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Miura K, Flores-Garcia Y, Long CA, Zavala F. Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies: new tools for malaria control. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0007123. [PMID: 38656211 PMCID: PMC11237600 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00071-23] [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] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYMalaria remains one of the biggest health problems in the world. While significant reductions in malaria morbidity and mortality had been achieved from 2000 to 2015, the favorable trend has stalled, rather significant increases in malaria cases are seen in multiple areas. In 2022, there were 249 million estimated cases, and 608,000 malaria-related deaths, mostly in infants and children aged under 5 years, globally. Therefore, in addition to the expansion of existing anti-malarial control measures, it is critical to develop new tools, such as vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), to fight malaria. In the last 2 years, the first and second malaria vaccines, both targeting Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite proteins (PfCSP), have been recommended by the World Health Organization to prevent P. falciparum malaria in children living in moderate to high transmission areas. While the approval of the two malaria vaccines is a considerable milestone in vaccine development, they have much room for improvement in efficacy and durability. In addition to the two approved vaccines, recent clinical trials with mAbs against PfCSP, blood-stage vaccines against P. falciparum or P. vivax, and transmission-blocking vaccine or mAb against P. falciparum have shown promising results. This review summarizes the development of the anti-PfCSP vaccines and mAbs, and recent topics in the blood- and transmission-blocking-stage vaccine candidates and mAbs. We further discuss issues of the current vaccines and the directions for the development of next-generation vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Yevel Flores-Garcia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Fidel Zavala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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2
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Williams BG, King LDW, Pulido D, Quinkert D, Lias AM, Silk SE, Ragotte RJ, Davies H, Barrett JR, McHugh K, Rigby CA, Alanine DGW, Barfod L, Shea MW, Cowley LA, Dabbs RA, Pattinson DJ, Douglas AD, Lyth OR, Illingworth JJ, Jin J, Carnrot C, Kotraiah V, Christen JM, Noe AR, MacGill RS, King CR, Birkett AJ, Soisson LA, Skinner K, Miura K, Long CA, Higgins MK, Draper SJ. Development of an improved blood-stage malaria vaccine targeting the essential RH5-CyRPA-RIPR invasion complex. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4857. [PMID: 38849365 PMCID: PMC11161584 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48721-3] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Reticulocyte-binding protein homologue 5 (RH5), a leading blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum malaria vaccine target, interacts with cysteine-rich protective antigen (CyRPA) and RH5-interacting protein (RIPR) to form an essential heterotrimeric "RCR-complex". We investigate whether RCR-complex vaccination can improve upon RH5 alone. Using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) we show that parasite growth-inhibitory epitopes on each antigen are surface-exposed on the RCR-complex and that mAb pairs targeting different antigens can function additively or synergistically. However, immunisation of female rats with the RCR-complex fails to outperform RH5 alone due to immuno-dominance of RIPR coupled with inferior potency of anti-RIPR polyclonal IgG. We identify that all growth-inhibitory antibody epitopes of RIPR cluster within the C-terminal EGF-like domains and that a fusion of these domains to CyRPA, called "R78C", combined with RH5, improves the level of in vitro parasite growth inhibition compared to RH5 alone. These preclinical data justify the advancement of the RH5.1 + R78C/Matrix-M™ vaccine candidate to Phase 1 clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnabas G Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Lloyd D W King
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - David Pulido
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Doris Quinkert
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Amelia M Lias
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah E Silk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert J Ragotte
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Hannah Davies
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Jordan R Barrett
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Kirsty McHugh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Cassandra A Rigby
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Daniel G W Alanine
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Lea Barfod
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael W Shea
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Li An Cowley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Rebecca A Dabbs
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - David J Pattinson
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Alexander D Douglas
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Oliver R Lyth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Joseph J Illingworth
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Jing Jin
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | - Amy R Noe
- Leidos Life Sciences, Frederick, MD, USA
- Latham BioPharm Group, Elkridge, MD, USA
| | | | - C Richter King
- Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, PATH, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ashley J Birkett
- Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, PATH, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Katherine Skinner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Matthew K Higgins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon J Draper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK.
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK.
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK.
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Takashima E, Otsuki H, Morita M, Ito D, Nagaoka H, Yuguchi T, Hassan I, Tsuboi T. The Need for Novel Asexual Blood-Stage Malaria Vaccine Candidates for Plasmodium falciparum. Biomolecules 2024; 14:100. [PMID: 38254700 PMCID: PMC10813614 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010100] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Extensive control efforts have significantly reduced malaria cases and deaths over the past two decades, but in recent years, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, success has stalled. The WHO has urged the implementation of a number of interventions, including vaccines. The modestly effective RTS,S/AS01 pre-erythrocytic vaccine has been recommended by the WHO for use in sub-Saharan Africa against Plasmodium falciparum in children residing in moderate to high malaria transmission regions. A second pre-erythrocytic vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, was also recommended by the WHO on 3 October 2023. However, the paucity and limitations of pre-erythrocytic vaccines highlight the need for asexual blood-stage malaria vaccines that prevent disease caused by blood-stage parasites. Few asexual blood-stage vaccine candidates have reached phase 2 clinical development, and the challenges in terms of their efficacy include antigen polymorphisms and low immunogenicity in humans. This review summarizes the history and progress of asexual blood-stage malaria vaccine development, highlighting the need for novel candidate vaccine antigens/molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Hitoshi Otsuki
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan; (H.O.); (D.I.)
| | - Masayuki Morita
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Daisuke Ito
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan; (H.O.); (D.I.)
| | - Hikaru Nagaoka
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Takaaki Yuguchi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Ifra Hassan
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Cell-Free Sciences, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan
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Tamborrini M, Schäfer A, Hauser J, Zou L, Paris DH, Pluschke G. The malaria blood stage antigen PfCyRPA formulated with the TLR-4 agonist adjuvant GLA-SE elicits parasite growth inhibitory antibodies in experimental animals. Malar J 2023; 22:210. [PMID: 37454145 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04638-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum cysteine-rich protective antigen (PfCyRPA) is an invasion complex protein essential for erythrocyte invasion. In contrast to several previously clinically tested merozoite vaccine candidate antigens, PfCyRPA is not polymorphic, making it a promising candidate antigen for blood stage vaccine development. METHODS Mice and rabbits were immunized with vaccine formulations of recombinantly expressed PfCyRPA adjuvanted either with the glucopyranosyl lipid A (GLA) containing adjuvants GLA-LSQ, GLA-SE, GLA-Alum or with Nanoalum. ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) were used to analyse elicited IgG titers and the P. falciparum growth inhibitory activity was determined with a standardized in vitro [3H]-hypoxanthine incorporation assay. RESULTS In the mouse experiments, the GLA adjuvanted formulations were superior to the Nanoalum formulation with respect to antibody titer development, IFA sero-conversion rates and in vitro parasite growth-inhibitory activity. In rabbits, the highest titers of parasite growth inhibitory antibodies were obtained with the GLA-SE formulation. Comparable mean ELISA IgG endpoint titers were reached in rabbits after three immunizations with GLA-SE adjuvanted PfCyRPA doses of 5, 25 and 100 µg, but with 100 µg of antigen, only two immunizations were required to reach this titer. CONCLUSION PfCyRPA formulated with the human-compatible adjuvant GLA-SE represents an attractive vaccine candidate for early clinical testing in a controlled P. falciparum blood stage challenge trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Tamborrini
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anja Schäfer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julia Hauser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Linghui Zou
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel H Paris
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gerd Pluschke
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland.
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5
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Somanathan A, Mian SY, Chaddha K, Uchoi S, Bharti PK, Tandon R, Gaur D, Chauhan VS. Process development and preclinical evaluation of a major Plasmodium falciparum blood stage vaccine candidate, Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (CyRPA). Front Immunol 2022; 13:1005332. [PMID: 36211427 PMCID: PMC9535676 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1005332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (CyRPA) is an essential, highly conserved merozoite antigen that forms an important multi-protein complex (RH5/Ripr/CyRPA) necessary for erythrocyte invasion. CyRPA is a promising blood-stage vaccine target that has been shown to elicit potent strain-transcending parasite neutralizing antibodies. Recently, we demonstrated that naturally acquired immune anti-CyRPA antibodies are invasion-inhibitory and therefore a correlate of protection against malaria. Here, we describe a process for the large-scale production of tag-free CyRPA vaccine in E. coli and demonstrate its parasite neutralizing efficacy with commonly used adjuvants. CyRPA was purified from inclusion bodies using a one-step purification method with high purity (>90%). Biochemical and biophysical characterization showed that the purified tag-free CyRPA interacted with RH5, readily detected by a conformation-specific CyRPA monoclonal antibody and recognized by sera from malaria infected individuals thus indicating that the recombinant antigen was correctly folded and retained its native conformation. Tag-free CyRPA formulated with Freund’s adjuvant elicited highly potent parasite neutralizing antibodies achieving inhibition of >90% across diverse parasite strains. Importantly, we identified tag-free CyRPA/Alhydrogel formulation as most effective in inducing a highly immunogenic antibody response that exhibited efficacious, cross-strain in vitro parasite neutralization achieving ~80% at 10 mg/ml. Further, CyRPA/Alhydrogel vaccine induced anti-parasite cytokine response in mice. In summary, our study provides a simple, scalable, cost-effective process for the production of tag-free CyRPA that in combination with human-compatible adjuvant induces efficacious humoral and cell-mediated immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Somanathan
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Syed Yusuf Mian
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Kritika Chaddha
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Seemalata Uchoi
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Praveen K. Bharti
- ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, India
| | - Ravi Tandon
- Laboratory of AIDS Research and Immunology, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepak Gaur
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Virander Singh Chauhan
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Virander Singh Chauhan,
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6
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Insect Cells for High-Yield Production of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein: Building a Virosome-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14040854. [PMID: 35456687 PMCID: PMC9031128 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) homotrimeric spike (S) protein is responsible for mediating host cell entry by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, thus being a key viral antigen to target in a coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) vaccine. Despite the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, low vaccine coverage as well as unvaccinated and immune compromised subjects are contributing to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Therefore, continued development of novel and/or updated vaccines is essential for protecting against such new variants. In this study, we developed a scalable bioprocess using the insect cells-baculovirus expression vector system (IC-BEVS) to produce high-quality S protein, stabilized in its pre-fusion conformation, for inclusion in a virosome-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate. By exploring different bioprocess engineering strategies (i.e., signal peptides, baculovirus transfer vectors, cell lines, infection strategies and formulation buffers), we were able to obtain ~4 mg/L of purified S protein, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the highest value achieved to date using insect cells. In addition, the insect cell-derived S protein exhibited glycan processing similar to mammalian cells and mid-term stability upon storage (up to 90 days at −80 and 4 °C or after 5 freeze-thaw cycles). Noteworthy, antigenicity of S protein, either as single antigen or displayed on the surface of virosomes, was confirmed by ELISA, with binding of ACE2 receptor, pan-SARS antibody CR3022 and neutralizing antibodies to the various epitope clusters on the S protein. Binding capacity was also maintained on virosomes-S stored at 4 °C for 1 month. This work demonstrates the potential of using IC-BEVS to produce the highly glycosylated and complex S protein, without compromising its integrity and antigenicity, to be included in a virosome-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
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7
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Knudsen AS, Walker MR, Agullet JP, Björnsson KH, Bassi MR, Barfod L. Enhancing neutralization of Plasmodium falciparum using a novel monoclonal antibody against the rhoptry-associated membrane antigen. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3040. [PMID: 35197516 PMCID: PMC8866459 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06921-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of malaria is associated with blood-stage infection and there is strong evidence that antibodies specific to parasite blood-stage antigens can control parasitemia. This provides a strong rational for applying blood-stage antigen components in a multivalent vaccine, as the induced antibodies in combination can enhance protection. The Plasmodium falciparum rhoptry-associated membrane antigen (PfRAMA) is a promising vaccine target, due to its fundamental role in merozoite invasion and low level of polymorphism. Polyclonal antibodies against PfRAMA are able to inhibit P. falciparum growth and interact synergistically when combined with antibodies against P. falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein 5 (PfRh5) or cysteine-rich protective antigen (PfCyRPA). In this study, we identified a novel PfRAMA-specific mAb with neutralizing activity, which in combination with PfRh5- or PfCyRPA-specific mAbs potentiated the neutralizing effect. By applying phage display technology, we mapped the protective epitope to be in the C-terminal region of PfRAMA. Our results confirmed previous finding of synergy between PfRAMA-, PfRh5- and PfCyRPA-specific antibodies, thereby paving the way of testing these antigens (or fragments of these antigens) in combination to improve the efficacy of blood-stage malaria vaccines. The results emphasize the importance of directing antibody responses towards protective epitopes, as the majority of anti-PfRAMA mAbs were unable to inhibit merozoite invasion of erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne S Knudsen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Melanie R Walker
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Judit P Agullet
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper H Björnsson
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria R Bassi
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lea Barfod
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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8
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Plasmodium falciparum Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (CyRPA) Elicits Detectable Levels of Invasion-Inhibitory Antibodies during Natural Infection in Humans. Infect Immun 2021; 90:e0037721. [PMID: 34694918 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00377-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (CyRPA) is a conserved component of an essential erythrocyte invasion complex (RH5/Ripr/CyRPA) and a target of potent cross-strain parasite-neutralizing antibodies. While, naturally acquired human RH5 antibodies have been functionally characterized, there are no similar reports on CyRPA. Thus, we analyzed the parasite neutralizing activity of naturally acquired human CyRPA antibodies. In this regard, CyRPA human antibodies were measured and purified from malaria infected sera obtained from central India and analyzed for their parasite neutralizing activity in in vitro growth inhibition assays (GIA). We report that despite being susceptible to antibody, CyRPA being a highly conserved antigen does not appear to be under substantial immune selection pressure as a very low acquisition of anti-CyRPA antibodies was reported in malaria-exposed Indians. We demonstrate for the first time that the low amounts of natural CyRPA antibodies exhibited functional parasite-neutralizing activity and that a CyRPA based vaccine formulation induces highly potent antibodies in rabbits. Importantly, the vaccine induced CyRPA antibodies exhibited a robust IC50 of 21.96 μg/ml that is comparable to IC50 of antibodies against the leading blood stage vaccine candidate, RH5. Our data support CyRPA as a unique vaccine target that is highly susceptible to immune attack but highly conserved compared to other leading candidates such as MSP-1, AMA-1, further substantiating its promise as a leading blood-stage vaccine candidate.
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9
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Genetic Diversity of Plasmodium vivax Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (PvCyRPA) in Field Isolates from Five Different Areas of the Brazilian Amazon. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12111657. [PMID: 34828264 PMCID: PMC8623135 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium vivax Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (PvCyRPA) has an important role in erythrocyte invasion and has been considered a target for vivax malaria vaccine development. Nonetheless, its genetic diversity remains uncharted in Brazilian malaria-endemic areas. Therefore, we investigated the pvcyrpa genetic polymorphism in 98 field isolates from the Brazilian Amazon and its impact on the antigenicity of predicted B-cell epitopes. Genetic diversity parameters, population genetic analysis, neutrality test and the median-joining network were analyzed, and the potential amino acid polymorphism participation in B-cell epitopes was investigated. One synonymous and 26 non-synonymous substitutions defined fifty haplotypes. The nucleotide diversity and Tajima’s D values varied across the coding gene. The exon-1 sequence had greater diversity than those of exon-2. Concerning the prediction analysis, seven sequences were predicted as linear B cell epitopes, the majority contained in conformational epitopes. Moreover, important amino acid polymorphism was detected in regions predicted to contain residues participating in B-cell epitopes. Our data suggest that the pvcyrpa gene presents a moderate polymorphism in the studied isolates and such polymorphisms alter amino acid sequences contained in potential B cell epitopes, an important observation considering the antigen potentiality as a vaccine candidate to cover distinct P. vivax endemic areas worldwide.
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Celis-Giraldo CT, López-Abán J, Muro A, Patarroyo MA, Manzano-Román R. Nanovaccines against Animal Pathogens: The Latest Findings. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9090988. [PMID: 34579225 PMCID: PMC8472905 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9090988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, safe and efficacious vaccines represent powerful and cost-effective tools for global health and economic growth. In the veterinary field, these are undoubtedly key tools for improving productivity and fighting zoonoses. However, cases of persistent infections, rapidly evolving pathogens having high variability or emerging/re-emerging pathogens for which no effective vaccines have been developed point out the continuing need for new vaccine alternatives to control outbreaks. Most licensed vaccines have been successfully used for many years now; however, they have intrinsic limitations, such as variable efficacy, adverse effects, and some shortcomings. More effective adjuvants and novel delivery systems may foster real vaccine effectiveness and timely implementation. Emerging vaccine technologies involving nanoparticles such as self-assembling proteins, virus-like particles, liposomes, virosomes, and polymeric nanoparticles offer novel, safe, and high-potential approaches to address many vaccine development-related challenges. Nanotechnology is accelerating the evolution of vaccines because nanomaterials having encapsulation ability and very advantageous properties due to their size and surface area serve as effective vehicles for antigen delivery and immunostimulatory agents. This review discusses the requirements for an effective, broad-coverage-elicited immune response, the main nanoplatforms for producing it, and the latest nanovaccine applications for fighting animal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Teresa Celis-Giraldo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá 111321, Colombia;
- Animal Science Faculty, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales (U.D.C.A), Bogotá 111166, Colombia
| | - Julio López-Abán
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Group (e-INTRO), Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca-Research Center for Tropical Diseases at the University of Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (J.L.-A.); (A.M.)
| | - Antonio Muro
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Group (e-INTRO), Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca-Research Center for Tropical Diseases at the University of Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (J.L.-A.); (A.M.)
| | - Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá 111321, Colombia;
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
- Health Sciences Division, Main Campus, Universidad Santo Tomás, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
- Correspondence: (M.A.P.); (R.M.-R.)
| | - Raúl Manzano-Román
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Group (e-INTRO), Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca-Research Center for Tropical Diseases at the University of Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (J.L.-A.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.A.P.); (R.M.-R.)
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11
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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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Singh H, Mian SY, Pandey AK, Krishna S, Anand G, Reddy KS, Chaturvedi N, Bahl V, Hans N, Shukla MM, Bassat Q, Mayor A, Miura K, Bharti PK, Long C, Singh N, Chauhan VS, Gaur D. Antibody Combinations Targeting the Essential Antigens CyRPA, RH5, and MSP-119 Potently Neutralize Plasmodium falciparum Clinical Isolates From India and Africa. J Infect Dis 2020; 223:1953-1964. [PMID: 32989463 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeting multiple key antigens that mediate distinct Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte invasion pathways is an attractive approach for the development of blood-stage malaria vaccines. However, the challenge is to identify antigen cocktails that elicit potent strain-transcending parasite-neutralizing antibodies efficacious at low immunoglobulin G concentrations feasible to achieve through vaccination. Previous reports have screened inhibitory antibodies primarily against well adapted laboratory parasite clones. However, validation of the parasite-neutralizing efficacy against clinical isolates with minimal in vitro cultivation is equally significant to better ascertain their prospective in vivo potency. METHODS We evaluated the parasite-neutralizing activity of different antibodies individually and in combinations against laboratory adapted clones and clinical isolates. Clinical isolates were collected from Central India and Mozambique, Africa, and characterized for their invasion properties and genetic diversity of invasion ligands. RESULTS In our portfolio, we evaluated 25 triple antibody combinations and identified the MSP-Fu+CyRPA+RH5 antibody combination to elicit maximal parasite neutralization against P. falciparum clinical isolates with variable properties that underwent minimal in vitro cultivation. CONCLUSIONS The MSP-Fu+CyRPA+RH5 combination exhibited highly robust parasite neutralization against P. falciparum clones and clinical isolates, thus substantiating them as promising candidate antigens and establishing a proof of principle for the development of a combinatorial P. falciparum blood-stage malaria vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Singh
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.,Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Syed Yusuf Mian
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Alok K Pandey
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Sri Krishna
- National Institute for Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Gaurav Anand
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.,Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - K Sony Reddy
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India.,School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Neha Chaturvedi
- National Institute for Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Vanndita Bahl
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Nidhi Hans
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Man Mohan Shukla
- National Institute for Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Quique Bassat
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique.,ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfredo Mayor
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville Maryland, USA
| | - Praveen K Bharti
- National Institute for Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Carole Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville Maryland, USA
| | - Neeru Singh
- National Institute for Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Virander Singh Chauhan
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Deepak Gaur
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.,Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
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13
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Ragotte RJ, Higgins MK, Draper SJ. The RH5-CyRPA-Ripr Complex as a Malaria Vaccine Target. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:545-559. [PMID: 32359873 PMCID: PMC7246332 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Despite ongoing efforts, a highly effective vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum remains elusive. Vaccines targeting the pre-erythrocytic stages of the P. falciparum life cycle are the most advanced to date, affording moderate levels of efficacy in field trials. However, the discovery that the members of the merozoite PfRH5-PfCyRPA-PfRipr (RCR) complex are capable of inducing strain-transcendent neutralizing antibodies has renewed enthusiasm for the possibility of preventing disease by targeting the parasite during the blood stage of infection. With Phase I/II clinical trials now underway using first-generation vaccines against PfRH5, and more on the horizon for PfCyRPA and PfRipr, this review explores the rationale and future potential of the RCR complex as a P. falciparum vaccine target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Ragotte
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK.
| | - Matthew K Higgins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Simon J Draper
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK.
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