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Lacasta A, Kim HC, Kepl E, Gachogo R, Chege N, Ojuok R, Muriuki C, Mwalimu S, Touboul G, Stiber A, Poole EJ, Ndiwa N, Fiala B, King NP, Nene V. Design and immunological evaluation of two-component protein nanoparticle vaccines for East Coast fever. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1015840. [PMID: 36713406 PMCID: PMC9880323 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1015840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanoparticle vaccines usually prime stronger immune responses than soluble antigens. Within this class of subunit vaccines, the recent development of computationally designed self-assembling two-component protein nanoparticle scaffolds provides a powerful and versatile platform for displaying multiple copies of one or more antigens. Here we report the generation of three different nanoparticle immunogens displaying 60 copies of p67C, an 80 amino acid polypeptide from a candidate vaccine antigen of Theileria parva, and their immunogenicity in cattle. p67C is a truncation of p67, the major surface protein of the sporozoite stage of T. parva, an apicomplexan parasite that causes an often-fatal bovine disease called East Coast fever (ECF) in sub-Saharan Africa. Compared to I32-19 and I32-28, we found that I53-50 nanoparticle scaffolds displaying p67C had the best biophysical characteristics. p67C-I53-50 also outperformed the other two nanoparticles in stimulating p67C-specific IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies and CD4+ T-cell responses, as well as sporozoite neutralizing capacity. In experimental cattle vaccine trials, p67C-I53-50 induced significant immunity to ECF, suggesting that the I53-50 scaffold is a promising candidate for developing novel nanoparticle vaccines. To our knowledge this is the first application of computationally designed nanoparticles to the development of livestock vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lacasta
- Animal and Human Health program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya,*Correspondence: Anna Lacasta, ; Neil P. King,
| | - Hyung Chan Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States,Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Kepl
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States,Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Rachael Gachogo
- Animal and Human Health program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Naomi Chege
- Animal and Human Health program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rose Ojuok
- Animal and Human Health program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Charity Muriuki
- Animal and Human Health program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stephen Mwalimu
- Animal and Human Health program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gilad Touboul
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States,Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ariel Stiber
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program, Caltech, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Jane Poole
- Research Methods Group, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nicholas Ndiwa
- Research Methods Group, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Brooke Fiala
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States,Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Neil P. King
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States,Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States,*Correspondence: Anna Lacasta, ; Neil P. King,
| | - Vishvanath Nene
- Animal and Human Health program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
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Jenkins C, Micallef ML, Padula MP, Bogema DR. Characterisation of the Theileria orientalis Piroplasm Proteome across Three Common Genotypes. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101135. [PMID: 36297192 PMCID: PMC9610513 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101135] [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: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Theileria orientalis is an emerging apicomplexan pathogen of cattle occurring in areas populated by the principal vector tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis. Unlike transforming Theileria spp. that induce cancer-like proliferation of lymphocytes via their schizont stage, T. orientalis destroys host erythrocytes during its piroplasm phase resulting in anaemia. The underlying pathogenic processes of T. orientalis infection are poorly understood; consequently, there are no vaccines for prevention of T. orientalis infection and chemotherapeutic options are limited. To identify antigens expressed during the piroplasm phase of T. orientalis, including those which may be useful targets for future therapeutic development, we examined the proteome across three common genotypes of the parasite (Ikeda, Chitose and Buffeli) using preparations of piroplasms purified from bovine blood. A combination of Triton X-114 extraction, one-dimensional electrophoresis and LC-MS/MS identified a total of 1113 proteins across all genotypes, with less than 3% of these representing host-derived proteins. Just over three quarters of T. orientalis proteins (78%) identified were from the aqueous phase of the TX-114 extraction representing cytosolic proteins, with the remaining 22% from the detergent phase, representing membrane-associated proteins. All enzymes involved in glycolysis were expressed, suggesting that this is the major metabolic pathway used during the T. orientalis piroplasm phase. Proteins involved in binding and breakdown of haemoglobin were also identified, suggesting that T. orientalis uses haemoglobin as a source of amino acids. A number of proteins involved in host cell interaction were also identified which may be suitable targets for the development of chemotherapeutics or vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Jenkins
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-4640-6396
| | - Melinda L. Micallef
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia
| | - Matthew P. Padula
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Daniel R. Bogema
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia
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Gurav N, Macleod OJ, MacGregor P, Ellen R. Nisbet R. In silico identification of Theileria parva surface proteins. Cell Surf 2022; 8:100078. [PMID: 35647418 PMCID: PMC9133732 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2022.100078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
East Coast Fever is a devastating African cattle disease caused by the apicomplexan parasite, Theileria parva. Little is known about the cell surface, and few proteins have been identified. Here, we take an in silico approach to identify novel cell surface proteins, and predict the structure of four key proteins.
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Mukolwe LD, Odongo DO, Byaruhanga C, Snyman LP, Sibeko-Matjila KP. Analysis of p67 allelic sequences reveals a subtype of allele type 1 unique to buffalo-derived Theileria parva parasites from southern Africa. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231434. [PMID: 32598384 PMCID: PMC7323972 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
East Coast fever (ECF) and Corridor disease (CD) caused by cattle- and buffalo-derived T. parva respectively are the most economically important tick-borne diseases of cattle in the affected African countries. The p67 gene has been evaluated as a recombinant subunit vaccine against ECF, and for discrimination of T. parva parasites causing ECF and Corridor disease. The p67 allele type 1 was first identified in cattle-derived T. parva parasites from East Africa, where parasites possessing this allele type have been associated with ECF. Subsequent characterization of buffalo-derived T. parva parasites from South Africa where ECF was eradicated, revealed the presence of a similar allele type, raising concerns as to whether or not allele type 1 from parasites from the two regions is identical. A 900 bp central fragment of the gene encoding p67 was PCR amplified from T. parva DNA extracted from blood collected from cattle and buffalo in South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, followed by DNA sequence analysis. Four p67 allele types previously described were identified. A subtype of p67 allele type 1 was identified in parasites from clinical cases of CD and buffalo from southern Africa. Notably, p67 allele type 1 sequences from parasites associated with ECF in East Africa and CD in Kenya were identical. Analysis of two p67 B-cell epitopes (TpM12 and AR22.7) revealed amino acid substitutions in allele type 1 from buffalo-derived T. parva parasites from southern Africa. However, both epitopes were conserved in allele type 1 from cattle- and buffalo-derived T. parva parasites from East Africa. These findings reveal detection of a subtype of p67 allele type 1 associated with T. parva parasites transmissible from buffalo to cattle in southern Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lubembe D. Mukolwe
- Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology & Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Egerton University, Egerton, Kenya
- * E-mail:
| | - David O. Odongo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Charles Byaruhanga
- Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
- National Agricultural Research Organization, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Louwtjie P. Snyman
- Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
- Durban Natural Science Museum, Durban, South Africa
| | - Kgomotso P. Sibeko-Matjila
- Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
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Atchou K, Ongus J, Machuka E, Juma J, Tiambo C, Djikeng A, Silva JC, Pelle R. Comparative Transcriptomics of the Bovine Apicomplexan Parasite Theileria parva Developmental Stages Reveals Massive Gene Expression Variation and Potential Vaccine Antigens. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:287. [PMID: 32582776 PMCID: PMC7296165 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Theileria parva is a protozoan parasite that causes East Coast fever (ECF), an economically important disease of cattle in Africa. It is transmitted mainly by the tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Research efforts to develop a subunit vaccine based on parasite neutralizing antibodies and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes have met with limited success. The molecular mechanisms underlying T. parva life cycle stages in the tick vector and bovine host are poorly understood, thus limiting progress toward an effective and efficient control of ECF. Transcriptomics has been used to identify candidate vaccine antigens or markers associated with virulence and disease pathology. Therefore, characterization of gene expression throughout the parasite's life cycle should shed light on host-pathogen interactions in ECF and identify genes underlying differences in parasite stages as well as potential, novel therapeutic targets. Recently, the first gene expression profiling of T. parva was conducted for the sporoblast, sporozoite, and schizont stages. The sporozoite is infective to cattle, whereas the schizont is the major pathogenic form of the parasite. The schizont can differentiate into piroplasm, which is infective to the tick vector. The present study was designed to extend the T. parva gene expression profiling to the piroplasm stage with reference to the schizont. Pairwise comparison revealed that 3,279 of a possible 4,084 protein coding genes were differentially expressed, with 1,623 (49%) genes upregulated and 1,656 (51%) downregulated in the piroplasm relative to the schizont. In addition, over 200 genes were stage-specific. In general, there were more molecular functions, biological processes, subcellular localizations, and pathways significantly enriched in the piroplasm than in the schizont. Using known antigens as benchmarks, we identified several new potential vaccine antigens, including TP04_0076 and TP04_0640, which were highly immunogenic in naturally T. parva-infected cattle. All the candidate vaccine antigens identified have yet to be investigated for their capacity to induce protective immune response against ECF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kodzo Atchou
- Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation, Pan African University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Juliette Ongus
- Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation, Pan African University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eunice Machuka
- Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation, Pan African University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Juma
- Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Christian Tiambo
- Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Appolinaire Djikeng
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Joana C Silva
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Roger Pelle
- Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
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