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Tajudeen YA, Oladipo HJ, Yusuff SI, Abimbola SO, Abdulkadir M, Oladunjoye IO, Omotosho AO, Egbewande OM, Shittu HD, Yusuf RO, Ogundipe O, Muili AO, Afolabi AO, Dahesh SMA, Gameil MAM, El-Sherbini MS. A landscape review of malaria vaccine candidates in the pipeline. Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines 2024; 10:19. [PMID: 39085983 PMCID: PMC11293096 DOI: 10.1186/s40794-024-00222-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, malaria continues to pose a major health challenge, with approximately 247 million cases of the illness and 627,000 deaths reported in 2021. However, the threat is particularly pronounced in sub-Saharan African countries, where pregnant women and children under the age of five face heightened vulnerability to the disease. As a result, the imperative to develop malaria vaccines especially for these vulnerable populations, remains crucial in the pursuit of malaria eradication. However, despite decades of research, effective vaccine development faces technical challenges, including the rapid spread of drug-resistant parasite strains, the complex parasite lifecycle, the development of liver hypnozoites with potential for relapse, and evasion of the host immune system. This review aims to discuss the different malaria vaccine candidates in the pipeline, highlighting different approaches used for adjuvating these candidates, their benefits, and outcomes, and summarizing the progress of these vaccine candidates under development. METHOD A comprehensive web-based search for peer-reviewed journal articles published in SCOPUS, MEDLINE (via PubMed), Science Direct, WHO, and Advanced Google Scholar databases was conducted from 1990 to May 2022. Context-specific keywords such as "Malaria", "Malaria Vaccine", "Malaria Vaccine Candidates", "Vaccine Development", "Vaccine Safety", "Clinical Trials", "mRNA Vaccines", "Viral Vector Vaccines", "Protein-based Vaccines", "Subunit Vaccines", "Vaccine Adjuvants", "Vaccine-induced Immune Responses", and "Immunogenicity" were emphatically considered. Articles not directly related to malaria vaccine candidates in preclinical and clinical stages of development were excluded. RESULTS Various approaches have been studied for malaria vaccine development, targeting different parasite lifecycle stages, including the pre-erythrocytic, erythrocytic, and sexual stages. The RTS, S/AS01 vaccine, the first human parasite vaccine reaching WHO-listed authority maturity level 4, has demonstrated efficacy in preventing clinical malaria in African children. However, progress was slow in introducing other safe, and feasible malaria vaccines through clinical trials . Recent studies highlight the potential effectiveness of combining pre-erythrocytic and blood-stage vaccines, along with the advantages of mRNA vaccines for prophylaxis and treatment, and nonstructural vaccines for large-scale production. CONCLUSION Malaria vaccine candidates targeting different lifecycle stages of the parasite range from chemoprophylaxis vaccination to cross-species immune protection. The use of a multi-antigen, multi-stage combinational vaccine is therefore essential in the context of global health. This demands careful understanding and critical consideration of the long-term multi-faceted interplay of immune interference, co-dominance, complementary immune response, molecular targets, and adjuvants affecting the overall vaccine-induced immune response. Despite challenges, advancements in clinical trials and vaccination technology offer promising possibilities for novel approaches in malaria vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf Amuda Tajudeen
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, 240003, Nigeria
- Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, P.M.B 5017 G.P.O, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Habeebullah Jayeola Oladipo
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, 240003, Nigeria
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, 240003, Nigeria
| | - Sodiq Inaolaji Yusuff
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ibadan- Ife Rd, Ife, 220282, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Samuel O Abimbola
- Cyprus International Institute of Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, 3036, Cyprus
| | - Muritala Abdulkadir
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, 240003, Nigeria
| | - Iyiola Olatunji Oladunjoye
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, 240003, Nigeria
| | - Abass Olawale Omotosho
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kwara State University, P.M.B 1530, Malete-Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Rashidat Onyinoyi Yusuf
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, 240003, Nigeria
| | - Oluwatosin Ogundipe
- Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, P.M.B 5017 G.P.O, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Abdulbasit Opeyemi Muili
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B 4000, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Abdullateef Opeyemi Afolabi
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kampala International University, Bushenyi, Uganda.
| | - Salwa M A Dahesh
- Research Institute of Medical Entomology, General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes, GOTHI, Damietta, Egypt
| | | | - Mona Said El-Sherbini
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
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Yanik S, Venkatesh V, Gordy JT, Gabriel-Alameh M, Meza J, Li Y, Glass E, Flores-Garcia Y, Tam Y, Chaiyawong N, Sarkar D, Weissman D, Markham R, Srinivasan P. Immature dendritic cell-targeting mRNA vaccine expressing PfCSP enhances protective immune responses against Plasmodium liver infection. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4656309. [PMID: 39041038 PMCID: PMC11261966 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4656309/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Resurgence in malaria has been noted in 2022 with 249 million clinical cases resulting in 608,000 deaths, mostly in children under five. Two vaccines, RTS, S, and more recently R21, targeting the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) are recommended by the WHO but are not yet widely available. Strong humoral responses to neutralize sporozoites before they can infect the hepatocytes are important for vaccine-mediated protection. Suboptimal protection conferred by these first-generation vaccines highlight the need for approaches to improve vaccine-induced immune responses. With the recent success of mRNA-LNP vaccines against COVID-19, there is growing interest in leveraging this approach to enhance malaria vaccines. Here, we present the development of a novel chemokine fusion mRNA vaccine aimed at boosting immune responses to PfCSP by targeting the immunogen to immature dendritic cells (iDC). Vaccination of mice with mRNA encoding full-length CSP fused to macrophage inflammatory protein 3 alpha (MIP3α) encapsulated within lipid nanoparticles (LNP) elicited robust CD4+ T cell responses and enhanced antibody titers against NANP repeat epitopes compared to a conventional CSP mRNA-LNP vaccine. Importantly, the CSP-MIP3α fusion vaccine provided significantly greater protection against liver infection upon challenge with P. berghei PfCSP transgenic sporozoites. This enhanced protection was associated with multifunctional CD4+ T cells levels and anti-NANP repeat titers. This study highlights the potential to augment immune responses to PfCSP through iDC targeting and bolster protection against malaria liver infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Yanik
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Varsha Venkatesh
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - James T Gordy
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | | | - Jacob Meza
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yangchen Li
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Elizabeth Glass
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yevel Flores-Garcia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Ying Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nattawat Chaiyawong
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Deepti Sarkar
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Drew Weissman
- Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Richard Markham
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Prakash Srinivasan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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3
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Costa-Gouvea TBL, Françoso KS, Marques RF, Gimenez AM, Faria ACM, Cariste LM, Dominguez MR, Vasconcelos JRC, Nakaya HI, Silveira ELV, Soares IS. Poly I:C elicits broader and stronger humoral and cellular responses to a Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein malaria vaccine than Alhydrogel in mice. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1331474. [PMID: 38650939 PMCID: PMC11033515 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1331474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a global health challenge, necessitating the development of effective vaccines. The RTS,S vaccination prevents Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria but is ineffective against Plasmodium vivax (Pv) disease. Herein, we evaluated the murine immunogenicity of a recombinant PvCSP incorporating prevalent polymorphisms, adjuvanted with Alhydrogel or Poly I:C. Both formulations induced prolonged IgG responses, with IgG1 dominance by the Alhydrogel group and high titers of all IgG isotypes by the Poly I:C counterpart. Poly I:C-adjuvanted vaccination increased splenic plasma cells, terminally-differentiated memory cells (MBCs), and precursors relative to the Alhydrogel-combined immunization. Splenic B-cells from Poly I:C-vaccinated mice revealed an antibody-secreting cell- and MBC-differentiating gene expression profile. Biological processes such as antibody folding and secretion were highlighted by the Poly I:C-adjuvanted vaccination. These findings underscore the potential of Poly I:C to strengthen immune responses against Pv malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany B. L. Costa-Gouvea
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katia S. Françoso
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo F. Marques
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alba Marina Gimenez
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana C. M. Faria
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leonardo M. Cariste
- Laboratório de Vacinas Recombinantes, Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, Brazil
| | - Mariana R. Dominguez
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Ronnie C. Vasconcelos
- Laboratório de Vacinas Recombinantes, Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, Brazil
| | - Helder I. Nakaya
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Institut Pasteur São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo L. V. Silveira
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Irene S. Soares
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Zhu C, Jiao S, Xu W. CD8 + Trms against malaria liver-stage: prospects and challenges. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1344941. [PMID: 38318178 PMCID: PMC10839007 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1344941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Attenuated sporozoites provide a valuable model for exploring protective immunity against the malarial liver stage, guiding the design of highly efficient vaccines to prevent malaria infection. Liver tissue-resident CD8+ T cells (CD8+ Trm cells) are considered the host front-line defense against malaria and are crucial to developing prime-trap/target strategies for pre-erythrocytic stage vaccine immunization. However, the spatiotemporal regulatory mechanism of the generation of liver CD8+ Trm cells and their responses to sporozoite challenge, as well as the protective antigens they recognize remain largely unknown. Here, we discuss the knowledge gap regarding liver CD8+ Trm cell formation and the potential strategies to identify predominant protective antigens expressed in the exoerythrocytic stage, which is essential for high-efficacy malaria subunit pre-erythrocytic vaccine designation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyu Zhu
- The School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Shiming Jiao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Wenyue Xu
- The School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
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5
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MacMillen Z, Hatzakis K, Simpson A, Shears MJ, Watson F, Erasmus JH, Khandhar AP, Wilder B, Murphy SC, Reed SG, Davie JW, Avril M. Accelerated prime-and-trap vaccine regimen in mice using repRNA-based CSP malaria vaccine. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:12. [PMID: 38200025 PMCID: PMC10781674 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00799-4] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, remains one of the most devastating infectious diseases worldwide, despite control efforts to lower morbidity and mortality. Both advanced candidate vaccines, RTS,S and R21, are subunit (SU) vaccines that target a single Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) pre-erythrocytic (PE) sporozoite (spz) surface protein known as circumsporozoite (CS). These vaccines induce humoral immunity but fail to elicit CD8 + T-cell responses sufficient for long-term protection. In contrast, whole-organism (WO) vaccines, such as Radiation Attenuated Sporozoites (RAS), achieved sterile protection but require a series of intravenous doses administered in multiple clinic visits. Moreover, these WO vaccines must be produced in mosquitos, a burdensome process that severely limits their availability. To reduce reliance on WO while maintaining protection via both antibodies and Trm responses, we have developed an accelerated vaccination regimen that combines two distinct agents in a prime-and-trap strategy. The priming dose is a single dose of self-replicating RNA encoding the full-length P. yoelii CS protein, delivered via an advanced cationic nanocarrier (LIONTM). The trapping dose consists of one dose of WO RAS. Our vaccine induces a strong immune response when administered in an accelerated regimen, i.e., either 5-day or same-day immunization. Additionally, mice after same-day immunization showed a 2-day delay of blood patency with 90% sterile protection against a 3-week spz challenge. The same-day regimen also induced durable 70% sterile protection against a 2-month spz challenge. Our approach presents a clear path to late-stage preclinical and clinical testing of dose-sparing, same-day regimens that can confer sterilizing protection against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary MacMillen
- MalarVx, Inc 1551 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | - Kiara Hatzakis
- MalarVx, Inc 1551 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | - Adrian Simpson
- HDT Bio, 1150 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 200A, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Melanie J Shears
- University of Washington, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 750 Republican St., F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Felicia Watson
- University of Washington, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 750 Republican St., F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Jesse H Erasmus
- HDT Bio, 1150 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 200A, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Amit P Khandhar
- HDT Bio, 1150 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 200A, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Brandon Wilder
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Building 1, Room 2220, 505 NW 185th Ave, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Sean C Murphy
- University of Washington, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 750 Republican St., F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Steven G Reed
- HDT Bio, 1150 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 200A, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - James W Davie
- MalarVx, Inc 1551 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | - Marion Avril
- MalarVx, Inc 1551 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA.
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6
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Geens R, Stanisich J, Beyens O, D'Hondt S, Thiberge J, Ryckebosch A, De Groot A, Magez S, Vertommen D, Amino R, De Winter H, Volkov AN, Tompa P, Sterckx YG. Biophysical characterization of the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein's N-terminal domain. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4852. [PMID: 38059674 PMCID: PMC10749493 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4852] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is the main surface antigen of the Plasmodium sporozoite (SPZ) and forms the basis of the currently only licensed anti-malarial vaccine (RTS,S/AS01). CSP uniformly coats the SPZ and plays a pivotal role in its immunobiology, in both the insect and the vertebrate hosts. Although CSP's N-terminal domain (CSPN ) has been reported to play an important role in multiple CSP functions, a thorough biophysical and structural characterization of CSPN is currently lacking. Here, we present an alternative method for the recombinant production and purification of CSPN from Plasmodium falciparum (PfCSPN ), which provides pure, high-quality protein preparations with high yields. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining in-solution experimental methods and in silico analyses, we provide strong evidence that PfCSPN is an intrinsically disordered region displaying some degree of compaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Geens
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry (LMB)University of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
- Structural Biology BrusselsVrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
| | - Jessica Stanisich
- Cellular and Molecular ImmunologyVrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
| | - Olivier Beyens
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry (UAMC)University of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Stijn D'Hondt
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry (UAMC)University of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | | | - Amber Ryckebosch
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry (LMB)University of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Anke De Groot
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry (LMB)University of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Stefan Magez
- Cellular and Molecular ImmunologyVrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
- Ghent University Global CampusIncheonSouth Korea
| | - Didier Vertommen
- de Duve Institute and MASSPROT Platform, UCLouvainBrusselsBelgium
| | - Rogerio Amino
- Unit of Malaria Infection & ImmunityInstitut PasteurParisFrance
| | - Hans De Winter
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry (UAMC)University of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Alexander N. Volkov
- Structural Biology BrusselsVrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
- VIB‐VUB Center for Structural BiologyVlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB)BrusselsBelgium
- Jean Jeener NMR CentreVrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
| | - Peter Tompa
- Structural Biology BrusselsVrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
- VIB‐VUB Center for Structural BiologyVlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB)BrusselsBelgium
- Institute of Enzymology, Biological Research CenterHungarian Academy of SciencesBudapestHungary
| | - Yann G.‐J. Sterckx
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry (LMB)University of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
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Powell TJ, Tang J, Mitchell R, DeRome ME, Jacobs A, Palath N, Cardenas E, Yorke M, Boyd JG, Kaba SA, Nardin E. Immunogenicity, Efficacy, and Safety of a Novel Synthetic Microparticle Pre-Erythrocytic Malaria Vaccine in Multiple Host Species. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1789. [PMID: 38140193 PMCID: PMC10748200 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121789] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously reported a protective antibody response in mice immunized with synthetic microparticle vaccines made using layer-by-layer fabrication (LbL-MP) and containing the conserved T1BT* epitopes from the P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein. To further optimize the vaccine candidate, a benchtop tangential flow filtration method (LbL-by-TFF) was developed and utilized to produce vaccine candidates that differed in the status of base layer crosslinking, inclusion of a TLR2 ligand in the antigenic peptide, and substitution of serine or alanine for an unpaired cysteine residue in the T* epitope. Studies in mice revealed consistent superiority of the Pam3Cys-modified candidates and a modest benefit of base layer crosslinking, as evidenced by higher and more persistent antibody titers (up to 18 months post-immunization), a qualitative improvement of T-cell responses toward a Th1 phenotype, and greater protection from live parasite challenges compared to the unmodified prototype candidate. Immunogenicity was also tested in a non-human primate model, the rhesus macaque. Base layer-crosslinked LbL-MP loaded with T1BT* peptide with or without covalently linked Pam3Cys elicited T1B-specific antibody responses and T1BT*-specific T-cell responses dominated by IFNγ secretion with lower levels of IL-5 secretion. The Pam3Cys-modified construct was more potent, generating antibody responses that neutralized wild-type P. falciparum in an in vitro hepatocyte invasion assay. IgG purified from individual macaques immunized with Pam3Cys.T1BT* LbL-MP protected naïve mice from challenges with transgenic P. berghei sporozoites that expressed the full-length PfCS protein, with 50-88% of passively immunized mice parasite-free for ≥15 days. Substitution of serine for an unpaired cysteine in the T* region of the T1BT* subunit did not adversely impact immune potency in the mouse while simplifying the manufacture of the antigenic peptide. In a Good Laboratory Practices compliant rabbit toxicology study, the base layer-crosslinked, Pam3Cys-modified, serine-substituted candidate was shown to be safe and immunogenic, eliciting parasite-neutralizing antibody responses and establishing the dose/route/regimen for a clinical evaluation of this novel synthetic microparticle pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Powell
- Artificial Cell Technologies, Inc., 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; (J.T.); (M.E.D.); (A.J.); (N.P.); (E.C.); (M.Y.); (J.G.B.)
| | - Jie Tang
- Artificial Cell Technologies, Inc., 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; (J.T.); (M.E.D.); (A.J.); (N.P.); (E.C.); (M.Y.); (J.G.B.)
| | - Robert Mitchell
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA; (R.M.); (E.N.)
| | - Mary E. DeRome
- Artificial Cell Technologies, Inc., 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; (J.T.); (M.E.D.); (A.J.); (N.P.); (E.C.); (M.Y.); (J.G.B.)
- Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851, USA
| | - Andrea Jacobs
- Artificial Cell Technologies, Inc., 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; (J.T.); (M.E.D.); (A.J.); (N.P.); (E.C.); (M.Y.); (J.G.B.)
| | - Naveen Palath
- Artificial Cell Technologies, Inc., 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; (J.T.); (M.E.D.); (A.J.); (N.P.); (E.C.); (M.Y.); (J.G.B.)
- Pfizer, Inc., Andover, MA 01810, USA
| | - Edwin Cardenas
- Artificial Cell Technologies, Inc., 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; (J.T.); (M.E.D.); (A.J.); (N.P.); (E.C.); (M.Y.); (J.G.B.)
| | - Michelle Yorke
- Artificial Cell Technologies, Inc., 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; (J.T.); (M.E.D.); (A.J.); (N.P.); (E.C.); (M.Y.); (J.G.B.)
| | - James G. Boyd
- Artificial Cell Technologies, Inc., 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; (J.T.); (M.E.D.); (A.J.); (N.P.); (E.C.); (M.Y.); (J.G.B.)
| | - Stephen A. Kaba
- Malaria Vaccine Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA;
- GreenLight Biosciences, Inc., Lexington, MA 02421, USA
| | - Elizabeth Nardin
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA; (R.M.); (E.N.)
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8
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Xia M, Huang P, Vago F, Jiang W, Tan M. Pseudovirus Nanoparticles Displaying Plasmodium Circumsporozoite Proteins Elicited High Titers of Sporozoite-Binding Antibody. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1650. [PMID: 38005982 PMCID: PMC10674615 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND malaria caused by Plasmodium parasites remains a public health threat. The circumsporozoite proteins (CSPs) of Plasmodium sporozoite play a key role in Plasmodium infection, serving as an excellent vaccine target. METHODS using a self-assembled S60 nanoparticle platform, we generated pseudovirus nanoparticles (PVNPs) displaying CSPs, named S-CSPs, for enhanced immunogenicity. RESULTS purified Hisx6-tagged or tag-free S-CSPs self-assembled into PVNPs that consist of a norovirus S60 inner shell and multiple surface-displayed CSPs. The majority of the PVNPs measured ~27 nm with some size variations, and their three-dimensional structure was modeled. The PVNP-displayed CSPs retained their glycan receptor-binding function. A mouse immunization study showed that PVNPs induced a high antibody response against CSP antigens and the PVNP-immunized mouse sera stained the CSPs of Plasmodium sporozoites at high titer. CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION the PVNP-displayed CSPs retain their authentic antigenic feature and receptor-binding function. The CSP-specific antibody elicited by the S-CSP PVNPs binds original CSPs and potentially inhibits the attachment of Plasmodium sporozoites to their host cells, a key step for liver invasion by the sporozoites. Thus, S-CSP PVNPs may be an excellent vaccine candidate against malaria caused by Plasmodium parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Xia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (M.X.); (P.H.)
| | - Pengwei Huang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (M.X.); (P.H.)
| | - Frank Vago
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (F.V.); (W.J.)
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (F.V.); (W.J.)
| | - Ming Tan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (M.X.); (P.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
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9
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Aguirre-Botero MC, Wang LT, Formaglio P, Aliprandini E, Thiberge JM, Schön A, Flores-Garcia Y, Mathis-Torres S, Flynn BJ, da Silva Pereira L, Le Duff Y, Hurley M, Nacer A, Bowyer PW, Zavala F, Idris AH, Francica JR, Seder RA, Amino R. Cytotoxicity of human antibodies targeting the circumsporozoite protein is amplified by 3D substrate and correlates with protection. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112681. [PMID: 37389992 PMCID: PMC10468621 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112681] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Human monoclonal antibodies (hmAbs) targeting the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) on the sporozoite surface are a promising tool for preventing malaria infection. However, their mechanisms of protection remain unclear. Here, using 13 distinctive PfCSP hmAbs, we provide a comprehensive view of how PfCSP hmAbs neutralize sporozoites in host tissues. Sporozoites are most vulnerable to hmAb-mediated neutralization in the skin. However, rare but potent hmAbs additionally neutralize sporozoites in the blood and liver. Efficient protection in tissues mainly associates with high-affinity and high-cytotoxicity hmAbs inducing rapid parasite loss-of-fitness in the absence of complement and host cells in vitro. A 3D-substrate assay greatly enhances hmAb cytotoxicity and mimics the skin-dependent protection, indicating that the physical stress imposed on motile sporozoites by the skin is crucial for unfolding the protective potential of hmAbs. This functional 3D cytotoxicity assay can thus be useful for downselecting potent anti-PfCSP hmAbs and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela C Aguirre-Botero
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Malaria Infection and Immunity, BioSPC, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Lawrence T Wang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Pauline Formaglio
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Malaria Infection and Immunity, BioSPC, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Eduardo Aliprandini
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Malaria Infection and Immunity, BioSPC, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Michel Thiberge
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Malaria Infection and Immunity, BioSPC, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Arne Schön
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Yevel Flores-Garcia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Shamika Mathis-Torres
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Barbara J Flynn
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lais da Silva Pereira
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yann Le Duff
- Centre for Aids Reagents, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Mathew Hurley
- Centre for Aids Reagents, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Adéla Nacer
- Division of Bacteriology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Paul W Bowyer
- Division of Bacteriology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Fidel Zavala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Azza H Idris
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph R Francica
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert A Seder
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
| | - Rogerio Amino
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Malaria Infection and Immunity, BioSPC, F-75015, Paris, France.
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10
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MacMillen Z, Hatzakis K, Simpson A, Shears M, Watson F, Erasmus J, Khandhar A, Wilder B, Murphy S, Reed S, Davie J, Avril M. Accelerated prime-and-trap vaccine regimen in mice using repRNA-based CSP malaria vaccine. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3045076. [PMID: 37461621 PMCID: PMC10350175 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3045076/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, remains one of the most devastating infectious diseases worldwide, despite control efforts that have lowered morbidity and mortality. The only P. falciparum vaccine candidates to show field efficacy are those targeting the asymptomatic pre-erythrocytic (PE) stages of infection. The subunit (SU) RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, the only licensed malaria vaccine to date, is only modestly effective against clinical malaria. Both RTS,S/AS01 and the SU R21 vaccine candidate target the PE sporozoite (spz) circumsporozoite (CS) protein. These candidates elicit high-titer antibodies that provide short-term protection from disease, but do not induce the liver-resident memory CD8+ T cells (Trm) that confer strong PE immunity and long-term protection. In contrast, whole-organism (WO) vaccines, employing for example radiation-attenuated spz (RAS), elicit both high antibody titers and Trm, and have achieved high levels of sterilizing protection. However, they require multiple intravenous (IV) doses, which must be administered at intervals of several weeks, complicating mass administration in the field. Moreover, the quantities of spz required present production difficulties. To reduce reliance on WO while maintaining protection via both antibodies and Trm responses, we have developed an accelerated vaccination regimen that combines two distinct agents in a prime-and-trap strategy. While the priming dose is a self-replicating RNA encoding P. yoelii CS protein, delivered via an advanced cationic nanocarrier (LION™), the trapping dose consists of WO RAS. This accelerated regime confers sterile protection in the P. yoelii mouse model of malaria. Our approach presents a clear path to late-stage preclinical and clinical testing of dose-sparing, same-day regimens that can confer sterilizing protection against malaria.
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11
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Xia M, Vago F, Han L, Huang P, Nguyen L, Boons GJ, Klassen JS, Jiang W, Tan M. The αTSR Domain of Plasmodium Circumsporozoite Protein Bound Heparan Sulfates and Elicited High Titers of Sporozoite Binding Antibody After Displayed by Nanoparticles. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:3087-3107. [PMID: 37312932 PMCID: PMC10259582 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s406314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Malaria is a devastating infectious illness caused by protozoan Plasmodium parasites. The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) on Plasmodium sporozoites binds heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) receptors for liver invasion, a critical step for prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. Methods In this study, we characterized the αTSR domain that covers region III and the thrombospondin type-I repeat (TSR) of the CSP using various biochemical, glycobiological, bioengineering, and immunological approaches. Results We found for the first time that the αTSR bound heparan sulfate (HS) glycans through support by a fused protein, indicating that the αTSR is a key functional domain and thus a vaccine target. When the αTSR was fused to the S domain of norovirus VP1, the fusion protein self-assembled into uniform S60-αTSR nanoparticles. Three-dimensional structure reconstruction revealed that each nanoparticle consists of an S60 nanoparticle core and 60 surface displayed αTSR antigens. The nanoparticle displayed αTSRs retained the binding function to HS glycans, indicating that they maintained authentic conformations. Both tagged and tag-free S60-αTSR nanoparticles were produced via the Escherichia coli system at high yield by scalable approaches. They are highly immunogenic in mice, eliciting high titers of αTSR-specific antibody that bound specifically to the CSPs of Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites at high titer. Discussion and Conclusion Our data demonstrated that the αTSR is an important functional domain of the CSP. The S60-αTSR nanoparticle displaying multiple αTSR antigens is a promising vaccine candidate potentially against attachment and infection of Plasmodium parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Xia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Frank Vago
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Ling Han
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Pengwei Huang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Linh Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Geert-Jan Boons
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - John S Klassen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Ming Tan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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12
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MacMillen Z, Hatzakis K, Simpson A, Shears MJ, Watson F, Erasmus JH, Khandhar AP, Wilder B, Murphy SC, Reed SG, Davie JW, Avril M. Accelerated prime-and-trap vaccine regimen in mice using repRNA-based CSP malaria vaccine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.23.541932. [PMID: 37292739 PMCID: PMC10245832 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.23.541932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, remains one of the most devastating infectious diseases worldwide, despite control efforts that have lowered morbidity and mortality. The only P. falciparum vaccine candidates to show field efficacy are those targeting the asymptomatic pre-erythrocytic (PE) stages of infection. The subunit (SU) RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, the only licensed malaria vaccine to date, is only modestly effective against clinical malaria. Both RTS,S/AS01 and the SU R21 vaccine candidate target the PE sporozoite (spz) circumsporozoite (CS) protein. These candidates elicit high-titer antibodies that provide short-term protection from disease, but do not induce the liver-resident memory CD8+ T cells (Trm) that confer strong PE immunity and long-term protection. In contrast, whole-organism (WO) vaccines, employing for example radiation-attenuated spz (RAS), elicit both high antibody titers and Trm, and have achieved high levels of sterilizing protection. However, they require multiple intravenous (IV) doses, which must be administered at intervals of several weeks, complicating mass administration in the field. Moreover, the quantities of spz required present production difficulties. To reduce reliance on WO while maintaining protection via both antibodies and Trm responses, we have developed an accelerated vaccination regimen that combines two distinct agents in a prime-and-trap strategy. While the priming dose is a self-replicating RNA encoding P. yoelii CS protein, delivered via an advanced cationic nanocarrier (LION™), the trapping dose consists of WO RAS. This accelerated regime confers sterile protection in the P. yoelii mouse model of malaria. Our approach presents a clear path to late-stage preclinical and clinical testing of dose-sparing, same-day regimens that can confer sterilizing protection against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kiara Hatzakis
- MalarVx, Inc 1551 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 100, Seattle WA 98102
| | - Adrian Simpson
- HDT Bio, 1616 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 280, Seattle WA 98102
| | - Melanie J. Shears
- University of Washington, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 750 Republican St., F870, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Felicia Watson
- University of Washington, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 750 Republican St., F870, Seattle, WA 98109
| | | | | | - Brandon Wilder
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Building 1, Room 2220, 505 NW 185th Ave, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Sean C. Murphy
- University of Washington, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 750 Republican St., F870, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Steven G. Reed
- HDT Bio, 1616 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 280, Seattle WA 98102
| | - James W. Davie
- MalarVx, Inc 1551 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 100, Seattle WA 98102
| | - Marion Avril
- MalarVx, Inc 1551 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 100, Seattle WA 98102
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13
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Malaria oocysts require circumsporozoite protein to evade mosquito immunity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3208. [PMID: 35680915 PMCID: PMC9184642 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30988-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites are less vulnerable to mosquito immune responses once ookinetes transform into oocysts, facilitating parasite development in the mosquito. However, the underlying mechanisms of oocyst resistance to mosquito defenses remain unclear. Here, we show that circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is required for rodent malaria oocysts to avoid mosquito defenses. Mosquito infection with CSPmut parasites (mutation in the CSP pexel I/II domains) induces nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 5 (NOX5)-mediated hemocyte nitration, thus activating Toll pathway and melanization of mature oocysts, upregulating hemocyte TEP1 expression, and causing defects in the release of sporozoites from oocysts. The pre-infection of mosquitoes with the CSPmut parasites reduces the burden of infection when re-challenged with CSPwt parasites by inducing hemocyte nitration. Thus, we demonstrate why oocysts are invisible to mosquito immunity and reveal an unknown role of CSP in the immune evasion of oocysts, indicating it as a potential target to block malaria transmission. Circumsporozoite protein (CSP), the major surface protein of Plasmodium sporozoites, is important for parasite targeting to mosquito salivary glands and the mammalian liver. Here, Zhu et al. show that CSP is required for rodent malaria oocysts to evade mosquito immunity by inducing hemocyte nitration and causing subsequent defects in sporozoite-release from oocysts.
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14
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Dessens JT, Hesping E. A conserved malaria parasite protein required for maintenance of sporozoite cell shape and transmission. Mol Microbiol 2022; 117:1293-1296. [PMID: 35429183 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Malaria parasites are transmitted by mosquitoes and a substantial part of the parasite's complex life cycle takes place inside the insect. Parasite transmission starts with the uptake of parasite stages called gametocytes from the vertebrate host with the blood meal of a female vector mosquito, completing several weeks later with the injection of parasite stages called sporozoites into the vertebrate host by mosquito bite. The sporozoites form in their thousands inside ookinete-derived oocysts situated on the abluminal side of the mosquito midgut epithelium by a process of cell division known as sporogony. After their formation, sporozoites egress from the oocyst into the haemolymph, invade the salivary glands and mature to become infective to the vertebrate. This MicroCommentary reviews recent reports describing a conserved plasma membrane-associated protein of Plasmodium berghei, PBANKA_1422900, and its role in maintaining the shape and structural integrity of sporozoites in salivary glands and during inoculation into the vertebrate host. Combined results from three separate studies provide mechanistic insights into how this protein achieves structural maintenance of the sporozoite, and how in turn this promotes the sporozoite's ability to overcome several physical obstacles and allow it to establish infection in the vertebrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes T Dessens
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Eva Hesping
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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15
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Scharfstein J. Brazilian immunology in Caxambu: beyond vaccination, a tribute to the pioneers of basic research in Chagas disease. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e210314chgsb. [PMID: 35544861 PMCID: PMC9088418 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760210314chgsb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julio Scharfstein
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Laboratório de Imunologia Molecular e Celular
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16
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Zheng H, Lu X, Li K, Zhu F, Zhao C, Liu T, Ding Y, Fu Y, Zhang K, Zhou T, Dai J, Wu Y, Xu W. ATG Ubiquitination Is Required for Circumsporozoite Protein to Subvert Host Innate Immunity Against Rodent Malaria Liver Stage. Front Immunol 2022; 13:815936. [PMID: 35222391 PMCID: PMC8864237 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.815936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Although exo-erythrocytic forms (EEFs) of liver stage malaria parasite in the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) are encountered with robust host innate immunity, EEFs can still survive and successfully complete the infection of hepatocytes, and the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we showed that sporozoite circumsporozoite protein (CSP) translocated from the parasitophorous vacuole into the hepatocyte cytoplasm significantly mediated the resistance to the killing of EEFs by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Attenuation of IFN-γ-mediated killing of EEFs by CSP was dependent on its ability to reduce the levels of autophagy-related genes (ATGs) in hepatocytes. The ATGs downregulation occurred through its enhanced ubiquitination mediated by E3 ligase NEDD4, an enzyme that was upregulated by CSP when it translocated from the cytoplasm into the nucleus of hepatocytes via its nuclear localization signal (NLS) domain. Thus, we have revealed an unrecognized role of CSP in subverting host innate immunity and shed new light for a prophylaxis strategy against liver-stage infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zheng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.,The Institute of Immunology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao Lu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Zhu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chenhao Zhao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Taiping Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Ding
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong Fu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Taoli Zhou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jigang Dai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuzhang Wu
- The Institute of Immunology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenyue Xu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
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17
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Singh D, Patri S, Narahari V, Segireddy RR, Dey S, Saurabh A, Macha V, Prabhu NP, Srivastava A, Kolli SK, Kota AK. A Conserved Plasmodium Structural Integrity Maintenance Protein (SIMP) is associated with sporozoite membrane and is essential for maintaining shape and infectivity. Mol Microbiol 2022; 117:1324-1339. [PMID: 35301756 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium sporozoites are extracellular forms introduced during mosquito bite that selectively invade mammalian hepatocytes. Sporozoites are delimited by a cell membrane that is linked to the underlying acto-myosin molecular motor. While membrane proteins with roles in motility and invasion have been well studied, very little is known about proteins that maintain the sporozoite shape. We demonstrate that in Plasmodium berghei (Pb) a conserved hypothetical gene, PBANKA_1422900 specifies sporozoite structural integrity maintenance protein (SIMP) required for maintaining the sporozoite shape and motility. Sporozoites lacking SIMP exhibited loss of regular shape, extensive membrane blebbing at multiple foci and membrane detachment. The mutant sporozoites failed to infect hepatocytes, though the altered shape did not affect the organisation of cytoskeleton or inner membrane complex (IMC). Interestingly, the components of IMC failed to extend under the membrane blebs likely suggesting that SIMP may assist in anchoring the membrane to IMC. Endogenous C-terminal HA tagging localized SIMP to membrane and revealed the C-terminus of the protein to be extracellular. Since SIMP is highly conserved amongst Plasmodium species, these findings have important implications for utilising it as a novel sporozoite specific vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipti Singh
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Smita Patri
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Veeda Narahari
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Rameswara R Segireddy
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Sandeep Dey
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Archi Saurabh
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Vijay Macha
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500032, India
| | - N Prakash Prabhu
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Anand Srivastava
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500032, India
| | - Surendra Kumar Kolli
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Arun Kumar Kota
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India
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18
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Arias CF, Acosta FJ, Fernandez-Arias C. Killing the competition: a theoretical framework for liver-stage malaria. Open Biol 2022; 12:210341. [PMID: 35350863 PMCID: PMC8965401 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The first stage of malaria infections takes place inside the host's hepatocytes. Remarkably, Plasmodium parasites do not infect hepatocytes immediately after reaching the liver. Instead, they migrate through several hepatocytes before infecting their definitive host cells, thus increasing their chances of immune destruction. Considering that malaria can proceed normally without cell traversal, this is indeed a puzzling behaviour. In fact, the role of hepatocyte traversal remains unknown to date, implying that the current understanding of malaria is incomplete. In this work, we hypothesize that the parasites traverse hepatocytes to actively trigger an immune response in the host. This behaviour would be part of a strategy of superinfection exclusion aimed to reduce intraspecific competition during the blood stage of the infection. Based on this hypothesis, we formulate a comprehensive theory of liver-stage malaria that integrates all the available knowledge about the infection. The interest of this new paradigm is not merely theoretical. It highlights major issues in the current empirical approach to the study of Plasmodium and suggests new strategies to fight malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemente F. Arias
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain,Grupo Interdisciplinar de Sistemas Complejos de Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Cristina Fernandez-Arias
- Departamento de Inmunología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain,Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
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19
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Lefebvre MN, Surette FA, Anthony SM, Vijay R, Jensen IJ, Pewe LL, Hancox LS, Van Braeckel-Budimir N, van de Wall S, Urban SL, Mix MR, Kurup SP, Badovinac VP, Butler NS, Harty JT. Expeditious recruitment of circulating memory CD8 T cells to the liver facilitates control of malaria. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109956. [PMID: 34731605 PMCID: PMC8628427 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating memory CD8 T cell trafficking and protective capacity during liver-stage malaria infection remains undefined. We find that effector memory CD8 T cells (Tem) infiltrate the liver within 6 hours after malarial or bacterial infections and mediate pathogen clearance. Tem recruitment coincides with rapid transcriptional upregulation of inflammatory genes in Plasmodium-infected livers. Recruitment requires CD8 T cell-intrinsic LFA-1 expression and the presence of liver phagocytes. Rapid Tem liver infiltration is distinct from recruitment to other non-lymphoid tissues in that it occurs both in the absence of liver tissue resident memory "sensing-and-alarm" function and ∼42 hours earlier than in lung infection by influenza virus. These data demonstrate relevance for Tem in protection against malaria and provide generalizable mechanistic insights germane to control of liver infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell N Lefebvre
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | - Fionna A Surette
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | - Scott M Anthony
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | - Rahul Vijay
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | - Isaac J Jensen
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | - Lecia L Pewe
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | - Lisa S Hancox
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | | | - Stephanie van de Wall
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | - Stina L Urban
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | - Madison R Mix
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | - Samarchith P Kurup
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | - Vladimir P Badovinac
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | - Noah S Butler
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
| | - John T Harty
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA.
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20
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Pan C, Yue H, Zhu L, Ma GH, Wang HL. Prophylactic vaccine delivery systems against epidemic infectious diseases. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 176:113867. [PMID: 34280513 PMCID: PMC8285224 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Prophylactic vaccines have evolved from traditional whole-cell vaccines to safer subunit vaccines. However, subunit vaccines still face problems, such as poor immunogenicity and low efficiency, while traditional adjuvants are usually unable to meet specific response needs. Advanced delivery vectors are important to overcome these barriers; they have favorable safety and effectiveness, tunable properties, precise location, and immunomodulatory capabilities. Nevertheless, there has been no systematic summary of the delivery systems to cover a wide range of infectious pathogens. We herein summarized and compared the delivery systems for major or epidemic infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. We also included the newly licensed vaccines (e.g., COVID-19 vaccines) and those close to licensure. Furthermore, we highlighted advanced delivery systems with high efficiency, cross-protection, or long-term protection against epidemic pathogens, and we put forward prospects and thoughts on the development of future prophylactic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Hua Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Li Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Guang-Hui Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.
| | - Heng-Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, PR China.
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21
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Hon C, Friesen J, Ingmundson A, Scheppan D, Hafalla JCR, Müller K, Matuschewski K. Conservation of S20 as an Ineffective and Disposable IFNγ-Inducing Determinant of Plasmodium Sporozoites Indicates Diversion of Cellular Immunity. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:703804. [PMID: 34421862 PMCID: PMC8377727 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.703804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite many decades of research to develop a malaria vaccine, only one vaccine candidate has been explored in pivotal phase III clinical trials. This candidate subunit vaccine consists of a portion of a single Plasmodium antigen, circumsporozoite protein (CSP). This antigen was initially identified in the murine malaria model and shown to contain an immunodominant and protective CD8+ T cell epitope specific to the H-2Kd (BALB/c)-restricted genetic background. A high-content screen for CD8+ epitopes in the H2Kb/Db (C57BL/6)-restricted genetic background, identified two distinct dominant epitopes. In this study, we present a characterization of one corresponding antigen, the Plasmodium sporozoite-specific protein S20. Plasmodium berghei S20 knockout sporozoites and liver stages developed normally in vitro and in vivo. This potent infectivity of s20(-) sporozoites permitted comparative analysis of knockout and wild-type parasites in cell-based vaccination. Protective immunity of irradiation-arrested s20(-) sporozoites in single, double and triple immunizations was similar to irradiated unaltered sporozoites in homologous challenge experiments. These findings demonstrate the presence of an immunogenic Plasmodium pre-erythrocytic determinant, which is not essential for eliciting protection. Although S20 is not needed for colonization of the mammalian host and for initiation of a blood infection, it is conserved amongst Plasmodium species. Malarial parasites express conserved, immunogenic proteins that are not required to establish infection but might play potential roles in diverting cellular immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin Hon
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Friesen
- Parasitology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany.,Medical Care Unit Labor 28 GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alyssa Ingmundson
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.,Parasitology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Diana Scheppan
- Parasitology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julius C R Hafalla
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katja Müller
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.,Parasitology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai Matuschewski
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.,Parasitology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
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22
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Cai J, Chen S, Zhu F, Lu X, Liu T, Xu W. Whole-Killed Blood-Stage Vaccine: Is It Worthwhile to Further Develop It to Control Malaria? Front Microbiol 2021; 12:670775. [PMID: 33995336 PMCID: PMC8119638 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.670775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Major challenges have been encountered regarding the development of highly efficient subunit malaria vaccines, and so whole-parasite vaccines have regained attention in recent years. The whole-killed blood-stage vaccine (WKV) is advantageous as it can be easily manufactured and efficiently induced protective immunity against a blood-stage challenge, as well as inducing cross-stage protection against both the liver and sexual-stages. However, it necessitates a high dose of parasitized red blood cell (pRBC) lysate for immunization, and this raises concerns regarding its safety and low immunogenicity. Knowledge of the major components of WKV that can induce or evade the host immune response, and the development of appropriate human-compatible adjuvants will greatly help to optimize the WKV. Therefore, we argue that the further development of the WKV is worthwhile to control and potentially eradicate malaria worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Cai
- College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Suilin Chen
- College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Zhu
- College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao Lu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Taiping Liu
- College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenyue Xu
- College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Department of Pathogenic Biology, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
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23
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Fernandez-Ruiz D, de Menezes MN, Holz LE, Ghilas S, Heath WR, Beattie L. Harnessing liver-resident memory T cells for protection against malaria. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:127-141. [PMID: 33501877 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1881485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM cells) are powerful mediators of protracted adaptive immunity to infection in peripheral organs. Harnessing TRM cells through vaccination hence promises unprecedented potential for protection against infection. A paramount example of this is malaria, a major infectious disease for which immunity through traditional vaccination strategies remains challenging. Liver TRM cells appear to be highly protective against malaria, and recent developments in our knowledge of the biology of these cells have defined promising, novel strategies for their induction. AREAS COVERED Here, we describe the path that led to the discovery of TRM cells and discuss the importance of liver TRM cells in immunity against Plasmodium spp. infection; we summarize current knowledge on TRM cell biology and discuss the current state and potential of TRM-based vaccination against malaria. EXPERT OPINION TRM based vaccination has emerged as a promising means to achieve efficient protection against malaria. Recent advances provide a solid basis for continuing the development of this area of research. Deeper understanding of the mechanisms that mediate TRM formation and maintenance and identification of immunogenic and protective target epitopes suitable for human vaccination remain the main challenges for translation of these discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fernandez-Ruiz
- Dept. Of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne,Vic, Australia
| | - Maria N de Menezes
- Dept. Of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Lauren E Holz
- Dept. Of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne,Vic, Australia
| | - Sonia Ghilas
- Dept. Of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne,Vic, Australia
| | - William R Heath
- Dept. Of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne,Vic, Australia
| | - Lynette Beattie
- Dept. Of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne,Vic, Australia
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24
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Abuga KM, Jones-Warner W, Hafalla JCR. Immune responses to malaria pre-erythrocytic stages: Implications for vaccine development. Parasite Immunol 2020; 43:e12795. [PMID: 32981095 PMCID: PMC7612353 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Radiation-attenuated sporozoites induce sterilizing immunity and remain the 'gold standard' for malaria vaccine development. Despite practical challenges in translating these whole sporozoite vaccines to large-scale intervention programmes, they have provided an excellent platform to dissect the immune responses to malaria pre-erythrocytic (PE) stages, comprising both sporozoites and exoerythrocytic forms. Investigations in rodent models have provided insights that led to the clinical translation of various vaccine candidates-including RTS,S/AS01, the most advanced candidate currently in a trial implementation programme in three African countries. With advances in immunology, transcriptomics and proteomics, and application of lessons from past failures, an effective, long-lasting and wide-scale malaria PE vaccine remains feasible. This review underscores the progress in PE vaccine development, focusing on our understanding of host-parasite immunological crosstalk in the tissue environments of the skin and the liver. We highlight possible gaps in the current knowledge of PE immunity that can impact future malaria vaccine development efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin Mokaya Abuga
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Department of Epidemiology and Demography, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - William Jones-Warner
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Julius Clemence R Hafalla
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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25
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Importance of the Immunodominant CD8 + T Cell Epitope of Plasmodium berghei Circumsporozoite Protein in Parasite- and Vaccine-Induced Protection. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00383-20. [PMID: 32719159 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00383-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) builds up the surface coat of sporozoites and is the leading malaria pre-erythrocytic-stage vaccine candidate. CSP has been shown to induce robust CD8+ T cell responses that are capable of eliminating developing parasites in hepatocytes, resulting in protective immunity. In this study, we characterized the importance of the immunodominant CSP-derived epitope SYIPSAEKI of Plasmodium berghei in both sporozoite- and vaccine-induced protection in murine infection models. In BALB/c mice, where SYIPSAEKI is efficiently presented in the context of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecule H-2-Kd, we established that epitope-specific CD8+ T cell responses contribute to parasite killing following sporozoite immunization. Yet, sterile protection was achieved in the absence of this epitope, substantiating the concept that other antigens can be sufficient for parasite-induced protective immunity. Furthermore, we demonstrated that SYIPSAEKI-specific CD8+ T cell responses elicited by viral-vectored CSP-expressing vaccines effectively targeted parasites in hepatocytes. The resulting sterile protection strictly relied on the expression of SYIPSAEKI. In C57BL/6 mice, which are unable to present the immunodominant epitope, CSP-based vaccines did not confer complete protection, despite the induction of high levels of CSP-specific antibodies. These findings underscore the significance of CSP in protection against malaria pre-erythrocytic stages and demonstrate that a significant proportion of the protection against the parasite is mediated by CD8+ T cells specific for the immunodominant CSP-derived epitope.
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26
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Skwarczynski M, Chandrudu S, Rigau-Planella B, Islam MT, Cheong YS, Liu G, Wang X, Toth I, Hussein WM. Progress in the Development of Subunit Vaccines against Malaria. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030373. [PMID: 32664421 PMCID: PMC7563759 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a life-threatening disease and one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the human population. The disease also results in a major socio-economic burden. The rapid spread of malaria epidemics in developing countries is exacerbated by the rise in drug-resistant parasites and insecticide-resistant mosquitoes. At present, malaria research is focused mainly on the development of drugs with increased therapeutic effects against Plasmodium parasites. However, a vaccine against the disease is preferable over treatment to achieve long-term control. Trials to develop a safe and effective immunization protocol for the control of malaria have been occurring for decades, and continue on today; still, no effective vaccines are available on the market. Recently, peptide-based vaccines have become an attractive alternative approach. These vaccines utilize short protein fragments to induce immune responses against malaria parasites. Peptide-based vaccines are safer than traditional vaccines, relatively inexpensive to produce, and can be composed of multiple T- and B-cell epitopes integrated into one antigenic formulation. Various combinations, based on antigen choice, peptide epitope modification and delivery mechanism, have resulted in numerous potential malaria vaccines candidates; these are presently being studied in both preclinical and clinical trials. This review describes the current landscape of peptide-based vaccines, and addresses obstacles and opportunities in the production of malaria vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.S.); (S.C.); (B.R.-P.); (M.T.I.); (Y.S.C.); (G.L.); (X.W.)
| | - Saranya Chandrudu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.S.); (S.C.); (B.R.-P.); (M.T.I.); (Y.S.C.); (G.L.); (X.W.)
| | - Berta Rigau-Planella
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.S.); (S.C.); (B.R.-P.); (M.T.I.); (Y.S.C.); (G.L.); (X.W.)
| | - Md. Tanjir Islam
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.S.); (S.C.); (B.R.-P.); (M.T.I.); (Y.S.C.); (G.L.); (X.W.)
| | - Yee S. Cheong
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.S.); (S.C.); (B.R.-P.); (M.T.I.); (Y.S.C.); (G.L.); (X.W.)
| | - Genan Liu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.S.); (S.C.); (B.R.-P.); (M.T.I.); (Y.S.C.); (G.L.); (X.W.)
| | - Xiumin Wang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.S.); (S.C.); (B.R.-P.); (M.T.I.); (Y.S.C.); (G.L.); (X.W.)
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.S.); (S.C.); (B.R.-P.); (M.T.I.); (Y.S.C.); (G.L.); (X.W.)
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Correspondence: (I.T.); (W.M.H.)
| | - Waleed M. Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.S.); (S.C.); (B.R.-P.); (M.T.I.); (Y.S.C.); (G.L.); (X.W.)
- Correspondence: (I.T.); (W.M.H.)
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27
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Amelia F, Iyori M, Emran TB, Yamamoto DS, Genshi K, Otsuka H, Onoue Y, Yusuf Y, Islam A, Yoshida S. Down-selecting circumsporozoite protein-based malaria vaccine: A comparison of malaria sporozoite challenge model. Parasite Immunol 2020; 41:e12624. [PMID: 30883819 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) is the main target antigen in development of pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccines. To evaluate PfCSP vaccines in animal models, challenge by intravenous sporozoite injection is preferentially used. However, in clinical trials, vaccinated human volunteers are exposed to the bites of malaria-infected mosquitoes. In this study, we down-selected Escherichia coli-produced full-length PfCSP (PfCSP-F) and its three truncated PfCSPs based on their abilities to elicit immune response and protection in mice against two challenge models. We showed that immunization with three doses of PfCSP-F elicited high anti-PfCSP antibody titres and 100% protection against the bites of infected mosquitoes. Meanwhile, three-dose truncated PfCSP induced 60%-70% protection after immunization with each truncated PfCSP. Heterologous prime-boost immunization regimen with adenovirus-PfCSP-F and R32LR greatly induced complete protection against intravenous sporozoite injection. Our results suggest that Abs to both anti-repeat and anti-nonrepeat regions induced by PfCSP-F are required to confer complete protection against challenge by the bites of infected mosquitoes, whereas anti-repeat Abs play an important role in protection against intravenous sporozoite injection. Our findings provide a potential clinical application that PfCSP-F vaccine induces potent Abs capable of neutralizing sporozoites in the dermis inoculated by infected mosquitoes and subsequently sporozoites in the blood circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fitri Amelia
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Japan.,Department of Chemistry, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia
| | - Mitsuhiro Iyori
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Daisuke S Yamamoto
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Kento Genshi
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hiromu Otsuka
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yutaro Onoue
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yenni Yusuf
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Ashekul Islam
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Shigeto Yoshida
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Japan
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28
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Preclinical Development and Assessment of Viral Vectors Expressing a Fusion Antigen of Plasmodium falciparum LSA1 and LSAP2 for Efficacy against Liver-Stage Malaria. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00573-19. [PMID: 31740525 PMCID: PMC6977128 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00573-19] [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: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite promising progress in malaria vaccine development in recent years, an efficacious subunit vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum remains to be licensed and deployed. Cell-mediated protection from liver-stage malaria relies on a sufficient number of antigen-specific T cells reaching the liver during the time that parasites are present. A single vaccine expressing two antigens could potentially increase both the size and breadth of the antigen-specific response while halving vaccine production costs. Despite promising progress in malaria vaccine development in recent years, an efficacious subunit vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum remains to be licensed and deployed. Cell-mediated protection from liver-stage malaria relies on a sufficient number of antigen-specific T cells reaching the liver during the time that parasites are present. A single vaccine expressing two antigens could potentially increase both the size and breadth of the antigen-specific response while halving vaccine production costs. In this study, we investigated combining two liver-stage antigens, P. falciparum LSA1 (PfLSA1) and PfLSAP2, and investigated the induction of protective efficacy by coadministration of single-antigen vectors or vaccination with dual-antigen vectors, using simian adenovirus and modified vaccinia virus Ankara vectors. The efficacy of these vaccines was assessed in mouse malaria challenge models using chimeric P. berghei parasites expressing the relevant P. falciparum antigens and challenging mice at the peak of the T cell response. Vaccination with a combination of the single-antigen vectors expressing PfLSA1 or PfLSAP2 was shown to improve protective efficacy compared to vaccination with each single-antigen vector alone. Vaccination with dual-antigen vectors expressing both PfLSA1 and PfLSAP2 resulted in responses to both antigens, particularly in outbred mice, and most importantly, the efficacy was equivalent to that of vaccination with a mixture of single-antigen vectors. Based on these promising data, dual-antigen vectors expressing PfLSA1 and PfLSAP2 will now proceed to manufacturing and clinical assessment under good manufacturing practice (GMP) guidelines.
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29
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Design and assessment of TRAP-CSP fusion antigens as effective malaria vaccines. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0216260. [PMID: 31967991 PMCID: PMC6975556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) and thrombospondin-related adhesion protein (TRAP) are major targets for pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine development. However, the CSP-based vaccine RTS,S provides only marginal protection, highlighting the need for innovative vaccine design and development. Here we design and characterize expression and folding of P. berghei (Pb) and P. falciparum (Pf) TRAP-CSP fusion proteins, and evaluate immunogenicity and sterilizing immunity in mice. TRAP N-terminal domains were fused to the CSP C-terminal αTSR domain with or without the CSP repeat region, expressed in mammalian cells, and evaluated with or without N-glycan shaving. Pb and Pf fusions were each expressed substantially better than the TRAP or CSP components alone; furthermore, the fusions but not the CSP component could be purified to homogeneity and were well folded and monomeric. As yields of TRAP and CSP fragments were insufficient, we immunized BALB/c mice with Pb TRAP-CSP fusions in AddaVax adjuvant and tested the effects of absence or presence of the CSP repeats and absence or presence of high mannose N-glycans on total antibody titer and protection from infection by mosquito bite both 2.5 months and 6 months after the last immunization. Fusions containing the repeats were completely protective against challenge and re-challenge, while those lacking repeats were significantly less effective. These results correlated with higher total antibody titers when repeats were present. Our results show that TRAP-CSP fusions increase protein antigen production, have the potential to yield effective vaccines, and also guide design of effective proteins that can be encoded by nucleic acid-based and virally vectored vaccines.
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Zenklusen I, Jongo S, Abdulla S, Ramadhani K, Lee Sim BK, Cardamone H, Flannery EL, Nguyen T, Fishbaugher M, Steel RWJ, Betz W, Carmago N, Mikolajczak S, Kappe SHI, Hoffman SL, Sack BK, Daubenberger C. Immunization of Malaria-Preexposed Volunteers With PfSPZ Vaccine Elicits Long-Lived IgM Invasion-Inhibitory and Complement-Fixing Antibodies. J Infect Dis 2019; 217:1569-1578. [PMID: 29438525 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The assessment of antibody responses after immunization with radiation-attenuated, aseptic, purified, cryopreserved Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites (Sanaria PfSPZ Vaccine) has focused on IgG isotype antibodies. Here, we aimed to investigate if P. falciparum sporozoite binding and invasion-inhibitory IgM antibodies are induced following immunization of malaria-preexposed volunteers with PfSPZ Vaccine. Methods Using serum from volunteers immunized with PfSPZ, we measured vaccine-induced IgG and IgM antibodies to P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) via ELISA. Function of this serum as well as IgM antibody fractions was measured via in vitro in an inhibition of sporozoite invasion assay. These IgM antibody fractions were also measured for binding to sporozoites by immunofluorescence assay and complement fixation on whole sporozoites. Results We found that in addition to anti-PfCSP IgG, malaria-preexposed volunteers developed anti-PfCSP IgM antibodies after immunization with PfSPZ Vaccine and that these IgM antibodies inhibited P. falciparum sporozoite invasion of hepatocytes in vitro. These IgM plasma fractions also fixed complement to whole P. falciparum sporozoites. Conclusions This is the first finding that PfCSP and P. falciparum sporozoite-binding IgM antibodies are induced following immunization of PfSPZ Vaccine in malaria-preexposed individuals and that IgM antibodies can inhibit P. falciparum sporozoite invasion into hepatocytes in vitro and fix complement on sporozoites. These findings indicate that the immunological assessment of PfSPZ Vaccine-induced antibody responses could be more sensitive if they include parasite-specific IgM in addition to IgG antibodies. Clinical Trials Registration NCT02132299.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Zenklusen
- Clinical Immunology Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Said Jongo
- Ifakara Health Institute, Clinical Trial Unit, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Salim Abdulla
- Ifakara Health Institute, Clinical Trial Unit, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Kamaka Ramadhani
- Ifakara Health Institute, Clinical Trial Unit, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | - Thao Nguyen
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Ryan W J Steel
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, Washington
| | - Will Betz
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, Washington
| | - Nelly Carmago
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Stefan H I Kappe
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle
| | | | - Brandon K Sack
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, Washington
| | - Claudia Daubenberger
- Clinical Immunology Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Switzerland
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31
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Goh YS, McGuire D, Rénia L. Vaccination With Sporozoites: Models and Correlates of Protection. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1227. [PMID: 31231377 PMCID: PMC6560154 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite continuous efforts, the century-old goal of eradicating malaria still remains. Multiple control interventions need to be in place simultaneously to achieve this goal. In addition to effective control measures, drug therapies and insecticides, vaccines are critical to reduce mortality and morbidity. Hence, there are numerous studies investigating various malaria vaccine candidates. Most of the malaria vaccine candidates are subunit vaccines. However, they have shown limited efficacy in Phase II and III studies. To date, only whole parasite formulations have been shown to induce sterile immunity in human. In this article, we review and discuss the recent developments in vaccination with sporozoites and the mechanisms of protection involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Shan Goh
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniel McGuire
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Laurent Rénia
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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32
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Zhou D, Zheng H, Liu Q, Lu X, Deng X, Jiang L, Hou B, Fu Y, Zhu F, Ding Y, Xu W, Dai J. Attenuated plasmodium sporozoite expressing MAGE-A3 induces antigen-specific CD8+ T cell response against lung cancer in mice. Cancer Biol Med 2019; 16:288-298. [PMID: 31516749 PMCID: PMC6713645 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2018.0309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Cancer vaccines that rely on tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses, are promising anti-cancer adjuvant immunotherapies. This study investigated whether genetically attenuated Plasmodium sporozoite (GAS) could be used as a novel vector to induce antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses against lung cancer. Methods We constructed GAS/MAGE-A3, a recombinant GAS engineered to express the lung cancer-specific antigen, melanoma-associated antigen 3 (MAGE-A3), and assessed its therapeutic effects against lung cancer. Results Robust parasite-specific CD8αlowCD11ahigh and CD49dhighCD11ahigh CD4+ T cell responses as well as a MAGE-A3-specific CD8+ T cell response were induced in GAS/MAGE-A3-immunized mice. Adoptive transfer of GAS/MAGE-A3-induced CD8+ T cells from HLA-A2 transgenic mice into lung cancer-bearing nude mice inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that GAS/MAGE-A3 induces a strong MAGE-A3-specific CD8+ T cell response against lung cancer in vivo, and indicate that GAS is a novel and efficacious antigen delivery vector for antitumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Hong Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Quanxing Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Xiao Lu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Xufeng Deng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China.,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Zunyi, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Bing Hou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Yong Fu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Feng Zhu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Yan Ding
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Wenyue Xu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Jigang Dai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
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33
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Tan J, Piccoli L, Lanzavecchia A. The Antibody Response to Plasmodium falciparum: Cues for Vaccine Design and the Discovery of Receptor-Based Antibodies. Annu Rev Immunol 2018; 37:225-246. [PMID: 30566366 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-042617-053301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum remains a serious public health problem and a continuous challenge for the immune system due to the complexity and diversity of the pathogen. Recent advances from several laboratories in the characterization of the antibody response to the parasite have led to the identification of critical targets for protection and revealed a new mechanism of diversification based on the insertion of host receptors into immunoglobulin genes, leading to the production of receptor-based antibodies. These advances have opened new possibilities for vaccine design and passive antibody therapies to provide sterilizing immunity and control blood-stage parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Tan
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; .,Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.,Current affiliation: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA
| | - Luca Piccoli
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
| | - Antonio Lanzavecchia
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; .,VIR Biotechnology, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
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34
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Cockburn IA, Seder RA. Malaria prevention: from immunological concepts to effective vaccines and protective antibodies. Nat Immunol 2018; 19:1199-1211. [PMID: 30333613 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-018-0228-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Development of a malaria vaccine remains a critical priority to decrease clinical disease and mortality and facilitate eradication. Accordingly, RTS,S, a protein-subunit vaccine, has completed phase III clinical trials and confers ~30% protection against clinical infection over 4 years. Whole-attenuated-sporozoite and viral-subunit vaccines induce between 20% and 100% protection against controlled human malaria infection, but there is limited published evidence to date for durable, high-level efficacy (>50%) against natural exposure. Importantly, fundamental scientific advances related to the potency, durability, breadth and location of immune responses will be required for improving vaccine efficacy with these and other vaccine approaches. In this Review, we focus on the current understanding of immunological mechanisms of protection from animal models and human vaccine studies, and on how these data should inform the development of next-generation vaccines. Furthermore, we introduce the concept of using passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies as a new approach to prevent and eliminate malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian A Cockburn
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Robert A Seder
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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35
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Mendes AM, Machado M, Gonçalves-Rosa N, Reuling IJ, Foquet L, Marques C, Salman AM, Yang ASP, Moser KA, Dwivedi A, Hermsen CC, Jiménez-Díaz B, Viera S, Santos JM, Albuquerque I, Bhatia SN, Bial J, Angulo-Barturen I, Silva JC, Leroux-Roels G, Janse CJ, Khan SM, Mota MM, Sauerwein RW, Prudêncio M. A Plasmodium berghei sporozoite-based vaccination platform against human malaria. NPJ Vaccines 2018; 3:33. [PMID: 30155278 PMCID: PMC6109154 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-018-0068-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a pressing need for safe and highly effective Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria vaccines. The circumsporozoite protein (CS), expressed on sporozoites and during early hepatic stages, is a leading target vaccine candidate, but clinical efficacy has been modest so far. Conversely, whole-sporozoite (WSp) vaccines have consistently shown high levels of sterilizing immunity and constitute a promising approach to effective immunization against malaria. Here, we describe a novel WSp malaria vaccine that employs transgenic sporozoites of rodent P. berghei (Pb) parasites as cross-species immunizing agents and as platforms for expression and delivery of PfCS (PbVac). We show that both wild-type Pb and PbVac sporozoites unabatedly infect and develop in human hepatocytes while unable to establish an infection in human red blood cells. In a rabbit model, similarly susceptible to Pb hepatic but not blood infection, we show that PbVac elicits cross-species cellular immune responses, as well as PfCS-specific antibodies that efficiently inhibit Pf sporozoite liver invasion in human hepatocytes and in mice with humanized livers. Thus, PbVac is safe and induces functional immune responses in preclinical studies, warranting clinical testing and development. A genetically engineered parasite, related to malaria-causing Plasmodium falciparum, excels as a vaccine in preclinical tests. A team led by Miguel Prudêncio, of the University of Lisbon, Portugal, developed a genetically altered vaccine candidate based on Plasmodium berghei, which is pathogenic to rodents but, in humans, fails to progress from a harmless, transient liver infection to causing full, blood-borne malaria. The candidate expresses a human form of ‘circumsporozoite protein,’ a known antigen, and is designed to provoke a more comprehensive immune response as it presents a whole pathogen to the host. In preclinical tests, the candidate generated antibodies able to neutralize infection in human hepatocytes and also provoked a cellular immune response in rabbits. The team’s candidate proved safe and efficacious, warranting further trials and clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- António M Mendes
- 1Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marta Machado
- 1Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nataniel Gonçalves-Rosa
- 1Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Isaie J Reuling
- 2Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, Microbiology 268, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lander Foquet
- 3Center for Vaccinology, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.,Departments of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Cláudia Marques
- 1Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ahmed M Salman
- 5Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,6The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, ORCRB, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Annie S P Yang
- 2Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, Microbiology 268, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kara A Moser
- 7Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Ankit Dwivedi
- 7Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Cornelus C Hermsen
- 2Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, Microbiology 268, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Belén Jiménez-Díaz
- 8Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKline, Severo Ochoa, 2, 28760 Tres Cantos, Madrid Spain
| | - Sara Viera
- 8Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKline, Severo Ochoa, 2, 28760 Tres Cantos, Madrid Spain
| | - Jorge M Santos
- 1Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.,12Present Address: Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, 02115 Boston, MA USA
| | - Inês Albuquerque
- 1Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sangeeta N Bhatia
- 9Health Sciences and Technology/Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - John Bial
- 10Yecuris Corporation, PO Box 4645, Tualatin, OR 97062 USA
| | - Iñigo Angulo-Barturen
- 8Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKline, Severo Ochoa, 2, 28760 Tres Cantos, Madrid Spain
| | - Joana C Silva
- 7Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA.,11Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Geert Leroux-Roels
- 3Center for Vaccinology, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Chris J Janse
- 5Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Shahid M Khan
- 5Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maria M Mota
- 1Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Robert W Sauerwein
- 2Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, Microbiology 268, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- 1Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
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36
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Olsen TM, Stone BC, Chuenchob V, Murphy SC. Prime-and-Trap Malaria Vaccination To Generate Protective CD8 + Liver-Resident Memory T Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 201:1984-1993. [PMID: 30127085 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1800740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Tissue-resident memory CD8+ T (Trm) cells in the liver are critical for long-term protection against pre-erythrocytic Plasmodium infection. Such protection can usually be induced with three to five doses of i.v. administered radiation-attenuated sporozoites (RAS). To simplify and accelerate vaccination, we tested a DNA vaccine designed to induce potent T cell responses against the SYVPSAEQI epitope of Plasmodium yoelii circumsporozoite protein. In a heterologous "prime-and-trap" regimen, priming using gene gun-administered DNA and boosting with one dose of RAS attracted expanding Ag-specific CD8+ T cell populations to the liver, where they became Trm cells. Vaccinated in this manner, BALB/c mice were completely protected against challenge, an outcome not reliably achieved following one dose of RAS or following DNA-only vaccination. This study demonstrates that the combination of CD8+ T cell priming by DNA and boosting with liver-homing RAS enhances formation of a completely protective liver Trm cell response and suggests novel approaches for enhancing T cell-based pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayla M Olsen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109.,Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Brad C Stone
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109.,Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Vorada Chuenchob
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109; and
| | - Sean C Murphy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109; .,Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109.,Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
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37
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A public antibody lineage that potently inhibits malaria infection through dual binding to the circumsporozoite protein. Nat Med 2018; 24:401-407. [PMID: 29554084 PMCID: PMC5893353 DOI: 10.1038/nm.4513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Immunization with attenuated Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites (PfSPZs) has been shown to be protective against malaria, but the features of the antibody response induced by this treatment remain unclear. To investigate this response in detail, we isolated IgM and IgG monoclonal antibodies from Tanzanian volunteers who were immunized with repeated injection of Sanaria PfSPZ Vaccine and who were found to be protected from controlled human malaria infection with infectious homologous PfSPZs. All isolated IgG monoclonal antibodies bound to P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) and recognized distinct epitopes in its N terminus, NANP-repeat region, and C terminus. Strikingly, the most effective antibodies, as determined in a humanized mouse model, bound not only to the repeat region, but also to a minimal peptide at the PfCSP N-terminal junction that is not in the RTS,S vaccine. These dual-specific antibodies were isolated from different donors and were encoded by VH3-30 or VH3-33 alleles that encode tryptophan or arginine at position 52. Using structural and mutational data, we describe the elements required for germline recognition and affinity maturation. Our study provides potent neutralizing antibodies and relevant information for lineage-targeted vaccine design and immunization strategies.
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38
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Deng XF, Zhou D, Liu QX, Zheng H, Ding Y, Xu WY, Min JX, Dai JG. Plasmodium circumsporozoite protein suppresses the growth of A549 cells via inhibiting nuclear transcription factor κB. Oncol Lett 2018; 15:6585-6591. [PMID: 29616122 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Blocking the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is a promising strategy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. The circumsporozoite protein (CSP), a key component of the sporozoite stage of the malaria parasite, was previously reported to block NF-κB activation in hepatocytes. Therefore, in the present study, the effect of CSP on the growth of the human lung cancer cell line, A549, was investigated. It was demonstrated that transfection with a recombinant plasmid expressing CSP was able to inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner and induce the apoptosis of A549 cells. A NF-κB gene reporter assay indicated that CSP and its nuclear localization signal (NLS) motif were able to equally suppress the activation of NF-κB following stimulation with human recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in A549 cells. Furthermore, western blot analysis indicated that NLS did not affect the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB, but was able to markedly inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB in TNF-α stimulated A549 cells. Therefore, the data suggest that CSP may be investigated as a potential novel NF-κB inhibitor for the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Feng Deng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China.,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Zunyi, Guiyang, Guizhou 563000, P.R. China
| | - Dong Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Quan-Xing Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Hong Zheng
- Institute of Immunology of PLA, College of Basic Medical Sciences, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
| | - Yan Ding
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Yue Xu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Xin Min
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Ji-Gang Dai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
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39
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Pichugin A, Zarling S, Perazzo L, Duffy PE, Ploegh HL, Krzych U. Identification of a Novel CD8 T Cell Epitope Derived from Plasmodium berghei Protective Liver-Stage Antigen. Front Immunol 2018; 9:91. [PMID: 29434602 PMCID: PMC5796907 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently identified novel Plasmodium berghei (Pb) liver stage (LS) genes that as DNA vaccines significantly reduce Pb LS parasite burden (LPB) in C57Bl/6 (B6) mice through a mechanism mediated, in part, by CD8 T cells. In this study, we sought to determine fine antigen (Ag) specificities of CD8 T cells that target LS malaria parasites. Guided by algorithms for predicting MHC class I-restricted epitopes, we ranked sequences of 32 Pb LS Ags and selected ~400 peptides restricted by mouse H-2Kb and H-2Db alleles for analysis in the high-throughput method of caged MHC class I-tetramer technology. We identified a 9-mer H-2Kb restricted CD8 T cell epitope, Kb-17, which specifically recognized and activated CD8 T cell responses in B6 mice immunized with Pb radiation-attenuated sporozoites (RAS) and challenged with infectious sporozoites (spz). The Kb-17 peptide is derived from the recently described novel protective Pb LS Ag, PBANKA_1031000 (MIF4G-like protein). Notably, immunization with the Kb-17 epitope delivered in the form of a minigene in the adenovirus serotype 5 vector reduced LPB in mice infected with spz. On the basis of our results, Kb-17 peptide was available for CD8 T cell activation and recall following immunization with Pb RAS and challenge with infectious spz. The identification of a novel MHC class I-restricted epitope from the protective Pb LS Ag, MIF4G-like protein, is crucial for advancing our understanding of immune responses to Plasmodium and by extension, toward vaccine development against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Pichugin
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Malaria Vaccine Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Stasya Zarling
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Malaria Vaccine Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Leah Perazzo
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Malaria Vaccine Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Patrick Emmet Duffy
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, (NIH), Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Hidde Lolke Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MD, United States
| | - Urszula Krzych
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Malaria Vaccine Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
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40
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Müller K, Gibbins MP, Matuschewski K, Hafalla JCR. Evidence of cross-stage CD8+ T cell epitopes in malaria pre-erythrocytic and blood stage infections. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [PMID: 28380250 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Malaria parasites have a complex, multistage life cycle and there is a widely held view that each stage displays a distinct set of antigens presented to the immune system. Yet, molecular analysis of malaria parasites suggests that many putative antigenic targets are shared amongst the different stages. The specificities of these cross-stage antigens and the functions of the immune responses they elicit are poorly characterized. It is well-known that CD8+ T cells play opposing immune functions following Plasmodium berghei (Pb) infection of C57BL/6 mice. Whilst these cells play a crucial role in protective immunity against pre-erythrocytic stages, they are implicated in the development of severe disease during blood stages. Recently, CD8+ T cell epitopes derived from proteins supposedly specific for either pre-erythrocytic or blood stages have been described. In this brief report, we have compiled and confirmed data that the majority of the mRNAs and/or proteins from which these epitopes are derived display expression across pre-erythrocytic and blood stages. Importantly, we provide evidence of cross-stage immune recognition of the majority of these CD8+ T cell epitopes. Hence, our findings provide a resource to further examine the relevance of antigen-specific cross-stage responses during malaria infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Müller
- Parasitology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - M P Gibbins
- Immunology and Infection Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - K Matuschewski
- Parasitology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - J C R Hafalla
- Immunology and Infection Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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41
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Moris P, Jongert E, van der Most RG. Characterization of T-cell immune responses in clinical trials of the candidate RTS,S malaria vaccine. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 14:17-27. [PMID: 28934066 PMCID: PMC5791571 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1381809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The candidate malaria vaccine RTS,S has demonstrated 45.7% efficacy over 18 months against all clinical disease in a phase-III field study of African children. RTS,S targets the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), which is expressed on the Plasmodium sporozoite during the pre-erythrocyte stage of its life-cycle; the stage between mosquito bite and liver infection. Early in the development of RTS,S, it was recognized that CSP-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was required to complement CSP-specific antibody-mediated immunity. In reviewing RTS,S clinical studies, associations between protection and various types of CMI (CSP-specific CD4+ T cells and INF-γ ELISPOTs) have been identified, but not consistently. It is plausible that certain CD4+ T cells support antibody responses or co-operate with other immune-cell types to potentially elicit protection. However, the identities of vaccine correlates of protection, implicating either CSP-specific antibodies or T cells remain elusive, suggesting that RTS,S clinical trials may benefit from additional immunogenicity analyses that can be informed by the results of controlled human malaria infection studies.
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42
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A Large Size Chimeric Highly Immunogenic Peptide Presents Multistage Plasmodium Antigens as a Vaccine Candidate System against Malaria. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22111837. [PMID: 29104210 PMCID: PMC6150380 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22111837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Rational strategies for obtaining malaria vaccine candidates should include not only a proper selection of target antigens for antibody stimulation, but also a versatile molecular design based on ordering the right pieces from the complex pathogen molecular puzzle towards more active and functional immunogens. Classical Plasmodium falciparum antigens regarded as vaccine candidates have been selected as model targets in this study. Among all possibilities we have chosen epitopes of PfCSP, STARP; MSA1 and Pf155/RESA from pre- and erythrocyte stages respectively for designing a large 82-residue chimeric immunogen. A number of options aimed at diminishing steric hindrance for synthetic procedures were assessed based on standard Fmoc chemistry such as building block orthogonal ligation; pseudo-proline and microwave-assisted procedures, therefore the large-chimeric target was produced, characterized and immunologically tested. Antigenicity and functional in vivo efficacy tests of the large-chimera formulations administered alone or as antigen mixtures have proven the stimulation of high antibody titers, showing strong correlation with protection and parasite clearance of vaccinated BALB/c mice after being lethally challenged with both P. berghei-ANKA and P. yoelii 17XL malaria strains. Besides, 3D structure features shown by the large-chimera encouraged as to propose using these rational designed large synthetic molecules as reliable vaccine candidate-presenting systems.
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43
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Shiratsuchi T, Rai U, Kaneko I, Zhang M, Iwanaga S, Yuda M, Tsuji M. A potent malaria vaccine based on adenovirus with dual modifications at Hexon and pVII. Vaccine 2017; 35:6990-7000. [PMID: 29089194 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.10.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 09/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Adenovirus (Ad) is thought to be one of the most promising platforms for a malaria vaccine targeted against its liver stages, because of its ability to induce a strong T-cell response against a transgene. However, a further improvement of this platform is needed in order to elicit another arm of the immunity, i.e. humoral response, against malaria. In order to augment immunogenicity and protective efficacy of Ad-based malaria vaccine, we inserted B-cell, as well as CD4+ T-cell, epitopes of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) into the capsid protein, Hexon, and the core protein, VII (pVII), of Ad, respectively, in addition to the PfCSP transgene. Insertion of PfCSP-derived B cell epitope to Hexon significantly enhanced the epitope-specific antibody response compared to AdPfCSP, an Ad vaccine expressing only PfCSP transgene. PfCSP-derived CD4+ T-cell epitope insertion into pVII augmented not only PfCSP-specific CD4+ T-cell response but also anti-PfCSP antibody response. Finally, mice immunized with AdPfCSP having both Hexon and pVII modifications were more protected than AdPfCSP or Hexon-modified AdPfCSP against challenge with transgenic rodent malaria parasites expressing the PfCSP. Overall, this study has demonstrated that Hexon and pVII-modified AdPfCSP vaccine is a promising malaria vaccine which induces strong PfCSP-specific humoral, CD4+ T-cell, and CD8+ T-cell responses and protects against infection with transgenic malaria parasites expressing the PfCSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Shiratsuchi
- HIV and Malaria Vaccine Program, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, 455 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA; Otsuka Maryland Medicinal Laboratories, Inc., 9900 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Urvashi Rai
- HIV and Malaria Vaccine Program, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, 455 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Izumi Kaneko
- Department of Medical Zoology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Min Zhang
- HIV and Malaria Vaccine Program, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, 455 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Shiroh Iwanaga
- Department of Medical Zoology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Department of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Masao Yuda
- Department of Medical Zoology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Moriya Tsuji
- HIV and Malaria Vaccine Program, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, 455 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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Singh SP, Srivastava D, Mishra BN. Genome-wide identification of novel vaccine candidates for Plasmodium falciparum malaria using integrative bioinformatics approaches. 3 Biotech 2017; 7:318. [PMID: 28955615 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-017-0947-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In spite of decades of malaria research and clinical trials, a fully effective and long-lasting preventive vaccine remains elusive. In the present study, 5370 proteins of Plasmodium falciparum genome were screened for the presence of signal peptide/anchor and GPI anchor motifs. Out of 45 screened surface-associated proteins, 22 were consensually predicted as antigens and had no orthologs in human and mouse except circumsporozoite protein (PF3D7_0304600). Among 22 proteins, 19 were identified as new antigens. In the next step, a total of 4944 peptides were predicted as CD8+ T cell epitopes from 22 probable antigens. Of these, the highest scoring 262 epitopes from each antigen were taken for optimization study in the malaria-endemic regions which covered a broad human population (~93.95%). The predicted epitope 13ILFYFFLWV21 of antigen 6-cysteine (PF3D7_1346800) was binding to the HLA-A*0201 allele with the highest fraction (26%) of immunogenicity in the target populations of North-East Asia, South-East Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, these epitopes are proposed to be favored in vaccine designs against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satarudra Prakash Singh
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow Campus), Lucknow, 226028 India
| | - Deeksha Srivastava
- Institute of Engineering and Technology, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (Formerly Known as U.P. Technical University), Lucknow, 226021 India
| | - Bhartendu Nath Mishra
- Institute of Engineering and Technology, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (Formerly Known as U.P. Technical University), Lucknow, 226021 India
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45
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Monoclonal Antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum Circumsporozoite Protein. Antibodies (Basel) 2017; 6:antib6030011. [PMID: 31548526 PMCID: PMC6698827 DOI: 10.3390/antib6030011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium spp. Malaria continues to have a devastating impact on human health. Sporozoites are the infective forms of the parasite inside mosquito salivary glands. Circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is a major and immunodominant protective antigen on the surface of Plasmodium sporozoites. Here, we report a generation of specific monoclonal antibodies that recognize the central repeat and C-terminal regions of P. falciparum CSP. The monoclonal antibodies 3C1, 3C2, and 3D3-specific for the central repeat region-have higher titers and protective efficacies against challenge with sporozoites compared with 2A10, a gold standard monoclonal antibody that was generated in early 1980s.
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46
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Bruder JT, Chen P, Ekberg G, Smith EC, Lazarski CA, Myers BA, Bolton J, Sedegah M, Villasante E, Richie TL, King CR, Aguiar JC, Doolan DL, Brough DE. Profiling the Targets of Protective CD8 + T Cell Responses to Infection. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2017; 7:20-31. [PMID: 28948187 PMCID: PMC5602877 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
T cells are critical effectors of host immunity that target intracellular pathogens, such as the causative agents of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. The development of vaccines that induce effective cell-mediated immunity against such pathogens has proved challenging; for tuberculosis and malaria, many of the antigens targeted by protective T cells are not known. Here, we report a novel approach for screening large numbers of antigens as potential targets of T cells. Malaria provides an excellent model to test this antigen discovery platform because T cells are critical mediators of protection following immunization with live sporozoite vaccines and the specific antigen targets are unknown. We generated an adenovirus array by cloning 312 highly expressed pre-erythrocytic Plasmodium yoelii antigens into adenovirus vectors using high-throughput methodologies. The array was screened to identify antigen-specific CD8+ T cells induced by a live sporozoite vaccine regimen known to provide high levels of sterile protection mediated by CD8+ T cells. We identified 69 antigens that were targeted by CD8+ T cells induced by this vaccine regimen. The antigen that recalled the highest frequency of CD8+ T cells, PY02605, induced protective responses in mice, demonstrating proof of principle for this approach in identifying antigens for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph T. Bruder
- GenVec, Inc., 910 Clopper Road, Suite 220N, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
- Corresponding author: Joseph T. Bruder, Summit Consulting, 567 Chestertown Street, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA.
| | - Ping Chen
- GenVec, Inc., 910 Clopper Road, Suite 220N, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | - Greg Ekberg
- GenVec, Inc., 910 Clopper Road, Suite 220N, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | - Emily C. Smith
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC), 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | | | - Bennett A. Myers
- GenVec, Inc., 910 Clopper Road, Suite 220N, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | - Jessica Bolton
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC), 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Martha Sedegah
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC), 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Eileen Villasante
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC), 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Thomas L. Richie
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC), 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - C. Richter King
- GenVec, Inc., 910 Clopper Road, Suite 220N, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | - Joao C. Aguiar
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC), 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
- Camris International, 3 Bethesda Metro Center, 16th Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Denise L. Doolan
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, McGregor Road, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
| | - Douglas E. Brough
- GenVec, Inc., 910 Clopper Road, Suite 220N, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
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47
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Patel H, Yadav N, Parmar R, Patel S, Singh AP, Shrivastava N, Dalai SK. Frequent inoculations with radiation attenuated sporozoite is essential for inducing sterile protection that correlates with a threshold level of Plasmodia liver-stage specific CD8 + T cells. Cell Immunol 2017; 317:48-54. [PMID: 28499490 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Whole sporozoite vaccine (WSV) is shown to induce sterile protection that targets Plasmodium liver-stage infection. There are many underlying issues associated with induction of effective sterile protracted protection. In this study, we have addressed how the alterations in successive vaccine regimen could possibly affect the induction of sterile protection. We have demonstrated that the pattern of vaccination with RAS (radiation attenuated sporozoites) induces varying degrees of protection among B6 mice. Animals receiving four successive doses generated 100% sterile protection. However, three successive doses, though with the same parasite inoculum as four doses, could induce sterile protection in ∼50% mice. Interestingly, mice immunized with the same 3 doses, but with longer gap, could not survive the challenge. We demonstrate that degree of protection correlates with the frequencies of IFN-γ+ and multifunctional (IFN-γ+ CD107a+) CD8+ TEM cells present in liver. The failure to achieve protective threshold frequency of these cells in liver might make the host more vulnerable to parasite infection during infectious sporozoite challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hardik Patel
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad 382481, India
| | - Naveen Yadav
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad 382481, India
| | - Rajesh Parmar
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad 382481, India
| | | | - Agam P Singh
- National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Neeta Shrivastava
- B.V. Patel Pharmaceutical Education and Research Development (PERD Centre), Ahmedabad 380052, India
| | - Sarat K Dalai
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad 382481, India.
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48
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Patra AP, Sharma S, Ainavarapu SRK. Force Spectroscopy of the Plasmodium falciparum Vaccine Candidate Circumsporozoite Protein Suggests a Mechanically Pliable Repeat Region. J Biol Chem 2016; 292:2110-2119. [PMID: 28031457 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.754796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2016] [Revised: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The most effective vaccine candidate of malaria is based on the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP), a major surface protein implicated in the structural strength, motility, and immune evasion properties of the infective sporozoites. It is suspected that reversible conformational changes of CSP are required for infection of the mammalian host, but the detailed structure and dynamic properties of CSP remain incompletely understood, limiting our understanding of its function in the infection. Here, we report the structural and mechanical properties of the CSP studied using single-molecule force spectroscopy on several constructs, one including the central region of CSP, which is rich in NANP amino acid repeats (CSPrep), and a second consisting of a near full-length sequence without the signal and anchor hydrophobic domains (CSPΔHP). Our results show that the CSPrep is heterogeneous, with 40% of molecules requiring virtually no mechanical force to unfold (<10 piconewtons (pN)), suggesting that these molecules are mechanically compliant and perhaps act as entropic springs, whereas the remaining 60% are partially structured with low mechanical resistance (∼70 pN). CSPΔHP having multiple force peaks suggests specifically folded domains, with two major populations possibly indicating the open and collapsed forms. Our findings suggest that the overall low mechanical resistance of the repeat region, exposed on the outer surface of the sporozoites, combined with the flexible full-length conformations of CSP, may provide the sporozoites not only with immune evasion properties, but also with lubricating capacity required during its navigation through the mosquito and vertebrate host tissues. We anticipate that these findings would further assist in the design and development of future malarial vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sri Rama Koti Ainavarapu
- Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400005, India
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49
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Janitzek CM, Matondo S, Thrane S, Nielsen MA, Kavishe R, Mwakalinga SB, Theander TG, Salanti A, Sander AF. Bacterial superglue generates a full-length circumsporozoite protein virus-like particle vaccine capable of inducing high and durable antibody responses. Malar J 2016; 15:545. [PMID: 27825348 PMCID: PMC5101663 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1574-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, continues to have a devastating impact on global health, emphasizing the great need for a malaria vaccine. The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is an attractive target for a malaria vaccine, and forms a major component of RTS,S, the most clinically advanced malaria vaccine. The clinical efficacy of RTS,S has been moderate, yet has demonstrated the viability of a CSP-based malaria vaccine. In this study, a vaccine comprised of the full-length CSP antigen presented on a virus-like particle (VLP) is produced using a split-intein conjugation system (SpyTag/SpyCatcher) and the immunogenicity is tested in mice. METHODS Full-length 3d7 CSP protein was genetically fused at the C-terminus to SpyCatcher. The CSP-SpyCatcher antigen was then covalently attached (via the SpyTag/SpyCatcher interaction) to Acinetobacter phage AP205 VLPs which were modified to display one SpyTag per VLP subunit. To evaluate the VLP-display effect, the immunogenicity of the VLP vaccine was tested in mice and compared to a control vaccine containing AP205 VLPs plus unconjugated CSP. RESULTS Full-length CSP was conjugated at high density (an average of 112 CSP molecules per VLP) to AP205 SpyTag-VLPs. Vaccination of mice with the CSP Spy-VLP vaccine resulted in significantly increased antibody titres over a course of 7 months as compared to the control group (2.6-fold higher at 7 months after immunization). Furthermore, the CSP Spy-VLP vaccine appears to stimulate production of IgG2a antibodies, which has been linked with a more efficient clearing of intracellular parasite infection. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that the high-density display of CSP on SpyTag-VLPs, significantly increases the level and quality of the vaccine-induced humoral response, compared to a control vaccine consisting of soluble CSP plus AP205 VLPs. The SpyTag-VLP platform utilized in this study constitutes a versatile and rapid method to develop highly immunogenic vaccines. It might serve as a generic tool for the cost-effective development of effective VLP-vaccines, e.g., against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph M Janitzek
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sungwa Matondo
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Susan Thrane
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten A Nielsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Reginald Kavishe
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Steve B Mwakalinga
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Thor G Theander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ali Salanti
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Adam F Sander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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50
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Protective immunity to liver-stage malaria. Clin Transl Immunology 2016; 5:e105. [PMID: 27867517 PMCID: PMC5099428 DOI: 10.1038/cti.2016.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research and recent clinical trials, an efficacious long-lasting preventative vaccine for malaria remains elusive. This parasite infects mammals via mosquito bites, progressing through several stages including the relatively short asymptomatic liver stage followed by the more persistent cyclic blood stage, the latter of which is responsible for all disease symptoms. As the liver acts as a bottleneck to blood-stage infection, it represents a potential site for parasite and disease control. In this review, we discuss immunity to liver-stage malaria. It is hoped that the knowledge gained from animal models of malaria immunity will translate into a more powerful and effective vaccine to reduce this global health problem.
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