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Araki T, Koyama A, Yoshimura H, Arai A, Kawai S, Sekizawa S, Umeki Y, Saito-Nakano Y, Imai T, Okamoto M, Sato M, Thabthimthong W, Kemthong T, Hisaeda H, Malaivijitnond S, Annoura T. Ultrasensitive malaria detection system for Anopheles mosquito field surveillance using droplet digital PCR. Parasitol Int 2024; 101:102891. [PMID: 38537686 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2024.102891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Malaria remains a significant global public health concern, with a recent increase in the number of zoonotic malaria cases in Southeast Asian countries. However, limited reports on the vector for zoonotic malaria exist owing to difficulties in detecting parasite DNA in Anopheles mosquito vectors. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that several Anopheles mosquitoes contain simian malaria parasite DNA using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), a highly sensitive PCR method. An entomological survey was conducted to identify simian malaria vector species at Phra Phothisat Temple (PPT), central Thailand, recognized for a high prevalence of simian malaria in wild cynomolgus macaques. A total of 152 mosquitoes from six anopheline species were collected and first analyzed by a standard 18S rRNA nested-PCR analysis for malaria parasite which yielded negative results in all collected mosquitoes. Later, ddPCR was used and could detect simian malaria parasite DNA, i.e. Plasmodium cynomolgi, in 25 collected mosquitoes. And this is the first report of simian malaria parasite DNA detection in Anopheles sawadwongporni. This finding proves that ddPCR is a powerful tool for detecting simian malarial parasite DNA in Anopheles mosquitoes and can expand our understanding of the zoonotic potential of malaria transmission between monkeys and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamasa Araki
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihide Koyama
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science, Niigata University, Asahimachi, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hiro Yoshimura
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayako Arai
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Kawai
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Shuto Sekizawa
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Umeki
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yumiko Saito-Nakano
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Imai
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Munehiro Okamoto
- Section of Molecular Biology, Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan
| | - Megumi Sato
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Wipaporn Thabthimthong
- National Primate Research Center of Thailand, Chulalongkorn University, Saraburi, Thailand
| | - Taratorn Kemthong
- National Primate Research Center of Thailand, Chulalongkorn University, Saraburi, Thailand
| | - Hajime Hisaeda
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Suchinda Malaivijitnond
- National Primate Research Center of Thailand, Chulalongkorn University, Saraburi, Thailand; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Takeshi Annoura
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
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2
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Sharp PM, Plenderleith LJ, Culleton RL, Hahn BH. Origin of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax. Trends Parasitol 2024:S1471-4922(24)00116-8. [PMID: 38806300 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.05.001] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
The geographic origin of Plasmodium vivax, a leading cause of human malaria, has been the subject of much speculation. Here we review the evolutionary history of P. vivax and P. vivax-like parasites in humans and non-human primates on three continents, providing overwhelming evidence for an African origin. This conclusion is consistent with recent reports showing that Duffy-negative humans in Africa are, in fact, susceptible to P. vivax, with parasites invading Duffy-antigen-expressing erythroid precursors. Thus, the African origin of P. vivax not only explains the distribution of the Duffy-negative genotype but also provides new insight into the history and status of P. vivax malaria in Africa and efforts geared toward its eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Sharp
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK; Centre for Immunity, Infection, and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK.
| | | | - Richard L Culleton
- Division of Parasitology, Proteo-Science Centre, Ehime University, 454 Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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3
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Christensen P, Cinzah R, Suwanarusk R, Chua ACY, Kaneko O, Kyle DE, Aung HL, Matheson J, Bifani P, Rénia L, Cook GM, Snounou G, Russell B. Extended blood stage sensitivity profiles of Plasmodium cynomolgi to doxycycline and tafenoquine, as a model for Plasmodium vivax. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0028024. [PMID: 38587391 PMCID: PMC11064600 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00280-24] [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: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Testing Plasmodium vivax antimicrobial sensitivity is limited to ex vivo schizont maturation assays, which preclude determining the IC50s of delayed action antimalarials such as doxycycline. Using Plasmodium cynomolgi as a model for P. vivax, we determined the physiologically significant delayed death effect induced by doxycycline [IC50(96 h), 1,401 ± 607 nM]. As expected, IC50(96 h) to chloroquine (20.4 nM), piperaquine (12.6 µM), and tafenoquine (1,424 nM) were not affected by extended exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Christensen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rosy Cinzah
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Rossarin Suwanarusk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Adeline Chiew Yen Chua
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), , Singapore
| | - Osamu Kaneko
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Dennis E. Kyle
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Htin Lin Aung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jessica Matheson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Pablo Bifani
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Laurent Rénia
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), , Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Gregory M. Cook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Georges Snounou
- 11-Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Immunologie des maladies virales, auto-immunes, hématologiques et bactériennes (IMVA-HB/IDMIT/UMR1184), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Kremlin- Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Bruce Russell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
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4
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da Silva CV, Velikkakam T, de Oliveira ECM, Silveira ACA, de Lima Júnior JP, Uombe NPI, da Silva PHR, Borges BC. Cellular dormancy: A widespread phenomenon that perpetuates infectious diseases. J Basic Microbiol 2024; 64:e2300389. [PMID: 38064123 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300389] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Under adverse environmental conditions, microorganisms are able to enter a state of cellular dormancy which consists of cell cycle arrest and interruption of multiplication. This process ensures their perpetuation in the infected host organism and enables the spread of disease. Throughout biological evolution, dormancy allowed microorganisms to persist in a harsh niche until favorable conditions for their reactivation were re-established. Here, we propose to discuss the dormancy of bacteria and protozoa pathogens focusing on the potential mechanisms and components associated with dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio V da Silva
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Teresiama Velikkakam
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Elida C M de Oliveira
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Anna C A Silveira
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Joed P de Lima Júnior
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Nelsa P I Uombe
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Paulo H R da Silva
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Bruna C Borges
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
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5
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Pottenger AE, Roy D, Srinivasan S, Chavas TEJ, Vlaskin V, Ho DK, Livingston VC, Maktabi M, Lin H, Zhang J, Pybus B, Kudyba K, Roth A, Senter P, Tyson G, Huber HE, Wesche D, Rochford R, Burke PA, Stayton PS. Liver-targeted polymeric prodrugs delivered subcutaneously improve tafenoquine therapeutic window for malaria radical cure. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk4492. [PMID: 38640243 PMCID: PMC11029812 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk4492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Approximately 3.3 billion people live with the threat of Plasmodium vivax malaria. Infection can result in liver-localized hypnozoites, which when reactivated cause relapsing malaria. This work demonstrates that an enzyme-cleavable polymeric prodrug of tafenoquine addresses key requirements for a mass administration, eradication campaign: excellent subcutaneous bioavailability, complete parasite control after a single dose, improved therapeutic window compared to the parent oral drug, and low cost of goods sold (COGS) at less than $1.50 per dose. Liver targeting and subcutaneous dosing resulted in improved liver:plasma exposure profiles, with increased efficacy and reduced glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-dependent hemotoxicity in validated preclinical models. A COGS and manufacturability analysis demonstrated global scalability, affordability, and the ability to redesign this fully synthetic polymeric prodrug specifically to increase global equity and access. Together, this polymer prodrug platform is a candidate for evaluation in human patients and shows potential for P. vivax eradication campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi E. Pottenger
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Debashish Roy
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Selvi Srinivasan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Thomas E. J. Chavas
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Vladmir Vlaskin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Duy-Khiet Ho
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Mahdi Maktabi
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Hsiuling Lin
- Department of Drug Discovery, Experimental Therapeutics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Drug Discovery, Experimental Therapeutics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Brandon Pybus
- Department of Drug Discovery, Experimental Therapeutics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Karl Kudyba
- Department of Drug Discovery, Experimental Therapeutics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Alison Roth
- Department of Drug Discovery, Experimental Therapeutics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | | | - George Tyson
- George Tyson Consulting, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Hans E. Huber
- BioTD Strategies LLC, 213 Abbey Ln., Lansdale, PA 19446, USA
| | | | - Rosemary Rochford
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Paul A. Burke
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Burke Bioventures LLC, 1 Broadway 14th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Patrick S. Stayton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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6
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Cepeda AS, Mello B, Pacheco MA, Luo Z, Sullivan SA, Carlton JM, Escalante AA. The Genome of Plasmodium gonderi: Insights into the Evolution of Human Malaria Parasites. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae027. [PMID: 38376987 PMCID: PMC10901558 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae027] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium species causing malaria in humans are not monophyletic, sharing common ancestors with nonhuman primate parasites. Plasmodium gonderi is one of the few known Plasmodium species infecting African old-world monkeys that are not found in apes. This study reports a de novo assembled P. gonderi genome with complete chromosomes. The P. gonderi genome shares codon usage, syntenic blocks, and other characteristics with the human parasites Plasmodium ovale s.l. and Plasmodium malariae, also of African origin, and the human parasite Plasmodium vivax and species found in nonhuman primates from Southeast Asia. Using phylogenetically aware methods, newly identified syntenic blocks were found enriched with conserved metabolic genes. Regions outside those blocks harbored genes encoding proteins involved in the vertebrate host-Plasmodium relationship undergoing faster evolution. Such genome architecture may have facilitated colonizing vertebrate hosts. Phylogenomic analyses estimated the common ancestor between P. vivax and an African ape parasite P. vivax-like, within the Asian nonhuman primates parasites clade. Time estimates incorporating P. gonderi placed the P. vivax and P. vivax-like common ancestor in the late Pleistocene, a time of active migration of hominids between Africa and Asia. Thus, phylogenomic and time-tree analyses are consistent with an Asian origin for P. vivax and an introduction of P. vivax-like into Africa. Unlike other studies, time estimates for the clade with Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal human malaria parasite, coincide with their host species radiation, African hominids. Overall, the newly assembled genome presented here has the quality to support comparative genomic investigations in Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axl S Cepeda
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122-1801, USA
| | - Beatriz Mello
- Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - M Andreína Pacheco
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122-1801, USA
| | - Zunping Luo
- Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Steven A Sullivan
- Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Jane M Carlton
- Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Ananias A Escalante
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122-1801, USA
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7
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Latif ENM, Noordin NR, Shahari S, Amir A, Lau YL, Cheong FW, Abdullah ML, Fong MY. Genetic polymorphism and clustering of the Plasmodium cynomolgi Duffy binding protein 1 region II of recent macaque isolates from Peninsular Malaysia. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:105. [PMID: 38240877 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08125-0] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium cynomolgi is a simian malaria parasite that has been increasingly infecting humans. It is naturally present in the long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques in Southeast Asia. The P. cynomolgi Duffy binding protein 1 region II [PcDBP1(II)] plays an essential role in the invasion of the parasite into host erythrocytes. This study investigated the genetic polymorphism, natural selection and haplotype clustering of PcDBP1(II) from wild macaque isolates in Peninsular Malaysia. The genomic DNA of 50 P. cynomolgi isolates was extracted from the macaque blood samples. Their PcDBP1(II) gene was amplified using a semi-nested PCR, cloned into a plasmid vector and subsequently sequenced. The polymorphism, natural selection and haplotypes of PcDBP1(II) were analysed using MEGA X and DnaSP ver.6.12.03 programmes. The analyses revealed high genetic polymorphism of PcDBP1(II) (π = 0.026 ± 0.004; Hd = 0.996 ± 0.001), and it was under purifying (negative) selection. A total of 106 haplotypes of PcDBP1(II) were identified. Phylogenetic and haplotype analyses revealed two groups of PcDBP1(II). Amino acid length polymorphism was observed between the groups, which may lead to possible phenotypic difference between them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Naqib Rafieqin Noordin
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shahhaziq Shahari
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Amirah Amir
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yee-Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Fei-Wen Cheong
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Lutfi Abdullah
- National Wildlife Forensic Laboratory, Ex-Situ Conservation Division Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mun Yik Fong
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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8
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Kepple D, Ford CT, Williams J, Abagero B, Li S, Popovici J, Yewhalaw D, Lo E. Comparative transcriptomics reveal differential gene expression among Plasmodium vivax geographical isolates and implications on erythrocyte invasion mechanisms. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011926. [PMID: 38285730 PMCID: PMC10901308 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The documentation of Plasmodium vivax malaria across Africa especially in regions where Duffy negatives are dominant suggests possibly alternative erythrocyte invasion mechanisms. While the transcriptomes of the Southeast Asian and South American P. vivax are well documented, the gene expression profile of P. vivax in Africa is unclear. In this study, we examined the expression of 4,404 gene transcripts belong to 12 functional groups and 43 erythrocyte binding gene candidates in Ethiopian isolates and compared them with the Cambodian and Brazilian P. vivax transcriptomes. Overall, there were 10-26% differences in the gene expression profile amongst geographical isolates, with the Ethiopian and Cambodian P. vivax being most similar. Majority of the gene transcripts involved in protein transportation, housekeeping, and host interaction were highly transcribed in the Ethiopian isolates. Members of the reticulocyte binding protein PvRBP2a and PvRBP3 expressed six-fold higher than Duffy binding protein PvDBP1 and 60-fold higher than PvEBP/DBP2 in the Ethiopian isolates. Other genes including PvMSP3.8, PvMSP3.9, PvTRAG2, PvTRAG14, and PvTRAG22 also showed relatively high expression. Differential expression patterns were observed among geographical isolates, e.g., PvDBP1 and PvEBP/DBP2 were highly expressed in the Cambodian but not the Brazilian and Ethiopian isolates, whereas PvRBP2a and PvRBP2b showed higher expression in the Ethiopian and Cambodian than the Brazilian isolates. Compared to Pvs25, gametocyte genes including PvAP2-G, PvGAP (female gametocytes), and Pvs47 (male gametocytes) were highly expressed across geographical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kepple
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Colby T. Ford
- Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
- School of Data Science, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Beka Abagero
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Shaoyu Li
- Mathematics and Statistics, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jean Popovici
- Malaria Research Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Delenasaw Yewhalaw
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Eugenia Lo
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
- Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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9
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Chahine Z, Abel S, Hollin T, Chung JH, Barnes GL, Daub ME, Renard I, Choi JY, Pratap V, Pal A, Alba-Argomaniz M, Banks CAS, Kirkwood J, Saraf A, Camino I, Castaneda P, Cuevas MC, De Mercado-Arnanz J, Fernandez-Alvaro E, Garcia-Perez A, Ibarz N, Viera-Morilla S, Prudhomme J, Joyner CJ, Bei AK, Florens L, Ben Mamoun C, Vanderwal CD, Le Roch KG. A Potent Kalihinol Analogue Disrupts Apicoplast Function and Vesicular Trafficking in P. falciparum Malaria. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.21.568162. [PMID: 38045341 PMCID: PMC10690269 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.21.568162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Here we report the discovery of MED6-189, a new analogue of the kalihinol family of isocyanoterpene (ICT) natural products. MED6-189 is effective against drug-sensitive and -resistant P. falciparum strains blocking both intraerythrocytic asexual replication and sexual differentiation. This compound was also effective against P. knowlesi and P. cynomolgi. In vivo efficacy studies using a humanized mouse model of malaria confirms strong efficacy of the compound in animals with no apparent hemolytic activity or apparent toxicity. Complementary chemical biology, molecular biology, genomics and cell biological analyses revealed that MED6-189 primarily targets the parasite apicoplast and acts by inhibiting lipid biogenesis and cellular trafficking. Genetic analyses in P. falciparum revealed that a mutation in PfSec13, which encodes a component of the parasite secretory machinery, reduced susceptibility to the drug. The high potency of MED6-189 in vitro and in vivo, its broad range of efficacy, excellent therapeutic profile, and unique mode of action make it an excellent addition to the antimalarial drug pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Chahine
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
| | - S Abel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
| | - T Hollin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
| | - JH Chung
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, 92617, USA
| | - GL Barnes
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, 92617, USA
| | - ME Daub
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, 92617, USA
| | - I Renard
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - JY Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - V Pratap
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - A Pal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - M Alba-Argomaniz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - CAS Banks
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 E. 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - J Kirkwood
- Metabolomics Core Facility, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - A Saraf
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 E. 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - I Camino
- GSK, C/ Severo Ochoa, 2 PTM, 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain
| | - P Castaneda
- GSK, C/ Severo Ochoa, 2 PTM, 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain
| | - MC Cuevas
- GSK, C/ Severo Ochoa, 2 PTM, 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain
| | | | | | - A Garcia-Perez
- GSK, C/ Severo Ochoa, 2 PTM, 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain
| | - N Ibarz
- GSK, C/ Severo Ochoa, 2 PTM, 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain
| | - S Viera-Morilla
- GSK, C/ Severo Ochoa, 2 PTM, 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain
| | - J Prudhomme
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
| | - CJ Joyner
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - AK Bei
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - L Florens
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 E. 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - C Ben Mamoun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - CD Vanderwal
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, 92617, USA
| | - KG Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
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10
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Voorberg-van der Wel A, Zeeman AM, Kocken CHM. Transfection Models to Investigate Plasmodium vivax-Type Dormant Liver Stage Parasites. Pathogens 2023; 12:1070. [PMID: 37764878 PMCID: PMC10534883 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091070] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax causes the second highest number of malaria morbidity and mortality cases in humans. Several biological traits of this parasite species, including the formation of dormant stages (hypnozoites) that persist inside the liver for prolonged periods of time, present an obstacle for intervention measures and create a barrier for the elimination of malaria. Research into the biology of hypnozoites requires efficient systems for parasite transmission, liver stage cultivation and genetic modification. However, P. vivax research is hampered by the lack of an in vitro blood stage culture system, rendering it reliant on in vivo-derived, mainly patient, material for transmission and liver stage culture. This has also resulted in limited capability for genetic modification, creating a bottleneck in investigations into the mechanisms underlying the persistence of the parasite inside the liver. This bottleneck can be overcome through optimal use of the closely related and experimentally more amenable nonhuman primate (NHP) parasite, Plasmodium cynomolgi, as a model system. In this review, we discuss the genetic modification tools and liver stage cultivation platforms available for studying P. vivax persistent stages and highlight how their combined use may advance our understanding of hypnozoite biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemarie Voorberg-van der Wel
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands; (A.-M.Z.); (C.H.M.K.)
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11
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Ward KE, Christensen P, Racklyeft A, Dhingra SK, Chua ACY, Remmert C, Suwanarusk R, Matheson J, Blackman MJ, Kaneko O, Kyle DE, Lee MCS, Moon RW, Snounou G, Rénia L, Fidock DA, Russell B, Bifani P. Integrative Genetic Manipulation of Plasmodium cynomolgi Reveals Multidrug Resistance-1 Y976F Associated With Increased In Vitro Susceptibility to Mefloquine. J Infect Dis 2023; 227:1121-1126. [PMID: 36478252 PMCID: PMC10175063 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac469] [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: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of a long-term in vitro culture method has severely restricted the study of Plasmodium vivax, in part because it limits genetic manipulation and reverse genetics. We used the recently optimized Plasmodium cynomolgi Berok in vitro culture model to investigate the putative P. vivax drug resistance marker MDR1 Y976F. Introduction of this mutation using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) increased sensitivity to mefloquine, but had no significant effect on sensitivity to chloroquine, amodiaquine, piperaquine, and artesunate. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of CRISPR-Cas9 in P. cynomolgi, and the first reported integrative genetic manipulation of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt E Ward
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Peter Christensen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Annie Racklyeft
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Satish K Dhingra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Adeline C Y Chua
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Caroline Remmert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Rossarin Suwanarusk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Jessica Matheson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Osamu Kaneko
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Dennis E Kyle
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Marcus C S Lee
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Robert W Moon
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Georges Snounou
- 11-INSERM U1184, Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases, Infectious Disease Models and Innovative Therapies Department, Institut de biologie François Jacob, Direction de Recherche Fondamentale, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives-Université Paris Sud, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Laurent Rénia
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bruce Russell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Pablo Bifani
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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12
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Kumari S, Sinha A. Culture and transfection: Two major bottlenecks in understanding Plasmodium vivax biology. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1144453. [PMID: 37082177 PMCID: PMC10110902 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1144453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The long term in vitro culture of Plasmodium falciparum was successfully established by Trager and Jensen in 1976; however it largely remains unachieved for P. vivax. The major obstacle associated with Plasmodium vivax in vitro culture is its predilection for invading younger reticulocytes and the complex remodelling of invaded reticulocytes. There are many factors under exploration for this predilection and host–parasite interactions between merozoites and invaded reticulocytes. These include various factors related to parasite, host and environment such as compromised reticulocyte osmotic stability after invasion, abundance of iron in the reticulocytes which makes them favourable for P. vivax growth and propagation and role of a hypoxic environment in P. vivax in vitro growth. P. vivax blood stage transfection represents another major hurdle towards understanding this parasite’s complex biology. Efforts in making this parasite amenable for molecular investigation by genetic modification are limited. Newer approaches in sustaining a longer in vitro culture and thereby help advancing transfection technologies in P. vivax are urgently needed that can be explored to understand the unique biology of this parasite.
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13
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Kepple D, Ford CT, Williams J, Abagero B, Li S, Popovici J, Yewhalaw D, Lo E. Comparative transcriptomics reveal differential gene expression in Plasmodium vivax geographical isolates and implications on erythrocyte invasion mechanisms. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.16.528793. [PMID: 36824754 PMCID: PMC9949051 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.16.528793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax uses Duffy binding protein (PvDBP1) to bind to the Duffy Antigen-Chemokine Receptor (DARC) to invade human erythrocytes. Individuals who lack DARC expression (Duffy-negative) are thought to be resistance to P. vivax. In recent years, P. vivax malaria is becoming more prevalent in Africa with a portion of these cases detected in Duffy-negatives. Apart from DBP1, members of the reticulocyte binding protein (RBP) and tryptophan-rich antigen (TRAg) families may also play a role in erythrocyte invasion. While the transcriptomes of the Southeast Asian and South American P. vivax are well documented, the gene expression profile of P. vivax in Africa and more specifically the expression level of several erythrocyte binding gene candidates as compared to DBP1 are largely unknown. This paper characterized the first P. vivax transcriptome in Africa and compared with those from the Southeast Asian and South American isolates. The expression of 4,404 gene transcripts belong to 12 functional groups including 43 specific erythrocyte binding gene candidates were examined. Overall, there were 10-26% differences in the gene expression profile amongst the geographical isolates, with the Ethiopian and Cambodian P. vivax being most similar. Majority of the gene transcripts involved in protein transportation, housekeeping, and host interaction were highly transcribed in the Ethiopian P. vivax. Erythrocyte binding genes including PvRBP2a and PvRBP3 expressed six-fold higher than PvDBP1and 60-fold higher than PvEBP/DBP2. Other genes including PvRBP1a, PvMSP3.8, PvMSP3.9, PvTRAG2, PvTRAG14, and PvTRAG22 also showed relatively high expression. Differential expression was observed among geographical isolates, e.g., PvDBP1 and PvEBP/DBP2 were highly expressed in the Cambodian but not the Brazilian and Ethiopian isolates, whereas PvRBP2a and PvRBP2b showed higher expression in the Ethiopian and Cambodian than the Brazilian isolates. Compared to Pvs25, the standard biomarker for detecting female gametocytes, PvAP2-G (PVP01_1440800), GAP (PVP01_1403000), and Pvs47 (PVP01_1208000) were highly expressed across geographical samples. These findings provide an important baseline for future comparisons of P. vivax transcriptomes from Duffy-negative infections and highlight potential biomarkers for improved gametocyte detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kepple
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Colby T. Ford
- Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
- School of Data Science, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Beka Abagero
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Shaoyu Li
- Mathematics and Statistics, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Jean Popovici
- Malaria Research Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Delenasaw Yewhalaw
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Eugenia Lo
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
- School of Data Science, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
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14
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DeBarry JD, Nural MV, Pakala SB, Nayak V, Warrenfeltz S, Humphrey J, Lapp SA, Cabrera-Mora M, Brito CFA, Jiang J, Saney CL, Hankus A, Stealey HM, DeBarry MB, Lackman N, Legall N, Lee K, Tang Y, Gupta A, Trippe ED, Bridger RR, Weatherly DB, Peterson MS, Jiang X, Tran V, Uppal K, Fonseca LL, Joyner CJ, Karpuzoglu E, Cordy RJ, Meyer EVS, Wells LL, Ory DS, Lee FEH, Tirouvanziam R, Gutiérrez JB, Ibegbu C, Lamb TJ, Pohl J, Pruett ST, Jones DP, Styczynski MP, Voit EO, Moreno A, Galinski MR, Kissinger JC. MaHPIC malaria systems biology data from Plasmodium cynomolgi sporozoite longitudinal infections in macaques. Sci Data 2022; 9:722. [PMID: 36433985 PMCID: PMC9700667 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01755-y] [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: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium cynomolgi causes zoonotic malarial infections in Southeast Asia and this parasite species is important as a model for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale. Each of these species produces hypnozoites in the liver, which can cause relapsing infections in the blood. Here we present methods and data generated from iterative longitudinal systems biology infection experiments designed and performed by the Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center (MaHPIC) to delve deeper into the biology, pathogenesis, and immune responses of P. cynomolgi in the Macaca mulatta host. Infections were initiated by sporozoite inoculation. Blood and bone marrow samples were collected at defined timepoints for biological and computational experiments and integrative analyses revolving around primary illness, relapse illness, and subsequent disease and immune response patterns. Parasitological, clinical, haematological, immune response, and -omic datasets (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics) including metadata and computational results have been deposited in public repositories. The scope and depth of these datasets are unprecedented in studies of malaria, and they are projected to be a F.A.I.R., reliable data resource for decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy D DeBarry
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Mustafa V Nural
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Suman B Pakala
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Vishal Nayak
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Cancer Data Science Initiatives, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Post Office Box B, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Susanne Warrenfeltz
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Jay Humphrey
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Stacey A Lapp
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Monica Cabrera-Mora
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Cristiana F A Brito
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Laboratório de Malária, Instituto René Rachou/Fiocruz Minas, Av. Augusto de Lima 1715, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30190 009, Brazil
| | - Jianlin Jiang
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Celia L Saney
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30605, USA
| | - Allison Hankus
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Senior Public Health Informaticist, MITRE Corp, Atlanta, GA, 30345, USA
| | - Hannah M Stealey
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Megan B DeBarry
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Nicolas Lackman
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Noah Legall
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Interdisciplinary Disease Ecology Across Scales Research Traineeship Program, Institute of Bioinformatics, Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Kevin Lee
- Center for Integrative Genomics, School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Yan Tang
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Anuj Gupta
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Valted Seq, 704 Quince Orchard Rd, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - Elizabeth D Trippe
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Federal Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Robert R Bridger
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Daniel Brent Weatherly
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Mariko S Peterson
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Xuntian Jiang
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - ViLinh Tran
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Karan Uppal
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Luis L Fonseca
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32603, USA
| | - Chester J Joyner
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Disease, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Ebru Karpuzoglu
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Department of Biosciences and Diagnostic Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Regina J Cordy
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, 27103, USA
| | - Esmeralda V S Meyer
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Research Compliance and Research Integrity Office, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Lance L Wells
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Daniel S Ory
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Casma Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - F Eun-Hyung Lee
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Rabindra Tirouvanziam
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Juan B Gutiérrez
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Department of Mathematics, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Chris Ibegbu
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Tracey J Lamb
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Jan Pohl
- Biotechnology Core Facility Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Sarah T Pruett
- Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Dean P Jones
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Mark P Styczynski
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Eberhard O Voit
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Alberto Moreno
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Mary R Galinski
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes/Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jessica C Kissinger
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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15
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Bajic M, Ravishankar S, Sheth M, Rowe LA, Pacheco MA, Patel DS, Batra D, Loparev V, Olsen C, Escalante AA, Vannberg F, Udhayakumar V, Barnwell JW, Talundzic E. The first complete genome of the simian malaria parasite Plasmodium brasilianum. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19802. [PMID: 36396703 PMCID: PMC9671904 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20706-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring human infections by zoonotic Plasmodium species have been documented for P. knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, P. simium, P. simiovale, P. inui, P. inui-like, P. coatneyi, and P. brasilianum. Accurate detection of each species is complicated by their morphological similarities with other Plasmodium species. PCR-based assays offer a solution but require prior knowledge of adequate genomic targets that can distinguish the species. While whole genomes have been published for P. knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, P. simium, and P. inui, no complete genome for P. brasilianum has been available. Previously, we reported a draft genome for P. brasilianum, and here we report the completed genome for P. brasilianum. The genome is 31.4 Mb in size and comprises 14 chromosomes, the mitochondrial genome, the apicoplast genome, and 29 unplaced contigs. The chromosomes consist of 98.4% nucleotide sites that are identical to the P. malariae genome, the closest evolutionarily related species hypothesized to be the same species as P. brasilianum, with 41,125 non-synonymous SNPs (0.0722% of genome) identified between the two genomes. Furthermore, P. brasilianum had 4864 (82.1%) genes that share 80% or higher sequence similarity with 4970 (75.5%) P. malariae genes. This was demonstrated by the nearly identical genomic organization and multiple sequence alignments for the merozoite surface proteins msp3 and msp7. We observed a distinction in the repeat lengths of the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) gene sequences between P. brasilianum and P. malariae. Our results demonstrate a 97.3% pairwise identity between the P. brasilianum and the P. malariae genomes. These findings highlight the phylogenetic proximity of these two species, suggesting that P. malariae and P. brasilianum are strains of the same species, but this could not be fully evaluated with only a single genomic sequence for each species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Bajic
- grid.422961.a0000 0001 0029 6188Association of Public Health Laboratories, Silver Spring, MD USA ,grid.416738.f0000 0001 2163 0069Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
| | | | - Mili Sheth
- grid.416738.f0000 0001 2163 0069Biotechnology Core Facility Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Lori A. Rowe
- grid.416738.f0000 0001 2163 0069Biotechnology Core Facility Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA ,grid.265219.b0000 0001 2217 8588Virus Characterization Isolation Production and Sequencing Core, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA USA
| | - M. Andreina Pacheco
- grid.264727.20000 0001 2248 3398Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Dhruviben S. Patel
- grid.416738.f0000 0001 2163 0069Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Dhwani Batra
- grid.416738.f0000 0001 2163 0069Biotechnology Core Facility Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Vladimir Loparev
- grid.416738.f0000 0001 2163 0069Biotechnology Core Facility Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Christian Olsen
- grid.416738.f0000 0001 2163 0069Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Ananias A. Escalante
- grid.264727.20000 0001 2248 3398Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Fredrik Vannberg
- grid.213917.f0000 0001 2097 4943Center for Integrative Genomics at Georgia Tech, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Venkatachalam Udhayakumar
- grid.416738.f0000 0001 2163 0069Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - John W. Barnwell
- grid.416738.f0000 0001 2163 0069Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Eldin Talundzic
- grid.416738.f0000 0001 2163 0069Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
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16
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Molecular Assessment of Domain I of Apical Membrane Antigen I Gene in Plasmodium falciparum: Implications in Plasmodium Invasion, Taxonomy, Vaccine Development, and Drug Discovery. THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY = JOURNAL CANADIEN DES MALADIES INFECTIEUSES ET DE LA MICROBIOLOGIE MEDICALE 2022; 2022:1419998. [PMID: 36249587 PMCID: PMC9568357 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1419998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Given its global morbidity and mortality rates, malaria continues to be a major public health concern. Despite significant progress in the fight against malaria, efforts to control and eradicate the disease globally are in jeopardy due to lack of a universal vaccine. The conserved short peptide sequences found in Domain I of Plasmodium falciparum apical membrane antigen 1 (PfAMA1), which are exposed on the parasite cell surface and in charge of Plasmodium falciparum invasion of host cells, make PfAMA1 a promising vaccine candidate antigen. The precise amino acids that make up these conserved short peptides are still unknown, and it is still difficult to pinpoint the molecular processes by which PfAMA1 interacts with the human host cell during invasion. The creation of a universal malaria vaccine based on the AMA1 antigen is challenging due to these knowledge limitations. This study used genome mining techniques to look for these particular short peptides in PfAMA1. Thirty individuals with Plasmodium falciparum malaria had blood samples taken using Whatman's filter papers. DNA from the parasite was taken out using the Chelex technique. Domain I of the Plasmodium falciparum AMA1 gene was amplified using nested polymerase chain reactions, and the amplified products were removed, purified, and sequenced. The DNA sequence generated was converted into the matching amino acid sequence using bioinformatic techniques. These amino acid sequences were utilized to search for antigenic epitopes, therapeutic targets, and conserved short peptides in Domain I of PfAMA1. The results of this investigation shed important light on the molecular mechanisms behind Plasmodium invasion of host cells, a potential PfAMA1 vaccine antigen sequence, and prospective malaria treatment options in the future. Our work offers fresh information on malaria medication and vaccine research that has not been previously discussed.
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17
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Brashear AM, Cui L. Population genomics in neglected malaria parasites. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:984394. [PMID: 36160257 PMCID: PMC9493318 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.984394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria elimination includes neglected human malaria parasites Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale spp., and Plasmodium malariae. Biological features such as association with low-density infection and the formation of hypnozoites responsible for relapse make their elimination challenging. Studies on these parasites rely primarily on clinical samples due to the lack of long-term culture techniques. With improved methods to enrich parasite DNA from clinical samples, whole-genome sequencing of the neglected malaria parasites has gained increasing popularity. Population genomics of more than 2200 P. vivax global isolates has improved our knowledge of parasite biology and host-parasite interactions, identified vaccine targets and potential drug resistance markers, and provided a new way to track parasite migration and introduction and monitor the evolutionary response of local populations to elimination efforts. Here, we review advances in population genomics for neglected malaria parasites, discuss how the rich genomic information is being used to understand parasite biology and epidemiology, and explore opportunities for the applications of malaria genomic data in malaria elimination practice.
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18
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Peterson MS, Joyner CJ, Lapp SA, Brady JA, Wood JS, Cabrera-Mora M, Saney CL, Fonseca LL, Cheng WT, Jiang J, Soderberg SR, Nural MV, Hankus A, Machiah D, Karpuzoglu E, DeBarry JD, Tirouvanziam R, Kissinger JC, Moreno A, Gumber S, Voit EO, Gutierrez JB, Cordy RJ, Galinski MR. Plasmodium knowlesi Cytoadhesion Involves SICA Variant Proteins. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:888496. [PMID: 35811680 PMCID: PMC9260704 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.888496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium knowlesi poses a health threat throughout Southeast Asian communities and currently causes most cases of malaria in Malaysia. This zoonotic parasite species has been studied in Macaca mulatta (rhesus monkeys) as a model for severe malarial infections, chronicity, and antigenic variation. The phenomenon of Plasmodium antigenic variation was first recognized during rhesus monkey infections. Plasmodium-encoded variant proteins were first discovered in this species and found to be expressed at the surface of infected erythrocytes, and then named the Schizont-Infected Cell Agglutination (SICA) antigens. SICA expression was shown to be spleen dependent, as SICA expression is lost after P. knowlesi is passaged in splenectomized rhesus. Here we present data from longitudinal P. knowlesi infections in rhesus with the most comprehensive analysis to date of clinical parameters and infected red blood cell sequestration in the vasculature of tissues from 22 organs. Based on the histopathological analysis of 22 tissue types from 11 rhesus monkeys, we show a comparative distribution of parasitized erythrocytes and the degree of margination of the infected erythrocytes with the endothelium. Interestingly, there was a significantly higher burden of parasites in the gastrointestinal tissues, and extensive margination of the parasites along the endothelium, which may help explain gastrointestinal symptoms frequently reported by patients with P. knowlesi malarial infections. Moreover, this margination was not observed in splenectomized rhesus that were infected with parasites not expressing the SICA proteins. This work provides data that directly supports the view that a subpopulation of P. knowlesi parasites cytoadheres and sequesters, likely via SICA variant antigens acting as ligands. This process is akin to the cytoadhesive function of the related variant antigen proteins, namely Erythrocyte Membrane Protein-1, expressed by Plasmodium falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko S. Peterson
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Chester J. Joyner
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Stacey A. Lapp
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jessica A. Brady
- School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Jennifer S. Wood
- Division of Animal Resources, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Monica Cabrera-Mora
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Celia L. Saney
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Luis L. Fonseca
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Wayne T. Cheng
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Jianlin Jiang
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Stephanie R. Soderberg
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Mustafa V. Nural
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Allison Hankus
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Deepa Machiah
- Division of Pathology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ebru Karpuzoglu
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jeremy D. DeBarry
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Rabindra Tirouvanziam
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Alberto Moreno
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sanjeev Gumber
- Division of Pathology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Eberhard O. Voit
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Juan B. Gutierrez
- Department of Mathematics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Regina Joice Cordy
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Mary R. Galinski
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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19
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Abstract
"The Primate Malarias" book has been a uniquely important resource for multiple generations of scientists, since its debut in 1971, and remains pertinent to the present day. Indeed, nonhuman primates (NHPs) have been instrumental for major breakthroughs in basic and pre-clinical research on malaria for over 50 years. Research involving NHPs have provided critical insights and data that have been essential for malaria research on many parasite species, drugs, vaccines, pathogenesis, and transmission, leading to improved clinical care and advancing research goals for malaria control, elimination, and eradication. Whilst most malaria scientists over the decades have been studying Plasmodium falciparum, with NHP infections, in clinical studies with humans, or using in vitro culture or rodent model systems, others have been dedicated to advancing research on Plasmodium vivax, as well as on phylogenetically related simian species, including Plasmodium cynomolgi, Plasmodium coatneyi, and Plasmodium knowlesi. In-depth study of these four phylogenetically related species over the years has spawned the design of NHP longitudinal infection strategies for gathering information about ongoing infections, which can be related to human infections. These Plasmodium-NHP infection model systems are reviewed here, with emphasis on modern systems biological approaches to studying longitudinal infections, pathogenesis, immunity, and vaccines. Recent discoveries capitalizing on NHP longitudinal infections include an advanced understanding of chronic infections, relapses, anaemia, and immune memory. With quickly emerging new technological advances, more in-depth research and mechanistic discoveries can be anticipated on these and additional critical topics, including hypnozoite biology, antigenic variation, gametocyte transmission, bone marrow dysfunction, and loss of uninfected RBCs. New strategies and insights published by the Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center (MaHPIC) are recapped here along with a vision that stresses the importance of educating future experts well trained in utilizing NHP infection model systems for the pursuit of innovative, effective interventions against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary R Galinski
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory National Primate Research Center (Yerkes National Primate Research Center), Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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20
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Escalante AA, Cepeda AS, Pacheco MA. Why Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum are so different? A tale of two clades and their species diversities. Malar J 2022; 21:139. [PMID: 35505356 PMCID: PMC9066883 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04130-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The global malaria burden sometimes obscures that the genus Plasmodium comprises diverse clades with lineages that independently gave origin to the extant human parasites. Indeed, the differences between the human malaria parasites were highlighted in the classical taxonomy by dividing them into two subgenera, the subgenus Plasmodium, which included all the human parasites but Plasmodium falciparum that was placed in its separate subgenus, Laverania. Here, the evolution of Plasmodium in primates will be discussed in terms of their species diversity and some of their distinct phenotypes, putative molecular adaptations, and host–parasite biocenosis. Thus, in addition to a current phylogeny using genome-level data, some specific molecular features will be discussed as examples of how these parasites have diverged. The two subgenera of malaria parasites found in primates, Plasmodium and Laverania, reflect extant monophyletic groups that originated in Africa. However, the subgenus Plasmodium involves species in Southeast Asia that were likely the result of adaptive radiation. Such events led to the Plasmodium vivax lineage. Although the Laverania species, including P. falciparum, has been considered to share “avian characteristics,” molecular traits that were likely in the common ancestor of primate and avian parasites are sometimes kept in the Plasmodium subgenus while being lost in Laverania. Assessing how molecular traits in the primate malaria clades originated is a fundamental science problem that will likely provide new targets for interventions. However, given that the genus Plasmodium is paraphyletic (some descendant groups are in other genera), understanding the evolution of malaria parasites will benefit from studying “non-Plasmodium” Haemosporida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananias A Escalante
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine [iGEM], Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122-1801, USA.
| | - Axl S Cepeda
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine [iGEM], Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122-1801, USA
| | - M Andreína Pacheco
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine [iGEM], Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122-1801, USA
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21
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Akoniyon OP, Adewumi TS, Maharaj L, Oyegoke OO, Roux A, Adeleke MA, Maharaj R, Okpeku M. Whole Genome Sequencing Contributions and Challenges in Disease Reduction Focused on Malaria. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:587. [PMID: 35453786 PMCID: PMC9027812 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Malaria elimination remains an important goal that requires the adoption of sophisticated science and management strategies in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. The advent of next generation sequencing (NGS) is making whole genome sequencing (WGS) a standard today in the field of life sciences, as PCR genotyping and targeted sequencing provide insufficient information compared to the whole genome. Thus, adapting WGS approaches to malaria parasites is pertinent to studying the epidemiology of the disease, as different regions are at different phases in their malaria elimination agenda. Therefore, this review highlights the applications of WGS in disease management, challenges of WGS in controlling malaria parasites, and in furtherance, provides the roles of WGS in pursuit of malaria reduction and elimination. WGS has invaluable impacts in malaria research and has helped countries to reach elimination phase rapidly by providing required information needed to thwart transmission, pathology, and drug resistance. However, to eliminate malaria in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with high malaria transmission, we recommend that WGS machines should be readily available and affordable in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olusegun Philip Akoniyon
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Taiye Samson Adewumi
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Leah Maharaj
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Olukunle Olugbenle Oyegoke
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Alexandra Roux
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Matthew A. Adeleke
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Rajendra Maharaj
- Office of Malaria Research, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, South Africa;
| | - Moses Okpeku
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
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22
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Peter C, Annie R, Ward Kurt E, Jessica M, Rossarin S, Adeline CC, Kaneko O, Lin AH, Laurent R, Nadia A, Victor M, Julien L, Roger LG, Dennis K, Pablo B, Cook Gregory M, Georges S, Bruce R. Improving in vitro continuous cultivation of Plasmodium cynomolgi, a model for P. vivax. Parasitol Int 2022; 89:102589. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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23
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Simwela NV, Waters AP. Current status of experimental models for the study of malaria. Parasitology 2022; 149:1-22. [PMID: 35357277 PMCID: PMC9378029 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021002134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Infection by malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, especially in tropical regions of the world. Despite the availability of malaria control tools such as integrated vector management and effective therapeutics, these measures have been continuously undermined by the emergence of vector resistance to insecticides or parasite resistance to frontline antimalarial drugs. Whilst the recent pilot implementation of the RTS,S malaria vaccine is indeed a remarkable feat, highly effective vaccines against malaria remain elusive. The barriers to effective vaccines result from the complexity of both the malaria parasite lifecycle and the parasite as an organism itself with consequent major gaps in our understanding of their biology. Historically and due to the practical and ethical difficulties of working with human malaria infections, research into malaria parasite biology has been extensively facilitated by animal models. Animals have been used to study disease pathogenesis, host immune responses and their (dys)regulation and further disease processes such as transmission. Moreover, animal models remain at the forefront of pre-clinical evaluations of antimalarial drugs (drug efficacy, mode of action, mode of resistance) and vaccines. In this review, we discuss commonly used animal models of malaria, the parasite species used and their advantages and limitations which hinder their extrapolation to actual human disease. We also place into this context the most recent developments such as organoid technologies and humanized mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson V. Simwela
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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24
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Ahmed MA, Deshmukh GY, Zaidi RH, Saif A, Alshahrani MA, Wazid SW, Patgiri SJ, Quan FS. Identification, Mapping, and Genetic Diversity of Novel Conserved Cross-Species Epitopes of RhopH2 in Plasmodium knowlesi With Plasmodium vivax. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:810398. [PMID: 35096656 PMCID: PMC8793677 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.810398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a major public health concern, and any tangible intervention during the pre-elimination phase can result in a significant reduction in infection rates. Recent studies have reported that antigens producing cross-protective immunity can play an important role as vaccines and halt malaria transmission in different endemic regions. In this study, we studied the genetic diversity, natural selection, and discovered novel conserved epitopes of a high molecular weight rhoptry protein 2 (RhopH2) in clinical samples of Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium vivax cross-protective domains, which has been proven to produce cross-protective immunity in both species. We found low levels of nucleotide diversity (P. knowlesi; π ~ 0.0093, SNPs = 49 and P. vivax π ~ 0.0014, SNPs = 23) in P. knowlesi (n = 40) and P. vivax (n = 65) samples in the PkRhopH2 cross-protective domain. Strong purifying selection was observed for both species (P. knowlesi; dS - dN = 2.41, p < 0.009, P. vivax; dS - dN = 1.58, p < 0.050). In silico epitope prediction in P. knowlesi identified 10 potential epitopes, of which 7 epitopes were 100% conserved within clinical samples. Of these epitopes, an epitope with 10 amino acids (QNSKHFKKEK) was found to be fully conserved within all P. knowlesi and P. vivax clinical samples and 80%–90% conservation within simian malaria ortholog species, i.e., P. coatneyi and P. cynomolgi. Phylogenetic analysis of the PkRhopH2 cross-protective domain showed geographical clustering, and three subpopulations of P. knowlesi were identified of which two subpopulations originated from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, and one comprised only the laboratory lines from Peninsular Malaysia. This study suggests that RhopH2 could be an excellent target for cross-protective vaccine development with potential for outwitting strain as well as species-specific immunity. However, more detailed studies on genetic diversity using more clinical samples from both species as well as the functional role of antibodies specific to the novel conserved epitope identified in this study can be explored for protection against infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Atique Ahmed
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-Regional Medical Research Centre, North East Region (NER), Dibrugarh, India
- *Correspondence: Md Atique Ahmed, ; Fu-Shi Quan,
| | | | - Rehan Haider Zaidi
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, National College, Tiruchirapalli, India
| | - Ahmed Saif
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Narjan, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Saurav Jyoti Patgiri
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-Regional Medical Research Centre, North East Region (NER), Dibrugarh, India
| | - Fu-Shi Quan
- Department of Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
- Medical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species and Biomedical Science Institute, School of Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Md Atique Ahmed, ; Fu-Shi Quan,
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25
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Hou N, Li S, Jiang N, Piao X, Ma Y, Liu S, Chen Q. Merozoite Proteins Discovered by qRT-PCR-Based Transcriptome Screening of Plasmodium falciparum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:777955. [PMID: 34956931 PMCID: PMC8696357 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.777955] [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: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of malaria vaccines and medicines depends on the discovery of novel malaria protein targets, but the functions of more than 40% of P. falciparum genes remain unknown. Asexual parasites are the critical stage that leads to serious clinical symptoms and that can be modulated by malaria treatments and vaccines. To identify critical genes involved in the development of Plasmodium parasites within erythrocytes, the expression profile of more than 5,000 genes distributed across the 14 chromosomes of the PF3D7 strain during its six critical developmental stages (merozoite, early-ring, late-ring, early trophozoite, late-trophozoite, and middle-schizont) was evaluated. Hence, a qRT-PCR-based transcriptome of the erythrocytic developmental process of P. falciparum was revealed. Weighted gene coexpression network analyses revealed that a large number of genes are upregulated during the merozoite release process. Further gene ontology analysis revealed that a cluster of genes is associated with merozoite and may be apical complex components. Among these genes, 135 were comprised within chromosome 14, and 80% of them were previously unknown in functions. Western blot and immunofluorescence assays using newly developed corresponding antibodies showed that some of these newly discovered proteins are highly expressed in merozoites. Further invasion inhibition assays revealed that specific antibodies against several novel merozoite proteins can interfere with parasite invasion. Taken together, our study provides a developmental transcriptome of the asexual parasites of P. falciparum and identifies a group of previously unknown merozoite proteins that may play important roles in the process of merozoite invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Hou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.,The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Xianyu Piao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Ma
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qijun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.,The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
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26
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Vythilingam I, Chua TH, Liew JWK, Manin BO, Ferguson HM. The vectors of Plasmodium knowlesi and other simian malarias Southeast Asia: challenges in malaria elimination. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2021; 113:131-189. [PMID: 34620382 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium knowlesi, a simian malaria parasite of great public health concern has been reported from most countries in Southeast Asia and exported to various countries around the world. Currently P. knowlesi is the predominant species infecting humans in Malaysia. Besides this species, other simian malaria parasites such as P. cynomolgi and P. inui are also infecting humans in the region. The vectors of P. knowlesi and other Asian simian malarias belong to the Leucosphyrus Group of Anopheles mosquitoes which are generally forest dwelling species. Continual deforestation has resulted in these species moving into forest fringes, farms, plantations and human settlements along with their macaque hosts. Limited studies have shown that mosquito vectors are attracted to both humans and macaque hosts, preferring to bite outdoors and in the early part of the night. We here review the current status of simian malaria vectors and their parasites, knowledge of vector competence from experimental infections and discuss possible vector control measures. The challenges encountered in simian malaria elimination are also discussed. We highlight key knowledge gaps on vector distribution and ecology that may impede effective control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indra Vythilingam
- Department of Parasitology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Tock Hing Chua
- Department of Pathobiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sabah Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
| | - Jonathan Wee Kent Liew
- Department of Parasitology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Benny O Manin
- Department of Pathobiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sabah Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Heather M Ferguson
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
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27
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Zanghi G, Vaughan AM. Plasmodium vivax pre-erythrocytic stages and the latent hypnozoite. Parasitol Int 2021; 85:102447. [PMID: 34474178 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is the most geographically widespread malaria parasite on the planet. This is largely because after mosquito transmission, P. vivax sporozoites can invade hepatocytes and form latent liver stages known as hypnozoites. These persistent liver stages can activate weeks, months or even years after an infected individual suffers a primary clinical infection. Activation then leads to replication and liver stage schizont maturation that ultimately cause relapse of blood stage infection, disease, and onward transmission. Thus, the latent hypnozoite can lie in wait during times when onward transmission is unlikely due to conditions that do not favor the mosquito. For example, in temperate climates where mosquito prevalence is only seasonal. Furthermore, the elimination of hypnozoites is challenging since the hypnozoite reservoir is currently undetectable and not killed by most antimalarial drugs. Here, we review our current knowledge of the pre-erythrocytic stages of the malaria parasite - the sporozoite and liver stages, including the elusive and enigmatic hypnozoite. We focus on our understanding of sporozoite biology, the novel animal models that are available to study the hypnozoite and hypnozoite activation and the ongoing efforts to understand the biological makeup of the hypnozoite that allow for its persistence in the human host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashley M Vaughan
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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28
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Kale S, Pande V, Singh OP, Carlton JM, Mallick PK. Genetic diversity in two leading Plasmodium vivax malaria vaccine candidates AMA1 and MSP119 at three sites in India. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009652. [PMID: 34370745 PMCID: PMC8376102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax, a major contributor to the malaria burden in India, has the broadest geographic distribution and shows higher genetic diversity than P. falciparum. Here, we investigated the genetic diversity of two leading P. vivax vaccine candidate antigens, at three geographically diverse malaria-endemic regions in India. Pvama1 and Pvmsp119 partial coding sequences were generated from one hundred P. vivax isolates in India (Chennai n = 28, Nadiad n = 50 and Rourkela n = 22) and ~1100 published sequences from Asia, South America, North America, and Oceania regions included. These data were used to assess the genetic diversity and potential for vaccine candidacy of both antigens on a global scale. A total of 44 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) were identified among 100 Indian Pvama1 sequences, including 10 synonymous and 34 nonsynonymous mutations. Nucleotide diversity was higher in Rourkela and Nadiad as compared to Chennai. Nucleotide diversity measures showed a strong balancing selection in Indian and global population for domain I of Pvama1, which suggests that it is a dominant target of the protective immune response. In contrast, the Pvmsp119 region showed highly conserved sequences in India and across the Oceania, South America, North America and Asia, demonstrating low genetic diversity in the global population when compared to Pvama1. Results suggest the possibility of including Pvmsp119 in a multivalent vaccine formulation against P. vivax infections. However, the high genetic diversity seen in Pvama1 would be more challenging for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Kale
- Parasite-Host Biology Group, National Institute of Malaria Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Nainital, India
| | - Veena Pande
- Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Nainital, India
| | - Om P Singh
- Parasite-Host Biology Group, National Institute of Malaria Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Jane M Carlton
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York city, New York, United States of America.,Department of Epidemiology, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York city, New York, United States of America
| | - Prashant K Mallick
- Parasite-Host Biology Group, National Institute of Malaria Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
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29
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Tebben K, Bradwell K, Serre D. Variation in selective constraints along the Plasmodium life cycle. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021; 92:104908. [PMID: 33975022 PMCID: PMC8205998 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites, the cause of malaria, have a complex life cycle, infecting alternatively vertebrate hosts and female Anopheles mosquitoes and undergoing intra- and extra-cellular development in several organs of these hosts. Most of the ~5000 protein-coding genes present in Plasmodium genomes are only expressed at specific life stages, and different genes might therefore be subject to different selective pressures depending on the biological activity of the parasite and its microenvironment at this point in development. Here, we estimate the selective constraints on the protein-coding sequences of all annotated genes of rodent and primate Plasmodium parasites and, using data from scRNA-seq experiments spanning many developmental stages, analyze their variation with regard to when these genes are expressed in the parasite life cycle. Our study reveals extensive variation in selective constraints throughout the parasites' development and highlights stages that are evolving more rapidly than others. These findings provide novel insights into the biology of these parasites and could provide important information to develop better treatment strategies or vaccines against these medically-important organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran Tebben
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Katie Bradwell
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - David Serre
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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Abstract
African apes harbor at least twelve Plasmodium species, some of which have been a source of human infection. It is now well established that Plasmodium falciparum emerged following the transmission of a gorilla parasite, perhaps within the last 10,000 years, while Plasmodium vivax emerged earlier from a parasite lineage that infected humans and apes in Africa before the Duffy-negative mutation eliminated the parasite from humans there. Compared to their ape relatives, both human parasites have greatly reduced genetic diversity and an excess of nonsynonymous mutations, consistent with severe genetic bottlenecks followed by rapid population expansion. A putative new Plasmodium species widespread in chimpanzees, gorillas, and bonobos places the origin of Plasmodium malariae in Africa. Here, we review what is known about the origins and evolutionary history of all human-infective Plasmodium species, the time and circumstances of their emergence, and the diversity, host specificity, and zoonotic potential of their ape counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Sharp
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, United Kingdom
| | - Lindsey J Plenderleith
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA;
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31
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Cappannini A, Forcelloni S, Giansanti A. Evolutionary pressures and codon bias in low complexity regions of plasmodia. Genetica 2021; 149:217-237. [PMID: 34254217 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-021-00126-6] [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: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The biological meaning of low complexity regions in the proteins of Plasmodium species is a topic of discussion in evolutionary biology. There is a debate between selectionists and neutralists, who either attribute or do not attribute an effect of low-complexity regions on the fitness of these parasites, respectively. In this work, we comparatively study 22 Plasmodium species to understand whether their low complexity regions undergo a neutral or, rather, a selective and species-dependent evolution. The focus is on the connection between the codon repertoire of the genetic coding sequences and the occurrence of low complexity regions in the corresponding proteins. The first part of the work concerns the correlation between the length of plasmodial proteins and their propensity at embedding low complexity regions. Relative synonymous codon usage, entropy, and other indicators reveal that the incidence of low complexity regions and their codon bias is species-specific and subject to selective evolutionary pressure. We also observed that protein length, a relaxed selective pressure, and a broad repertoire of codons in proteins, are strongly correlated with the occurrence of low complexity regions. Overall, it seems plausible that the codon bias of low-complexity regions contributes to functional innovation and codon bias enhancement of proteins on which Plasmodium species rest as successful evolutionary parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cappannini
- Department of Physics, Sapienza, University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy.
| | - Sergio Forcelloni
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152, Martinsried, Germany.,Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Andrea Giansanti
- Department of Physics, Sapienza, University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, INFN, Roma1 section. 00185, Roma, Italy
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32
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Antinori S, Bonazzetti C, Giacomelli A, Corbellino M, Galli M, Parravicini C, Ridolfo AL. Non-human primate and human malaria: past, present and future. J Travel Med 2021; 28:6162451. [PMID: 33693917 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taab036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies of the malaria parasites infecting various non-human primates (NHPs) have increased our understanding of the origin, biology and pathogenesis of human Plasmodium parasites.This review considers the major discoveries concerning NHP malaria parasites, highlights their relationships with human malaria and considers the impact that this may have on attempts to eradicate the disease. RESULTS The first description of NHP malaria parasites dates back to the early 20th century. Subsequently, experimental and fortuitous findings indicating that some NHP malaria parasites can be transmitted to humans have raised concerns about the possible impact of a zoonotic malaria reservoir on efforts to control human malaria.Advances in molecular techniques over the last 15 years have contributed greatly to our knowledge of the existence and geographical distribution of numerous Plasmodium species infecting NHPs, and extended our understanding of their close phylogenetic relationships with human malaria parasites. The clinical application of such techniques has also made it possible to document ongoing spillovers of NHP malaria parasites (Plasmodium knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, P. simium, P. brasilianum) in humans living in or near the forests of Asia and South America, thus confirming that zoonotic malaria can undermine efforts to eradicate human malaria. CONCLUSIONS Increasing molecular research supports the prophetic intuition of the pioneers of modern malariology who saw zoonotic malaria as a potential obstacle to the full success of malaria eradication programmes. It is, therefore, important to continue surveillance and research based on one-health approaches in order to improve our understanding of the complex interactions between NHPs, mosquito vectors and humans during a period of ongoing changes in the climate and the use of land, monitor the evolution of zoonotic malaria, identify the populations most at risk and implement appropriate preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spinello Antinori
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.,III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Bonazzetti
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.,III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Giacomelli
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.,III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Corbellino
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Galli
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.,III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Parravicini
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Ridolfo
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
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33
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Schäfer C, Zanghi G, Vaughan AM, Kappe SHI. Plasmodium vivax Latent Liver Stage Infection and Relapse: Biological Insights and New Experimental Tools. Annu Rev Microbiol 2021; 75:87-106. [PMID: 34196569 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-032421-061155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread human malaria parasite, in part because it can form latent liver stages known as hypnozoites after transmission by female anopheline mosquitoes to human hosts. These persistent stages can activate weeks, months, or even years after the primary clinical infection; replicate; and initiate relapses of blood stage infection, which causes disease and recurring transmission. Eliminating hypnozoites is a substantial obstacle for malaria treatment and eradication since the hypnozoite reservoir is undetectable and unaffected by most antimalarial drugs. Importantly, in some parts of the globe where P. vivax malaria is endemic, as many as 90% of P. vivax blood stage infections are thought to be relapses rather than primary infections, rendering the hypnozoite a major driver of P. vivax epidemiology. Here, we review the biology of the hypnozoite and recent discoveries concerning this enigmatic parasite stage. We discuss treatment and prevention challenges, novel animal models to study hypnozoites and relapse, and hypotheses related to hypnozoite formation and activation. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 75 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Schäfer
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA; , , ,
| | - Gigliola Zanghi
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA; , , ,
| | - Ashley M Vaughan
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA; , , , .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA
| | - Stefan H I Kappe
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA; , , , .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA.,Deparment of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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34
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Cortés GT, Beltran MMG, Gómez-Alegría CJ, Wiser MF. Identification of a protein unique to the genus Plasmodium that contains a WD40 repeat domain and extensive low-complexity sequence. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2617-2629. [PMID: 34142223 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07190-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Proteins containing WD40 domains play important roles in the formation of multiprotein complexes. Little is known about WD40 proteins in the malaria parasite. This report contains the initial description of a WD40 protein that is unique to the genus Plasmodium and possibly closely related genera. The N-terminal portion of this protein consists of seven WD40 repeats that are highly conserved in all Plasmodium species. Following the N-terminal region is a central region that is conserved within the major Plasmodium clades, such as parasites of great apes, monkeys, rodents, and birds, but partially conserved across all Plasmodium species. This central region contains extensive low-complexity sequence and is predicted to have a disordered structure. Proteins with disordered structure generally function in molecular interactions. The C-terminal region is semi-conserved across all Plasmodium species and has no notable features. This WD40 repeat protein likely functions in some aspect of parasite biology that is unique to Plasmodium and this uniqueness makes the protein a possible target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gladys T Cortés
- Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Grupo Biologia Celular, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Martha Margarita Gonzalez Beltran
- Ex alumna de la Maestría en Ciencias-Bioquímica, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Grupo UNIMOL, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudio J Gómez-Alegría
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Grupo UNIMOL, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mark F Wiser
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2301, New Orleans, LA, 70112-2824, USA.
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35
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Pegoraro M, Weedall GD. Malaria in the 'Omics Era'. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12060843. [PMID: 34070769 PMCID: PMC8228830 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomics has revolutionised the study of the biology of parasitic diseases. The first Eukaryotic parasite to have its genome sequenced was the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Since then, Plasmodium genomics has continued to lead the way in the study of the genome biology of parasites, both in breadth—the number of Plasmodium species’ genomes sequenced—and in depth—massive-scale genome re-sequencing of several key species. Here, we review some of the insights into the biology, evolution and population genetics of Plasmodium gained from genome sequencing, and look at potential new avenues in the future genome-scale study of its biology.
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36
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de Oliveira TC, Rodrigues PT, Early AM, Duarte AMRC, Buery JC, Bueno MG, Catão-Dias JL, Cerutti C, Rona LDP, Neafsey DE, Ferreira MU. Plasmodium simium: population genomics reveals the origin of a reverse zoonosis. J Infect Dis 2021; 224:1950-1961. [PMID: 33870436 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The population history of Plasmodium simium, which causes malaria in sylvatic Neotropical monkeys and humans along the Atlantic Coast of Brazil, remains disputed. Genetically diverse P. vivax populations from various sources, including the lineages that founded the species P. simium, are thought to have arrived in the Americas in separate migratory waves. However, here we find a minimal genome-level differentiation between P. simium and present-day New World P. vivax isolates, consistent with their common geographic origin and subsequent divergence on this continent. The meagre genetic diversity in P. simium samples from humans and monkeys implies a recent transfer from humans to non-human primates - a unique example of malaria as a reverse zoonosis of public health significance. Likely genomic signatures of P. simium adaptation to new hosts include the deletion of >40% of a key erythrocyte invasion ligand, PvRBP2a, which may have favored more efficient simian host cell infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís C de Oliveira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priscila T Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angela M Early
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ana Maria R C Duarte
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Superintendency for the Control of Endemics (SUCEN), State Secretary of Health, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine of São Paulo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julyana C Buery
- Department of Social Medicine, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Marina G Bueno
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José L Catão-Dias
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Crispim Cerutti
- Department of Social Medicine, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Luísa D P Rona
- Department of Cell Biology, Embryology, and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.,National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, National Institute of Science and Technology in Molecular Entomology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel E Neafsey
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcelo U Ferreira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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37
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Daron J, Boissière A, Boundenga L, Ngoubangoye B, Houze S, Arnathau C, Sidobre C, Trape JF, Durand P, Renaud F, Fontaine MC, Prugnolle F, Rougeron V. Population genomic evidence of Plasmodium vivax Southeast Asian origin. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/18/eabc3713. [PMID: 33910900 PMCID: PMC8081369 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc3713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is the most common and widespread human malaria parasite. It was recently proposed that P. vivax originates from sub-Saharan Africa based on the circulation of its closest genetic relatives (P. vivax-like) among African great apes. However, the limited number of genetic markers and samples investigated questions the robustness of this hypothesis. Here, we extensively characterized the genomic variations of 447 human P. vivax strains and 19 ape P. vivax-like strains collected worldwide. Phylogenetic relationships between human and ape Plasmodium strains revealed that P. vivax is a sister clade of P. vivax-like, not included within the radiation of P. vivax-like By investigating various aspects of P. vivax genetic variation, we identified several notable geographical patterns in summary statistics in function of the increasing geographic distance from Southeast Asia, suggesting that P. vivax may have derived from a single area in Asia through serial founder effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josquin Daron
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France.
| | - Anne Boissière
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
| | - Larson Boundenga
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
| | | | - Sandrine Houze
- Service de Parasitologie-mycologie CNR du Paludisme, AP-HP Hôpital Bichat, 46 rue H. Huchard, 75877 Paris Cedex 18, France
| | - Celine Arnathau
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
| | - Christine Sidobre
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-François Trape
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Durand
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
| | - François Renaud
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
| | - Michael C Fontaine
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, PO Box 11103 CC, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Franck Prugnolle
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
| | - Virginie Rougeron
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France.
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
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Voorberg-van der Wel A, Kocken CHM, Zeeman AM. Modeling Relapsing Malaria: Emerging Technologies to Study Parasite-Host Interactions in the Liver. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:606033. [PMID: 33585277 PMCID: PMC7878928 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.606033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies of liver stage malaria parasite-host interactions have provided exciting new insights on the cross-talk between parasite and its mammalian (predominantly rodent) host. We review the latest state of the art and and zoom in on new technologies that will provide the tools necessary to investigate host-parasite interactions of relapsing parasites. Interactions between hypnozoites and hepatocytes are particularly interesting because the parasite can remain in a quiescent state for prolonged periods of time and triggers for reactivation have not been irrefutably identified. If we learn more about the cross-talk between hypnozoite and host we may be able to identify factors that encourage waking up these dormant parasite reservoirs and help to achieve the total eradication of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clemens H M Kocken
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Center, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Anne-Marie Zeeman
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Center, Rijswijk, Netherlands
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Briquet S, Marinach C, Silvie O, Vaquero C. Preparing for Transmission: Gene Regulation in Plasmodium Sporozoites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:618430. [PMID: 33585284 PMCID: PMC7878544 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.618430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium sporozoites are transmitted to mammals by anopheline mosquitoes and first infect the liver, where they transform into replicative exoerythrocytic forms, which subsequently release thousands of merozoites that invade erythrocytes and initiate the malaria disease. In some species, sporozoites can transform into dormant hypnozoites in the liver, which cause malaria relapses upon reactivation. Transmission from the insect vector to a mammalian host is a critical step of the parasite life cycle, and requires tightly regulated gene expression. Sporozoites are formed inside oocysts in the mosquito midgut and become fully infectious after colonization of the insect salivary glands, where they remain quiescent until transmission. Parasite maturation into infectious sporozoites is associated with reprogramming of the sporozoite transcriptome and proteome, which depends on multiple layers of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. An emerging scheme is that gene expression in Plasmodium sporozoites is controlled by alternating waves of transcription activity and translational repression, which shape the parasite RNA and protein repertoires for successful transition from the mosquito vector to the mammalian host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Briquet
- Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, INSERM, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Carine Marinach
- Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, INSERM, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Silvie
- Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, INSERM, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Vaquero
- Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, INSERM, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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A Chimeric Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein Antibody Recognizes and Blocks Erythrocytic P. cynomolgi Berok Merozoites In Vitro. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00645-20. [PMID: 33199351 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00645-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on erythrocytic Plasmodium vivax merozoite antigens is critical for identifying potential vaccine candidates in reducing P. vivax disease. However, many P. vivax studies are constrained by its inability to undergo long-term culture in vitro Conserved across all Plasmodium spp., merozoite surface proteins are essential for invasion into erythrocytes and highly expressed on erythrocytic merozoites, thus making it an ideal vaccine candidate. In clinical trials, the P. vivax merozoite surface protein 1 (PvMSP1-19) vaccine candidate alone has shown to have limited immunogenicity in patients; hence, we incorporate the highly conserved and immunogenic C terminus of both P. vivax merozoite surface protein 8 (PvMSP8) and PvMSP1-19 to develop a multicomponent chimeric protein rPvMSP8+1 for immunization of mice. The resulted chimeric rPvMSP8+1 antibody was shown to recognize native protein MSP8 and MSP1-19 of mature P. vivax schizonts. In the immunized mice, an elevated antibody response was observed in the rPvMSP8+1-immunized group compared to that immunized with single-antigen components. In addition, we examined the growth inhibition of these antibodies against Plasmodium cynomolgi (Berok strain) parasites, which is phylogenetically close to P. vivax and sustains long-term culture in vitro Similarly, the chimeric anti-rPvMSP8+1 antibodies recognize P. cynomolgi MSP8 and MSP1-19 on mature schizonts and showed strong inhibition in vitro via growth inhibition assay. This study provides support for a new multiantigen-based paradigm rPvMSP8+1 to explore potential chimeric vaccine candidates against P. vivax malaria using sister species P. cynomolgi.
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González-Cerón L, Cebrián-Carmona J, Mesa-Valle CM, García-Maroto F, Santillán-Valenzuela F, Garrido-Cardenas JA. Plasmodium vivax Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen Polymorphism at Exon-1 Shows Recombination and Signatures of Balancing Selection. Genes (Basel) 2020; 12:genes12010029. [PMID: 33379267 PMCID: PMC7823296 DOI: 10.3390/genes12010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (CyRPA) is a merozoite protein participating in the parasite invasion of human reticulocytes. During natural P. vivax infection, antibody responses against PvCyRPA have been detected. In children, low anti-CyRPA antibody titers correlated with clinical protection, which suggests this protein as a potential vaccine candidate. This work analyzed the genetic and amino acid diversity of pvcyrpa in Mexican and global parasites. Consensus coding sequences of pvcyrpa were obtained from seven isolates. Other sequences were extracted from a repository. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees, genetic diversity parameters, linkage disequilibrium (LD), and neutrality tests were analyzed, and the potential amino acid polymorphism participation in B-cell epitopes was investigated. In 22 sequences from Southern Mexico, two synonymous and 21 nonsynonymous mutations defined nine private haplotypes. These parasites had the highest LD-R2 index and the lowest nucleotide diversity compared to isolates from South America or Asia. The nucleotide diversity and Tajima's D values varied across the coding gene. The exon-1 sequence had greater diversity and Rm values than those of exon-2. Exon-1 had significant positive values for Tajima's D, β-α values, and for the Z (HA: dN > dS) and MK tests. These patterns were similar for parasites of different origin. The polymorphic amino acid residues at PvCyRPA resembled the conformational B-cell peptides reported in PfCyRPA. Diversity at pvcyrpa exon-1 is caused by mutation and recombination. This seems to be maintained by balancing selection, likely due to selective immune pressure, all of which merit further study.
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MESH Headings
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Antigens, Protozoan/immunology
- Cysteine/genetics
- Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Exons/genetics
- Host-Parasite Interactions/genetics
- Host-Parasite Interactions/immunology
- Humans
- Malaria, Vivax/immunology
- Malaria, Vivax/parasitology
- Mutation
- Plasmodium vivax/genetics
- Plasmodium vivax/immunology
- Plasmodium vivax/pathogenicity
- Polymorphism, Genetic/immunology
- Protozoan Proteins/genetics
- Protozoan Proteins/immunology
- Recombination, Genetic/immunology
- Selection, Genetic/immunology
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia González-Cerón
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Tapachula 30700, Chiapas, Mexico;
- Correspondence: (L.G.-C.); (J.A.G.-C.); Tel.: +52-962-6262219 (L.G.-C.); +34-950-215894 (J.A.G.-C.)
| | - José Cebrián-Carmona
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (J.C.-C.); (C.M.M.-V.)
| | - Concepción M. Mesa-Valle
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (J.C.-C.); (C.M.M.-V.)
| | | | - Frida Santillán-Valenzuela
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Tapachula 30700, Chiapas, Mexico;
| | - Jose Antonio Garrido-Cardenas
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (J.C.-C.); (C.M.M.-V.)
- Correspondence: (L.G.-C.); (J.A.G.-C.); Tel.: +52-962-6262219 (L.G.-C.); +34-950-215894 (J.A.G.-C.)
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Kepple D, Pestana K, Tomida J, Abebe A, Golassa L, Lo E. Alternative Invasion Mechanisms and Host Immune Response to Plasmodium vivax Malaria: Trends and Future Directions. Microorganisms 2020; 9:E15. [PMID: 33374596 PMCID: PMC7822457 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax malaria is a neglected tropical disease, despite being more geographically widespread than any other form of malaria. The documentation of P. vivax infections in different parts of Africa where Duffy-negative individuals are predominant suggested that there are alternative pathways for P. vivax to invade human erythrocytes. Duffy-negative individuals may be just as fit as Duffy-positive individuals and are no longer resistant to P.vivax malaria. In this review, we describe the complexity of P. vivax malaria, characterize pathogenesis and candidate invasion genes of P. vivax, and host immune responses to P. vivax infections. We provide a comprehensive review on parasite ligands in several Plasmodium species that further justify candidate genes in P. vivax. We also summarize previous genomic and transcriptomic studies related to the identification of ligand and receptor proteins in P. vivax erythrocyte invasion. Finally, we identify topics that remain unclear and propose future studies that will greatly contribute to our knowledge of P. vivax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kepple
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (K.P.); (J.T.)
| | - Kareen Pestana
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (K.P.); (J.T.)
| | - Junya Tomida
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (K.P.); (J.T.)
| | - Abnet Abebe
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia;
| | - Lemu Golassa
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia;
| | - Eugenia Lo
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (K.P.); (J.T.)
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43
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Merrick CJ. Hypnozoites in Plasmodium: Do Parasites Parallel Plants? Trends Parasitol 2020; 37:273-282. [PMID: 33257270 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The phenomenon of relapsing malaria has been recognised for centuries. It is caused in humans by the parasite species Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale, which can arrest growth at an early, asymptomatic stage as hypnozoites inside liver cells. These dormant parasites can remain quiescent for months or years, then reactivate causing symptomatic malaria. The dynamics of hypnozoite dormancy and reactivation are well documented but the molecular basis remains a complete mystery. Here, I observe that the process has striking parallels with plant vernalisation, whereby plants remain dormant through the winter before flowering in spring. Vernalisation is thoroughly studied in several plant species and its mechanisms are known in exquisite detail. Vernalisation may thus provide a useful framework for interrogating hypnozoite biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine J Merrick
- Department of Pathology, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK.
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44
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Han JH, Cho JS, Ong JJY, Park JH, Nyunt MH, Sutanto E, Trimarsanto H, Petros B, Aseffa A, Getachew S, Sriprawat K, Anstey NM, Grigg MJ, Barber BE, William T, Qi G, Liu Y, Pearson RD, Auburn S, Price RN, Nosten F, Rénia L, Russell B, Han ET. Genetic diversity and neutral selection in Plasmodium vivax erythrocyte binding protein correlates with patient antigenicity. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008202. [PMID: 32645098 PMCID: PMC7347095 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread and difficult to treat cause of human malaria. The development of vaccines against the blood stages of P. vivax remains a key objective for the control and elimination of vivax malaria. Erythrocyte binding-like (EBL) protein family members such as Duffy binding protein (PvDBP) are of critical importance to erythrocyte invasion and have been the major target for vivax malaria vaccine development. In this study, we focus on another member of EBL protein family, P. vivax erythrocyte binding protein (PvEBP). PvEBP was first identified in Cambodian (C127) field isolates and has subsequently been showed its preferences for binding reticulocytes which is directly inhibited by antibodies. We analysed PvEBP sequence from 316 vivax clinical isolates from eight countries including China (n = 4), Ethiopia (n = 24), Malaysia (n = 53), Myanmar (n = 10), Papua New Guinea (n = 16), Republic of Korea (n = 10), Thailand (n = 174), and Vietnam (n = 25). PvEBP gene exhibited four different phenotypic clusters based on the insertion/deletion (indels) variation. PvEBP-RII (179-479 aa.) showed highest polymorphism similar to other EBL family proteins in various Plasmodium species. Whereas even though PvEBP-RIII-V (480-690 aa.) was the most conserved domain, that showed strong neutral selection pressure for gene purifying with significant population expansion. Antigenicity of both of PvEBP-RII (16.1%) and PvEBP-RIII-V (21.5%) domains were comparatively lower than other P. vivax antigen which expected antigens associated with merozoite invasion. Total IgG recognition level of PvEBP-RII was stronger than PvEBP-RIII-V domain, whereas total IgG inducing level was stronger in PvEBP-RIII-V domain. These results suggest that PvEBP-RII is mainly recognized by natural IgG for innate protection, whereas PvEBP-RIII-V stimulates IgG production activity by B-cell for acquired immunity. Overall, the low antigenicity of both regions in patients with vivax malaria likely reflects genetic polymorphism for strong positive selection in PvEBP-RII and purifying selection in PvEBP-RIII-V domain. These observations pose challenging questions to the selection of EBP and point out the importance of immune pressure and polymorphism required for inclusion of PvEBP as a vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Hee Han
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jee-Sun Cho
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
- Jenner Institute, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica J. Y. Ong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ji-Hoon Park
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Edwin Sutanto
- Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | | | - Beyene Petros
- College of Natural Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abraham Aseffa
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Jimma Road, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Sisay Getachew
- College of Natural Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Jimma Road, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Kanlaya Sriprawat
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Nicholas M. Anstey
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | - Matthew J. Grigg
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
- Infectious Diseases Society Sabah-Menzies School of Health Research Clinical Research Unit, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Bridget E. Barber
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
- Infectious Diseases Society Sabah-Menzies School of Health Research Clinical Research Unit, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Timothy William
- Infectious Diseases Society Sabah-Menzies School of Health Research Clinical Research Unit, Sabah, Malaysia
- Clinical Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sabah, Malaysia
- Gleneagles Hospital, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Gao Qi
- Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaobao Liu
- Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Richard D. Pearson
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Old Road Campus, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Auburn
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford Old Road Campus, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ric N. Price
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford Old Road Campus, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Francois Nosten
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford Old Road Campus, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Laurent Rénia
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Bruce Russell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Eun-Taek Han
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
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Muh F, Kim N, Nyunt MH, Firdaus ER, Han JH, Hoque MR, Lee SK, Park JH, Moon RW, Lau YL, Kaneko O, Han ET. Cross-species reactivity of antibodies against Plasmodium vivax blood-stage antigens to Plasmodium knowlesi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008323. [PMID: 32559186 PMCID: PMC7304578 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is caused by multiple different species of protozoan parasites, and interventions in the pre-elimination phase can lead to drastic changes in the proportion of each species causing malaria. In endemic areas, cross-reactivity may play an important role in the protection and blocking transmission. Thus, successful control of one species could lead to an increase in other parasite species. A few studies have reported cross-reactivity producing cross-immunity, but the extent of cross-reactive, particularly between closely related species, is poorly understood. P. vivax and P. knowlesi are particularly closely related species causing malaria infections in SE Asia, and whilst P. vivax cases are in decline, zoonotic P. knowlesi infections are rising in some areas. In this study, the cross-species reactivity and growth inhibition activity of P. vivax blood-stage antigen-specific antibodies against P. knowlesi parasites were investigated. Bioinformatics analysis, immunofluorescence assay, western blotting, protein microarray, and growth inhibition assay were performed to investigate the cross-reactivity. P. vivax blood-stage antigen-specific antibodies recognized the molecules located on the surface or released from apical organelles of P. knowlesi merozoites. Recombinant P. vivax and P. knowlesi proteins were also recognized by P. knowlesi- and P. vivax-infected patient antibodies, respectively. Immunoglobulin G against P. vivax antigens from both immune animals and human malaria patients inhibited the erythrocyte invasion by P. knowlesi. This study demonstrates that there is extensive cross-reactivity between antibodies against P. vivax to P. knowlesi in the blood stage, and these antibodies can potently inhibit in vitro invasion, highlighting the potential cross-protective immunity in endemic areas. In recent years, malaria initiatives have increasingly shifted focus from achieving malaria control to achieving malaria elimination. However, the interventions used are leading to drastic changes in the proportions of different Plasmodium species causing clinical infection, particularly within Southeast Asia. Little is known about how these different parasite species interact/compete in nature or whether exposure to one species could cause some level of protection against another. We examined cross-reactive antibody responses to key parasite proteins with roles in red blood cell invasion and identified novel cross-species reactivity among the closest of malaria affecting the human population (P. vivax and P. knowlesi). This comprehensive analysis provides evidence that cross-reactive immunity could play an important role in areas where species distributions are perturbed by malaria control measures, and future efforts to identify the specific cross-reactive epitopes involved would be invaluable both to our understanding of malaria immunity and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fauzi Muh
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Namhyeok Kim
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Egy Rahman Firdaus
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Hee Han
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Mohammad Rafiul Hoque
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Kyun Lee
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hoon Park
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Robert W. Moon
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yee Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Osamu Kaneko
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Eun-Taek Han
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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46
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Galinski MR. Functional genomics of simian malaria parasites and host-parasite interactions. Brief Funct Genomics 2020; 18:270-280. [PMID: 31241151 PMCID: PMC6859816 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elz013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Two simian malaria parasite species, Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium cynomolgi, cause zoonotic infections in Southeast Asia, and they have therefore gained recognition among scientists and public health officials. Notwithstanding, these species and others including Plasmodium coatneyi have served for decades as sources of knowledge on the biology, genetics and evolution of Plasmodium, and the diverse ramifications and outcomes of malaria in their monkey hosts. Experimental analysis of these species can help to fill gaps in knowledge beyond what may be possible studying the human malaria parasites or rodent parasite species. The genome sequences for these simian malaria parasite species were reported during the last decade, and functional genomics research has since been pursued. Here research on the functional genomics analysis involving these species is summarized and their importance is stressed, particularly for understanding host–parasite interactions, and potentially testing novel interventions. Importantly, while Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax can be studied in small New World monkeys, the simian malaria parasites can be studied more effectively in the larger Old World monkey macaque hosts, which are more closely related to humans. In addition to ex vivo analyses, experimental scenarios can include passage through Anopheline mosquito hosts and longitudinal infections in monkeys to study acute and chronic infections, as well as relapses, all in the context of the in vivo host environment. Such experiments provide opportunities for understanding functional genomic elements that govern host–parasite interactions, immunity and pathogenesis in-depth, addressing hypotheses not possible from in vitro cultures or cross-sectional clinical studies with humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary R Galinski
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Chim-Ong A, Surit T, Chainarin S, Roobsoong W, Sattabongkot J, Cui L, Nguitragool W. The Blood Stage Antigen RBP2-P1 of Plasmodium vivax Binds Reticulocytes and Is a Target of Naturally Acquired Immunity. Infect Immun 2020; 88:e00616-19. [PMID: 32014895 PMCID: PMC7093139 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00616-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The interactions between Plasmodium parasites and human erythrocytes are prime targets of blood stage malaria vaccine development. The reticulocyte binding protein 2-P1 (RBP2-P1) of Plasmodium vivax, a member of the reticulocyte binding protein family, has recently been shown to be highly antigenic in several settings endemic for malaria. Yet, its functional characteristics and the relevance of its antibody response in human malaria have not been examined. In this study, the potential function of RBP2-P1 as an invasion ligand of P. vivax was evaluated. The protein was found to be expressed in schizonts, be localized at the apical end of the merozoite, and preferentially bind reticulocytes over normocytes. Human antibodies to this protein also exhibit erythrocyte binding inhibition at physiologically relevant concentrations. Furthermore, RBP2-P1 antibodies are associated with lower parasitemia and tend to be higher in asymptomatic carriers than in patients. This study provides evidence supporting a role of RBP2-P1 as an invasion ligand and its consideration as a vaccine target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anongruk Chim-Ong
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thitiporn Surit
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sittinont Chainarin
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wanlapa Roobsoong
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Wang Nguitragool
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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48
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van Dorp L, Gelabert P, Rieux A, de Manuel M, de-Dios T, Gopalakrishnan S, Carøe C, Sandoval-Velasco M, Fregel R, Olalde I, Escosa R, Aranda C, Huijben S, Mueller I, Marquès-Bonet T, Balloux F, Gilbert MTP, Lalueza-Fox C. Plasmodium vivax Malaria Viewed through the Lens of an Eradicated European Strain. Mol Biol Evol 2020; 37:773-785. [PMID: 31697387 PMCID: PMC7038659 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan Plasmodium vivax is responsible for 42% of all cases of malaria outside Africa. The parasite is currently largely restricted to tropical and subtropical latitudes in Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. Though, it was historically present in most of Europe before being finally eradicated during the second half of the 20th century. The lack of genomic information on the extinct European lineage has prevented a clear understanding of historical population structuring and past migrations of P. vivax. We used medical microscope slides prepared in 1944 from malaria-affected patients from the Ebro Delta in Spain, one of the last footholds of malaria in Europe, to generate a genome of a European P. vivax strain. Population genetics and phylogenetic analyses placed this strain basal to a cluster including samples from the Americas. This genome allowed us to calibrate a genomic mutation rate for P. vivax, and to estimate the mean age of the last common ancestor between European and American strains to the 15th century. This date points to an introduction of the parasite during the European colonization of the Americas. In addition, we found that some known variants for resistance to antimalarial drugs, including Chloroquine and Sulfadoxine, were already present in this European strain, predating their use. Our results shed light on the evolution of an important human pathogen and illustrate the value of antique medical collections as a resource for retrieving genomic information on pathogens from the past.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy van Dorp
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pere Gelabert
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adrien Rieux
- CIRAD, UMR PVBMT, St. Pierre de la Réunion, France
| | - Marc de Manuel
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toni de-Dios
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Shyam Gopalakrishnan
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Carøe
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marcela Sandoval-Velasco
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rosa Fregel
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Genetics, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Iñigo Olalde
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Raül Escosa
- Consorci de Polítiques Ambientals de les Terres de l'Ebre (COPATE), Deltebre, Spain
| | - Carles Aranda
- Servei de Control de Mosquits, Consell Comarcal del Baix Llobregat, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Silvie Huijben
- School of Life Sciences, Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ivo Mueller
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Population Health and Immunity Division, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Tomàs Marquès-Bonet
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- CNAG-CRG, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - François Balloux
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
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49
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Kawai S, Annoura T, Araki T, Shiogama Y, Soma S, Takano JI, Sato MO, Kaneko O, Yasutomi Y, Chigusa Y. Development of an effective alternative model for in vivo hypnozoite-induced relapse infection: A Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) model experimentally infected with Plasmodium cynomolgi. Parasitol Int 2020; 76:102096. [PMID: 32114084 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102096] [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: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we demonstrate that the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) can be used as an effective alternative in vivo model for investigating hypnozoite-induced relapsing infection caused by Plasmodium cynomolgi B strain, and that this model is comparable to the rhesus macaque model. Two female Japanese macaques (JM-1 and JM-2; aged 5 years; weighing about 4.0 kg) were used for the experiment. To produce sporozoites in mosquitoes, blood infected with P. cynomolgi B strain was collected from the donor monkey JM-1 and fed to approximately 200 mosquitoes using the standard artificial membrane feeding method. The isolated sporozoites (2 × 105) were intravenously inoculated into the JM-2 monkey, and the blood stage of the parasite was detected on day 8 after the infection. Chloroquine sulfate (CQ) was intramuscularly administered at a dosage of 6.0 mg/kg into the JM-2 monkey for 6 consecutive days from day 12 onward, after which the parasites disappeared from the peripheral blood. The first relapse occurred on day 26, which was treated again with CQ. Then, the second relapse occurred on day 44, which was cured by CQ treatment followed by the administration of primaquine phosphate (PQ) at a dosage of 1.0 mg/kg/day for 15 days. The JM-2 monkey was observed until 69 days after PQ administration, and there was no relapse during the entire follow-up period. We propose that the Japanese macaque model could contribute not only to drug screening for anti-hypnozoite activity, but could also be used as a powerful tool for investigating hypnozoite biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Kawai
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Annoura
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tamasa Araki
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yumiko Shiogama
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Vaccine Research, Tsukuba Primate Research Center, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shogo Soma
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Vaccine Research, Tsukuba Primate Research Center, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichiro Takano
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Vaccine Research, Tsukuba Primate Research Center, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Marcello Otake Sato
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Osamu Kaneko
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Yasutomi
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Vaccine Research, Tsukuba Primate Research Center, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yuichi Chigusa
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
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50
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Whole genome sequencing of Entamoeba nuttalli reveals mammalian host-related molecular signatures and a novel octapeptide-repeat surface protein. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007923. [PMID: 31805050 PMCID: PMC6917348 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The enteric protozoa Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amebiasis, which is one of the most common parasitic diseases in developed and developing countries. Entamoeba nuttalli is the genetically closest species to E. histolytica in current phylogenetic analyses of Entamoeba species, and is prevalent in wild macaques. Therefore, E. nuttalli may be a key organism in which to investigate molecules required for infection of human or non-human primates. To explore the molecular signatures of host-parasite interactions, we conducted de novo assembly of the E. nuttalli genome, utilizing self-correction of PacBio long reads and polishing corrected reads using Illumina short reads, followed by comparative genomic analysis with two other mammalian and a reptilian Entamoeba species. The final draft assembly of E. nuttalli included 395 contigs with a total length of approximately 23 Mb, and 9,647 predicted genes, of which 6,940 were conserved with E. histolytica. In addition, we found an E. histolytica-specific repeat known as ERE2 in the E. nuttalli genome. GO-term enrichment analysis of mammalian host-related molecules indicated diversification of transmembrane proteins, including AIG1 family and BspA-like proteins that may be involved in the host-parasite interaction. Furthermore, we identified an E. nuttalli-specific protein that contained 42 repeats of an octapeptide ([G,E]KPTDTPS). This protein was shown to be localized on the cell surface using immunofluorescence. Since many repeat-containing proteins in parasites play important roles in interactions with host cells, this unique octapeptide repeat-containing protein may be involved in colonization of E. nuttalli in the intestine of macaques. Overall, our draft assembly provides a valuable resource for studying Entamoeba evolution and host-parasite selection.
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