccine development because they are rapidly detected and engaged by host immune cells and vaccination-induced antibodies. Additionally, abundant surface or membrane proteins may contribute to the opsonization of pathogens by vaccine-induced antibodies. RESULTS In our study, we have listed all those surface proteins from the literature that could be functionally important and essential for infection and immune evasion of the malaria parasite. Eight Plasmodium surface and membrane proteins from the pre-erythrocyte and erythrocyte stages were shortlisted. Thirty-seven epitopes (B-cell, CTL, and HTL epitopes) from these proteins were predicted using immune-informatic tools and joined with suitable peptide linkers to design a vaccine construct. A TLR-4 agonist peptide adjuvant was added at the N-terminus of the multi-epitope series, followed by the PADRE sequence and EAAAK linker. The TLR-4 receptor was docked with the construct's anticipated model structure. The complex of vaccine and TLR-4, with the lowest energy -1514, was found to be stable under simulated physiological settings. CONCLUSION This study has provided a novel multi-epitope construct that may be exploited further for the development of an efficient vaccine for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preshita Bhalerao
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandar Sindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Satyendra Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandar Sindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Tarun Kumar Bhatt
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandar Sindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India.
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3
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Sun X, Yu B, Zhang R, Wei J, Pan G, Li C, Zhou Z. Generation of Resistance to Nosema bombycis (Dissociodihaplophasida: Nosematidae) by Degrading NbSWP12 Using the Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway in Sf9-III Cells. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 115:2068-2074. [PMID: 36226858 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nosema bombycis Naegeli (Dissociodihaplophasida: Nosematidae), an obligate intracellular parasite of the silkworm Bombyx mori, causes a devastating disease called pébrine. Every year pébrine will cause huge losses to the sericulture industry worldwide. Until now, there are no effective methods to inhibit the N. bombycis infection in silkworms. In this study, we first applied both the novel protein degradation Trim-Away technology and NSlmb (F-box domain-containing in the N-terminal part of supernumerary limbs from Drosophila melanogaster) to lepidopteran Sf9-III cells to check for specific degradation of a target protein in combination with a single-chain Fv fragment (scFv). Our results showed that the Trim-Away and NSlmb systems are both amenable to Sf9-III cells. We then created transgenic cell lines that overexpressed the protein degradation system and N. bombycis chimeric scFv targeting spore wall protein NbSWP12 and evaluated the effects of the insect transgenic cell lines on the proliferation of N. bombycis. Both methods could be applied to cell lines and both Trim-Away and NSlmb ubiquitin degradation systems effectively inhibited the proliferation of N. bombycis. Further, either of these degradation systems could be applied to individual silkworms through a transgenic platform, which would yield individual silkworms with high resistance to N. bombycis, thus greatly speeding up the process of acquiring resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Bin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Renze Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Junhong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Guoqing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Chunfeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zeyang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
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4
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Cyclic constrained immunoreactive peptides from crucial P. falciparum proteins: potential implications in malaria diagnostics. Transl Res 2022; 249:28-36. [PMID: 35697275 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.06.008] [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] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is still a global challenge with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in the African, South-East Asian, and Latin American regions. Malaria diagnosis is a crucial pillar in the control and elimination efforts, often accomplished by the administration of mass-scale Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). The inherent limitations of RDTs- insensitivity in scenarios of low transmission settings and deletion of one of the target proteins- Histidine rich protein 2/3 (HRP-2/3) are evident from multiple reports, thus necessitating the need to explore novel diagnostic tools/targets. The present study used peptide microarray to screen potential epitopes from 13 antigenic proteins (CSP, EXP1, LSA1, TRAP, AARP, AMA1, GLURP, MSP1, MSP2, MSP3, MSP4, P48/45, HAP2) of P. falciparum. Three cyclic constrained immunoreactive peptides- C6 (EXP1), A8 (MSP2), B7 (GLURP) were identified from 5458 cyclic constrained peptides (in duplicate) against P. falciparum-infected sera. Peptides (C6, A8, B7- cyclic constrained) and (G11, DSQ, NQN- corresponding linear peptides) were fairly immunoreactive towards P. falciparum-infected sera in dot-blot assay. Using direct ELISA, cyclic constrained peptides (C6 and B7) were found to be specific to P. falciparum-infected sera. A substantial number of samples were tested and the peptides successfully differentiated the P. falciparum positive and negative samples with high confidence. In conclusion, the study identified 3 cyclic constrained immunoreactive peptides (C6, B7, and A8) from P. falciparum secretory/surface proteins and further validated for diagnostic potential of 2 peptides (C6 and B7) with field-collected P. falciparum-infected sera samples.
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5
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He X, Zhong D, Zou C, Pi L, Zhao L, Qin Y, Pan M, Wang S, Zeng W, Xiang Z, Chen X, Wu Y, Si Y, Cui L, Huang Y, Yan G, Yang Z. Unraveling the Complexity of Imported Malaria Infections by Amplicon Deep Sequencing. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:725859. [PMID: 34595134 PMCID: PMC8477663 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.725859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Imported malaria and recurrent infections are becoming an emerging issue in many malaria non-endemic countries. This study aimed to determine the molecular patterns of the imported malaria infections and recurrence. Blood samples were collected from patients with imported malaria infections during 2016-2018 in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Next-generation amplicon deep-sequencing approaches were used to assess parasite genetic diversity, multiplexity of infection, relapse, recrudescence, and antimalarial drug resistance. A total of 44 imported malaria cases were examined during the study, of which 35 (79.5%) had recurrent malaria infections within 1 year. The majority (91.4%) had one recurrent malaria episode, whereas two patients had two recurrences and one patient had three recurrences. A total of 19 recurrence patterns (the species responsible for primary and successive clinical episodes) were found in patients returning from malaria epidemic countries. Four parasite species were detected with a higher than usual proportion (46.2%) of non-falciparum infections or mixed-species infections. An increasing trend of recurrence infections and reduced drug treatment efficacy were observed among the cases of imported malaria. The high recurrence rate and complex patterns of imported malaria from Africa to non-endemic countries have the potential to initiate local transmission, thereby undermining efforts to eliminate locally acquired malaria. Our findings highlight the power of amplicon deep-sequencing applications in molecular epidemiological studies of the imported malaria recurrences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi He
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Daibin Zhong
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Chunyan Zou
- Department of Electrocardiogram, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People’s Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Liang Pi
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Luyi Zhao
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yucheng Qin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanglin County People’s Hospital, Shanglin, China
| | - Maohua Pan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanglin County People’s Hospital, Shanglin, China
| | - Siqi Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Weiling Zeng
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Zheng Xiang
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yanrui Wu
- Department of Cell Biology & Genetics, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yu Si
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Yaming Huang
- Department of Protozoa, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanning, China
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Zhaoqing Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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6
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Hellgren O, Kelbskopf V, Ellis VA, Ciloglu A, Duc M, Huang X, Lopes RJ, Mata VA, Aghayan SA, Inci A, Drovetski SV. Low MSP-1 haplotype diversity in the West Palearctic population of the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum. Malar J 2021; 20:265. [PMID: 34118950 PMCID: PMC8199812 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03799-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although avian Plasmodium species are widespread and common across the globe, limited data exist on how genetically variable their populations are. Here, the hypothesis that the avian blood parasite Plasmodium relictum exhibits very low genetic diversity in its Western Palearctic transmission area (from Morocco to Sweden in the north and Transcaucasia in the east) was tested. Methods The genetic diversity of Plasmodium relictum was investigated by sequencing a portion (block 14) of the fast-evolving merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) gene in 75 different P. relictum infections from 36 host species. Furthermore, the full-length MSP1 sequences representing the common block 14 allele was sequenced in order to investigate if additional variation could be found outside block 14. Results The majority (72 of 75) of the sequenced infections shared the same MSP1 allele. This common allele has previously been found to be the dominant allele transmitted in Europe. Conclusion The results corroborate earlier findings derived from a limited dataset that the globally transmitted malaria parasite P. relictum exhibits very low genetic diversity in its Western Palearctic transmission area. This is likely the result of a recent introduction event or a selective sweep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olof Hellgren
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | | | - Vincenzo A Ellis
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Arif Ciloglu
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.,Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Implementation and Research Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Mélanie Duc
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Xi Huang
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Ricardo J Lopes
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação Em Biodiversidade E Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade Do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Vanessa A Mata
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação Em Biodiversidade E Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade Do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Sargis A Aghayan
- Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian, Yerevan, 0025, Republic of Armenia
| | - Abdullah Inci
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.,Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Implementation and Research Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Sergei V Drovetski
- US Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Research Center at Patuxent Research Refuge, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
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7
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Characterization of the variable merozoite surface antigen (VMSA) gene family of Babesia orientalis. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3639-3648. [PMID: 32930858 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06877-z] [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: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Due to its wide presence in apicomplexan parasites as well as high polymorphism and antigenic diversity, the variable merozoite surface antigen (VMSA) family in Babesia sp. has attracted increasing attention of researchers. Here, all the reported VMSA genes of Babesia spp. were obtained from GenBank, and multiple alignments were performed by using conserved regions to blast the Babesia orientalis genome database (unpublished data). Five MSA genes (named MSA-2a1, MSA-2a2, MSA-2c1, MSA-1, and MSA-2c2, respectively) were identified, sequenced, and cloned from B. orientalis, which were shown to encode proteins with open reading frames ranging in size from 266 (MSA-2c1) to 317 (MSA-1) amino acids. All the five proteins contain an MSA-2c superfamily conserved domain, with an identical signal peptide and glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-anchor for each of them. The five proteins were also predicted to contain B cell epitopes, with only three for BoMSA-2c1, the smallest protein in the BoVMSA family, while at least six for each of the others. Notably, BoMSA-2a1 has 2 identical copies, a specific phenomenon only present in B. orientalis. This research has determined the MSA genes of B. orientalis and provides a genetic basis for further research of functional genes in B. orientalis.
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8
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Anam ZE, Joshi N, Gupta S, Yadav P, Chaurasiya A, Kahlon AK, Kaushik S, Munde M, Ranganathan A, Singh S. A De novo Peptide from a High Throughput Peptide Library Blocks Myosin A -MTIP Complex Formation in Plasmodium falciparum. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176158. [PMID: 32859024 PMCID: PMC7503848 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites, through their motor machinery, produce the required propulsive force critical for host cell-entry. The conserved components of this so-called glideosome machinery are myosin A and myosin A Tail Interacting Protein (MTIP). MTIP tethers myosin A to the inner membrane complex of the parasite through 20 amino acid-long C-terminal end of myosin A that makes direct contacts with MTIP, allowing the invasion of Plasmodium falciparum in erythrocytes. Here, we discovered through screening a peptide library, a de-novo peptide ZA1 that binds the myosin A tail domain. We demonstrated that ZA1 bound strongly to myosin A tail and was able to disrupt the native myosin A tail MTIP complex both in vitro and in vivo. We then showed that a shortened peptide derived from ZA1, named ZA1S, was able to bind myosin A and block parasite invasion. Overall, our study identified a novel anti-malarial peptide that could be used in combination with other antimalarials for blocking the invasion of Plasmodium falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zill e Anam
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (Z.e.A.); (P.Y.); (A.C.); (A.K.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Nishant Joshi
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201304, India;
| | - Sakshi Gupta
- School of Physical Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (S.G.); (M.M.)
| | - Preeti Yadav
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (Z.e.A.); (P.Y.); (A.C.); (A.K.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Ayushi Chaurasiya
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (Z.e.A.); (P.Y.); (A.C.); (A.K.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Amandeep Kaur Kahlon
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (Z.e.A.); (P.Y.); (A.C.); (A.K.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Shikha Kaushik
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (Z.e.A.); (P.Y.); (A.C.); (A.K.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Manoj Munde
- School of Physical Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (S.G.); (M.M.)
| | - Anand Ranganathan
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (Z.e.A.); (P.Y.); (A.C.); (A.K.K.); (S.K.)
- Correspondence: (A.R.); (S.S.)
| | - Shailja Singh
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (Z.e.A.); (P.Y.); (A.C.); (A.K.K.); (S.K.)
- Correspondence: (A.R.); (S.S.)
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9
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Verma N, Puri A, Essuman E, Skelton R, Anantharaman V, Zheng H, White S, Gunalan K, Takeda K, Bajpai S, Lepore TJ, Krause PJ, Aravind L, Kumar S. Antigen Discovery, Bioinformatics and Biological Characterization of Novel Immunodominant Babesia microti Antigens. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9598. [PMID: 32533024 PMCID: PMC7293334 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66273-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia microti is an intraerythrocytic parasite and the primary causative agent of human babesiosis. It is transmitted by Ixodes ticks, transfusion of blood and blood products, organ donation, and perinatally. Despite its global public health impact, limited progress has been made to identify and characterize immunodominant B. microti antigens for diagnostic and vaccine use. Using genome-wide immunoscreening, we identified 56 B. microti antigens, including some previously uncharacterized antigens. Thirty of the most immunodominant B. microti antigens were expressed as recombinant proteins in E. coli. Among these, the combined use of two novel antigens and one previously described antigen provided 96% sensitivity and 100% specificity in identifying B. microti antibody containing sera in an ELISA. Using extensive computational sequence and bioinformatics analyses and cellular localization studies, we have clarified the domain architectures, potential biological functions, and evolutionary relationships of the most immunodominant B. microti antigens. Notably, we found that the BMN-family antigens are not monophyletic as currently annotated, but rather can be categorized into two evolutionary unrelated groups of BMN proteins respectively defined by two structurally distinct classes of extracellular domains. Our studies have enhanced the repertoire of immunodominant B. microti antigens, and assigned potential biological function to these antigens, which can be evaluated to develop novel assays and candidate vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, MD, 20993, 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, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Edward Essuman
- 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, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Richard Skelton
- 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, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Vivek Anantharaman
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, 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, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Siera White
- 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, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Karthigayan Gunalan
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Kazuyo Takeda
- Lab Of Method Development, Office of Vaccine Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Surabhi Bajpai
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali, 304022, India
| | | | - Peter J Krause
- Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - L Aravind
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, 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, MD, 20993, USA.
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10
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Immunization with full-length Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 is safe and elicits functional cytophilic antibodies in a randomized first-in-human trial. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:10. [PMID: 32025341 PMCID: PMC6994672 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0160-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A vaccine remains a priority in the global fight against malaria. Here, we report on a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo and adjuvant-controlled, dose escalation phase 1a safety and immunogenicity clinical trial of full-length Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) in combination with GLA-SE adjuvant. Thirty-two healthy volunteers were vaccinated at least three times with MSP1 plus adjuvant, adjuvant alone, or placebo (24:4:4) to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity. MSP1 was safe, well tolerated and immunogenic, with all vaccinees sero-converting independent of the dose. The MSP1-specific IgG and IgM titers persisted above levels found in malaria semi-immune humans for at least 6 months after the last immunization. The antibodies were variant- and strain-transcending and stimulated respiratory activity in granulocytes. Furthermore, full-length MSP1 induced memory T-cells. Our findings encourage challenge studies as the next step to evaluate the efficacy of full-length MSP1 as a vaccine candidate against falciparum malaria (EudraCT 2016-002463-33).
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11
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Mathema VB, Nakeesathit S, Pagornrat W, Smithuis F, White NJ, Dondorp AM, Imwong M. Polymorphic markers for identification of parasite population in Plasmodium malariae. Malar J 2020; 19:48. [PMID: 31992308 PMCID: PMC6988369 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-3122-2] [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: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Molecular genotyping in Plasmodium serves many aims including providing tools for studying parasite population genetics and distinguishing recrudescence from reinfection. Microsatellite typing, insertion-deletion (INDEL) and single nucleotide polymorphisms is used for genotyping, but only limited information is available for Plasmodium malariae, an important human malaria species. This study aimed to provide a set of genetic markers to facilitate the study of P. malariae population genetics. Methods Markers for microsatellite genotyping and pmmsp1 gene polymorphisms were developed and validated in symptomatic P. malariae field isolates from Myanmar (N = 37). Fragment analysis was used to determine allele sizes at each locus to calculate multiplicity of infections (MOI), linkage disequilibrium, heterozygosity and construct dendrograms. Nucleotide diversity (π), number of haplotypes, and genetic diversity (Hd) were assessed and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Genome-wide microsatellite maps with annotated regions of newly identified markers were constructed. Results Six microsatellite markers were developed and tested in 37 P. malariae isolates which showed sufficient heterozygosity (0.530–0.922), and absence of linkage disequilibrium (IAS=0.03, p value > 0.05) (N = 37). In addition, a tandem repeat (VNTR)-based pmmsp1 INDEL polymorphisms marker was developed and assessed in 27 P. malariae isolates showing a nucleotide diversity of 0.0976, haplotype gene diversity of 0.698 and identified 14 unique variants. The size of VNTR consensus repeat unit adopted as allele was 27 base pairs. The markers Pm12_426 and pmmsp1 showed greatest diversity with heterozygosity scores of 0.920 and 0.835, respectively. Using six microsatellites markers, the likelihood that any two parasite strains would have the same microsatellite genotypes was 8.46 × 10−4 and was further reduced to 1.66 × 10−4 when pmmsp1 polymorphisms were included. Conclusions Six novel microsatellites genotyping markers and a set of pmmsp1 VNTR-based INDEL polymorphisms markers for P. malariae were developed and validated. Each marker could be independently or in combination employed to access genotyping of the parasite. The newly developed markers may serve as a useful tool for investigating parasite diversity, population genetics, molecular epidemiology and for distinguishing recrudescence from reinfection in drug efficacy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Bhakta Mathema
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Supatchara Nakeesathit
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Watcharee Pagornrat
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Frank Smithuis
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Medical Action Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas J White
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Arjen M Dondorp
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mallika Imwong
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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12
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Tokunaga N, Nozaki M, Tachibana M, Baba M, Matsuoka K, Tsuboi T, Torii M, Ishino T. Expression and Localization Profiles of Rhoptry Proteins in Plasmodium berghei Sporozoites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:316. [PMID: 31552198 PMCID: PMC6746830 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In the Plasmodium lifecycle two infectious stages of parasites, merozoites, and sporozoites, efficiently infect mammalian host cells, erythrocytes, and hepatocytes, respectively. The apical structure of merozoites and sporozoites contains rhoptry and microneme secretory organelles, which are conserved with other infective forms of apicomplexan parasites. During merozoite invasion of erythrocytes, some rhoptry proteins are secreted to form a tight junction between the parasite and target cell, while others are discharged to maintain subsequent infection inside the parasitophorous vacuole. It has been questioned whether the invasion mechanisms mediated by rhoptry proteins are also involved in sporozoite invasion of two distinct target cells, mosquito salivary glands and mammalian hepatocytes. Recently we demonstrated that rhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2), which is crucial for tight junction formation in merozoites, is also important for sporozoite invasion of both target cells. With the aim of comprehensively describing the mechanisms of sporozoite invasion, the expression and localization profiles of rhoptry proteins were investigated in Plasmodium berghei sporozoites. Of 12 genes representing merozoite rhoptry molecules, nine are transcribed in oocyst-derived sporozoites at a similar or higher level compared to those in blood-stage schizonts. Immuno-electron microscopy demonstrates that eight proteins, namely RON2, RON4, RON5, ASP/RON1, RALP1, RON3, RAP1, and RAMA, localize to rhoptries in sporozoites. It is noteworthy that most rhoptry neck proteins in merozoites are localized throughout rhoptries in sporozoites. This study demonstrates that most rhoptry proteins, except components of the high-molecular mass rhoptry protein complex, are commonly expressed in merozoites and sporozoites in Plasmodium spp., which suggests that components of the invasion mechanisms are basically conserved between infective forms independently of their target cells. Combined with sporozoite-stage specific gene silencing strategies, the contribution of rhoptry proteins in invasion mechanisms can be described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naohito Tokunaga
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Mamoru Nozaki
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Mayumi Tachibana
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Minami Baba
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Matsuoka
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Motomi Torii
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ishino
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
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13
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Cheng CW, Jongwutiwes S, Putaporntip C, Jackson AP. Clinical expression and antigenic profiles of a Plasmodium vivax vaccine candidate: merozoite surface protein 7 (PvMSP-7). Malar J 2019; 18:197. [PMID: 31196098 PMCID: PMC6567670 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2826-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vivax malaria is the predominant form of malaria outside Africa, affecting about 14 million people worldwide, with about 2.5 billion people exposed. Development of a Plasmodium vivax vaccine is a priority, and merozoite surface protein 7 (MSP-7) has been proposed as a plausible candidate. The P. vivax genome contains 12 MSP-7 genes, which contribute to erythrocyte invasion during blood-stage infection. Previous analysis of MSP-7 sequence diversity suggested that not all paralogs are functionally equivalent. To explore MSP-7 functional diversity, and to identify the best vaccine candidate within the family, MSP-7 expression and antigenicity during bloodstream infections were examined directly from clinical isolates. Methods Merozoite surface protein 7 gene expression was profiled using RNA-seq data from blood samples isolated from ten human patients with vivax malaria. Differential expression analysis and co-expression cluster analysis were used to relate PvMSP-7 expression to genetic markers of life cycle stage. Plasma from vivax malaria patients was also assayed using a custom peptide microarray to measure antibody responses against the coding regions of 12 MSP-7 paralogs. Results Ten patients presented diverse transcriptional profiles that comprised four patient groups. Two MSP-7 paralogs, 7A and 7F, were expressed abundantly in all patients, while other MSP-7 genes were uniformly rare (e.g. 7J). MSP-7H and 7I were significantly more abundant in patient group 4 only, (two patients having experienced longer patency), and were co-expressed with a schizont-stage marker, while negatively associated with liver-stage and gametocyte-stage markers. Screening infections with a PvMSP-7 peptide array identified 13 linear B-cell epitopes in five MSP-7 paralogs that were recognized by plasma from all patients. Conclusions These results show that MSP-7 family members vary in expression profile during blood infections; MSP-7A and 7F are expressed throughout the intraerythrocytic development cycle, while expression of other paralogs is focused on the schizont. This may reflect developmental regulation, and potentially functional differentiation, within the gene family. The frequency of B-cell epitopes among paralogs also varies, with MSP-7A and 7L consistently the most immunogenic. Thus, MSP-7 paralogs cannot be assumed to have equal potential as vaccines. This analysis of clinical infections indicates that the most abundant and immunogenic paralog is MSP-7A. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-019-2826-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chew Weng Cheng
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK.,Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somchai Jongwutiwes
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chaturong Putaporntip
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Andrew P Jackson
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK.
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14
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Quintana MDP, Ch’ng JH, Zandian A, Imam M, Hultenby K, Theisen M, Nilsson P, Qundos U, Moll K, Chan S, Wahlgren M. SURGE complex of Plasmodium falciparum in the rhoptry-neck (SURFIN4.2-RON4-GLURP) contributes to merozoite invasion. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201669. [PMID: 30092030 PMCID: PMC6084945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum invasion into red blood cells (RBCs) is a complex process engaging proteins on the merozoite surface and those contained and sequentially released from the apical organelles (micronemes and rhoptries). Fundamental to invasion is the formation of a moving junction (MJ), a region of close apposition of the merozoite and the RBC plasma membranes, through which the merozoite draws itself before settling into a newly formed parasitophorous vacuole (PV). SURFIN4.2 was identified at the surface of the parasitized RBCs (pRBCs) but was also found apically associated with the merozoite. Using antibodies against the N-terminus of the protein we show the presence of SURFIN4.2 in the neck of the rhoptries, its secretion into the PV and shedding into the culture supernatant upon schizont rupture. Using immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry we describe here a novel protein complex we have named SURGE where SURFIN4.2 forms interacts with the rhoptry neck protein 4 (RON4) and the Glutamate Rich Protein (GLURP). The N-terminal cysteine-rich-domain (CRD) of SURFIN4.2 mediates binding to the RBC membrane and its interaction with RON4 suggests its involvement in the contact between the merozoite apex and the RBC at the MJ. Supporting this suggestion, we also found that polyclonal antibodies to the extracellular domain (including the CRD) of SURFIN4.2 partially inhibit merozoite invasion. We propose that the formation of the SURGE complex participates in the establishment of parasite infection within the PV and the RBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria del Pilar Quintana
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jun-Hong Ch’ng
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Arash Zandian
- Affinity Proteomics, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institutet of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maryam Imam
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kjell Hultenby
- Division of Clinical Research Centre, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Michael Theisen
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Nilsson
- Affinity Proteomics, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institutet of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Qundos
- Affinity Proteomics, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institutet of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kirsten Moll
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sherwin Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats Wahlgren
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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15
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Plasmodium falciparum MSP3 Exists in a Complex on the Merozoite Surface and Generates Antibody Response during Natural Infection. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00067-18. [PMID: 29760216 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00067-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3) is an abundantly expressed secreted merozoite surface protein and a leading malaria vaccine candidate antigen. However, it is unclear how MSP3 is retained on the surface of merozoites without a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor or a transmembrane domain. In the present study, we identified an MSP3-associated network on the Plasmodium merozoite surface by immunoprecipitation of Plasmodium merozoite lysate using antibody to the N terminus of MSP3 (anti-MSP3N) followed by mass spectrometry analysis. The results suggested the association of MSP3 with other merozoite surface proteins: MSP1, MSP6, MSP7, RAP2, and SERA5. Protein-protein interaction studies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis showed that MSP3 complex consists of MSP1, MSP6, and MSP7 proteins. Immunological characterization of MSP3 revealed that MSP3N is strongly recognized by hyperimmune serum from African and Asian populations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that human antibodies, affinity purified against recombinant MSP3N (rMSP3N), promote opsonic phagocytosis of merozoites in cooperation with monocytes. At nonphysiological concentrations, anti-MSP3N antibodies inhibited the growth of P. falciparum in vitro Together, the data suggest that MSP3 and especially its N-terminal region containing known B/T cell epitopes are targets of naturally acquired immunity against malaria and also comprise an important candidate for a multisubunit malaria vaccine.
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16
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Cheng CW, Putaporntip C, Jongwutiwes S. Polymorphism in merozoite surface protein-7E of Plasmodium vivax in Thailand: Natural selection related to protein secondary structure. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0196765. [PMID: 29718980 PMCID: PMC5931635 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Merozoite surface protein 7 (MSP-7) is a multigene family expressed during malaria blood-stage infection. MSP-7 forms complex with MSP-1 prior to merozoite egress from erythrocytes, and could affect merozoite invasion of erythrocytes. To characterize sequence variation in the orthologue in P. vivax (PvMSP-7), a gene member encoding PvMSP-7E was analyzed among 92 Thai isolates collected from 3 major endemic areas of Thailand (Northwest: Tak, Northeast: Ubon Ratchathani, and South: Yala and Narathiwat provinces). In total, 52 distinct haplotypes were found to circulate in these areas. Although population structure based on this locus was observed between each endemic area, no genetic differentiation occurred between populations collected from different periods in the same endemic area, suggesting spatial but not temporal genetic variation. Sequence microheterogeneity in both N- and C- terminal regions was predicted to display 4 and 6 α-helical domains, respectively. Signals of purifying selection were observed in α-helices II-X, suggesting structural or functional constraint in these domains. By contrast, α-helix-I spanning the putative signal peptide was under positive selection, in which amino acid substitutions could alter predicted CD4+ T helper cell epitopes. The central region of PvMSP-7E comprised the 5’-trimorphic and the 3’-dimorphic subregions. Positive selection was identified in the 3’ dimorphic subregion of the central domain. A consensus of intrinsically unstructured or disordered protein was predicted to encompass the entire central domain that contained a number of putative B cell epitopes and putative protein binding regions. Evidences of intragenic recombination were more common in the central region than the remainders of the gene. These results suggest that the extent of sequence variation, recombination events and selective pressures in the PvMSP-7E locus seem to be differentially affected by protein secondary structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chew Weng Cheng
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chaturong Putaporntip
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somchai Jongwutiwes
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- * E-mail:
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17
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Disrupting CD147-RAP2 interaction abrogates erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium falciparum. Blood 2018; 131:1111-1121. [PMID: 29352039 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-08-802918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective vaccines against malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum are still lacking, and the molecular mechanism of the host-parasite interaction is not fully understood. Here we demonstrate that the interaction of RAP2, a parasite-secreted rhoptry protein that functions in the parasitophorous vacuole formation stage of the invasion, and CD147 on the host erythrocyte is essential for erythrocyte invasion by P falciparum and is independent from all previously identified interactions involved. Importantly, the blockade of the CD147-RAP2 interaction by HP6H8, a humanized CD147 antibody, completely abolished the parasite invasion with both cure and preventative functions in a humanized mouse model. Together with its long half-life on human red blood cells and its safety profile in cynomolgus monkeys, HP6H8 is the first antibody that offers an advantageous approach by targeting a more conserved late-stage parasite ligand for preventing as well as treating severe malaria.
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18
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Kumar K, Srinivasan P, Nold MJ, Moch JK, Reiter K, Sturdevant D, Otto TD, Squires RB, Herrera R, Nagarajan V, Rayner JC, Porcella SF, Geromanos SJ, Haynes JD, Narum DL. Profiling invasive Plasmodium falciparum merozoites using an integrated omics approach. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17146. [PMID: 29215067 PMCID: PMC5719419 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17505-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The symptoms of malaria are brought about by blood-stage parasites, which are established when merozoites invade human erythrocytes. Our understanding of the molecular events that underpin erythrocyte invasion remains hampered by the short-period of time that merozoites are invasive. To address this challenge, a Plasmodium falciparum gamma-irradiated long-lived merozoite (LLM) line was developed and investigated. Purified LLMs invaded erythrocytes by an increase of 10–300 fold compared to wild-type (WT) merozoites. Using an integrated omics approach, we investigated the basis for the phenotypic difference. Only a few single nucleotide polymorphisms within the P. falciparum genome were identified and only marginal differences were observed in the merozoite transcriptomes. By contrast, using label-free quantitative mass-spectrometry, a significant change in protein abundance was noted, of which 200 were proteins of unknown function. We determined the relative molar abundance of over 1100 proteins in LLMs and further characterized the major merozoite surface protein complex. A unique processed MSP1 intermediate was identified in LLM but not observed in WT suggesting that delayed processing may be important for the observed phenotype. This integrated approach has demonstrated the significant role of the merozoite proteome during erythrocyte invasion, while identifying numerous unknown proteins likely to be involved in invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishan Kumar
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Prakash Srinivasan
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA. .,Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | - J Kathleen Moch
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Karine Reiter
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Dan Sturdevant
- Genomics Unit, Research Technologies Section, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Thomas D Otto
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - R Burke Squires
- Computational Biology Section, Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Raul Herrera
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Vijayaraj Nagarajan
- Computational Biology Section, Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Julian C Rayner
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen F Porcella
- Genomics Unit, Research Technologies Section, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | | | - J David Haynes
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - David L Narum
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA.
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19
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Molecular mechanisms that mediate invasion and egress of malaria parasites from red blood cells. Curr Opin Hematol 2017; 24:208-214. [PMID: 28306665 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Malaria parasites invade and multiply in diverse host cells during their complex life cycle. Some blood stage parasites transform into male and female gametocytes that are transmitted by female anopheline mosquitoes. The gametocytes are activated in the mosquito midgut to form male and female gametes, which egress from RBCs to mate and form a zygote. Here, we will review our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that mediate invasion and egress by malaria parasites at different life cycle stages. RECENT FINDINGS A number of key effector molecules such as parasite protein ligands for receptor-engagement during invasion as well as proteases and perforin-like proteins that mediate egress have been identified. Interestingly, these parasite-encoded effectors are located in internal, vesicular organelles and are secreted in a highly regulated manner during invasion and egress. Here, we will review our current understanding of the functional roles of these effectors as well as the signaling pathways that regulate their timely secretion with accurate spatiotemporal coordinates. SUMMARY Understanding the molecular basis of key processes such as host cell invasion and egress by malaria parasites could provide novel targets for development of inhibitors to block parasite growth and transmission.
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20
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Nair SC, Xu R, Pattaradilokrat S, Wu J, Qi Y, Zilversmit M, Ganesan S, Nagarajan V, Eastman RT, Orandle MS, Tan JC, Myers TG, Liu S, Long CA, Li J, Su XZ. A Plasmodium yoelii HECT-like E3 ubiquitin ligase regulates parasite growth and virulence. Nat Commun 2017; 8:223. [PMID: 28790316 PMCID: PMC5548792 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00267-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection of mice with strains of Plasmodium yoelii parasites can result in different pathology, but molecular mechanisms to explain this variation are unclear. Here we show that a P. yoelii gene encoding a HECT-like E3 ubiquitin ligase (Pyheul) influences parasitemia and host mortality. We genetically cross two lethal parasites with distinct disease phenotypes, and identify 43 genetically diverse progeny by typing with microsatellites and 9230 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. A genome-wide quantitative trait loci scan links parasite growth and host mortality to two major loci on chromosomes 1 and 7 with LOD (logarithm of the odds) scores = 6.1 and 8.1, respectively. Allelic exchange of partial sequences of Pyheul in the chromosome 7 locus and modification of the gene expression alter parasite growth and host mortality. This study identifies a gene that may have a function in parasite growth, virulence, and host–parasite interaction, and therefore could be a target for drug or vaccine development. Many strains of Plasmodium differ in virulence, but factors that control these distinctions are not known. Here the authors comparatively map virulence loci using the offspring from a P. yoelii YM and N67 genetic cross, and identify a putative HECT E3 ubiquitin ligase that may explain the variance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sethu C Nair
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ruixue Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361005, China
| | - Sittiporn Pattaradilokrat
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Jian Wu
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Yanwei Qi
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.,State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361005, China
| | - Martine Zilversmit
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sundar Ganesan
- Biological Imaging Section, Research Technology Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Vijayaraj Nagarajan
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, Office of Cyber Infrastructure and Computational Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Richard T Eastman
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Marlene S Orandle
- Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - John C Tan
- The Eck Institute of Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, 46556, USA
| | - Timothy G Myers
- Genomic Technologies Section, Research Technologies Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Shengfa Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361005, China
| | - Carole A Long
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361005, China.
| | - Xin-Zhuan Su
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA. .,State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361005, China.
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21
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A novel Pfs38 protein complex on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage merozoites. Malar J 2017; 16:79. [PMID: 28202027 PMCID: PMC5312596 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1716-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Plasmodium genome encodes for a number of 6-Cys proteins that contain a module of six cysteine residues forming three intramolecular disulphide bonds. These proteins have been well characterized at transmission as well as hepatic stages of the parasite life cycle. In the present study, a large complex of 6-Cys proteins: Pfs41, Pfs38 and Pfs12 and three other merozoite surface proteins: Glutamate-rich protein (GLURP), SERA5 and MSP-1 were identified on the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface. Methods Recombinant 6-cys proteins i.e. Pfs38, Pfs12, Pfs41 as well as PfMSP-165 were expressed and purified using Escherichia coli expression system and antibodies were raised against each of these proteins. These antibodies were used to immunoprecipitate the native proteins and their associated partners from parasite lysate. ELISA, Far western, surface plasmon resonance and glycerol density gradient fractionation were carried out to confirm the respective interactions. Furthermore, erythrocyte binding assay with 6-cys proteins were undertaken to find out their possible role in host-parasite infection and seropositivity was assessed using Indian and Liberian sera. Results Immunoprecipitation of parasite-derived polypeptides, followed by LC–MS/MS analysis, identified a large Pfs38 complex comprising of 6-cys proteins: Pfs41, Pfs38, Pfs12 and other merozoite surface proteins: GLURP, SERA5 and MSP-1. The existence of such a complex was further corroborated by several protein–protein interaction tools, co-localization and co-sedimentation analysis. Pfs38 protein of Pfs38 complex binds to host red blood cells (RBCs) directly via glycophorin A as a receptor. Seroprevalence analysis showed that of the six antigens, prevalence varied from 40 to 99%, being generally highest for MSP-165 and GLURP proteins. Conclusions Together the data show the presence of a large Pfs38 protein-associated complex on the parasite surface which is involved in RBC binding. These results highlight the complex molecular interactions among the P. falciparum merozoite surface proteins and advocate the development of a multi-sub-unit malaria vaccine based on some of these protein complexes on merozoite surface. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-017-1716-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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22
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Castillo AI, Andreína Pacheco M, Escalante AA. Evolution of the merozoite surface protein 7 (msp7) family in Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum: A comparative approach. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 50:7-19. [PMID: 28163236 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Malaria parasites (genus Plasmodium) are a diverse group found in many species of vertebrate hosts. These parasites invade red blood cells in a complex process comprising several proteins, many encoded by multigene families, one of which is merozoite surface protein 7 (msp7). In the case of Plasmodium vivax, the most geographically widespread human-infecting species, differences in the number of paralogs within multigene families have been previously explained, at least in part, as potential adaptations to the human host. To explore this in msp7, we studied its orthologs in closely related nonhuman primate parasites; investigating both paralog evolutionary history and genetic polymorphism. The emerging patterns were then compared with the human parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We found that the evolution of the msp7 family is consistent with a birth-and-death model, where duplications, pseudogenizations, and gene loss events are common. However, all paralogs in P. vivax and P. falciparum had orthologs in their closely related species in non-human primates indicating that the ancestors of those paralogs precede the events leading to their origins as human parasites. Thus, the number of paralogs cannot be explained as an adaptation to human hosts. Although there is no functional information for msp7 in P. vivax, we found evidence for purifying selection in the genetic polymorphism of some of its paralogs as well as their orthologs in closely related non-human primate parasites. We also found evidence indicating that a few of P. vivax's paralogs may have diverged from their orthologs in non-human primates by episodic positive selection. Hence, they may had been under selection when the lineage leading to P. vivax diverged from the Asian non-human primates and switched into Homininae. All these lines of evidence suggest that msp7 is functionally important in P. vivax.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Andreína Pacheco
- Department of Biology, Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (igem), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ananias A Escalante
- Department of Biology, Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (igem), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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23
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Garzón-Ospina D, Forero-Rodríguez J, Patarroyo MA. Evidence of functional divergence in MSP7 paralogous proteins: a molecular-evolutionary and phylogenetic analysis. BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:256. [PMID: 27894257 PMCID: PMC5126858 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0830-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The merozoite surface protein 7 (MSP7) is a Plasmodium protein which is involved in parasite invasion; the gene encoding it belongs to a multigene family. It has been proposed that MSP7 paralogues seem to be functionally redundant; however, recent experiments have suggested that they could have different roles. Results The msp7 multigene family has been described in newly available Plasmodium genomes; phylogenetic relationships were established in 12 species by using different molecular evolutionary approaches for assessing functional divergence amongst MSP7 members. Gene expansion and contraction rule msp7 family evolution; however, some members could have had concerted evolution. Molecular evolutionary analysis showed that relaxed and/or intensified selection modulated Plasmodium msp7 paralogous evolution. Furthermore, episodic diversifying selection and changes in evolutionary rates suggested that some paralogous proteins have diverged functionally. Conclusions Even though msp7 has mainly evolved in line with a birth-and-death evolutionary model, gene conversion has taken place between some paralogous genes allowing them to maintain their functional redundancy. On the other hand, the evolutionary rate of some MSP7 paralogs has become altered, as well as undergoing relaxed or intensified (positive) selection, suggesting functional divergence. This could mean that some MSP7s can form different parasite protein complexes and/or recognise different host receptors during parasite invasion. These results highlight the importance of this gene family in the Plasmodium genus. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0830-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Garzón-Ospina
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá, DC, Colombia.,PhD Programme in Biomedical and Biological Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24#63C-69, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
| | - Johanna Forero-Rodríguez
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
| | - Manuel A Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá, DC, Colombia. .,School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24#63C-69, Bogotá, DC, Colombia.
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24
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Krishnamurty AT, Thouvenel CD, Portugal S, Keitany GJ, Kim KS, Holder A, Crompton PD, Rawlings DJ, Pepper M. Somatically Hypermutated Plasmodium-Specific IgM(+) Memory B Cells Are Rapid, Plastic, Early Responders upon Malaria Rechallenge. Immunity 2016; 45:402-14. [PMID: 27473412 PMCID: PMC5118370 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2016.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Humoral immunity consists of pre-existing antibodies expressed by long-lived plasma cells and rapidly reactive memory B cells (MBC). Recent studies of MBC development and function after protein immunization have uncovered significant MBC heterogeneity. To clarify functional roles for distinct MBC subsets during malaria infection, we generated tetramers that identify Plasmodium-specific MBCs in both humans and mice. Long-lived murine Plasmodium-specific MBCs consisted of three populations: somatically hypermutated immunoglobulin M(+) (IgM(+)) and IgG(+) MBC subsets and an unmutated IgD(+) MBC population. Rechallenge experiments revealed that high affinity, somatically hypermutated Plasmodium-specific IgM(+) MBCs proliferated and gave rise to antibody-secreting cells that dominated the early secondary response to parasite rechallenge. IgM(+) MBCs also gave rise to T cell-dependent IgM(+) and IgG(+)B220(+)CD138(+) plasmablasts or T cell-independent B220(-)CD138(+) IgM(+) plasma cells. Thus, even in competition with IgG(+) MBCs, IgM(+) MBCs are rapid, plastic, early responders to a secondary Plasmodium rechallenge and should be targeted by vaccine strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay T Krishnamurty
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Christopher D Thouvenel
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Silvia Portugal
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gladys J Keitany
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Karen S Kim
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Anthony Holder
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Peter D Crompton
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20892, USA
| | - David J Rawlings
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Marion Pepper
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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25
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Rosa TFA, Flammersfeld A, Ngwa CJ, Kiesow M, Fischer R, Zipfel PF, Skerka C, Pradel G. The Plasmodium falciparum blood stages acquire factor H family proteins to evade destruction by human complement. Cell Microbiol 2016; 18:573-90. [PMID: 26457721 PMCID: PMC5063132 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The acquisition of regulatory proteins is a means of blood-borne pathogens to avoid destruction by the human complement. We recently showed that the gametes of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum bind factor H (FH) from the blood meal of the mosquito vector to assure successful sexual reproduction, which takes places in the mosquito midgut. While these findings provided a first glimpse of a complex mechanism used by Plasmodium to control the host immune attack, it is hitherto not known, how the pathogenic blood stages of the malaria parasite evade destruction by the human complement. We now show that the human complement system represents a severe threat for the replicating blood stages, particularly for the reinvading merozoites, with complement factor C3b accumulating on the surfaces of the intraerythrocytic schizonts as well as of free merozoites. C3b accumulation initiates terminal complement complex formation, in consequence resulting in blood stage lysis. To inactivate C3b, the parasites bind FH as well as related proteins FHL-1 and CFHR-1 to their surface, and FH binding is trypsin-resistant. Schizonts acquire FH via two contact sites, which involve CCP modules 5 and 20. Blockage of FH-mediated protection via anti-FH antibodies results in significantly impaired blood stage replication, pointing to the plasmodial complement evasion machinery as a promising malaria vaccine target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago F A Rosa
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ansgar Flammersfeld
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Che J Ngwa
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Meike Kiesow
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fischer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Forckenbeckstr. 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter F Zipfel
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Christine Skerka
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Forckenbeckstr. 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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26
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Tyagi K, Hossain ME, Thakur V, Aggarwal P, Malhotra P, Mohmmed A, Sharma YD. Plasmodium vivax Tryptophan Rich Antigen PvTRAg36.6 Interacts with PvETRAMP and PvTRAg56.6 Interacts with PvMSP7 during Erythrocytic Stages of the Parasite. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151065. [PMID: 26954579 PMCID: PMC4783080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is most wide spread and a neglected malaria parasite. There is a lack of information on parasite biology of this species. Genome of this parasite encodes for the largest number of tryptophan-rich proteins belonging to ‘Pv-fam-a’ family and some of them are potential drug/vaccine targets but their functional role(s) largely remains unexplored. Using bacterial and yeast two hybrid systems, we have identified the interacting partners for two of the P. vivax tryptophan-rich antigens called PvTRAg36.6 and PvTRAg56.2. The PvTRAg36.6 interacts with early transcribed membrane protein (ETRAMP) of P.vivax. It is apically localized in merozoites but in early stages it is seen in parasite periphery suggesting its likely involvement in parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) development or maintenance. On the other hand, PvTRAg56.2 interacts with P.vivax merozoite surface protein7 (PvMSP7) and is localized on merozoite surface. Co-localization of PvTRAg56.2 with PvMSP1 and its molecular interaction with PvMSP7 probably suggest that, PvTRAg56.2 is part of MSP-complex, and might assist or stabilize the protein complex at the merozoite surface. In conclusion, the PvTRAg proteins have different sub cellular localizations and specific associated functions during intra-erythrocytic developmental cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kriti Tyagi
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohammad Enayet Hossain
- Malaria group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Vandana Thakur
- Malaria group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Praveen Aggarwal
- Department of Emergency Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Pawan Malhotra
- Malaria group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Asif Mohmmed
- Malaria group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail: (YDS); (AM)
| | - Yagya Dutta Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail: (YDS); (AM)
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27
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Beeson JG, Drew DR, Boyle MJ, Feng G, Fowkes FJI, Richards JS. Merozoite surface proteins in red blood cell invasion, immunity and vaccines against malaria. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2016; 40:343-72. [PMID: 26833236 PMCID: PMC4852283 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuw001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria accounts for an enormous burden of disease globally, with Plasmodium falciparum accounting for the majority of malaria, and P. vivax being a second important cause, especially in Asia, the Americas and the Pacific. During infection with Plasmodium spp., the merozoite form of the parasite invades red blood cells and replicates inside them. It is during the blood-stage of infection that malaria disease occurs and, therefore, understanding merozoite invasion, host immune responses to merozoite surface antigens, and targeting merozoite surface proteins and invasion ligands by novel vaccines and therapeutics have been important areas of research. Merozoite invasion involves multiple interactions and events, and substantial processing of merozoite surface proteins occurs before, during and after invasion. The merozoite surface is highly complex, presenting a multitude of antigens to the immune system. This complexity has proved challenging to our efforts to understand merozoite invasion and malaria immunity, and to developing merozoite antigens as malaria vaccines. In recent years, there has been major progress in this field, and several merozoite surface proteins show strong potential as malaria vaccines. Our current knowledge on this topic is reviewed, highlighting recent advances and research priorities. The authors summarize current knowledge of merozoite surface proteins of malaria parasites; their function in invasion, processing of surface proteins before, during and after invasion, their importance as targets of immunity, and the current status of malaria vaccines that target merozoite surface proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G Beeson
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Damien R Drew
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michelle J Boyle
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gaoqian Feng
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Freya J I Fowkes
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jack S Richards
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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28
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Koch M, Baum J. The mechanics of malaria parasite invasion of the human erythrocyte - towards a reassessment of the host cell contribution. Cell Microbiol 2016; 18:319-29. [PMID: 26663815 PMCID: PMC4819681 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of research, we still know little about the mechanics of Plasmodium host cell invasion. Fundamentally, while the essential or non‐essential nature of different parasite proteins is becoming clearer, their actual function and how each comes together to govern invasion are poorly understood. Furthermore, in recent years an emerging world view is shifting focus away from the parasite actin–myosin motor being the sole force responsible for entry to an appreciation of host cell dynamics and forces and their contribution to the process. In this review, we discuss merozoite invasion of the erythrocyte, focusing on the complex set of pre‐invasion events and how these might prime the red cell to facilitate invasion. While traditionally parasite interactions at this stage have been viewed simplistically as mediating adhesion only, recent work makes it apparent that by interacting with a number of host receptors and signalling pathways, combined with secretion of parasite‐derived lipid material, that the merozoite may initiate cytoskeletal re‐arrangements and biophysical changes in the erythrocyte that greatly reduce energy barriers for entry. Seen in this light Plasmodium invasion may well turn out to be a balance between host and parasite forces, much like that of other pathogen infection mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Koch
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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29
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Hostetler JB, Sharma S, Bartholdson SJ, Wright GJ, Fairhurst RM, Rayner JC. A Library of Plasmodium vivax Recombinant Merozoite Proteins Reveals New Vaccine Candidates and Protein-Protein Interactions. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004264. [PMID: 26701602 PMCID: PMC4689532 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A vaccine targeting Plasmodium vivax will be an essential component of any comprehensive malaria elimination program, but major gaps in our understanding of P. vivax biology, including the protein-protein interactions that mediate merozoite invasion of reticulocytes, hinder the search for candidate antigens. Only one ligand-receptor interaction has been identified, that between P. vivax Duffy Binding Protein (PvDBP) and the erythrocyte Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines (DARC), and strain-specific immune responses to PvDBP make it a complex vaccine target. To broaden the repertoire of potential P. vivax merozoite-stage vaccine targets, we exploited a recent breakthrough in expressing full-length ectodomains of Plasmodium proteins in a functionally-active form in mammalian cells and initiated a large-scale study of P. vivax merozoite proteins that are potentially involved in reticulocyte binding and invasion. Methodology/Principal Findings We selected 39 P. vivax proteins that are predicted to localize to the merozoite surface or invasive secretory organelles, some of which show homology to P. falciparum vaccine candidates. Of these, we were able to express 37 full-length protein ectodomains in a mammalian expression system, which has been previously used to express P. falciparum invasion ligands such as PfRH5. To establish whether the expressed proteins were correctly folded, we assessed whether they were recognized by antibodies from Cambodian patients with acute vivax malaria. IgG from these samples showed at least a two-fold change in reactivity over naïve controls in 27 of 34 antigens tested, and the majority showed heat-labile IgG immunoreactivity, suggesting the presence of conformation-sensitive epitopes and native tertiary protein structures. Using a method specifically designed to detect low-affinity, extracellular protein-protein interactions, we confirmed a predicted interaction between P. vivax 6-cysteine proteins P12 and P41, further suggesting that the proteins are natively folded and functional. This screen also identified two novel protein-protein interactions, between P12 and PVX_110945, and between MSP3.10 and MSP7.1, the latter of which was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance. Conclusions/Significance We produced a new library of recombinant full-length P. vivax ectodomains, established that the majority of them contain tertiary structure, and used them to identify predicted and novel protein-protein interactions. As well as identifying new interactions for further biological studies, this library will be useful in identifying P. vivax proteins with vaccine potential, and studying P. vivax malaria pathogenesis and immunity. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00663546 Plasmodium vivax causes malaria in millions of people each year, primarily in Southeast Asia and Central and South America. P. vivax has a dormant liver stage, which can lead to disease recurrence in infected individuals even in the absence of mosquito transmission. The development of vaccines that target blood-stage P. vivax parasites is therefore likely to be an essential component of any worldwide effort to eradicate malaria. Studying P. vivax is very difficult as this parasite grows poorly in the laboratory and invades only small numbers of young red blood cells in patients. Due to these and other challenges, only a handful of P. vivax proteins have been tested as potential vaccines. To generate more vaccine candidates, we expressed the entire ectodomains of 37 proteins that are predicted to be involved in P. vivax invasion of red blood cells. Antibodies from Cambodian patients with P. vivax malaria recognized heat-sensitive epitopes in the majority of these proteins, suggesting that they are natively folded. We also used the proteins to screen for both predicted and novel protein-protein interactions, confirming that the proteins are functional and further supporting their potential as vaccine candidates. As a new community resource, this P. vivax recombinant protein library will facilitate future studies of P. vivax pathogenesis and immunity, and greatly expands the list of candidate vaccine antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica B. Hostetler
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sumana Sharma
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - S. Josefin Bartholdson
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin J. Wright
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rick M. Fairhurst
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RMF); (JCR)
| | - Julian C. Rayner
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (RMF); (JCR)
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Guimarães LO, Wunderlich G, Alves JMP, Bueno MG, Röhe F, Catão-Dias JL, Neves A, Malafronte RS, Curado I, Domingues W, Kirchgatter K. Merozoite surface protein-1 genetic diversity in Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium brasilianum from Brazil. BMC Infect Dis 2015; 15:529. [PMID: 26572971 PMCID: PMC4647813 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-1238-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) gene encodes the major surface antigen of invasive forms of the Plasmodium erythrocytic stages and is considered a candidate vaccine antigen against malaria. Due to its polymorphisms, MSP1 is also useful for strain discrimination and consists of a good genetic marker. Sequence diversity in MSP1 has been analyzed in field isolates of three human parasites: P. falciparum, P. vivax, and P. ovale. However, the extent of variation in another human parasite, P. malariae, remains unknown. This parasite shows widespread, uneven distribution in tropical and subtropical regions throughout South America, Asia, and Africa. Interestingly, it is genetically indistinguishable from P. brasilianum, a parasite known to infect New World monkeys in Central and South America. Methods Specific fragments (1 to 5) covering 60 % of the MSP1 gene (mainly the putatively polymorphic regions), were amplified by PCR in isolates of P. malariae and P. brasilianum from different geographic origin and hosts. Sequencing of the PCR-amplified products or cloned PCR fragments was performed and the sequences were used to construct a phylogenetic tree by the maximum likelihood method. Data were computed to give insights into the evolutionary and phylogenetic relationships of these parasites. Results Except for fragment 4, sequences from all other fragments consisted of unpublished sequences. The most polymorphic gene region was fragment 2, and in samples where this region lacks polymorphism, all other regions are also identical. The low variability of the P. malariae msp1 sequences of these isolates and the identification of the same haplotype in those collected many years apart at different locations is compatible with a low transmission rate. We also found greater diversity among P. brasilianum isolates compared with P. malariae ones. Lastly, the sequences were segregated according to their geographic origins and hosts, showing a strong genetic and geographic structure. Conclusions Our data show that there is a low level of sequence diversity and a possible absence of allelic dimorphism of MSP1 in these parasites as opposed to other Plasmodium species. P. brasilianum strains apparently show greater divergence in comparison to P. malariae, thus P. malariae could derive from P. brasilianum, as it has been proposed. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1238-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian O Guimarães
- Núcleo de Estudos em Malária, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias/Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
| | - Gerhard Wunderlich
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil.
| | - João M P Alves
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil.
| | - Marina G Bueno
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.
| | - Fabio Röhe
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22461-000, Brazil.
| | - José L Catão-Dias
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.
| | - Amanda Neves
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
| | - Rosely S Malafronte
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil. .,Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil.
| | - Izilda Curado
- Laboratório de Imunoepidemiologia, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, São Paulo, SP, 01027-000, Brazil.
| | - Wilson Domingues
- Laboratório de Soroepidemiologia e Imunobiologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
| | - Karin Kirchgatter
- Núcleo de Estudos em Malária, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias/Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
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von Bohl A, Kuehn A, Simon N, Ngongang VN, Spehr M, Baumeister S, Przyborski JM, Fischer R, Pradel G. A WD40-repeat protein unique to malaria parasites associates with adhesion protein complexes and is crucial for blood stage progeny. Malar J 2015; 14:435. [PMID: 26537493 PMCID: PMC4634918 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0967-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During development in human erythrocytes, Plasmodium falciparum parasites display a remarkable number of adhesive proteins on their plasma membrane. In the invasive merozoites, these include members of the PfMSP1 and PfAMA1/RON complexes, which facilitate contact between merozoites and red blood cells. In gametocytes, sexual precursor cells mediating parasite transmission to the mosquito vector, plasma membrane-associated proteins primarily belong to the PfCCp and 6-cys families with roles in fertilization. This study describes a newly identified WD40-repeat protein unique to Plasmodium species that associates with adhesion protein complexes of both merozoites and gametocytes. Methods The WD40-repeat protein-like protein PfWLP1 was identified via co-immunoprecipitation assays followed by mass spectrometry and characterized using biochemical and immunohistochemistry methods. Reverse genetics were employed for functional analysis. Results PfWLP1 is expressed both in schizonts and gametocytes. In mature schizonts, the protein localizes underneath the merozoite micronemes and interacts with PfAMA1, while in gametocytes PfWLP1 primarily accumulates underneath the plasma membrane and associates with PfCCp1 and Pfs230. Reverse genetics failed to disrupt the pfwlp1 gene, while haemagglutinin-tagging was feasible, suggesting a crucial function for PfWLP1 during blood stage replication. Conclusions This is the first report on a plasmodial WD40-repeat protein associating with cell adhesion proteins. Since WD40 domains are known to mediate protein–protein contact by serving as a rigid scaffold for protein interactions, the presented data suggest that PfWLP1 supports the stability of adhesion protein complexes of the plasmodial blood stages. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-015-0967-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas von Bohl
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany. .,Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Andrea Kuehn
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2/D15, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Nina Simon
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2/D15, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Vanesa Nkwouano Ngongang
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2/D15, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Marc Spehr
- Department of Chemosensation, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Stefan Baumeister
- Parasitology Section, Faculty of Biology, Philipps University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 8, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Jude M Przyborski
- Parasitology Section, Faculty of Biology, Philipps University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 8, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Rainer Fischer
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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Perrin AJ, Bartholdson SJ, Wright GJ. P-selectin is a host receptor for Plasmodium MSP7 ligands. Malar J 2015; 14:238. [PMID: 26045295 PMCID: PMC4478713 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0750-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium parasites typically elicit a non-sterile but protective immune response in human host populations, suggesting that the parasites actively modulate normal immunological mechanisms. P-selectin is a cell surface receptor expressed in mammals, that is a known component of the inflammatory response against pathogens and has been previously identified as a host factor that influences malaria-associated pathology both in human patients and rodent infection models. METHODS To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of P-selectin in the pathogenesis of malaria, a systematic extracellular protein interaction screen was used to identify Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 7 (MSP7) as a binding partner of human P-selectin. This interaction, and those occurring between P-selectin and Plasmodium MSP7 homologues, was characterized biochemically. RESULTS Plasmodium falciparum MSP7 and P-selectin were shown to bind each other directly via the N-terminus of PfMSP7 and the P-selectin C-type lectin and EGF-like domains. Orthologous proteins in the murine parasite Plasmodium berghei (PbMSRP1 and PbMSRP2) and mouse P-selectin also interacted. Finally, P-selectin, when complexed with MSP7, could no longer bind to its endogenous carbohydrate ligand, Sialyl-Lewis(X). CONCLUSIONS Novel interactions were identified between Plasmodium MSP7 protein family members and host P-selectin receptors. Since PfMSP7 could prevent interactions between P-selectin and its leukocyte ligands, these results provide a possible mechanism for the known immunomodulatory effects of both MSP7 and P-selectin in malaria infection models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail J Perrin
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory and Malaria Programme, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
| | - S Josefin Bartholdson
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory and Malaria Programme, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
| | - Gavin J Wright
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory and Malaria Programme, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
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Douglas RG, Amino R, Sinnis P, Frischknecht F. Active migration and passive transport of malaria parasites. Trends Parasitol 2015; 31:357-62. [PMID: 26001482 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Revised: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Malaria parasites undergo a complex life cycle between their hosts and vectors. During this cycle the parasites invade different types of cells, migrate across barriers, and transfer from one host to another. Recent literature hints at a misunderstanding of the difference between active, parasite-driven migration and passive, circulation-driven movement of the parasite or parasite-infected cells in the various bodily fluids of mosquito and mammalian hosts. Because both active migration and passive transport could be targeted in different ways to interfere with the parasite, a distinction between the two ways the parasite uses to get from one location to another is essential. We discuss the two types of motion needed for parasite dissemination and elaborate on how they could be targeted by future vaccines or drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross G Douglas
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rogerio Amino
- Unité de Biologie et Génétique du Paludisme, Département Parasites et Insectes Vecteurs, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Photini Sinnis
- Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Freddy Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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Pallial mucus of the oyster Crassostrea virginica regulates the expression of putative virulence genes of its pathogen Perkinsus marinus. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:305-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2013] [Revised: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Zenonos ZA, Rayner JC, Wright GJ. Towards a comprehensive Plasmodium falciparum merozoite cell surface and secreted recombinant protein library. Malar J 2014; 13:93. [PMID: 24620899 PMCID: PMC3995786 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum is the aetiological agent for malaria, a deadly infectious disease for which no vaccine has yet been licensed. The proteins displayed on the merozoite cell surface have long been considered attractive vaccine targets because of their direct exposure to host antibodies; however, progress in understanding the functional role of these targets has been hindered by technical challenges associated with expressing these proteins in a functionally active recombinant form. To address this, a method that enables the systematic expression of functional extracellular Plasmodium proteins was previously developed, and used to create a library of 42 merozoite proteins. METHODS To compile a more comprehensive library of recombinant proteins representing the repertoire of P. falciparum merozoite extracellular proteins for systematic vaccine and functional studies, genome-wide expression profiling was used to identify additional candidates. Candidate proteins were recombinantly produced and their integrity and expression levels were tested by Western blotting and ELISA. RESULTS Twenty-five additional genes that were upregulated during late schizogony, and predicted to encode secreted and cell surface proteins, were identified and expressed as soluble recombinant proteins. A band consistent with the entire ectodomain was observed by immunoblotting for the majority of the proteins and their expression levels were quantified. By using sera from malaria-exposed immune adults, the immunoreactivity of 20 recombinant proteins was assessed, and most of the merozoite ligands were found to carry heat-labile epitopes. To facilitate systematic comparative studies across the entire library, multiple Plasmodium proteins were simultaneously purified using a custom-made platform. CONCLUSIONS A library of recombinant P. falciparum secreted and cell surface proteins was expanded by 20 additional proteins, which were shown to express at usable levels and contain conformational epitopes. This resource of extracellular P. falciparum merozoite proteins, which now contains 62 full-length ectodomains, will be a valuable tool in elucidating the function of these proteins during the blood stages of infection, and facilitate the comparative assessment of blood stage vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gavin J Wright
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.
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Offeddu V, Rauch M, Silvie O, Matuschewski K. The Plasmodium protein P113 supports efficient sporozoite to liver stage conversion in vivo. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2014; 193:101-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2014.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Revised: 03/01/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Pusic K, Clements D, Kobuch S, Hui G. Antibody and T cell responses in reciprocal prime-boost studies with full-length and truncated merozoite surface protein 1-42 vaccines. PLoS One 2013; 8:e75939. [PMID: 24098747 PMCID: PMC3786974 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 08/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The P. falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein 1-42 (MSP1-42) is one of the most studied malaria subunit vaccine candidates. The N-terminal fragment of MSP1-42, MSP1-33, is primarily composed of allelic sequences, and has been shown to possess T helper epitopes that influence protective antibody responses toward the C-terminal region, MSP1-19. A truncated MSP1-42 vaccine, Construct 33-I, consisting of exclusively conserved T epitope regions of MSP1-33 expressed in tandem with MSP1-19, was previously shown to be a more effective immunogen than the full-length MSP1-42 vaccine. Here, by way of reciprocal priming/boosting immunization regimens, we studied the immunogenicity of Construct 33-I in the context of recognition by immune responses induced by the full-length native MSP1-42 protein, in order to gauge the effects of pre- and post-exposures to MSP1-42 on vaccine induced responses. Judging by immune responsiveness, antibody and T cell responses, Construct 33-I was effective as the priming antigen followed by full-length MSP1-42 boosting, as well as the boosting antigen following full-length MSP1-42 priming. In particular, Construct 33-I priming elicited the broadest responsiveness in immunized animals subsequently exposed to MSP1-42. Moreover, Construct 33-I, with its conserved MSP1-33 specific T cell epitopes, was equally well recognized by homologous and heterologous allelic forms of MSP1-42. Serum antibodies raised against Construct 33-I efficiently inhibited the growth of parasites carrying the heterologous MSP1-42 allele. These results suggest that Construct 33-I maintains and/or enhances its immunogenicity in an allelic or strain transcending fashion when deployed in populations having prior or subsequent exposures to native MSP1-42s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kae Pusic
- University of Hawaii, School of Medicine, Department of Tropical Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Danielle Clements
- University of Hawaii, School of Medicine, Department of Tropical Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Sophie Kobuch
- University of Hawaii, School of Medicine, Department of Tropical Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - George Hui
- University of Hawaii, School of Medicine, Department of Tropical Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
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N-terminal Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-1, a potential subunit for malaria vivax vaccine. Clin Dev Immunol 2013; 2013:965841. [PMID: 24187566 PMCID: PMC3804292 DOI: 10.1155/2013/965841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The human malaria is widely distributed in the Middle East, Asia, the western Pacific, and Central and South America. Plasmodium vivax started to have the attention of many researchers since it is causing diseases to millions of people and several reports of severe malaria cases have been noticed in the last few years. The lack of in vitro cultures for P. vivax represents a major delay in developing a functional malaria vaccine. One of the major candidates to antimalarial vaccine is the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1), which is expressed abundantly on the merozoite surface and capable of activating the host protective immunity. Studies have shown that MSP-1 possesses highly immunogenic fragments, capable of generating immune response and protection in natural infection in endemic regions. This paper shows humoral immune response to different proteins of PvMSP1 and the statement of N-terminal to be added to the list of potential candidates for malaria vivax vaccine.
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Versiani FG, Almeida MEM, Melo GC, Versiani FOL, Orlandi PP, Mariúba LAM, Soares LA, Souza LP, da Silva Balieiro AA, Monteiro WM, Costa FTM, del Portillo HA, Lacerda MVG, Nogueira PA. High levels of IgG3 anti ICB2-5 in Plasmodium vivax-infected individuals who did not develop symptoms. Malar J 2013; 12:294. [PMID: 23977965 PMCID: PMC3844576 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium vivax has the potential to infect 2.85 billion individuals worldwide. Nevertheless, the limited number of studies investigating the immune status of individuals living in malaria-endemic areas, as well as the lack of reports investigating serological markers associated with clinical protection, has hampered development of vaccines for P. vivax. It was previously demonstrated that naturally total IgG against the N-terminus of P. vivax merozoite surface protein 1 (Pv-MSP1) was associated with reduced risk of malarial infection. Methods Immune response against Pv-MSP1 (N-terminus) of 313 residents of the Rio Pardo rural settlement (Amazonas State, Brazil) was evaluated in a cross-sectional and longitudinal follow up over two months (on site) wherein gold standard diagnosis by thick blood smear and rRNA gene-based nested real-time PCR were used to discriminate symptomless Plasmodium vivax-infected individuals who did not develop clinical symptoms during a 2-months from those uninfected ones or who have had acute malaria. The acquisition of antibodies against Pv-MSP1 was also evaluated as survival analysis by prospective study over a year collecting information of new malaria infections in surveillance database. Results The majority of P. vivax-infected individuals (52-67%) showed immune recognition of the N-terminus of Pv-MSP1. Interesting data on infected individuals who have not developed symptoms, total IgG levels against the N-terminus Pv-MSP1 were age-dependent and the IgG3 levels were significantly higher than levels of subjects had acute malaria or those uninfected ones. The total IgG anti ICB2-5 was detected to be an important factor of protection against new malaria vivax attacks in survival analysis in a prospective survey (p = 0.029). Conclusions The study findings illustrate the importance of IgG3 associated to 2-months of symptomless in P. vivax infected individuals and open perspectives for the rationale of malaria vaccine designs capable to sustain high levels of IgG3 against polymorphic malaria antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda G Versiani
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane - Fiocruz, Rua Teresina 476, 69057-070 Manaus, AM, Brazil.
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Heiber A, Kruse F, Pick C, Grüring C, Flemming S, Oberli A, Schoeler H, Retzlaff S, Mesén-Ramírez P, Hiss JA, Kadekoppala M, Hecht L, Holder AA, Gilberger TW, Spielmann T. Identification of new PNEPs indicates a substantial non-PEXEL exportome and underpins common features in Plasmodium falciparum protein export. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003546. [PMID: 23950716 PMCID: PMC3738491 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria blood stage parasites export a large number of proteins into their host erythrocyte to change it from a container of predominantly hemoglobin optimized for the transport of oxygen into a niche for parasite propagation. To understand this process, it is crucial to know which parasite proteins are exported into the host cell. This has been aided by the PEXEL/HT sequence, a five-residue motif found in many exported proteins, leading to the prediction of the exportome. However, several PEXEL/HT negative exported proteins (PNEPs) indicate that this exportome is incomplete and it remains unknown if and how many further PNEPs exist. Here we report the identification of new PNEPs in the most virulent malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This includes proteins with a domain structure deviating from previously known PNEPs and indicates that PNEPs are not a rare exception. Unexpectedly, this included members of the MSP-7 related protein (MSRP) family, suggesting unanticipated functions of MSRPs. Analyzing regions mediating export of selected new PNEPs, we show that the first 20 amino acids of PNEPs without a classical N-terminal signal peptide are sufficient to promote export of a reporter, confirming the concept that this is a shared property of all PNEPs of this type. Moreover, we took advantage of newly found soluble PNEPs to show that this type of exported protein requires unfolding to move from the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) into the host cell. This indicates that soluble PNEPs, like PEXEL/HT proteins, are exported by translocation across the PV membrane (PVM), highlighting protein translocation in the parasite periphery as a general means in protein export of malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arlett Heiber
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Parasitology Section, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Florian Kruse
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Parasitology Section, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Pick
- Institute of Zoology and Zoological Museum, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christof Grüring
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Parasitology Section, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Flemming
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Parasitology Section, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Oberli
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Parasitology Section, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanno Schoeler
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Parasitology Section, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Silke Retzlaff
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Parasitology Section, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paolo Mesén-Ramírez
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Parasitology Section, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan A. Hiss
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Madhusudan Kadekoppala
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London United Kingdom
| | - Leonie Hecht
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Parasitology Section, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anthony A. Holder
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London United Kingdom
| | - Tim-Wolf Gilberger
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Parasitology Section, Hamburg, Germany
- M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research and Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tobias Spielmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Parasitology Section, Hamburg, Germany
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Acquired antibodies to merozoite antigens in children from Uganda with uncomplicated or severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2013; 20:1170-80. [PMID: 23740926 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00156-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Malaria can present itself as an uncomplicated or severe disease. We have here studied the quantity and quality of antibody responses against merozoite antigens, as well as multiplicity of infection (MOI), in children from Uganda. We found higher levels of IgG antibodies toward erythrocyte-binding antigen EBA181, MSP2 of Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 and FC27 (MSP2-3D7/FC27), and apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) in patients with uncomplicated malaria by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) but no differences against EBA140, EBA175, MSP1, and reticulocyte-binding protein homologues Rh2 and Rh4 or for IgM against MSP2-3D7/FC27.Patients with uncomplicated malaria were also shown to have higher antibody affinities for AMA1 by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Decreased invasion of two clinical P. falciparum isolates in the presence of patient plasma correlated with lower initial parasitemia in the patients, in contrast to comparisons of parasitemia to ELISA values or antibody affinities, which did not show any correlations. Analysis of the heterogeneity of the infections revealed a higher MOI in patients with uncomplicated disease, with the P. falciparum K1 MSP1 (MSP1-K1) and MSP2-3D7 being the most discriminative allelic markers. Higher MOIs also correlated positively with higher antibody levels in several of the ELISAs. In conclusion, certain antibody responses and MOIs were associated with differences between uncomplicated and severe malaria. When different assays were combined, some antibodies, like those against AMA1, seemed particularly discriminative. However, only decreased invasion correlated with initial parasitemia in the patient, signaling the importance of functional assays in understanding development of immunity against malaria and in evaluating vaccine candidates.
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Modulation of PF10_0355 (MSPDBL2) alters Plasmodium falciparum response to antimalarial drugs. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 57:2937-41. [PMID: 23587962 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02574-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria's ability to rapidly adapt to new drugs has allowed it to remain one of the most devastating infectious diseases of humans. Understanding and tracking the genetic basis of these adaptations are critical to the success of treatment and intervention strategies. The novel antimalarial resistance locus PF10_0355 (Pfmspdbl2) was previously associated with the parasite response to halofantrine, and functional validation confirmed that overexpression of this gene lowered parasite sensitivity to both halofantrine and the structurally related antimalarials mefloquine and lumefantrine, predominantly through copy number variation. Here we further characterize the role of Pfmspdbl2 in mediating the antimalarial drug response of Plasmodium falciparum. Knockout of Pfmspdbl2 increased parasite sensitivity to halofantrine, mefloquine, and lumefantrine but not to unrelated antimalarials, further suggesting that this gene mediates the parasite response to a specific class of antimalarial drugs. A single nucleotide polymorphism encoding a C591S mutation within Pfmspdbl2 had the strongest association with halofantrine sensitivity and showed a high derived allele frequency among Senegalese parasites. Transgenic parasites expressing the ancestral Pfmspdbl2 allele were more sensitive to halofantrine and structurally related antimalarials than were parasites expressing the derived allele, revealing an allele-specific effect on drug sensitivity in the absence of copy number effects. Finally, growth competition experiments showed that under drug pressure, parasites expressing the derived allele of Pfmspdbl2 outcompeted parasites expressing the ancestral allele within a few generations. Together, these experiments demonstrate that modulation of Pfmspdbl2 affects malaria parasite responses to antimalarial drugs.
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Planson AG, Guijarro JI, Chaffotte AF. New insights for native production of MSP1(19), the disulfide-rich C-terminal fragment from Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57086. [PMID: 23451153 PMCID: PMC3579805 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria represents a major public health problem and an important cause of mortality and morbidity. The malaria parasites are becoming resistant to drugs used to treat the disease and still no efficient vaccine has been developed. One promising vaccine candidate is the merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1), which has been extensively investigated as a vaccine target. The surface protein MSP1 plays an essential role in the erythrocyte invasion process and is an accessible target for the immune system. Antibodies to the carboxy-terminal region of the protein, named MSP119, can inhibit erythrocyte invasion and parasite growth. In order to develop an effective MSP119- based vaccine against malaria, production of an antigen that is recognized by protective antibodies is mandatory. To this aim, we propose a method to produce the disulfide-rich MSP119 in its native conformation based on its in vitro oxidative refolding. The native conformation of the renatured MSP119 is carefully established by immunochemical reactivity experiments, circular dichroism and NMR. MSP119 can successfully be refolded in vitro as an isolated protein or as a fusion with the maltose binding protein. The possibility to properly fold MSP119in vitro paves the way to new approaches for high titer production of native MSP119 using Escherichia coli as a host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - J. Iñaki Guijarro
- Unité de RMN des Biomolécules, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3528, Paris, France
- * E-mail: (JIG); (AFC)
| | - Alain F. Chaffotte
- Unité de RMN des Biomolécules, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3528, Paris, France
- * E-mail: (JIG); (AFC)
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44
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Grüber A, Manimekalai MS, Preiser PR, Grüber G. Structural architecture and interplay of the nucleotide- and erythrocyte binding domain of the reticulocyte binding protein Py235 from Plasmodium yoelii. Int J Parasitol 2012; 42:1083-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2012] [Revised: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 07/06/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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45
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Garzón-Ospina D, López C, Forero-Rodríguez J, Patarroyo MA. Genetic diversity and selection in three Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 7 (Pvmsp-7) genes in a Colombian population. PLoS One 2012; 7:e45962. [PMID: 23049905 PMCID: PMC3458108 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A completely effective vaccine for malaria (one of the major infectious diseases worldwide) is not yet available; different membrane proteins involved in parasite-host interactions have been proposed as candidates for designing it. It has been found that proteins encoded by the merozoite surface protein (msp)-7 multigene family are antibody targets in natural infection; the nucleotide diversity of three Pvmsp-7 genes was thus analyzed in a Colombian parasite population. By contrast with P. falciparum msp-7 loci and ancestral P. vivax msp-7 genes, specie-specific duplicates of the latter specie display high genetic variability, generated by single nucleotide polymorphisms, repeat regions, and recombination. At least three major allele types are present in Pvmsp-7C, Pvmsp-7H and Pvmsp-7I and positive selection seems to be operating on the central region of these msp-7 genes. Although this region has high genetic polymorphism, the C-terminus (Pfam domain ID: PF12948) is conserved and could be an important candidate when designing a subunit-based antimalarial vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Garzón-Ospina
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia – FIDIC, Bogotá DC, Colombia
- Microbiology postgraduate program, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá DC, Colombia
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá DC, Colombia
| | - Carolina López
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia – FIDIC, Bogotá DC, Colombia
- Microbiology postgraduate program, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá DC, Colombia
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá DC, Colombia
| | | | - Manuel A. Patarroyo
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia – FIDIC, Bogotá DC, Colombia
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá DC, Colombia
- * E-mail:
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46
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Antigenic characterization of an intrinsically unstructured protein, Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 2. Infect Immun 2012; 80:4177-85. [PMID: 22966050 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00665-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2) is an abundant glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein of Plasmodium falciparum, which is a potential component of a malaria vaccine. As all forms of MSP2 can be categorized into two allelic families, a vaccine containing two representative forms of MSP2 may overcome the problem of diversity in this highly polymorphic protein. Monomeric recombinant MSP2 is an intrinsically unstructured protein, but its conformational properties on the merozoite surface are unknown. This question is addressed here by analyzing the 3D7 and FC27 forms of recombinant and parasite MSP2 using a panel of monoclonal antibodies raised against recombinant MSP2. The epitopes of all antibodies, mapped using both a peptide array and by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on full-length recombinant MSP2, were shown to be linear. The antibodies revealed antigenic differences, which indicate that the conserved N- and C-terminal regions, but not the central variable region, are less accessible in the parasite antigen. This appears to be an intrinsic property of parasite MSP2 and is not dependent on interactions with other merozoite surface proteins as the loss of some conserved-region epitopes seen using the immunofluorescence assay (IFA) on parasite smears was also seen on Western blot analyses of parasite lysates. Further studies of the structural basis of these antigenic differences are required in order to optimize recombinant MSP2 constructs being evaluated as potential vaccine components.
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47
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Li J, Han ET. Dissection of the Plasmodium vivax reticulocyte binding-like proteins (PvRBPs). Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 426:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.08.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2012] [Accepted: 08/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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48
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Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 blocks the proinflammatory protein S100P. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:5429-34. [PMID: 22431641 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1202689109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, and the human immune system have coevolved to ensure that the parasite is not eliminated and reinfection is not resisted. This relationship is likely mediated through a myriad of host-parasite interactions, although surprisingly few such interactions have been identified. Here we show that the 33-kDa fragment of P. falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1(33)), an abundant protein that is shed during red blood cell invasion, binds to the proinflammatory protein, S100P. MSP1(33) blocks S100P-induced NFκB activation in monocytes and chemotaxis in neutrophils. Remarkably, S100P binds to both dimorphic alleles of MSP1, estimated to have diverged >27 Mya, suggesting an ancient, conserved relationship between these parasite and host proteins that may serve to attenuate potentially damaging inflammatory responses.
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49
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Abstract
Increased international support for both research into new vaccines and their deployment in developing countries has been evident over the past decade. In particular, the GAVI Alliance has had a major impact in increasing uptake of the six common infant vaccines as well as those against hepatitis B and yellow fever. It further aims to introduce pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines in the near future and several others, including those against human papillomavirus, meningococcal disease, rubella and typhoid not long after that. In addition, there is advanced research into vaccines against malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. By 2030, we may have about 20 vaccines that need to be used in the developing world. Finding the requisite funds to achieve this will pose a major problem. A second and urgent question is how to complete the job of global polio eradication. The new strategic plan calls for completion by 2013, but both pre-eradication and post-eradication challenges remain. Vaccines will eventually become available beyond the field of infectious diseases. Much interesting work is being done in both autoimmunity and cancer. Cutting across disease groupings, there are issues in methods of delivery and new adjuvant formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J V Nossal
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
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50
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Nossal GJV. Vaccines of the future. Vaccine 2011; 29 Suppl 4:D111-5. [PMID: 22185835 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.06.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2011] [Revised: 05/25/2011] [Accepted: 06/24/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines of the future can be divided into three broad groups, namely those of the near future (<10 years); the medium-term future (10-19 years); and the long-term future (20-50 years). For the near future, there is some "low hanging fruit" which is clearly on the horizon, such as a Vi-conjugate vaccine for typhoid or a protein-based vaccine for Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B. Just slightly more distant will be vaccines for shigellosis and a common protein vaccine for Streptococcus pneumoniae. Also in this group, but not as far advanced, will be a vaccine for Group A streptococcus. I place vaccines for the "big three", malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in the medium term basket. The sporozoite malaria vaccine RTS-S is closest, but surely a definitive malaria vaccine will also require antigens from other stages of the life cycle. A tuberculosis vaccine will be either a re-engineered BCG; or a molecular vaccine with several protein antigens; or one based on prime-boost strategies. What will delay this is the high cost of clinical trials. For HIV/AIDS, the partial success of the Sanofi-Pasteur prime-boost vaccine has given some hope. I still place much faith in antibody-based vaccines and especially on mimotopes of the env transitional state assumed after initial CD4 binding. Monoclonal antibodies are also leading us in interesting directions. Longer term, the vaccine approach will be successful for autoimmune diseases, e.g. juvenile diabetes and coeliac disease. Cancer vaccines are also briefly surveyed. Adjunct issues needing to be addressed include more extensive combinations; alternate delivery systems; and more intelligently designed adjuvants based on knowledge of the innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J V Nossal
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
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