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Abbas I, Tamponi C, Madau G, Cavallo L, Varcasia A, Scala A. Treatment and management of coenurosis by Taenia multiceps: field data from outbreaks in endemic regions and literature review. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:335. [PMID: 39123250 PMCID: PMC11312392 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06430-2] [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: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Taenia multiceps coenurosis is endemic in sheep from various regions worldwide. Dogs, the key hosts, shed T. multiceps eggs in their feces contaminating the pasture, and lambs are mostly infected during their first turnout into pastures. The disease is manifested in two forms: acute (due to the migrating oncospheres in the CNS) or chronic (due to the developing coenuri in the brain or spinal cord). Both forms are frequently accompanied by neurological symptoms. METHODS Field trials conducted in an endemic region (Sardinia, Italy) to treat replacement lambs in six sheep flocks infected with acute coenurosis are summarized in this article. The article also reviews earlier reports on various approaches developed to treat and immunize sheep against coenurosis. RESULTS Accurate detection of the time in which lambs become infected is crucial in deciding which treatment approach should be used. Acute disease can be successfully treated via chemotherapy. Results of field trials conducted in Sardinia revealed the efficacy of three (1-week apart) oxfendazole doses (14.15 mg/kg) in protecting apparently healthy lambs in the infected flocks from developing neurological symptoms. A single praziquantel dose (18.75 mg/kg) worked well for the same purpose and was also found significant in treating 5 of 16 clinically ill lambs in one flock. Earlier reports documented high rates of recovery (up to 100%) in clinically diseased lambs that received much higher doses (50-100 mg/kg) of praziquantel. However, chemotherapy is not preferred in chronic coenurosis since it can lead to rupture of the coenuri, giving rise to serious inflammation in the CNS. Surgical intervention is highly recommended in this case, and the pooled success rates for surgery in chronic-infected cases was estimated at 82.1% (95% CI 73.1-91.0%). However, various trials have been conducted to immunize sheep against T. multiceps coenurosis, and the 18k (Tm18) family of oncosphere antigens was found promising as a vaccine candidate. CONCLUSIONS In acute coenurosis, selection of the proper anthelmintic should be done after consulting the owner for several reasons: (1) costs of the used anthelmintic: treating a small flock of 100 sheep costs around 1170 and 660 € for praziquantel and oxfendazole, respectively; (2) withdrawal time of the used anthelmintic: No time is required before consuming meat and milk from praziquantel-treated sheep, whereas meat and milk from oxfendazole-treated sheep should not be consumed for 44 and 9 days, respectively, causing additional costs for the farmers. Since no commercial vaccines have yet been developed against T. multiceps coenurosis in sheep, preventive measures remain the cornerstone of controlling this serious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Abbas
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - C Tamponi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Madau
- Veterinary Practitioner, Sardinia, Italy
| | - L Cavallo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - A Varcasia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
| | - A Scala
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Xiong L, Chen Y, Chen L, Hua R, Shen N, Yang G. Enhanced protective immunity against Baylisascaris schroederi infection in mice through a multi-antigen cocktail vaccine approach. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:20. [PMID: 38072876 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08016-w] [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: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Baylisascaris schroederi is among the most severe intestinal nematodes affecting giant pandas. Developing effective and secure vaccines can be used as a novel strategy for controlling repeated roundworm infection and addressing drug resistance. In our previous study, three recombinant antigens (rBsHP2, rBsGAL, and rBsUP) exhibited promising effects against B. schroederi infection in the mice model. This study extends the findings by formulating four-form cocktail vaccines (GAL+UP, HP2+UP, GAL+HP2, and GAL+HP2+UP) using three B. schroederi recombinant antigens to improve protection in mice further. Additionally, the protective differences after immunizing mice with different doses of cocktail antigens (150 μg, 100 μg, and 50 μg) were analyzed. Administration of rBs(GAL+UP), rBs(HP2+UP), rBs(GAL+HP2), and rBs(GAL+HP2+UP) significantly reduced liver and lung lesions, along with a decrease in L3 larvae by 83.7%, 82.1%, 76.4%, and 75.1%, respectively. These vaccines induced a Th1/Th2 mixed immunity, evidenced by elevated serum antibody levels (IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgE, and IgA) and splenocyte cytokines [interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-10]. Furthermore, varying cocktail vaccine dosages did not significantly affect protection. The results confirm that a 50 μg rBs(GAL+UP) dosage holds promise as a better candidate vaccine combination against B. schroederi infection, providing a basis for developing the B. schroederi vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lang Xiong
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanxin Chen
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, China
| | - Ruiqi Hua
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, China
| | - Nengxing Shen
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, China
| | - Guangyou Yang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, China.
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Lebu S, Kibone W, Muoghalu CC, Ochaya S, Salzberg A, Bongomin F, Manga M. Soil-transmitted helminths: A critical review of the impact of co-infections and implications for control and elimination. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011496. [PMID: 37561673 PMCID: PMC10414660 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Researchers have raised the possibility that soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections might modify the host's immune response against other systemic infections. STH infections can alter the immune response towards type 2 immunity that could then affect the likelihood and severity of other illnesses. However, the importance of co-infections is not completely understood, and the impact and direction of their effects vary considerably by infection. This review synthesizes evidence regarding the relevance of STH co-infections, the potential mechanisms that explain their effects, and how they might affect control and elimination efforts. According to the literature reviewed, there are both positive and negative effects associated with STH infections on other diseases such as malaria, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis, gestational anemia, pediatric anemia, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) like lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, and trachoma, as well as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and human papillomavirus (HPV). Studies typically describe how STHs can affect the immune system and promote increased susceptibility, survival, and persistence of the infection in the host by causing a TH2-dominated immune response. The co-infection of STH with other diseases has important implications for the development of treatment and control strategies. Eliminating parasites from a human host can be more challenging because the TH2-dominated immune response induced by STH infection can suppress the TH1 immune response required to control other infections, resulting in an increased pathogen load and more severe disease. Preventive chemotherapy and treatment are currently the most common approaches used for the control of STH infections, but these approaches alone may not be adequate to achieve elimination goals. Based on the conclusions drawn from this review, integrated approaches that combine drug administration with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, hygiene education, community engagement, and vaccines are most likely to succeed in interrupting the transmission of STH co-infections. Gaining a better understanding of the behavior and relevance of STH co-infections in the context of elimination efforts is an important intermediate step toward reducing the associated burden of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Lebu
- The Water Institute at UNC, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Winnie Kibone
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Chimdi C. Muoghalu
- The Water Institute at UNC, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Stephen Ochaya
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Uppsala Academic Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Aaron Salzberg
- The Water Institute at UNC, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Felix Bongomin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Musa Manga
- The Water Institute at UNC, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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Xiong L, Chen L, Chen Y, Shen N, Hua R, Yang G. Evaluation of the immunoprotective effects of eight recombinant proteins from Baylisascaris schroederi in mice model. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:254. [PMID: 37501169 PMCID: PMC10375773 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05886-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Baylisascaris schroederi is the most common and harmful intestinal parasitic nematode of giant pandas, causing ascariasis. Although drug deworming is the main measure to control ascariasis in captive giant pandas, prolonged and repeated use of deworming drugs might induce resistance in nematodes and drug residues in giant pandas. Therefore, developing a safe and effective vaccine might provide a novel strategy to prevent ascariasis in captive giant pandas. METHODS Four highly expressed secretome genes encoding excretory and secretory proteins of B. schroederi, including transthyretin-like protein 46 (BsTLP), uncharacterized protein (BsUP), hypothetical protein 1 (BsHP1), and hypothetical protein 2 (BsHP2) and four functional genes [(encoding Galectin (BsGAL), glutathione S-transferase (BsGST), fatty acid-binding protein (BsFABP), and thioredoxin peroxidase (BsTPX)] were identified based on genome and transcriptome databases of B. schroederi and used to construct recombinant proteins via prokaryotic expression. Kunming mice were vaccinated subcutaneously twice with the recombinant proteins (50 μg/mouse) mixed with Quil A adjuvant with a 2-week interval and then orally challenged with 3000 infective eggs. The immunoprotective effects of the eight recombinant proteins on mice were assessed comprehensively using surface lesion histology scores of the mouse liver and lung, larval worm reduction, serum antibody levels (IgG, IgE, IgA, IgG1, and IgG2a), and cytokine production [interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10]. RESULTS Mice vaccinated with recombinant (r)BsUP (76.5%), rBsGAL (74.7%), and rBsHP2 (71.5%) showed a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in the larval worm rate compared with that in the adjuvant control. Besides, the surface lesions in the liver and lung of the vaccinated mice were alleviated. Serum levels of total IgG, IgE, IgA, IgG1, IgG2a, and cytokines, including IL-10, IL-5, and IFN-γ, were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that candidate three vaccines (rBsUP, rBsGAL, and rBsHP2) could provide effective protection against egg infection in mice associated with a mixed Th1/2-type immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lang Xiong
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanxin Chen
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Nengxing Shen
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ruiqi Hua
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guangyou Yang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Liu D, Chen C, Chen Q, Wang S, Li Z, Rong J, Zhang Y, Hou Z, Tao J, Xu J. Identification and Characterization of α-Actinin 1 of Histomonas meleagridis and Its Potential Vaccine Candidates against Histomonosis. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2330. [PMID: 37508107 PMCID: PMC10376378 DOI: 10.3390/ani13142330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Histomonas meleagridis is a protozoan parasite that causes histomonosis in gallinaceous birds such as turkeys and chickens. Since the banning and restricted usage of effective drugs such as nitarsone, 80-100% morbidity and mortality occur in turkeys and 20-30% mortality in chickens. New ideas are needed to resolve the re-emergence of histomonosis in poultry. In this study, the α-actinin encoding gene from H. meleagridis was cloned. The 1839-bp gene encoding 612 amnio acids showed close phylogenetic relationships with Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus. It was then inserted into the prokaryotic expression vector pET28a(+) and induced with isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside. A 73 kDa recombinant protein rHmα-actinin 1 was obtained and purified with a Ni-NTA chromatography column. rHmα-actinin 1 was recognized by mouse anti-rHmα-actinin 1 polyclonal antibody, mouse anti-rHmα-actinin 1 monoclonal antibody, and rehabilitation sera from H. meleagridis infected chickens. Native α-actinin 1 in the total proteins of H. meleagridis can also be detected with mouse anti-rHmα-actinin monoclonal antibody. Immunolocalization assays showed that Hmα-actinin 1 was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm of virulent histomonads JSYZ-D9 and in the peripheral regions (near the plasma membrane) of attenuated histomonads JSYZ-D195. Based on in vivo experiment, when chickens were subcutaneously immunized with rHmα-actinin 1 at 5 and 12 days old and then challenged with H. meleagridis at 19 days old, rHmα-actinin 1 reduced the lesion scores 12 days after infection (31 days old) and increased the body weight gain during the challenged period (19-31 days old). Furthermore, it also strengthened the cellular and humoral immune responses 7 days after the second immunization (19 days old). In conclusion, Hmα-actinin 1 could be used as a candidate antigen to develop vaccines against chicken histomonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Chen Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Shanghai Wildlife and Protected Natural Areas Research Center, Shanghai 200366, China
| | - Qiaoguang Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zaifan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jie Rong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yuming Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhaofeng Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jianping Tao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jinjun Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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Pan C, Ye J, Zhang S, Li X, Shi Y, Guo Y, Wang K, Sun P, Wu J, Wang H, Zhu L. Production of a promising modular proteinaceous self-assembled delivery system for vaccination. NANOSCALE 2023. [PMID: 37326289 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr06718h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Recently, there have been enormous advances in nano-delivery materials, especially safer and more biocompatible protein-based nanoparticles. Generally, proteinaceous nanoparticles (such as ferritin and virus-like particles) are self-assembled from some natural protein monomers. However, to ensure their capability of assembly, it is difficult to upgrade the protein structure through major modifications. Here, we have developed an efficient orthogonal modular proteinaceous self-assembly delivery system that could load antigens with an attractive coupling strategy. In brief, we constructed a nanocarrier by fusing two orthogonal domains-a pentameric cholera toxin B subunit and a trimer forming peptide-and an engineered streptavidin monomer for binding biotinylated antigens. After successfully preparing the nanoparticles, the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and influenza virus haemagglutination antigen are used as model antigens for further evaluation. We found that the biotinylated antigen is able to bind to the nanoparticles with high affinity and achieve efficient lymph node drainage when loaded on the nanoparticles. Then, T cells are greatly activated and the formation of germinal centers is observed. Experiments of two mouse models demonstrate the strong antibody responses and prophylactic effects of these nanovaccines. Thus, we establish a proof-of-concept for the delivery system with the potential to load diverse antigen cargos to generate high-performance nanovaccines, thereby offering an attractive platform technology for nanovaccine preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
| | - Jingqin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
| | - Sen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Millitary Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, PR China
| | - Xiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
| | - Yixin Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
| | - Yan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
| | - Kangfeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
- College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, PR China
| | - Peng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China
| | - Jun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
| | - Hengliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
| | - Li Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
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You H, Jones MK, Gordon CA, Arganda AE, Cai P, Al-Wassiti H, Pouton CW, McManus DP. The mRNA Vaccine Technology Era and the Future Control of Parasitic Infections. Clin Microbiol Rev 2023; 36:e0024121. [PMID: 36625671 PMCID: PMC10035331 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00241-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite intensive long-term efforts, with very few exceptions, the development of effective vaccines against parasitic infections has presented considerable challenges, given the complexity of parasite life cycles, the interplay between parasites and their hosts, and their capacity to escape the host immune system and to regulate host immune responses. For many parasitic diseases, conventional vaccine platforms have generally proven ill suited, considering the complex manufacturing processes involved and the costs they incur, the inability to posttranslationally modify cloned target antigens, and the absence of long-lasting protective immunity induced by these antigens. An effective antiparasite vaccine platform is required to assess the effectiveness of novel vaccine candidates at high throughput. By exploiting the approach that has recently been used successfully to produce highly protective COVID mRNA vaccines, we anticipate a new wave of research to advance the use of mRNA vaccines to prevent parasitic infections in the near future. This article considers the characteristics that are required to develop a potent antiparasite vaccine and provides a conceptual foundation to promote the development of parasite mRNA-based vaccines. We review the recent advances and challenges encountered in developing antiparasite vaccines and evaluate the potential of developing mRNA vaccines against parasites, including those causing diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis, against which vaccines are currently suboptimal or not yet available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Department of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Malcolm K. Jones
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Catherine A. Gordon
- Department of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Alexa E. Arganda
- Department of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Pengfei Cai
- Department of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Harry Al-Wassiti
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Colin W. Pouton
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Department of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
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In silico design of a polypeptide as a vaccine candidate against ascariasis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3504. [PMID: 36864139 PMCID: PMC9981566 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30445-x] [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: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ascariasis is the most prevalent zoonotic helminthic disease worldwide, and is responsible for nutritional deficiencies, particularly hindering the physical and neurological development of children. The appearance of anthelmintic resistance in Ascaris is a risk for the target of eliminating ascariasis as a public health problem by 2030 set by the World Health Organisation. The development of a vaccine could be key to achieving this target. Here we have applied an in silico approach to design a multi-epitope polypeptide that contains T-cell and B-cell epitopes of reported novel potential vaccination targets, alongside epitopes from established vaccination candidates. An artificial toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) adjuvant (RS09) was added to improve immunogenicity. The constructed peptide was found to be non-allergic, non-toxic, with adequate antigenic and physicochemical characteristics, such as solubility and potential expression in Escherichia coli. A tertiary structure of the polypeptide was used to predict the presence of discontinuous B-cell epitopes and to confirm the molecular binding stability with TLR2 and TLR4 molecules. Immune simulations predicted an increase in B-cell and T-cell immune response after injection. This polypeptide can now be validated experimentally and compared to other vaccine candidates to assess its possible impact in human health.
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Wong MTJ, Anuar NS, Noordin R, Tye GJ. Soil-transmitted helminthic vaccines: Where are we now? Acta Trop 2023; 239:106796. [PMID: 36586174 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
It has been tested and proven that vaccination is still the best strategy to combat infectious diseases. However, to date, there are still no vaccines against human soil-transmitted helminthic diseases, despite their high prevalence globally, particularly in developing countries and rural areas with tropical climates and poor sanitation. The development of vaccines against helminths is riddled with obstacles. Helminths have a complex life cycle, multiple stages within the same host with stage-specific antigen expression, and the ability to regulate host immune reactions to evade the immune response. These elements contribute to the main challenge of helminthic vaccines: the identification of effective vaccine candidates. Therefore, this article reviews the current progress and potential future direction of soil-transmitted helminthic vaccines, particularly against Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale. The study design employed was a systematic review, using qualitative meta-summary synthesis. Preclinical studies and clinical trials on the development of protein subunit vaccines against the five soil-transmitted helminths were searched on PubMed and Scopus. Effectiveness was indicated by a reduction in worm burden or larval output, an increase in specific IgG levels, or an increase in cytokine production. Our findings show that only the hookworm vaccine against N. americanus is in the clinical trial phase, while the rest is still in exploratory research and pre-clinical development phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Tze Jian Wong
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Nor Suhada Anuar
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Rahmah Noordin
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Gee Jun Tye
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
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Sharma A, Noon JB, Kontodimas K, Garo LP, Platten J, Quinton LJ, Urban JF, Reinhardt C, Bosmann M. IL-27 Enhances γδ T Cell–Mediated Innate Resistance to Primary Hookworm Infection in the Lungs. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 208:2008-2018. [PMID: 35354611 PMCID: PMC9012701 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
IL-27 is a heterodimeric IL-12 family cytokine formed by noncovalent association of the promiscuous EBI3 subunit and selective p28 subunit. IL-27 is produced by mononuclear phagocytes and unfolds pleiotropic immune-modulatory functions through ligation to IL-27 receptor α (IL-27RA). Although IL-27 is known to contribute to immunity and to limit inflammation after various infections, its relevance for host defense against multicellular parasites is still poorly defined. Here, we investigated the role of IL-27 during infection with the soil-transmitted hookworm, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, in its early host intrapulmonary life cycle. IL-27(p28) was detectable in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of C57BL/6J wild-type mice on day 1 after s.c. inoculation. IL-27RA expression was most abundant on lung-invading γδ T cells. Il27ra-/- mice showed increased lung parasite burden together with aggravated pulmonary hemorrhage and higher alveolar total protein leakage as a surrogate for epithelial-vascular barrier disruption. Conversely, injections of recombinant mouse (rm)IL-27 into wild-type mice reduced lung injury and parasite burden. In multiplex screens, higher airway accumulations of IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-3 (CCL7) were observed in Il27ra-/- mice, whereas rmIL-27 treatment showed a reciprocal effect. Importantly, γδ T cell numbers in airways were enhanced by endogenous or administered IL-27. Further analysis revealed a direct antihelminthic function of IL-27 on γδ T cells as adoptive intratracheal transfer of rmIL-27-treated γδ T cells during primary N. brasiliensis lung infection conferred protection in mice. In summary, this report demonstrates protective functions of IL-27 to control the early lung larval stage of hookworm infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Sharma
- Pulmonary Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jason B Noon
- Pulmonary Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Konstantinos Kontodimas
- Pulmonary Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lucien P Garo
- Pulmonary Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Johannes Platten
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Lee J Quinton
- Pulmonary Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Joseph F Urban
- Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory and Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Diet, Genomics, and Immunology Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD; and
| | - Christoph Reinhardt
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Markus Bosmann
- Pulmonary Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts;
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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11
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Adegboye O, Field MA, Kupz A, Pai S, Sharma D, Smout MJ, Wangchuk P, Wong Y, Loiseau C. Natural-Product-Based Solutions for Tropical Infectious Diseases. Clin Microbiol Rev 2021; 34:e0034820. [PMID: 34494873 PMCID: PMC8673330 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00348-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
About half of the world's population and 80% of the world's biodiversity can be found in the tropics. Many diseases are specific to the tropics, with at least 41 diseases caused by endemic bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Such diseases are of increasing concern, as the geographic range of tropical diseases is expanding due to climate change, urbanization, change in agricultural practices, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. While traditional medicines have been used for centuries in the treatment of tropical diseases, the active natural compounds within these medicines remain largely unknown. In this review, we describe infectious diseases specific to the tropics, including their causative pathogens, modes of transmission, recent major outbreaks, and geographic locations. We further review current treatments for these tropical diseases, carefully consider the biodiscovery potential of the tropical biome, and discuss a range of technologies being used for drug development from natural resources. We provide a list of natural products with antimicrobial activity, detailing the source organisms and their effectiveness as treatment. We discuss how technological advancements, such as next-generation sequencing, are driving high-throughput natural product screening pipelines to identify compounds with therapeutic properties. This review demonstrates the impact natural products from the vast tropical biome have in the treatment of tropical infectious diseases and how high-throughput technical capacity will accelerate this discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oyelola Adegboye
- Public Health and Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Vector-Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Matt A. Field
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Garvin Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Andreas Kupz
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Saparna Pai
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Dileep Sharma
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- College of Medicine & Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael J. Smout
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Phurpa Wangchuk
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Yide Wong
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Claire Loiseau
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
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12
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Gazzinelli-Guimarães AC, Gazzinelli-Guimarães P, Weatherhead JE. A historical and systematic overview of Ascaris vaccine development. Parasitology 2021; 148:1795-1805. [PMID: 35586777 PMCID: PMC9109942 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021001347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Ascariasis is the most prevalent helminth infection in the world and leads to significant, life-long morbidity, particularly in young children. Current efforts to control and eradicate ascariasis in endemic regions have been met with significant challenges including high-rates of re-infection and potential development of anthelminthic drug resistance. Vaccines against ascariasis are a key tool that could break the transmission cycle and lead to disease eradication globally. Evolution of the Ascaris vaccine pipeline has progressed, however no vaccine product has been brought to human clinical trials to date. Advancement in recombinant protein technology may provide the first step in generating an Ascaris vaccine as well as a pan-helminthic vaccine ready for human trials. However, several roadblocks remain and investment in new technologies will be important to develop a successful human Ascaris vaccine that is critically needed to prevent significant morbidity in Ascaris-endemic regions around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jill E. Weatherhead
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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13
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Human infections with helminth worm parasites are extraordinarily prevalent across tropical and subtropical parts of the world, and control relies primarily on drugs that offer short-term suppression of infection. There is an urgent need for new vaccines that would confer long-lived immunity, protecting children in particular and minimizing community transmission. AREAS COVERED : This article discusses the development of helminth vaccines, from the first successful veterinary vaccines that demonstrated the feasibility of inducing protective immunity to helminths, to more recent initiatives to test human helminth antigens. The field has focussed primarily on evaluating individual antigens that could constitute targets amenable to antibody attack to inhibit parasite establishment. In a new direction, vaccines employing extracellular vesicles released by helminths have also given exciting results. EXPERT OPINION : Taking into account the complex life cycles and sophisticated immune evasion strategies of many helminths, a combination of antigens and approaches designed to target essential functional pathways of the parasite will be required to achieve a high level of protection in future anti-helminth vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick M. Maizels
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology; Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK,CONTACT Rick M. Maizels Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology; Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, GlasgowG12 8TA, UK
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14
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Lu M, Tian X, Wang W, Zhang Y, Aimulajiang K, Tian AL, Li C, Yan R, Xu L, Song X, Li X. The excretory-secretory antigen HcADRM1 to generate protective immunity against Haemonchus contortus. Parasitology 2021; 148:1497-1508. [PMID: 34193327 PMCID: PMC11010155 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021001141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The prevention, treatment and control of Haemonchus contortus have been increasingly problematic due to its widespread occurrence and anthelmintic resistance. There are very few descriptions of recombinant antigens being protective for H. contortus, despite the success of various native antigen preparations, including Barbervax. We recently identified an H. contortus excretory–secretory antigen, H. contortus adhesion-regulating molecule 1 (HcADRM1), that served as an immunomodulator to impair host T-cell functions. Given the prophylactic potential of HcADRM1 protein as a vaccine candidate, we hereby assessed the efficacies of HcADRM1 preparations against H. contortus infection. Parasitological and immunological parameters were evaluated throughout all time points of the trials, including fecal egg counts (FEC), abomasal worm burdens, complete blood counts, cytokine production profiles and antibody responses. Active vaccination with recombinant HcADRM1 (rHcADRM1) protein induced protective immunity in inoculated goats, resulting in reductions of 48.9 and 58.6% in cumulative FEC and worm burdens. Simultaneously, passive administration of anti-HcADRM1 antibodies generated encouraging levels of protection with 46.7 and 56.2% reductions in cumulative FEC and worm burdens in challenged goats. In addition, HcADRM1 preparations-immunized goats showed significant differences in mucosal and serum antigen-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels, total mucosal IgA levels, haemoglobin values and circulating interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17A production compared to control goats in both trials. The preliminary data of these laboratory trials validated the immunoprophylactic effects of rHcADRM1 protein. It can be pursued as a potential vaccine antigen to develop an effective recombinant subunit vaccine against H. contortus under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingmin Lu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210095, P. R. China
| | - Xiaowei Tian
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210095, P. R. China
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210095, P. R. China
| | - Yang Zhang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210095, P. R. China
| | - Kalibixiati Aimulajiang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210095, P. R. China
| | - Ai-Ling Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province730046, P. R. China
| | - Charles Li
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD20705, USA
| | - Ruofeng Yan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210095, P. R. China
| | - Lixin Xu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210095, P. R. China
| | - Xiaokai Song
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210095, P. R. China
| | - Xiangrui Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210095, P. R. China
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15
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Viña C, Silva MI, Palomero AM, Voinot M, Vilá M, Hernández JÁ, Paz-Silva A, Sánchez-Andrade R, Cazapal-Monteiro CF, Arias MS. The Control of Zoonotic Soil-Transmitted Helminthoses Using Saprophytic Fungi. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9121071. [PMID: 33371191 PMCID: PMC7766240 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9121071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are parasites transmitted through contact with soil contaminated with their infective eggs/larvae. People are infected by exposure to human-specific species or animal species (zoonotic agents). Fecal samples containing eggs of Ascaris suum or Lemurostrongylus sp. were sprayed with spores of the soil saprophytic filamentous fungi Clonostachys rosea (CR) and Trichoderma atrobrunneum (TA). The antagonistic effect was assessed by estimating the viability of eggs and their developmental rate. Compared to the controls (unexposed to fungi), the viability of the eggs of A. suum was halved in CR and decreased by two thirds in TA, while the viability of the eggs of Lemurostrongylus sp. was reduced by one quarter and one third in CR and TA treatments, respectively. The Soil Contamination Index (SCI), defined as the viable eggs that attained the infective stage, reached the highest percentages for A. suum in the controls after four weeks (66%), with 21% in CL and 11% in TA. For Lemurostrongylus sp., the values were 80%, 49%, and 41% for control, CR and TA treatments, respectively. We concluded that spreading spores of C. rosea or T. atrobrunneum directly onto the feces of animal species represents a sustainable approach under a One Health context to potentially reduce the risk of zoonotic STHs in humans.
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16
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Zawawi A, Else KJ. Soil-Transmitted Helminth Vaccines: Are We Getting Closer? Front Immunol 2020; 11:576748. [PMID: 33133094 PMCID: PMC7565266 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.576748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic helminths infect over one-fourth of the human population resulting in significant morbidity, and in some cases, death in endemic countries. Despite mass drug administration (MDA) to school-aged children and other control measures, helminth infections are spreading into new areas. Thus, there is a strong rationale for developing anthelminthic vaccines as cost-effective, long-term immunological control strategies, which, unlike MDA, are not haunted by the threat of emerging drug-resistant helminths nor limited by reinfection risk. Advances in vaccinology, immunology, and immunomics include the development of new tools that improve the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of vaccines; and some of these tools have been used in the development of helminth vaccines. The development of anthelminthic vaccines is fraught with difficulty. Multiple lifecycle stages exist each presenting stage-specific antigens. Further, helminth parasites are notorious for their ability to dampen down and regulate host immunity. One of the first significant challenges in developing any vaccine is identifying suitable candidate protective antigens. This review explores our current knowledge in lead antigen identification and reports on recent pre-clinical and clinical trials in the context of the soil-transmitted helminths Trichuris, the hookworms and Ascaris. Ultimately, a multivalent anthelminthic vaccine could become an essential tool for achieving the medium-to long-term goal of controlling, or even eliminating helminth infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayat Zawawi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,*Correspondence: Ayat Zawawi
| | - Kathryn J. Else
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom,Kathryn J. Else
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17
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Ebner F, Morrison E, Bertazzon M, Midha A, Hartmann S, Freund C, Álvaro-Benito M. CD4 + T h immunogenicity of the Ascaris spp. secreted products. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:25. [PMID: 32218997 PMCID: PMC7083960 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0171-z] [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: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascaris spp. is a major health problem of humans and animals alike, and understanding the immunogenicity of its antigens is required for developing urgently needed vaccines. The parasite-secreted products represent the most relevant, yet complex (>250 proteins) antigens of Ascaris spp. as defining the pathogen-host interplay. We applied an in vitro antigen processing system coupled to quantitative proteomics to identify potential CD4+ Th cell epitopes in Ascaris-secreted products. This approach considerably restricts the theoretical list of epitopes using conventional CD4+ Th cell epitope prediction tools. We demonstrate the specificity and utility of our approach on two sets of candidate lists, allowing us identifying hits excluded by either one or both computational methods. More importantly, one of the candidates identified experimentally, clearly demonstrates the presence of pathogen-reactive T cells in healthy human individuals against these antigens. Thus, our work pipeline identifies the first human T cell epitope against Ascaris spp. and represents an easily adaptable platform for characterization of complex antigens, in particular for those pathogens that are not easily amenable for in vivo experimental validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Ebner
- 1Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eliot Morrison
- 2Laboratory of Protein Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Thielallee 63, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Miriam Bertazzon
- 2Laboratory of Protein Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Thielallee 63, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ankur Midha
- 1Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Hartmann
- 1Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Freund
- 2Laboratory of Protein Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Thielallee 63, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Miguel Álvaro-Benito
- 2Laboratory of Protein Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Thielallee 63, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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18
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Sepúlveda-Crespo D, Reguera RM, Rojo-Vázquez F, Balaña-Fouce R, Martínez-Valladares M. Drug discovery technologies: Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for anthelmintic therapeutics. Med Res Rev 2020; 40:1715-1753. [PMID: 32166776 DOI: 10.1002/med.21668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Helminthiasis is one of the gravest problems worldwide. There is a growing concern on less available anthelmintics and the emergence of resistance creating a major threat to human and livestock health resources. Novel and broad-spectrum anthelmintics are urgently needed. The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans could address this issue through automated high-throughput technologies for the screening of large chemical libraries. This review discusses the strong advantages and limitations for using C elegans as a screening method for anthelmintic drug discovery. C elegans is the best model available for the validation of novel effective drugs in treating most, if not all, helminth infections, and for the elucidation the mode of action of anthelmintic candidates. This review also focuses on available technologies in the discovery of anthelmintics published over the last 15 years with particular attention to high-throughput technologies over conventional screens. On the other hand, this review highlights how combinatorial and nanomedicine strategies could prolong the use of anthelmintics and control resistance problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sepúlveda-Crespo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Rosa M Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Francisco Rojo-Vázquez
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - María Martínez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
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19
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Tinkler SH. Preventive chemotherapy and anthelmintic resistance of soil-transmitted helminths - Can we learn nothing from veterinary medicine? One Health 2019; 9:100106. [PMID: 31956691 PMCID: PMC6957790 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2019.100106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Current parasite control programs in veterinary species have moved away from mass anthelmintic treatment approaches due to the emergence of significant anthelmintic resistance (AR), and the availability of few classes of anthelmintics. A number of parallels between livestock and human helminths exist that warn of the risk of AR in human soil-transmitted helminthiases, yet current public health interventions continue to prioritize mass treatment strategies, a known risk factor for AR. This review discusses the existing parallels between human and animal helminth biology and management, along with current public health recommendations and strategies for helminth control in humans. The effectiveness of current recommendations and alternative management strategies are considered.
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20
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Noon JB, Schwarz EM, Ostroff GR, Aroian RV. A highly expressed intestinal cysteine protease of Ancylostoma ceylanicum protects vaccinated hamsters from hookworm infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007345. [PMID: 31009474 PMCID: PMC6497320 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human hookworms (Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, and Ancylostoma ceylanicum) are intestinal blood-feeding parasites that infect ~500 million people worldwide and are among the leading causes of iron-deficiency anemia in the developing world. Drugs are useful against hookworm infections, but hookworms rapidly reinfect people, and the parasites can develop drug resistance. Therefore, having a hookworm vaccine would be of tremendous benefit. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We investigated the vaccine efficacy in outbred Syrian hamsters of three A. ceylanicum hookworm antigen candidates from two classes of proteins previously identified as promising vaccine candidates. These include two intestinally-enriched, putatively secreted cathepsin B cysteine proteases (AceyCP1, AceyCPL) and one small Kunitz-type protease inhibitor (AceySKPI3). Recombinant proteins were produced in Pichia pastoris, and adsorbed to Alhydrogel. Recombinant AceyCPL (rAceyCPL)/Alhydrogel and rAceySKPI3/Alhydrogel induced high serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers in 8/8 vaccinates, but were not protective. rAceyCP1/Alhydrogel induced intermediate serum IgG titers in ~60% of vaccinates in two different trials. rAceyCP1 serum IgG responders had highly significantly decreased hookworm burdens, fecal egg counts and clinical pathology compared to Alhydrogel controls and nonresponders. Protection was highly correlated with rAceyCP1 serum IgG titer. Antisera from rAceyCP1 serum IgG responders, but not nonresponders or rAceyCPL/Alhydrogel vaccinates, significantly reduced adult A. ceylanicum motility in vitro. Furthermore, rAceyCP1 serum IgG responders had canonical Th2-specific recall responses (IL4, IL5, IL13) in splenocytes stimulated ex vivo. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These findings indicate that rAceyCP1 is a promising vaccine candidate and validates a genomic/transcriptomic approach to human hookworm vaccine discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason B. Noon
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Erich M. Schwarz
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Gary R. Ostroff
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Raffi V. Aroian
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
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21
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Chauhan VM, Pritchard DI. Haematophagic Caenorhabditis elegans. Parasitology 2019; 146:314-320. [PMID: 30355366 PMCID: PMC6485396 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182018001518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans is a free-living nematode that resides in soil and typically feeds on bacteria. We postulate that haematophagic C. elegans could provide a model to evaluate vaccine responses to intestinal proteins from hematophagous nematode parasites, such as Necator americanus. Human erythrocytes, fluorescently labelled with tetramethylrhodamine succinimidyl ester, demonstrated a stable bright emission and facilitated visualization of feeding events with fluorescent microscopy. C. elegans were observed feeding on erythrocytes and were shown to rupture red blood cells upon capture to release and ingest their contents. In addition, C. elegans survived equally on a diet of erythrocytes. There was no statistically significant difference in survival when compared with a diet of Escherichia coli OP50. The enzymes responsible for the digestion and detoxification of haem and haemoglobin, which are key components of the hookworm vaccine, were found in the C. elegans intestine. These findings support our postulate that free-living nematodes could provide a model for the assessment of neutralizing antibodies to current and future hematophagous parasite vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veeren M Chauhan
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Boots Sciences Building, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - David I Pritchard
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Boots Sciences Building, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
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Homan EJ, Bremel RD. A Role for Epitope Networking in Immunomodulation by Helminths. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1763. [PMID: 30108588 PMCID: PMC6079203 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminth infections, by nematodes, trematodes, or cestodes, can lead to the modulation of host immune responses. This allows long-duration parasite infections and also impacts responses to co-infections. Surface, secreted, excreted, and shed proteins are thought to play a major role in modulation. A commonly reported feature of such immune modulation is the role of T regulatory (Treg) cells and IL-10. Efforts to identify helminth proteins, which cause immunomodulation, have identified candidates but not provided clarity as to a uniform mechanism driving modulation. In this study, we applied a bioinformatics systems approach, allowing us to analyze predicted T-cell epitopes of 17 helminth species and the responses to their surface proteins. In addition to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding, we analyzed amino acid motifs that would be recognized by T-cell receptors [T-cell-exposed motifs (TCEMs)]. All the helminth species examined have, within their surface proteins, peptides, which combine very common TCEMs with predicted high affinity binding to many human MHC alleles. This combination of features would result in large cognate T cell and a high probability of eliciting Treg responses. The TCEMs, which determine recognition by responding T-cell clones, are shared to a high degree between helminth species and with Plasmodium falciparum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, both common co-infecting organisms. The implication of our observations is not only that Treg cells play a significant role in helminth-induced immune modulation but also that the epitope specificities of Treg responses are shared across species and genera of helminth. Hence, the immune response to a given helminth cannot be considered in isolation but rather forms part of an epitope ecosystem, or microenvironment, in which potentially immunosuppressive peptides in the helminth network via their common T-cell receptor recognition signals with T-cell epitopes in self proteins, microbiome, other helminths, and taxonomically unrelated pathogens. Such a systems approach provides a high-level view of the antigen-immune system signaling dynamics that may bias a host's immune response to helminth infections toward immune modulation. It may indicate how helminths have evolved to select for peptides that favor long-term parasite host coexistence.
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Diemert DJ, Bottazzi ME, Plieskatt J, Hotez PJ, Bethony JM. Lessons along the Critical Path: Developing Vaccines against Human Helminths. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:747-758. [PMID: 30064902 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Helminthic parasites are important targets for vaccine research as they infect an estimated 1 billion people worldwide. Despite significant progress in the discovery of defined antigens as candidates for vaccines, the potential of a helminth vaccine advancing to an investigational product to be tested in humans remains as challenging as it did 50 years ago. Candidate helminth vaccines must still advance along a 'critical path' of preclinical research, vaccine process development (which includes 'chemistry, manufacturing, and controls' or CMC), current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) production of the vaccine, and clinical trials. This path is highly targeted towards meeting the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy criteria of regulatory bodies such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For nearly 20 years our product development partnership (PDP), the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development (TCH-CVD), has followed the critical paths of several novel subunit vaccines for the human hookworm Necator americanus and the intestinal trematode Schistosoma mansoni. Herein, we describe the critical lessons learned along this critical path.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Diemert
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington DC, USA; Department of Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington DC, USA; Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development - a Product Development Partnership, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA; Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development - a Product Development Partnership, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jordan Plieskatt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington DC, USA; Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development - a Product Development Partnership, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA; Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development - a Product Development Partnership, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Bethony
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington DC, USA; Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development - a Product Development Partnership, Houston, TX, USA.
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Stutzer C, Richards SA, Ferreira M, Baron S, Maritz-Olivier C. Metazoan Parasite Vaccines: Present Status and Future Prospects. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:67. [PMID: 29594064 PMCID: PMC5859119 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic parasites and pathogens continue to cause some of the most detrimental and difficult to treat diseases (or disease states) in both humans and animals, while also continuously expanding into non-endemic countries. Combined with the ever growing number of reports on drug-resistance and the lack of effective treatment programs for many metazoan diseases, the impact that these organisms will have on quality of life remain a global challenge. Vaccination as an effective prophylactic treatment has been demonstrated for well over 200 years for bacterial and viral diseases. From the earliest variolation procedures to the cutting edge technologies employed today, many protective preparations have been successfully developed for use in both medical and veterinary applications. In spite of the successes of these applications in the discovery of subunit vaccines against prokaryotic pathogens, not many targets have been successfully developed into vaccines directed against metazoan parasites. With the current increase in -omics technologies and metadata for eukaryotic parasites, target discovery for vaccine development can be expedited. However, a good understanding of the host/vector/pathogen interface is needed to understand the underlying biological, biochemical and immunological components that will confer a protective response in the host animal. Therefore, systems biology is rapidly coming of age in the pursuit of effective parasite vaccines. Despite the difficulties, a number of approaches have been developed and applied to parasitic helminths and arthropods. This review will focus on key aspects of vaccine development that require attention in the battle against these metazoan parasites, as well as successes in the field of vaccine development for helminthiases and ectoparasites. Lastly, we propose future direction of applying successes in pursuit of next generation vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Stutzer
- Tick Vaccine Group, Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase as a broad-spectrum therapeutic target against eukaryotic and prokaryotic pathogens. Emerg Top Life Sci 2017; 1:675-683. [DOI: 10.1042/etls20170106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
As opposed to organism-based drug screening approaches, protein-based strategies have the distinct advantage of providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of chemical effectors and thus afford a precise targeting. Capitalising on the increasing number of genome and transcriptome datasets, novel targets in pathogens for therapeutic intervention can be identified in a more rational manner when compared with conventional organism-based methodologies. Trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatases (TPPs) are structurally and functionally conserved enzymes of the trehalose biosynthesis pathway which play a critical role for pathogen survival, in particular, in parasites. The absence of these enzymes and trehalose biosynthesis from mammalian hosts has recently given rise to increasing interest in TPPs as novel therapeutic targets for drugs and vaccines. Here, we summarise some key aspects of the current state of research towards novel therapeutics targeting, in particular, nematode TPPs.
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