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Mitchell G, Torres L, Fishbaugher ME, Lam M, Chuenchob V, Zalpuri R, Ramasubban S, Baxter CN, Flannery EL, Harupa A, Mikolajczak SA, Jorgens DM. Correlative light-electron microscopy methods to characterize the ultrastructural features of the replicative and dormant liver stages of Plasmodium parasites. Malar J 2024; 23:53. [PMID: 38383417 PMCID: PMC10882739 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04862-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The infection of the liver by Plasmodium parasites is an obligatory step leading to malaria disease. Following hepatocyte invasion, parasites differentiate into replicative liver stage schizonts and, in the case of Plasmodium species causing relapsing malaria, into hypnozoites that can lie dormant for extended periods of time before activating. The liver stages of Plasmodium remain elusive because of technical challenges, including low infection rate. This has been hindering experimentations with well-established technologies, such as electron microscopy. A deeper understanding of hypnozoite biology could prove essential in the development of radical cure therapeutics against malaria. RESULTS The liver stages of the rodent parasite Plasmodium berghei, causing non-relapsing malaria, and the simian parasite Plasmodium cynomolgi, causing relapsing malaria, were characterized in human Huh7 cells or primary non-human primate hepatocytes using Correlative Light-Electron Microscopy (CLEM). Specifically, CLEM approaches that rely on GFP-expressing parasites (GFP-CLEM) or on an immunofluorescence assay (IFA-CLEM) were used for imaging liver stages. The results from P. berghei showed that host and parasite organelles can be identified and imaged at high resolution using both CLEM approaches. While IFA-CLEM was associated with more pronounced extraction of cellular content, samples' features were generally well preserved. Using IFA-CLEM, a collection of micrographs was acquired for P. cynomolgi liver stage schizonts and hypnozoites, demonstrating the potential of this approach for characterizing the liver stages of Plasmodium species causing relapsing malaria. CONCLUSIONS A CLEM approach that does not rely on parasites expressing genetically encoded tags was developed, therefore suitable for imaging the liver stages of Plasmodium species that lack established protocols to perform genetic engineering. This study also provides a dataset that characterizes the ultrastructural features of liver stage schizonts and hypnozoites from the simian parasite species P. cynomolgi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Mitchell
- Open Innovation at Global Health Disease Area, Biomedical Research, Novartis, Emeryville, CA, USA.
| | - Laura Torres
- Open Innovation at Global Health Disease Area, Biomedical Research, Novartis, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | | | - Melanie Lam
- Open Innovation at Global Health Disease Area, Biomedical Research, Novartis, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Vorada Chuenchob
- Global Health Disease Area, Biomedical Research, Novartis, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Reena Zalpuri
- Electron Microscope Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Shreya Ramasubban
- Electron Microscope Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Caitlin N Baxter
- Electron Microscope Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Erika L Flannery
- Global Health Disease Area, Biomedical Research, Novartis, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Anke Harupa
- Global Health Disease Area, Biomedical Research, Novartis, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | | | - Danielle M Jorgens
- Electron Microscope Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Maher SP, Vantaux A, Chaumeau V, Chua ACY, Cooper CA, Andolina C, Péneau J, Rouillier M, Rizopoulos Z, Phal S, Piv E, Vong C, Phen S, Chhin C, Tat B, Ouk S, Doeurk B, Kim S, Suriyakan S, Kittiphanakun P, Awuku NA, Conway AJ, Jiang RHY, Russell B, Bifani P, Campo B, Nosten F, Witkowski B, Kyle DE. Probing the distinct chemosensitivity of Plasmodium vivax liver stage parasites and demonstration of 8-aminoquinoline radical cure activity in vitro. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19905. [PMID: 34620901 PMCID: PMC8497498 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99152-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Improved control of Plasmodium vivax malaria can be achieved with the discovery of new antimalarials with radical cure efficacy, including prevention of relapse caused by hypnozoites residing in the liver of patients. We screened several compound libraries against P. vivax liver stages, including 1565 compounds against mature hypnozoites, resulting in one drug-like and several probe-like hits useful for investigating hypnozoite biology. Primaquine and tafenoquine, administered in combination with chloroquine, are currently the only FDA-approved antimalarials for radical cure, yet their activity against mature P. vivax hypnozoites has not yet been demonstrated in vitro. By developing an extended assay, we show both drugs are individually hypnozonticidal and made more potent when partnered with chloroquine, similar to clinically relevant combinations. Post-hoc analyses of screening data revealed excellent performance of ionophore controls and the high quality of single point assays, demonstrating a platform able to support screening of greater compound numbers. A comparison of P. vivax liver stage activity data with that of the P. cynomolgi blood, P. falciparum blood, and P. berghei liver stages reveals overlap in schizonticidal but not hypnozonticidal activity, indicating that the delivery of new radical curative agents killing P. vivax hypnozoites requires an independent and focused drug development test cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven P Maher
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Dr. Suite 370, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| | - Amélie Vantaux
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 12201, Cambodia
| | - Victor Chaumeau
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 68/30 Bantung Rd., Mae Sot, Tak, 63110, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Adeline C Y Chua
- Infectious Diseases Laboratories (ID Labs), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Immunos, Biopolis, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Caitlin A Cooper
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Dr. Suite 370, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Chiara Andolina
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 68/30 Bantung Rd., Mae Sot, Tak, 63110, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Julie Péneau
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 12201, Cambodia
| | - Mélanie Rouillier
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Zaira Rizopoulos
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sivchheng Phal
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 12201, Cambodia
| | - Eakpor Piv
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 12201, Cambodia
| | - Chantrea Vong
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 12201, Cambodia
| | - Sreyvouch Phen
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 12201, Cambodia
| | - Chansophea Chhin
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 12201, Cambodia
| | - Baura Tat
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 12201, Cambodia
| | - Sivkeng Ouk
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 12201, Cambodia
| | - Bros Doeurk
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 12201, Cambodia
| | - Saorin Kim
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 12201, Cambodia
| | - Sangrawee Suriyakan
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 68/30 Bantung Rd., Mae Sot, Tak, 63110, Thailand
| | - Praphan Kittiphanakun
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 68/30 Bantung Rd., Mae Sot, Tak, 63110, Thailand
| | - Nana Akua Awuku
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Dr. Suite 370, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Amy J Conway
- Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease Research, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Blvd Suite 402, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Rays H Y Jiang
- Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, Center for Global Health and Infectious Disease Research, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Blvd Suite 402, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Bruce Russell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Pablo Bifani
- Infectious Diseases Laboratories (ID Labs), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Immunos, Biopolis, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117545, Singapore
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Brice Campo
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - François Nosten
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 68/30 Bantung Rd., Mae Sot, Tak, 63110, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Benoît Witkowski
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 12201, Cambodia.
| | - Dennis E Kyle
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Dr. Suite 370, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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Schäfer C, Zanghi G, Vaughan AM, Kappe SHI. Plasmodium vivax Latent Liver Stage Infection and Relapse: Biological Insights and New Experimental Tools. Annu Rev Microbiol 2021; 75:87-106. [PMID: 34196569 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-032421-061155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread human malaria parasite, in part because it can form latent liver stages known as hypnozoites after transmission by female anopheline mosquitoes to human hosts. These persistent stages can activate weeks, months, or even years after the primary clinical infection; replicate; and initiate relapses of blood stage infection, which causes disease and recurring transmission. Eliminating hypnozoites is a substantial obstacle for malaria treatment and eradication since the hypnozoite reservoir is undetectable and unaffected by most antimalarial drugs. Importantly, in some parts of the globe where P. vivax malaria is endemic, as many as 90% of P. vivax blood stage infections are thought to be relapses rather than primary infections, rendering the hypnozoite a major driver of P. vivax epidemiology. Here, we review the biology of the hypnozoite and recent discoveries concerning this enigmatic parasite stage. We discuss treatment and prevention challenges, novel animal models to study hypnozoites and relapse, and hypotheses related to hypnozoite formation and activation. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 75 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Schäfer
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA; , , ,
| | - Gigliola Zanghi
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA; , , ,
| | - Ashley M Vaughan
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA; , , , .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA
| | - Stefan H I Kappe
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA; , , , .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA.,Deparment of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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Buyon LE, Elsworth B, Duraisingh MT. The molecular basis of antimalarial drug resistance in Plasmodium vivax. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2021; 16:23-37. [PMID: 33957488 PMCID: PMC8113647 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is the most geographically widespread cause of human malaria and is responsible for the majority of cases outside of the African continent. While great progress has been made towards eliminating human malaria, drug resistant parasite strains pose a threat towards continued progress. Resistance has arisen to multiple antimalarials in P. vivax, including to chloroquine, which is currently the first line therapy for P. vivax in most regions. Despite its importance, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in this species remains elusive, in large part due to the complex biology of P. vivax and the lack of in vitro culture. In this review, we will cover the extent and challenges of measuring clinical and in vitro drug resistance in P. vivax. We will consider the roles of candidate drug resistance genes. We will highlight the development of molecular approaches for studying P. vivax biology that provide the opportunity to validate the role of putative drug resistance mutations as well as identify novel mechanisms of drug resistance in this understudied parasite. Validated molecular determinants and markers of drug resistance are essential for the rapid and cost-effective monitoring of drug resistance in P. vivax, and will be useful for optimizing drug regimens and for informing drug policy in control and elimination settings. Drug resistance is emerging in Plasmodium vivax, an important cause of malaria. The complex biology of P. vivax and the limited range of research tools make it difficult to identify drug resistance. The molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in P. vivax remain elusive. This review highlights the extent of drug resistance, the putative mechanisms of resistance and new technologies for the study of P. vivax drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas E Buyon
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, MA, USA
| | - Brendan Elsworth
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, MA, USA
| | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, MA, USA.
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