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Douradinha B. Does hydrogen peroxide contribute to the immunity against Malaria induced by whole attenuated plasmodial sporozoites? Mol Biochem Parasitol 2023; 256:111589. [PMID: 37604406 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2023.111589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium sporozoites can block apoptotic pathways within host hepatocytes, ensuring the survival of the parasite. However, attenuated plasmodial sporozoites are unable to prevent apoptosis, which provides many parasite antigens to immune cells. This exposure leads to protection against Malaria in both human and animal models. If these hosts are later inoculated with infectious sporozoites, apoptosis of infected hepatocytes will occur, preventing parasite development. Considering that hydrogen peroxide can induce apoptosis, it is plausible that it plays a role in the mechanisms associated with the protection mediated by attenuated plasmodial sporozoites. Based on published results that describe the relationship between Plasmodium, hydrogen peroxide, and apoptosis, a rational explanation can be provided for this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Douradinha
- Nykode Therapeutics ASA, Oslo Science Park, Gaustadalléen 21, Oslo 0349, Norway.
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2
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Rajneesh, Tiwari R, Singh VK, Kumar A, Gupta RP, Singh AK, Gautam V, Kumar R. Advancements and Challenges in Developing Malaria Vaccines: Targeting Multiple Stages of the Parasite Life Cycle. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1795-1814. [PMID: 37708228 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium species, remains a major global health concern, causing millions of deaths annually. While the introduction of the RTS,S vaccine has shown promise, there is a pressing need for more effective vaccines due to the emergence of drug-resistant parasites and insecticide-resistant vectors. However, the complex life cycle and genetic diversity of the parasite, technical obstacles, limited funding, and the impact of the 2019 pandemic have hindered progress in malaria vaccine development. This review focuses on advancements in malaria vaccine development, particularly the ongoing clinical trials targeting antigens from different stages of the Plasmodium life cycle. Additionally, we discuss the rationale, strategies, and challenges associated with vaccine design, aiming to enhance the immune response and protective efficacy of vaccine candidates. A cost-effective and multistage vaccine could hold the key to controlling and eradicating malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajneesh
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Rahul Tiwari
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Vishal K Singh
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Awnish Kumar
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Rohit P Gupta
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
- Department of Applied Microbiology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Akhilesh K Singh
- Faculty of Dental Science, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Vibhav Gautam
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Rajiv Kumar
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
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3
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Daubenberger C. Genetically modified malaria parasites as vaccine candidates. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:1-3. [PMID: 36404198 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Induction of sterile immunity against sporozoite and liver stages of malaria is a long-standing aim in vaccine development. Genetically engineered, attenuated sporozoites were systematically evaluated in animal models. Murphy et al. present the first, promising clinical trial of early arresting parasites, PfGAP3KO, confirming safety and demonstrating efficacy against homologous challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Daubenberger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001 Basel, Switzerland.
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4
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Tumwine-Downey I, Deroost K, Levy P, McLaughlin S, Hosking C, Langhorne J. Antibody-dependent immune responses elicited by blood stage-malaria infection contribute to protective immunity to the pre-erythrocytic stages. CURRENT RESEARCH IN IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 4:100054. [PMID: 36593995 PMCID: PMC9803926 DOI: 10.1016/j.crimmu.2022.100054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in transcriptomics and proteomics have revealed that different life-cycle stages of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium, share antigens, thus allowing for the possibility of eliciting immunity to a parasite life-cycle stage that has not been experienced before. Using the Plasmodium chabaudi (AS strain) model of malaria in mice, we investigated how isolated exposure to blood-stage infection, bypassing a liver-stage infection, yields significant protection to sporozoite challenge resulting in lower liver parasite burdens. Antibodies are the main immune driver of this protection. Antibodies induced by blood-stage infection recognise proteins on the surface of sporozoites and can impair sporozoite gliding motility in vitro, suggesting a possible function in vivo. Furthermore, mice lacking B cells and/or secreted antibodies are not protected against a sporozoite challenge in mice that had a previous blood-stage infection. Conversely, effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cells do not seem to play a role in protection from sporozoite challenge of mice previously exposed only to the blood stages of P. chabaudi. The protective response against pre-erythrocytic stages can be induced by infections initiated by serially passaged blood-stage parasites as well as recently mosquito transmitted parasites and is effective against a different strain of P. chabaudi (CB strain), but not against another rodent malaria species, P. yoelii. The possibility to induce protective cross-stage antibodies advocates the need to consider both stage-specific and cross-stage immune responses to malaria, as natural infection elicits exposure to all life-cycle stages. Future investigation into these cross-stage antibodies allows the opportunity for candidate antigens to contribute to malaria vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jean Langhorne
- Corresponding author. Malaria Immunology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
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5
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Creation and preclinical evaluation of genetically attenuated malaria parasites arresting growth late in the liver. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:139. [PMCID: PMC9636417 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00558-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractWhole-sporozoite (WSp) malaria vaccines induce protective immune responses in animal malaria models and in humans. A recent clinical trial with a WSp vaccine comprising genetically attenuated parasites (GAP) which arrest growth early in the liver (PfSPZ-GA1), showed that GAPs can be safely administered to humans and immunogenicity is comparable to radiation-attenuated PfSPZ Vaccine. GAPs that arrest late in the liver stage (LA-GAP) have potential for increased potency as shown in rodent malaria models. Here we describe the generation of four putative P. falciparum LA-GAPs, generated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene deletion. One out of four gene-deletion mutants produced sporozoites in sufficient numbers for further preclinical evaluation. This mutant, PfΔmei2, lacking the mei2-like RNA gene, showed late liver growth arrest in human liver-chimeric mice with human erythrocytes, absence of unwanted genetic alterations and sensitivity to antimalarial drugs. These features of PfΔmei2 make it a promising vaccine candidate, supporting further clinical evaluation. PfΔmei2 (GA2) has passed regulatory approval for safety and efficacy testing in humans based on the findings reported in this study.
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Sterile protection against relapsing malaria with a single-shot vaccine. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:126. [PMID: 36302860 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00555-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccine development for Plasmodium vivax, an important human relapsing malaria, is lagging behind. In the case of the most deadly human malaria P. falciparum, unprecedented high levels of protection have been obtained by immunization with live sporozoites under accompanying chemoprophylaxis, which prevents the onset of blood-stage malaria. Such an approach has not been fully evaluated for relapsing malaria. Here, in the P. cynomolgi-rhesus macaque model for relapsing malaria, we employ the parasites' natural relapsing phenotype to self-boost the immune response against liver-stage parasites, following a single-shot high-dose live sporozoite vaccination. This approach resulted in sterile protection against homologous sporozoite challenge in three out of four animals in the group that was also exposed for several days to blood stages during primary infection and relapses. One out of four animals in the group that received continuous chemoprophylaxis to abort blood-stage exposure was also protected from sporozoite challenge. Although obtained in a small number of animals as part of a Proof-of-Concept study, these results suggest that limited blood-stage parasite exposure may augment protection in this model. We anticipate our data are a starting point for further research into correlates of protection and extrapolation of the single-shot approach to develop efficacious malaria vaccines against relapsing human malaria.
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Patarroyo ME, Bermudez A, Alba MP, Patarroyo MA, Suarez C, Aza-Conde J, Moreno-Vranich A, Vanegas M. Stereo electronic principles for selecting fully-protective, chemically-synthesised malaria vaccines. Front Immunol 2022; 13:926680. [DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.926680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility class II molecule-peptide-T-cell receptor (MHCII-p-TCR) complex-mediated antigen presentation for a minimal subunit-based, multi-epitope, multistage, chemically-synthesised antimalarial vaccine is essential for inducing an appropriate immune response. Deep understanding of this MHCII-p-TCR complex’s stereo-electronic characteristics is fundamental for vaccine development. This review encapsulates the main principles for achieving such epitopes’ perfect fit into MHC-II human (HLADRβ̞1*) or Aotus (Aona DR) molecules. The enormous relevance of several amino acids’ physico-chemical characteristics is analysed in-depth, as is data regarding a 26.5 ± 2.5Å distance between the farthest atoms fitting into HLA-DRβ1* structures’ Pockets 1 to 9, the role of polyproline II-like (PPIIL) structures having their O and N backbone atoms orientated for establishing H-bonds with specific HLA-DRβ1*-peptide binding region (PBR) residues. The importance of residues having specific charge and orientation towards the TCR for inducing appropriate immune activation, amino acids’ role and that of structures interfering with PPIIL formation and other principles are demonstrated which have to be taken into account when designing immune, protection-inducing peptide structures (IMPIPS) against diseases scourging humankind, malaria being one of them.
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Nunes-Cabaço H, Moita D, Prudêncio M. Five decades of clinical assessment of whole-sporozoite malaria vaccines. Front Immunol 2022; 13:977472. [PMID: 36159849 PMCID: PMC9493004 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.977472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In 1967, pioneering work by Ruth Nussenzweig demonstrated for the first time that irradiated sporozoites of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei protected mice against a challenge with infectious parasites of the same species. This remarkable finding opened up entirely new prospects of effective vaccination against malaria using attenuated sporozoites as immunization agents. The potential for whole-sporozoite-based immunization in humans was established in a clinical study in 1973, when a volunteer exposed to X-irradiated P. falciparum sporozoites was found to be protected against malaria following challenge with a homologous strain of this parasite. Nearly five decades later, much has been achieved in the field of whole-sporozoite malaria vaccination, and multiple reports on the clinical evaluation of such candidates have emerged. However, this process has known different paces before and after the turn of the century. While only a few clinical studies were published in the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s, remarkable progress was made in the 2000’s and beyond. This article reviews the history of the clinical assessment of whole-sporozoite malaria vaccines over the last forty-nine years, highlighting the impressive achievements made over the last few years, and discussing some of the challenges ahead.
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Murphy SC, Vaughan AM, Kublin JG, Fishbauger M, Seilie AM, Cruz KP, Mankowski T, Firat M, Magee S, Betz W, Kain H, Camargo N, Haile MT, Armstrong J, Fritzen E, Hertoghs N, Kumar S, Sather DN, Pinder LF, Deye GA, Galbiati S, Geber C, Butts J, Jackson LA, Kappe SH. A genetically engineered Plasmodium falciparum parasite vaccine provides protection from controlled human malaria infection. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabn9709. [PMID: 36001680 PMCID: PMC10423335 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abn9709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered live Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites constitute a potential platform for creating consistently attenuated, genetically defined, whole-parasite vaccines against malaria through targeted gene deletions. Such genetically attenuated parasites (GAPs) do not require attenuation by irradiation or concomitant drug treatment. We previously developed a P. falciparum (Pf) GAP with deletions in P52, P36, and SAP1 genes (PfGAP3KO) and demonstrated its safety and immunogenicity in humans. Here, we further assessed safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of the PfGAP3KO vaccine and tested its efficacy against controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) in malaria-naïve subjects. The vaccine was delivered by three (n = 6) or five (n = 8) immunizations with ~200 PfGAP3KO-infected mosquito bites per immunization. PfGAP3KO was safe and well tolerated with no breakthrough P. falciparum blood stage infections. Vaccine-related adverse events were predominately localized urticaria related to the numerous mosquito bites administered per vaccination. CHMI via bites with mosquitoes carrying fully infectious Pf NF54 parasites was carried out 1 month after the last immunization. Half of the study participants who received either three or five PfGAP3KO immunizations remained P. falciparum blood stage negative, as shown by a lack of detection of Plasmodium 18S rRNA in the blood for 28 days after CHMI. Six protected study participants received a second CHMI 6 months later, and one remained completely protected. Thus, the PfGAP3KO vaccine was safe and immunogenic and was capable of inducing protection against sporozoite infection. These results warrant further evaluation of PfGAP3KO vaccine efficacy in dose-range finding trials with an injectable formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean C. Murphy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington; Seattle, WA 98109
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington; Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Ashley M. Vaughan
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington; Seattle, WA 98105
| | - James G. Kublin
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington; Seattle, WA 98195
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Matthew Fishbauger
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Annette M. Seilie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington; Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Kurtis P. Cruz
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington; Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Tracie Mankowski
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Melike Firat
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Sara Magee
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Will Betz
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Heather Kain
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Nelly Camargo
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Meseret T. Haile
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Janna Armstrong
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Emma Fritzen
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Nina Hertoghs
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Sudhir Kumar
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - D. Noah Sather
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Leeya F. Pinder
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington; Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Gregory A. Deye
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Casey Geber
- The Emmes Company; Rockville, MD, United States
| | | | - Lisa A. Jackson
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute; Seattle, WA
| | - Stefan H.I. Kappe
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington; Seattle, WA 98195
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington; Seattle, WA 98105
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Zolfaghari Emameh R, Barker HR, Turpeinen H, Parkkila S, Hytönen VP. A reverse vaccinology approach on transmembrane carbonic anhydrases from Plasmodium species as vaccine candidates for malaria prevention. Malar J 2022; 21:189. [PMID: 35706028 PMCID: PMC9199335 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04186-7] [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: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria is a significant parasitic infection, and human infection is mediated by mosquito (Anopheles) biting and subsequent transmission of protozoa (Plasmodium) to the blood. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are known to be highly expressed in the midgut and ectoperitrophic space of Anopheles gambiae. Transmembrane CAs (tmCAs) in Plasmodium may be potential vaccine candidates for the control and prevention of malaria. METHODS In this study, two groups of transmembrane CAs, including α-CAs and one group of η-CAs were analysed by immunoinformatics and computational biology methods, such as predictions on transmembrane localization of CAs from Plasmodium spp., affinity and stability of different HLA classes, antigenicity of tmCA peptides, epitope and proteasomal cleavage of Plasmodium tmCAs, accessibility of Plasmodium tmCAs MHC-ligands, allergenicity of Plasmodium tmCAs, disulfide-bond of Plasmodium tmCAs, B cell epitopes of Plasmodium tmCAs, and Cell type-specific expression of Plasmodium CAs. RESULTS Two groups of α-CAs and one group of η-CAs in Plasmodium spp. were identified to contain tmCA sequences, having high affinity towards MHCs, high stability, and strong antigenicity. All putative tmCAs were predicted to contain sequences for proteasomal cleavage in antigen presenting cells (APCs). CONCLUSIONS The predicted results revealed that tmCAs from Plasmodium spp. can be potential targets for vaccination against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Zolfaghari Emameh
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), 14965/161, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Harlan R Barker
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Seppo Parkkila
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Fimlab Laboratories Ltd and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Vesa P Hytönen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Fimlab Laboratories Ltd and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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Chemoprophylaxis under sporozoites-lumefantrine (CPS-LMF) immunization induce protective immune responses against Plasmodium yoelii sporozoites infection in mice. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:465. [PMID: 34745816 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-03022-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria represents one of the major life-threatening diseases that poses a huge socio-economic impact, worldwide. Chemoprophylaxis vaccination using a relatively low number of wild-type infectious sporozoites represents an attractive and effective vaccine strategy against malaria. However, the role of immune responses to pre-erythrocytic versus blood-stage parasites in protection against different antimalarial drugs remains unclear. Here, in the present study, we explored the immune responses against the repetitive inoculation of live Plasmodium yoelii (P. yoelii) sporozoites in an experimental Swiss mouse model under antimalarial drug lumefantrine chemoprophylaxis (CPS-LMF). We monitored the liver stage parasitic load, pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines expression, and erythrocytic stage patency, following repetitive cycles of sporozoites inoculations. It was found that repetitive sporozoites inoculation under CPS-LMF results in delayed blood-stage infection during the fourth sporozoites challenge, while sterile protection was produced in mice following the fifth cycle of sporozoites challenge. Intriguingly, we observed a significant up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-12) and iNOS response and down-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β) in the liver HMNC (hepatic mononuclear cells) and spleen cells after 4th and 5th cycle of sporozoites challenge in the CPS-LMF mice. Meanwhile, we also noticed that the liver stage parasites load under CPS-LMF immunization has gradually reduced after 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th sporozoites challenge. Overall, our study suggests that chemoprophylaxis vaccination under LMF drug cover develops strong immune responses and confer superior long-lasting protection against P. yoelii sporozoites. Furthermore, this vaccination strategy can be used to study the protective and stage-specific immunity against new protective antigens. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-03022-0.
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van de Vegte-Bolmer M, Graumans W, Stoter R, van Gemert GJ, Sauerwein R, Collins KA, Bousema T. A portfolio of geographically distinct laboratory-adapted Plasmodium falciparum clones with consistent infection rates in Anopheles mosquitoes. Malar J 2021; 20:381. [PMID: 34565372 PMCID: PMC8474906 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03912-x] [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: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ability to culture Plasmodium falciparum continuously in vitro has enabled stable access to asexual and sexual parasites for malaria research. The portfolio of isolates has remained limited and research is still largely based on NF54 and its derived clone 3D7. Since 1978, isolates were collected and cryopreserved at Radboudumc from patients presenting at the hospital. Here, procedures are described for culture adaptation of asexual parasites, cloning and production of sexual stage parasites responsible for transmission (gametocytes) and production of oocysts in Anopheles mosquitoes. This study aimed to identify new culture-adapted transmissible P. falciparum isolates, originating from distinct geographical locations. Methods Out of a collection of 121 P. falciparum isolates stored in liquid nitrogen, 21 from different geographical origin were selected for initial testing. Isolates were evaluated for their ability to be asexually cultured in vitro, their gametocyte production capacity, and consistent generation of oocysts. Results Out of 21 isolates tested, twelve were excluded from further analysis due to lack of mature gametocyte production (n = 1) or generation of satisfactory numbers of oocysts in mosquitoes (n = 11). Nine isolates fulfilled selection criteria and were cloned by limiting dilution and retested. After cloning, one isolate was excluded for not showing transmission. The remaining eight isolates transmitted to Anopheles stephensi or Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes and were categorized into two groups with a reproducible mean oocyst infection intensity above (n = 5) or below five (n = 3). Conclusions These new P. falciparum culture-adapted isolates with reproducible transmission to Anopheles mosquitoes are a valuable addition to the malaria research tool box. They can aid in the development of malaria interventions and will be particularly useful for those studying malaria transmission. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-021-03912-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Wouter Graumans
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rianne Stoter
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan van Gemert
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Katharine A Collins
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Teun Bousema
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. .,Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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13
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Mukherjee P, Burgio G, Heitlinger E. Dual RNA Sequencing Meta-analysis in Plasmodium Infection Identifies Host-Parasite Interactions. mSystems 2021; 6:e00182-21. [PMID: 33879496 PMCID: PMC8546971 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00182-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dual RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) is the simultaneous transcriptomic analysis of interacting symbionts, for example, in malaria. Potential cross-species interactions identified by correlated gene expression might highlight interlinked signaling, metabolic, or gene regulatory pathways in addition to physically interacting proteins. Often, malaria studies address one of the interacting organisms-host or parasite-rendering the other "contamination." Here we perform a meta-analysis using such studies for cross-species expression analysis. We screened experiments for gene expression from host and Plasmodium. Out of 171 studies in Homo sapiens, Macaca mulatta, and Mus musculus, we identified 63 potential studies containing host and parasite data. While 16 studies (1,950 samples) explicitly performed dual RNA-Seq, 47 (1,398 samples) originally focused on one organism. We found 915 experimental replicates from 20 blood studies to be suitable for coexpression analysis and used orthologs for meta-analysis across different host-parasite systems. Centrality metrics from the derived gene expression networks correlated with gene essentiality in the parasites. We found indications of host immune response to elements of the Plasmodium protein degradation system, an antimalarial drug target. We identified well-studied immune responses in the host with our coexpression networks, as our approach recovers known broad processes interlinked between hosts and parasites in addition to individual host and parasite protein associations. The set of core interactions represents commonalities between human malaria and its model systems for prioritization in laboratory experiments. Our approach might also allow insights into the transferability of model systems for different pathways in malaria studies.IMPORTANCE Malaria still causes about 400,000 deaths a year and is one of the most studied infectious diseases. The disease is studied in mice and monkeys as lab models to derive potential therapeutic intervention in human malaria. Interactions between Plasmodium spp. and its hosts are either conserved across different host-parasite systems or idiosyncratic to those systems. Here we use correlation of gene expression from different RNA-Seq studies to infer common host-parasite interactions across human, mouse, and monkey studies. First, we find a set of very conserved interactors, worth further scrutiny in focused laboratory experiments. Second, this work might help assess to which extent experiments and knowledge on different pathways can be transferred from models to humans for potential therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parnika Mukherjee
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
- Research Group Ecology and Evolution of Molecular Parasite-Host Interactions, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Gaétan Burgio
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Emanuel Heitlinger
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
- Research Group Ecology and Evolution of Molecular Parasite-Host Interactions, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
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14
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Miyazaki Y, Marin-Mogollon C, Imai T, Mendes AM, van der Laak R, Sturm A, Geurten FJA, Miyazaki S, Chevalley-Maurel S, Ramesar J, Kolli SK, Kroeze H, van Schuijlenburg R, Salman AM, Wilder BK, Reyes-Sandoval A, Dechering KJ, Prudêncio M, Janse CJ, Khan SM, Franke-Fayard B. Generation of a Genetically Modified Chimeric Plasmodium falciparum Parasite Expressing Plasmodium vivax Circumsporozoite Protein for Malaria Vaccine Development. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:591046. [PMID: 33392104 PMCID: PMC7773900 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.591046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric rodent malaria parasites with the endogenous circumsporozoite protein (csp) gene replaced with csp from the human parasites Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and P. vivax (Pv) are used in preclinical evaluation of CSP vaccines. Chimeric rodent parasites expressing PfCSP have also been assessed as whole sporozoite (WSP) vaccines. Comparable chimeric P. falciparum parasites expressing CSP of P. vivax could be used both for clinical evaluation of vaccines targeting PvCSP in controlled human P. falciparum infections and in WSP vaccines targeting P. vivax and P. falciparum. We generated chimeric P. falciparum parasites expressing both PfCSP and PvCSP. These Pf-PvCSP parasites produced sporozoite comparable to wild type P. falciparum parasites and expressed PfCSP and PvCSP on the sporozoite surface. Pf-PvCSP sporozoites infected human hepatocytes and induced antibodies to the repeats of both PfCSP and PvCSP after immunization of mice. These results support the use of Pf-PvCSP sporozoites in studies optimizing vaccines targeting PvCSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Miyazaki
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Takashi Imai
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Host Defense, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - António M Mendes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | | | - Fiona J A Geurten
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Shinya Miyazaki
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Jai Ramesar
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Surendra K Kolli
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Hans Kroeze
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Ahmed M Salman
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Brandon K Wilder
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Arturo Reyes-Sandoval
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Chris J Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Shahid M Khan
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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15
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Quadiri A, Kalia I, Kashif M, Singh AP. Identification and characterization of protective CD8 + T-epitopes in a malaria vaccine candidate SLTRiP. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2020; 8:50-61. [PMID: 31967737 PMCID: PMC7016849 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Efforts are required at developing an effective vaccine that can inhibit malaria prevalence and transmission. Identifying the critical immunogenic antigens and understanding their interactions with host proteins forms a major focus of subunit vaccine development. Previously, our laboratory showed that SLTRiP conferred protection to the liver stage of Plasmodium growth in rodents. In the follow-up of earlier research, we demonstrate that SLTRiP-mediated protection is majorly concentrated in specific regions of protein. METHOD To identify particular protective regions of protein, we synthesized multiple nonoverlapping fragments from SLTRiP protein. From this, we designed a panel of 8-20mer synthetic peptides, which were predicted using T-epitope-based prediction algorithm. We utilized the IFN-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay to identify immunodominant peptides. The latter were used to immunize mice, and these mice were challenged to assess protection. RESULTS The protective polypeptide fragment SLTRiP C3 and SLTRiP C4 were identified, by expressing and testing multiple fragments of PbSLTRiP protein. The immune responses generated by these fragments were compared to identify the immunodominant fragment. The T-epitopes were predicted from SLTRiP protein using computer-based algorithms. The in vitro immune responses generated by these peptides were compared with each other to identify the immunodominant T-epitope. Immunization using these peptides showed significant reduction in parasite numbers during liver stage. CONCLUSION Our findings show that the protective efficacy shown by SLTRiP is localized in particular protein fragments. The peptides designed from such regions showed protective efficacy equivalent to whole protein. The sequence conservation analysis with human Plasmodium species also showed that these peptides were conserved. In conclusion, these peptides or their equivalent from other Plasmodium species could impart protection against malaria in their respective hosts too. Our studies provide a basis for the inclusion of these peptides in clinical vaccine constructs against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshana Quadiri
- Infectious Diseases Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Inderjeet Kalia
- Infectious Diseases Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohammad Kashif
- Infectious Diseases Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Agam P Singh
- Infectious Diseases Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
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16
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Metzger WG, Theurer A, Pfleiderer A, Molnar Z, Maihöfer-Braatting D, Bissinger AL, Sulyok Z, Köhler C, Egger-Adam D, Lalremruata A, Esen M, Lee Sim K, Hoffman S, Rabinovich R, Chaccour C, Alonso P, Mordmüller BG, Kremsner PG. Ivermectin for causal malaria prophylaxis: a randomised controlled human infection trial. Trop Med Int Health 2020; 25:380-386. [PMID: 31808594 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ivermectin is safe and widely used for treating helminth infections. It also kills arthropods feeding on treated subjects, including malaria vectors. Thus, ivermectin mass drug administration as an additional tool for malaria control is being evaluated by WHO. As in vitro data, animal experiments and epidemiological observations suggest that ivermectin has a direct effect on the liver stages of the malaria parasite, this study was designed to assess the prophylactic effect of ivermectin on Plasmodium falciparum controlled human malaria infection. METHODS A total of 4 volunteers were randomised to placebo, and 8 volunteers were randomised to receive ivermectin 0.4 mg/kg, orally, once 2 h before being experimentally infected intravenously with 3200 P. falciparum sporozoites. The primary endpoint was time to parasitaemia detected by positive thick blood smear; RT-qPCR was performed in parallel. RESULTS All but one volunteer became thick blood smear positive between day 11 and day 12 after infection, and there was no significant effect of ivermectin on parasitaemia. CONCLUSION Ivermectin - at the dose used - has no clinically relevant activity against the pre-erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram G Metzger
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Antje Theurer
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anne Pfleiderer
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zsofia Molnar
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Alfred L Bissinger
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zita Sulyok
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Carsten Köhler
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Diane Egger-Adam
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Albert Lalremruata
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Meral Esen
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Benjamin G Mordmüller
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Peter G Kremsner
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
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17
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Atre T, Robinson TM, Savransky T, Dutta S, Epstein JE, Bergmann-Leitner ES. Novel sporozoite-based ELISpot assay to assess frequency of parasite-specific B cells after vaccination with irradiated sporozoites. Malar J 2019; 18:186. [PMID: 31142328 PMCID: PMC6540377 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2819-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Whole parasite vaccination is an efficacious strategy to induce sterile immunity and to prevent malaria transmission. Understanding the mechanism and response of immune cells to vaccines plays a critical role in deciphering correlates of protection against infection and disease. Immunoassays, such as ELISpot, are commonly used to assess the immunogenicity of vaccines towards T cells and B cells. To date, these assays only analyse responses to specific antigens since they are based on recombinant parasite-derived proteins or peptides. There is the need for an agnostic approach that allows the evaluation of all sporozoite-associated antigens. Methods ELISpot plates coated with a defined amount of lysed Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites were used to assess the frequency of sporozoite-specific B cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from donors immunized with either a recombinant malaria vaccine or irradiated sporozoites. Results This report describes the assay conditions for a specific and sensitive sporozoite-based B cell ELISpot assay. The assay development considers the quality of sporozoite preparation as well as the detection threshold of the frequency of antigen-specific B cells. The assay enables the detection of sporozoite-specific IgM and IgG-producing B cells. Moreover, the assay can detect sporozoite-reactive B cells from subjects that were either vaccinated with the radiation attenuated sporozoite vaccine or a recombinant pre-erythrocytic vaccine. Conclusion The newly developed sporozoite-based B cell ELISpot enables the monitoring of changes in the frequency of sporozoite-specific B cells. Applying this assay to assess the potency of vaccination regimens or seasonal changes in B cell populations from subjects residing in malaria-endemic areas will provide an opportunity to gain insight into immune mechanisms involved in protection and/or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanmaya Atre
- Malaria Vaccine Branch, US Military Malaria Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Tanisha M Robinson
- Malaria Vaccine Branch, US Military Malaria Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Tatyana Savransky
- Division of Entomology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Sheetij Dutta
- Malaria Vaccine Branch, US Military Malaria Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Judith E Epstein
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Elke S Bergmann-Leitner
- Malaria Vaccine Branch, US Military Malaria Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
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18
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Jaenisch T, Heiss K, Fischer N, Geiger C, Bischoff FR, Moldenhauer G, Rychlewski L, Sié A, Coulibaly B, Seeberger PH, Wyrwicz LS, Breitling F, Loeffler FF. High-density Peptide Arrays Help to Identify Linear Immunogenic B-cell Epitopes in Individuals Naturally Exposed to Malaria Infection. Mol Cell Proteomics 2019; 18:642-656. [PMID: 30630936 PMCID: PMC6442360 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra118.000992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
High-density peptide arrays are an excellent means to profile anti-plasmodial antibody responses. Different protein intrinsic epitopes can be distinguished, and additional insights are gained, when compared with assays involving the full-length protein. Distinct reactivities to specific epitopes within one protein may explain differences in published results, regarding immunity or susceptibility to malaria. We pursued three approaches to find specific epitopes within important plasmodial proteins, (1) twelve leading vaccine candidates were mapped as overlapping 15-mer peptides, (2) a bioinformatical approach served to predict immunogenic malaria epitopes which were subsequently validated in the assay, and (3) randomly selected peptides from the malaria proteome were screened as a control. Several peptide array replicas were prepared, employing particle-based laser printing, and were used to screen 27 serum samples from a malaria-endemic area in Burkina Faso, West Africa. The immunological status of the individuals was classified as "protected" or "unprotected" based on clinical symptoms, parasite density, and age. The vaccine candidate screening approach resulted in significant hits in all twelve proteins and allowed us (1) to verify many known immunogenic structures, (2) to map B-cell epitopes across the entire sequence of each antigen and (3) to uncover novel immunogenic epitopes. Predicting immunogenic regions in the proteome of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, via the bioinformatics approach and subsequent array screening, confirmed known immunogenic sequences, such as in the leading malaria vaccine candidate CSP and discovered immunogenic epitopes derived from hypothetical or unknown proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Jaenisch
- From the ‡Center for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Unit, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, D 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;; §German Center for Infectious Disease Research, Heidelberg (DZIF);; ¶HEiKA - Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership, Heidelberg University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany;.
| | - Kirsten Heiss
- From the ‡Center for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Unit, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, D 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;; §German Center for Infectious Disease Research, Heidelberg (DZIF)
| | - Nico Fischer
- From the ‡Center for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Unit, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, D 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;; §German Center for Infectious Disease Research, Heidelberg (DZIF);; ¶HEiKA - Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership, Heidelberg University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany
| | - Carolin Geiger
- From the ‡Center for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Unit, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, D 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;; §German Center for Infectious Disease Research, Heidelberg (DZIF)
| | - F Ralf Bischoff
- ‖German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Moldenhauer
- ‖German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Leszek Rychlewski
- BioInfoBank Institute, Św. Marcin 80/82 lok. 355, 61-809 Poznań, Poland
| | - Ali Sié
- Centre de Recherche en Santé de Nouna, BP 02 Nouna, Rue Namory Keita, Burkina Faso
| | - Boubacar Coulibaly
- Centre de Recherche en Santé de Nouna, BP 02 Nouna, Rue Namory Keita, Burkina Faso
| | - Peter H Seeberger
- §§Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, D 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Lucjan S Wyrwicz
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, M Sklodowska Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Wawelska 15, 02-034 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Frank Breitling
- ‖‖Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Felix F Loeffler
- ¶HEiKA - Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership, Heidelberg University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany;; §§Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, D 14476 Potsdam, Germany;.
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19
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Walk J, Stok JE, Sauerwein RW. Can Patrolling Liver-Resident T Cells Control Human Malaria Parasite Development? Trends Immunol 2019; 40:186-196. [PMID: 30713008 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Recently, a population of non-recirculating, tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells has been identified; cells that seems to act as key sentinels for invading microorganisms with enhanced effector functions. In malaria, the liver represents the first site for parasite development before a definite infection is established in circulating red blood cells. Here, we discuss the evidence obtained from animal models on several diseases and hypothesize that liver-resident memory CD8+ T cells (hepatic TRM) play a critical role in providing protective liver-stage immunity against Plasmodium malaria parasites. Although observations in human malaria trials are limited to peripheral blood, we propose recommendations for the translation of some of these findings to human malaria research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jona Walk
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jorn E Stok
- University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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20
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Abstract
Vaccines that target the preerythrocytic phase of malaria hold great promise as elimination tools since they are the sole vaccines that can achieve sterile protection against a challenge. This chapter focuses on preerythrocytic stage vaccines based on live attenuated parasites. It first summarizes the main conclusions that have emerged from studies in rodents, which compared various parasite attenuation methods, and then presents the vaccination regimens that are currently being tested in humans.
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21
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Flieger A, Frischknecht F, Häcker G, Hornef MW, Pradel G. Pathways of host cell exit by intracellular pathogens. MICROBIAL CELL 2018; 5:525-544. [PMID: 30533418 PMCID: PMC6282021 DOI: 10.15698/mic2018.12.659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Host cell exit is a critical step in the life-cycle of intracellular pathogens, intimately linked to barrier penetration, tissue dissemination, inflammation, and pathogen transmission. Like cell invasion and intracellular survival, host cell exit represents a well-regulated program that has evolved during host-pathogen co-evolution and that relies on the dynamic and intricate interplay between multiple host and microbial factors. Three distinct pathways of host cell exit have been identified that are employed by three different taxa of intracellular pathogens, bacteria, fungi and protozoa, namely (i) the initiation of programmed cell death, (ii) the active breaching of host cellderived membranes, and (iii) the induced membrane-dependent exit without host cell lysis. Strikingly, an increasing number of studies show that the majority of intracellular pathogens utilize more than one of these strategies, dependent on life-cycle stage, environmental factors and/or host cell type. This review summarizes the diverse exit strategies of intracellular-living bacterial, fungal and protozoan pathogens and discusses the convergently evolved commonalities as well as system-specific variations thereof. Key microbial molecules involved in host cell exit are highlighted and discussed as potential targets for future interventional approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Flieger
- Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | | | - Georg Häcker
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mathias W Hornef
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
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22
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Othman AS, Lin JW, Franke-Fayard BM, Kroeze H, van Pul FJA, Chevalley-Maurel S, Ramesar J, Marin-Mogollon C, Jore MM, Morin MJ, Long CA, Sauerwein R, Birkett A, Miura K, Janse CJ, Khan SM. Expression of full-length Plasmodium falciparum P48/45 in P. berghei blood stages: A method to express and evaluate vaccine antigens. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2018; 224:44-49. [PMID: 30053393 PMCID: PMC11040549 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2018.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The transmission-blocking vaccine candidate Pfs48/45 from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is known to be difficult to express in heterologous systems, either as full-length protein or as correctly folded protein fragments that retain conformational epitopes. In this study we express full-length Pfs48/45 in the rodent parasite P. berghei. Pfs48/45 is expressed as a transgene under control of the strong P. berghei schizont-specific msp1 gene promoter (Pfs48/45@PbMSP1). Pfs48/45@PbMSP1 schizont-infected red blood cells produced full-length Pfs48/45 and the structural integrity of Pfs48/45 was confirmed using a panel of conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies that bind to different Pfs48/45 epitopes. Sera from mice immunized with transgenic Pfs48/45@PbMSP1 schizonts showed strong transmission-reducing activity in mosquitoes infected with P. falciparum using standard membrane feeding. These results demonstrate that transgenic rodent malaria parasites expressing human malaria antigens may be used as means to evaluate immunogenicity and functionality of difficult to express malaria vaccine candidate antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Syibli Othman
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands; Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Jing-Wen Lin
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaboration Innovation Center, Chengdu, China
| | - Blandine M Franke-Fayard
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Kroeze
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Fiona J A van Pul
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Séverine Chevalley-Maurel
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jai Ramesar
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Catherin Marin-Mogollon
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs M Jore
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Chris J Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Shahid M Khan
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
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23
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Immunization efficacy of cryopreserved genetically attenuated Plasmodium berghei sporozoites. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:2487-2497. [PMID: 29797085 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5937-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is transmitted through the injection of Plasmodium sporozoites into the skin by Anopheles mosquitoes. The parasites first replicate within the liver before infecting red blood cells, which leads to the symptoms of the disease. Experimental immunization with attenuated sporozoites that arrest their development in the liver has been extensively investigated in rodent models and humans. Recent technological advances have included the capacity to cryopreserve sporozoites for injection, which has enabled a series of controlled studies on human infection with sporozoites. Here, we used a cryopreservation protocol to test the efficiency of genetically attenuated cryopreserved sporozoites for immunization of mice in comparison with freshly isolated controls. This showed that cryopreserved sporozoites are highly viable as judged by their capacity to migrate in vitro but show only 20% efficiency in liver infection, which impacts their capacity to generate protection of animals in immunization experiments.
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Kublin JG, Mikolajczak SA, Sack BK, Fishbaugher ME, Seilie A, Shelton L, VonGoedert T, Firat M, Magee S, Fritzen E, Betz W, Kain HS, Dankwa DA, Steel RWJ, Vaughan AM, Noah Sather D, Murphy SC, Kappe SHI. Complete attenuation of genetically engineered Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites in human subjects. Sci Transl Med 2018; 9:9/371/eaad9099. [PMID: 28053159 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aad9099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Immunization of humans with whole sporozoites confers complete, sterilizing immunity against malaria infection. However, achieving consistent safety while maintaining immunogenicity of whole parasite vaccines remains a formidable challenge. We generated a genetically attenuated Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria parasite by deleting three genes expressed in the pre-erythrocytic stage (Pf p52-/p36-/sap1-). We then tested the safety and immunogenicity of the genetically engineered (Pf GAP3KO) sporozoites in human volunteers. Pf GAP3KO sporozoites were delivered to 10 volunteers using infected mosquito bites with a single exposure consisting of 150 to 200 bites per subject. All subjects remained blood stage-negative and developed inhibitory antibodies to sporozoites. GAP3KO rodent malaria parasites engendered complete, protracted immunity against infectious sporozoite challenge in mice. The results warrant further clinical testing of Pf GAP3KO and its potential development into a vaccine strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G Kublin
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. .,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, USA
| | - Sebastian A Mikolajczak
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Brandon K Sack
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Matt E Fishbaugher
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Annette Seilie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, NW150, Seattle, WA 98195-7110, USA
| | - Lisa Shelton
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Tracie VonGoedert
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Melike Firat
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sara Magee
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Emma Fritzen
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Will Betz
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Heather S Kain
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Dorender A Dankwa
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Ryan W J Steel
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Ashley M Vaughan
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - D Noah Sather
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sean C Murphy
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, NW150, Seattle, WA 98195-7110, USA.,Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases and Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, E630, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Stefan H I Kappe
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. .,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Modeling the effect of boost timing in murine irradiated sporozoite prime-boost vaccines. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190940. [PMID: 29329308 PMCID: PMC5766151 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination with radiation-attenuated sporozoites has been shown to induce CD8+ T cell-mediated protection against pre-erythrocytic stages of malaria. Empirical evidence suggests that successive inoculations often improve the efficacy of this type of vaccines. An initial dose (prime) triggers a specific cellular response, and subsequent inoculations (boost) amplify this response to create a robust CD8+ T cell memory. In this work we propose a model to analyze the effect of T cell dynamics on the performance of prime-boost vaccines. This model suggests that boost doses and timings should be selected according to the T cell response elicited by priming. Specifically, boosting during late stages of clonal contraction would maximize T cell memory production for vaccines using lower doses of irradiated sporozoites. In contrast, single-dose inoculations would be indicated for higher vaccine doses. Experimental data have been obtained that support theoretical predictions of the model.
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Silvie O, Amino R, Hafalla JC. Tissue-specific cellular immune responses to malaria pre-erythrocytic stages. Curr Opin Microbiol 2017; 40:160-167. [PMID: 29217460 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Complete and long-lasting protective immunity against malaria can be achieved through vaccination with invasive live attenuated Plasmodium sporozoites, the motile stage inoculated in the host skin during a mosquito bite. Protective immunity relies primarily on effector CD8+ T cells targeting the parasite in the liver. Understanding the tissue-specific features of the immune response is emerging as a vital requirement for understanding protective immunity. The small parasite inoculum, the scarcity of infected cells and the tolerogenic properties of the liver represent hurdles for the establishment of protective immunity in endemic areas. In this review, we discuss recent advances on liver-specific features of immunity including innate recognition of malaria pre-erythrocytic stages, CD8+ T cell interactions with infected hepatocytes, antigen presentation for effective CD8+ T cell responses and generation of liver-resident memory CD8+ T cells. A better understanding of the factors involved in the induction and maintenance of effector CD8+ T cell immunity against malaria pre-erythrocytic stages is crucial for the development of an effective vaccine targeting the initial phase of malaria infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Silvie
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, U1135, ERL8255, Paris, France.
| | - Rogerio Amino
- Unit of Malaria Infection and Immunity, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
| | - Julius Clemence Hafalla
- Immunology and Infection Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
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Novel ELISA method as exploratory tool to assess immunity induced by radiated attenuated sporozoites to decipher protective immunity. Malar J 2017; 16:484. [PMID: 29187199 PMCID: PMC5707923 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-2129-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Whole parasite vaccines provide a unique opportunity for dissecting immune mechanisms and identify antigens that are targeted by immune responses which have the potential to mediate sterile protection against malaria infections. The radiation attenuated sporozoite (PfSPZ) vaccine has been considered the gold standard for malaria vaccines because of its unparalleled efficacy. The immunogenicity of this and other vaccines continues to be evaluated by using recombinant proteins or peptides of known sporozoite antigens. This approach, however, has significant limitations by relying solely on a limited number of known pathogen-associated immune epitopes. Using the full range of antigens expressed by the sporozoite will enable the comprehensive immune-profiling of humoral immune responses induced by whole parasite vaccines. To address this challenge, a novel ELISA based on sporozoites was developed. Results The SPZ-ELISA method described in this report can be performed with either freshly dissected sporozoites or with cryopreserved sporozoite lysates. The use of a fixative for reproducible coating is not required. The SPZ-ELISA was first validated using monoclonal antibodies specific for CSP and TRAP and then used for the characterization of immune sera from radiation attenuated sporozoite vaccinees. Conclusion Applying this simple and highly reproducible approach to assess immune responses induced by malaria vaccines, both recombinant and whole parasite vaccines, (1) will help in the evaluation of immune responses induced by antigenically complex malaria vaccines such as the irradiated SPZ-vaccine, (2) will facilitate and accelerate the identification of immune correlates of protection, and (3) can also be a valuable assessment tool for antigen discovery as well as down-selection of vaccine formulations and, thereby, guide vaccine design. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-017-2129-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Othman AS, Marin-Mogollon C, Salman AM, Franke-Fayard BM, Janse CJ, Khan SM. The use of transgenic parasites in malaria vaccine research. Expert Rev Vaccines 2017; 16:1-13. [DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2017.1333426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Syibli Othman
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Catherin Marin-Mogollon
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Blandine M. Franke-Fayard
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Chris J. Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Shahid M. Khan
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, the Netherlands
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Al-Nihmi FMA, Kolli SK, Reddy SR, Mastan BS, Togiri J, Maruthi M, Gupta R, Sijwali PS, Mishra S, Kumar KA. A Novel and Conserved Plasmodium Sporozoite Membrane Protein SPELD is Required for Maturation of Exo-erythrocytic Forms. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40407. [PMID: 28067322 PMCID: PMC5220379 DOI: 10.1038/srep40407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium sporozoites are the infective forms of malaria parasite to vertebrate host and undergo dramatic changes in their transcriptional repertoire during maturation in mosquito salivary glands. We report here the role of a novel and conserved Plasmodium berghei protein encoded by PBANKA_091090 in maturation of Exo-erythrocytic Forms (EEFs) and designate it as Sporozoite surface Protein Essential for Liver stage Development (PbSPELD). PBANKA_091090 was previously annotated as PB402615.00.0 and its transcript was recovered at maximal frequency in the Serial Analysis of the Gene Expression (SAGE) of Plasmodium berghei salivary gland sporozoites. An orthologue of this transcript was independently identified in Plasmodium vivax sporozoite microarrays and was designated as Sporozoite Conserved Orthologous Transcript-2 (scot-2). Functional characterization through reverse genetics revealed that PbSPELD is essential for Plasmodium liver stage maturation. mCherry transgenic of PbSPELD localized the protein to plasma membrane of sporozoites and early EEFs. Global microarray analysis of pbspeld ko revealed EEF attenuation being associated with down regulation of genes central to general transcription, cell cycle, proteosome and cadherin signaling. pbspeld mutant EEFs induced pre-erythrocytic immunity with 50% protective efficacy. Our studies have implications for attenuating the human Plasmodium liver stages by targeting SPELD locus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Surendra Kumar Kolli
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Segireddy Rameswara Reddy
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Babu S Mastan
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Jyothi Togiri
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Mulaka Maruthi
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Roshni Gupta
- Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Puran Singh Sijwali
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Habsiguda, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Satish Mishra
- Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Kota Arun Kumar
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
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Singer M, Frischknecht F. Time for Genome Editing: Next-Generation Attenuated Malaria Parasites. Trends Parasitol 2016; 33:202-213. [PMID: 27793562 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Immunization with malaria parasites that developmentally arrest in or immediately after the liver stage is the only way currently known to confer sterilizing immunity in both humans and rodent models. There are various ways to attenuate parasite development resulting in different timings of arrest, which has a significant impact on vaccination efficiency. To understand what most impacts vaccination efficiency, newly developed gain-of-function methods can now be used to generate a wide array of differently attenuated parasites. The combination of multiple attenuation approaches offers the potential to engineer efficiently attenuated Plasmodium parasites and learn about their fascinating biology at the same time. Here we discuss recent studies and the potential of targeted parasite manipulation using genome editing to develop live attenuated malaria vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Singer
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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31
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Abstract
Malaria continues to impose a significant disease burden on low- and middle-income countries in the tropics. However, revolutionary progress over the last 3 years in nucleic acid sequencing, reverse genetics, and post-genome analyses has generated step changes in our understanding of malaria parasite (Plasmodium spp.) biology and its interactions with its host and vector. Driven by the availability of vast amounts of genome sequence data from Plasmodium species strains, relevant human populations of different ethnicities, and mosquito vectors, researchers can consider any biological component of the malarial process in isolation or in the interactive setting that is infection. In particular, considerable progress has been made in the area of population genomics, with Plasmodium falciparum serving as a highly relevant model. Such studies have demonstrated that genome evolution under strong selective pressure can be detected. These data, combined with reverse genetics, have enabled the identification of the region of the P. falciparum genome that is under selective pressure and the confirmation of the functionality of the mutations in the kelch13 gene that accompany resistance to the major frontline antimalarial, artemisinin. Furthermore, the central role of epigenetic regulation of gene expression and antigenic variation and developmental fate in P. falciparum is becoming ever clearer. This review summarizes recent exciting discoveries that genome technologies have enabled in malaria research and highlights some of their applications to healthcare. The knowledge gained will help to develop surveillance approaches for the emergence or spread of drug resistance and to identify new targets for the development of antimalarial drugs and perhaps vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Kirchner
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - B Joanne Power
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Andrew P Waters
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
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The antiprotozoal potencies of newly prepared 3-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonanes. Arch Pharm Res 2016; 39:1391-1403. [PMID: 27585596 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-016-0826-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
3-Azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonanes are already reported as antiprotozoal agents. Structural variations were performed by attachment of several basic side chains, being part of drugs in use, to the ring nitrogen. The structures of the new compounds were established using one and two dimensional NMR measurements. All compounds were investigated for their antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal activities against Plasmodium falciparum K 1 (multiresistant) and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Their cytotoxicity was assessed against L6 cells. The results are compared to the activities of formerly synthesized compounds. Structure-activity relationships are discussed.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite recent advances, malaria remains a major health threat both to populations in endemic areas as well travelers, including military personnel, to these areas. Subunit vaccines have not yet achieved sufficient efficacy needed for use in any of these at risk populations. Areas covered: This review discusses the current status of various whole sporozoite vaccine approaches and is mainly focused on current clinical trials. Expert commentary: Nearly 100% efficacy was achieved by administering multiple bites of radiation-attenuated sporozoite (RAS) Plasmodium falciparum-infected mosquitoes; this is impractical for widespread use. Now, this high level efficacy has been reproduced using purified, metabolically active RAS (PfSPZ Sanaria® Vaccine), which is undergoing extensive clinical testing. Alternative whole sporozoite vaccines include immunization with fully infectious sporozoites under chloroquine prophylaxis (CPS) or as genetically-attenuated parasites (GAP). By also manufacturing purified infectious sporozoites, it is now possible to combine these with CPS and GAP, as well as perform challenge studies using controlled doses of sporozoites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martha Sedegah
- a Malaria Department , Naval Medical Research Center , Silver Spring , MD , USA
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van der Velden M, Rijpma SR, Verweij V, van Gemert GJ, Chevalley-Maurel S, van de Vegte-Bolmer M, Franke-Fayard BM, Russel FGM, Janse CJ, Sauerwein RW, Koenderink JB. Protective Efficacy Induced by Genetically Attenuated Mid-to-Late Liver-Stage Arresting Plasmodium berghei Δmrp2 Parasites. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2016; 95:378-82. [PMID: 27296385 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Whole parasite immunization strategies employing genetically attenuated parasites (GAP), which arrest during liver-stage development, have been applied successfully for induction of sterile malaria protection in rodents. Recently, we generated a Plasmodium berghei GAP-lacking expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP2) (PbΔmrp2) that was capable of partial schizogony in hepatocytes but showed complete growth arrest. Here, we investigated the protective efficacy after intravenous (IV) immunization of BALB/c and C57BL/6J mice with PbΔmrp2 sporozoites. Low-dose immunization using 400 PbΔmrp2 sporozoites induced 100% sterile protection in BALB/c mice after IV challenge with 10,000 wild-type sporozoites. In addition, almost full protection (90%) was obtained after three immunizations with 10,000 sporozoites in C57BL/6J mice. Parasite liver loads in nonprotected PbΔmrp2-challenged C57BL/6J mice were reduced by 86% ± 5% on average compared with naive control mice. The mid-to-late arresting PbΔmrp2 GAP was equipotent in induction of protective immunity to the early arresting PbΔb9Δslarp GAP. The combined data support a clear basis for further exploration of Plasmodium falciparum parasites lacking mrp2 as a suitable GAP vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten van der Velden
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sanna R Rijpma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Vivienne Verweij
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan van Gemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Séverine Chevalley-Maurel
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Blandine M Franke-Fayard
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frans G M Russel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Chris J Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robert W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan B Koenderink
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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35
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Frischknecht F, Fackler OT. Experimental systems for studying Plasmodium/HIV coinfection. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:2000-13. [PMID: 27009943 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Coinfections with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Plasmodium, the causative agents of AIDS and malaria, respectively, are frequent and their comorbidity especially in sub-Saharan Africa is high. While clinical studies suggest an influence of the two pathogens on the outcome of the respective infections, experimental studies on the molecular and immunological impact of coinfections are rare. This reflects the limited availability of suitable model systems that reproduce key properties of both pathologies. Here, we discuss key aspects of coinfection with a focus on currently established experimental systems, their limitations for coinfection studies and potential strategies for their improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedrich Frischknecht
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Integrative Parasitology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver T Fackler
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Integrative Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany
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36
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Flanagan KL, Wilson KL, Plebanski M. Polymorphism in liver-stage malaria vaccine candidate proteins: immune evasion and implications for vaccine design. Expert Rev Vaccines 2015; 15:389-99. [PMID: 26610026 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2016.1125785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The pre-erythrocytic stage of infection by malaria parasites represents a key target for vaccines that aim to eradicate malaria. Two important broad immune evasion strategies that can interfere with vaccine efficacy include the induction of dendritic cell (DC) dysfunction and regulatory T cells (Tregs) by blood-stage malaria parasites, leading to inefficient priming of T cells targeting liver-stage infections. The parasite also uses 'surgical strike' strategies, whereby polymorphism in pre-erythrocytic antigens can interfere with host immunity. Specifically, we review how even single amino acid changes in T cell epitopes can lead to loss of binding to major histocompatibility complex (MHC), lack of cross-reactivity, or antagonism and immune interference, where simultaneous or sequential stimulation with related variants of the same T cell epitope can cause T cell anergy or the conversion of effector to immunosuppressive T cell phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L Flanagan
- a Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Immunology , Monash University , Melbourne , VIC , Australia
| | - Kirsty L Wilson
- a Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Immunology , Monash University , Melbourne , VIC , Australia
| | - Magdalena Plebanski
- a Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Immunology , Monash University , Melbourne , VIC , Australia
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37
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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