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Barrett JR, Pipini D, Wright ND, Cooper AJR, Gorini G, Quinkert D, Lias AM, Davies H, Rigby CA, Aleshnick M, Williams BG, Bradshaw WJ, Paterson NG, Martinson T, Kirtley P, Picard L, Wiggins CD, Donnellan FR, King LDW, Wang LT, Popplewell JF, Silk SE, de Ruiter Swain J, Skinner K, Kotraiah V, Noe AR, MacGill RS, King CR, Birkett AJ, Soisson LA, Minassian AM, Lauffenburger DA, Miura K, Long CA, Wilder BK, Koekemoer L, Tan J, Nielsen CM, McHugh K, Draper SJ. Analysis of the diverse antigenic landscape of the malaria protein RH5 identifies a potent vaccine-induced human public antibody clonotype. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)00655-X. [PMID: 39059380 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.06.015] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The highly conserved and essential Plasmodium falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 (PfRH5) has emerged as the leading target for vaccines against the disease-causing blood stage of malaria. However, the features of the human vaccine-induced antibody response that confer highly potent inhibition of malaria parasite invasion into red blood cells are not well defined. Here, we characterize 236 human IgG monoclonal antibodies, derived from 15 donors, induced by the most advanced PfRH5 vaccine. We define the antigenic landscape of this molecule and establish that epitope specificity, antibody association rate, and intra-PfRH5 antibody interactions are key determinants of functional anti-parasitic potency. In addition, we identify a germline IgG gene combination that results in an exceptionally potent class of antibody and demonstrate its prophylactic potential to protect against P. falciparum parasite challenge in vivo. This comprehensive dataset provides a framework to guide rational design of next-generation vaccines and prophylactic antibodies to protect against blood-stage malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan R Barrett
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Dimitra Pipini
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Nathan D Wright
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Andrew J R Cooper
- Antibody Biology Unit, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Giacomo Gorini
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Doris Quinkert
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Amelia M Lias
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Hannah Davies
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Cassandra A Rigby
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Maya Aleshnick
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Barnabas G Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - William J Bradshaw
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Neil G Paterson
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Thomas Martinson
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Payton Kirtley
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Luc Picard
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Francesca R Donnellan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Lloyd D W King
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Lawrence T Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Antibody Biology Unit, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | | | - Sarah E Silk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Jed de Ruiter Swain
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Katherine Skinner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | | | - Amy R Noe
- Leidos Life Sciences, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Randall S MacGill
- Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, PATH, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - C Richter King
- Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, PATH, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Ashley J Birkett
- Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, PATH, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | | | - Angela M Minassian
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK; NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Brandon K Wilder
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Lizbé Koekemoer
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Joshua Tan
- Antibody Biology Unit, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Carolyn M Nielsen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Kirsty McHugh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Simon J Draper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK; NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK.
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2
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Wang LT, Cooper AJR, Farrell B, Miura K, Diouf A, Müller-Sienerth N, Crosnier C, Purser L, Kirtley PJ, Maciuszek M, Barrett JR, McHugh K, Ogwang R, Tucker C, Li S, Doumbo S, Doumtabe D, Pyo CW, Skinner J, Nielsen CM, Silk SE, Kayentao K, Ongoiba A, Zhao M, Nguyen DC, Lee FEH, Minassian AM, Geraghty DE, Traore B, Seder RA, Wilder BK, Crompton PD, Wright GJ, Long CA, Draper SJ, Higgins MK, Tan J. Natural malaria infection elicits rare but potent neutralizing antibodies to the blood-stage antigen RH5. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)00711-6. [PMID: 39059381 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.06.037] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 (RH5) is the most advanced blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate and is being evaluated for efficacy in endemic regions, emphasizing the need to study the underlying antibody response to RH5 during natural infection, which could augment or counteract responses to vaccination. Here, we found that RH5-reactive B cells were rare, and circulating immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to RH5 were short-lived in malaria-exposed Malian individuals, despite repeated infections over multiple years. RH5-specific monoclonal antibodies isolated from eight malaria-exposed individuals mostly targeted non-neutralizing epitopes, in contrast to antibodies isolated from five RH5-vaccinated, malaria-naive UK individuals. However, MAD8-151 and MAD8-502, isolated from two malaria-exposed Malian individuals, were among the most potent neutralizers out of 186 antibodies from both cohorts and targeted the same epitopes as the most potent vaccine-induced antibodies. These results suggest that natural malaria infection may boost RH5-vaccine-induced responses and provide a clear strategy for the development of next-generation RH5 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence T Wang
- Antibody Biology Unit, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA; Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Andrew J R Cooper
- Antibody Biology Unit, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Brendan Farrell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Ababacar Diouf
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | | | - Cécile Crosnier
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Lauren Purser
- Antibody Biology Unit, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Payton J Kirtley
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97006, USA
| | - Maciej Maciuszek
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Jordan R Barrett
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Kirsty McHugh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Rodney Ogwang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Courtney Tucker
- Antibody Biology Unit, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Shanping Li
- Malaria Infection Biology and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Safiatou Doumbo
- Mali International Center of Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Technique and Technology of Bamako, Point G, BP 1805 Bamako, Mali
| | - Didier Doumtabe
- Mali International Center of Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Technique and Technology of Bamako, Point G, BP 1805 Bamako, Mali
| | - Chul-Woo Pyo
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jeff Skinner
- Malaria Infection Biology and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Carolyn M Nielsen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Sarah E Silk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Kassoum Kayentao
- Mali International Center of Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Technique and Technology of Bamako, Point G, BP 1805 Bamako, Mali
| | - Aissata Ongoiba
- Mali International Center of Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Technique and Technology of Bamako, Point G, BP 1805 Bamako, Mali
| | - Ming Zhao
- Protein Chemistry Section, Research Technologies Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Doan C Nguyen
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - F Eun-Hyung Lee
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Angela M Minassian
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Daniel E Geraghty
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Boubacar Traore
- Mali International Center of Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Technique and Technology of Bamako, Point G, BP 1805 Bamako, Mali
| | - Robert A Seder
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Brandon K Wilder
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97006, USA
| | - Peter D Crompton
- Malaria Infection Biology and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Gavin J Wright
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Simon J Draper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Matthew K Higgins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Joshua Tan
- Antibody Biology Unit, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
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King LDW, Pulido D, Barrett JR, Davies H, Quinkert D, Lias AM, Silk SE, Pattinson DJ, Diouf A, Williams BG, McHugh K, Rodrigues A, Rigby CA, Strazza V, Suurbaar J, Rees-Spear C, Dabbs RA, Ishizuka AS, Zhou Y, Gupta G, Jin J, Li Y, Carnrot C, Minassian AM, Campeotto I, Fleishman SJ, Noe AR, MacGill RS, King CR, Birkett AJ, Soisson LA, Long CA, Miura K, Ashfield R, Skinner K, Howarth MR, Biswas S, Draper SJ. Preclinical development of a stabilized RH5 virus-like particle vaccine that induces improved antimalarial antibodies. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101654. [PMID: 39019011 PMCID: PMC11293324 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101654] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 (RH5) is a leading blood-stage malaria vaccine antigen target, currently in a phase 2b clinical trial as a full-length soluble protein/adjuvant vaccine candidate called RH5.1/Matrix-M. We identify that disordered regions of the full-length RH5 molecule induce non-growth inhibitory antibodies in human vaccinees and that a re-engineered and stabilized immunogen (including just the alpha-helical core of RH5) induces a qualitatively superior growth inhibitory antibody response in rats vaccinated with this protein formulated in Matrix-M adjuvant. In parallel, bioconjugation of this immunogen, termed "RH5.2," to hepatitis B surface antigen virus-like particles (VLPs) using the "plug-and-display" SpyTag-SpyCatcher platform technology also enables superior quantitative antibody immunogenicity over soluble protein/adjuvant in vaccinated mice and rats. These studies identify a blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate that may improve upon the current leading soluble protein vaccine candidate RH5.1/Matrix-M. The RH5.2-VLP/Matrix-M vaccine candidate is now under evaluation in phase 1a/b clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lloyd D W King
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - David Pulido
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Jordan R Barrett
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Hannah Davies
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Doris Quinkert
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Amelia M Lias
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah E Silk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - David J Pattinson
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Ababacar Diouf
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Barnabas G Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Kirsty McHugh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Ana Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK
| | - Cassandra A Rigby
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK
| | - Veronica Strazza
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK
| | - Jonathan Suurbaar
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK; West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Chloe Rees-Spear
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT London, UK
| | - Rebecca A Dabbs
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew S Ishizuka
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Yu Zhou
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Jing Jin
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | | | - Angela M Minassian
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK; NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Ivan Campeotto
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK
| | - Sarel J Fleishman
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Amy R Noe
- Leidos Life Sciences, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Randall S MacGill
- Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, PATH, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - C Richter King
- Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, PATH, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Ashley J Birkett
- Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, PATH, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | | | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Rebecca Ashfield
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Katherine Skinner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Mark R Howarth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK
| | - Sumi Biswas
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK
| | - Simon J Draper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, OX3 7DQ Oxford, UK; NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK.
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4
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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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5
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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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6
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Dickey TH, Tolia NH. A targetable receptor-binding site on PfCyRPA to aid in the fight against malaria. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:367-368. [PMID: 38604871 PMCID: PMC11065576 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.04.001] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Recently, Day et al. identified a receptor-binding site on the malaria parasite protein PfCyRPA that binds the host sugar Neu5Ac, and they found that disrupting this interaction impedes parasite growth. A map of the receptor-binding site identifies an attractive target for antimalarial vaccines and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thayne H Dickey
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Niraj H Tolia
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20894, USA.
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7
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Day CJ, Favuzza P, Bielfeld S, Haselhorst T, Seefeldt L, Hauser J, Shewell LK, Flueck C, Poole J, Jen FEC, Schäfer A, Dangy JP, Gilberger TW, França CT, Duraisingh MT, Tamborrini M, Brancucci NMB, Grüring C, Filarsky M, Jennings MP, Pluschke G. The essential malaria protein PfCyRPA targets glycans to invade erythrocytes. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114012. [PMID: 38573856 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114012] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is a human-adapted apicomplexan parasite that causes the most dangerous form of malaria. P. falciparum cysteine-rich protective antigen (PfCyRPA) is an invasion complex protein essential for erythrocyte invasion. The precise role of PfCyRPA in this process has not been resolved. Here, we show that PfCyRPA is a lectin targeting glycans terminating with α2-6-linked N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac). PfCyRPA has a >50-fold binding preference for human, α2-6-linked Neu5Ac over non-human, α2-6-linked N-glycolylneuraminic acid. PfCyRPA lectin sites were predicted by molecular modeling and validated by mutagenesis studies. Transgenic parasite lines expressing endogenous PfCyRPA with single amino acid exchange mutants indicated that the lectin activity of PfCyRPA has an important role in parasite invasion. Blocking PfCyRPA lectin activity with small molecules or with lectin-site-specific monoclonal antibodies can inhibit blood-stage parasite multiplication. Therefore, targeting PfCyRPA lectin activity with drugs, immunotherapy, or a vaccine-primed immune response is a promising strategy to prevent and treat malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Day
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Paola Favuzza
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Bielfeld
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg, Germany; Department of Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Haselhorst
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Leonie Seefeldt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julia Hauser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lucy K Shewell
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Christian Flueck
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Poole
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Freda E-C Jen
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Anja Schäfer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Pierre Dangy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tim-W Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg, Germany; Department of Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Cellular Parasitology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Camila Tenorio França
- Department of Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marco Tamborrini
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas M B Brancucci
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christof Grüring
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Filarsky
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg, Germany; Department of Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael P Jennings
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
| | - Gerd Pluschke
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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8
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King NR, Martins Freire C, Touhami J, Sitbon M, Toye AM, Satchwell TJ. Basigin mediation of Plasmodium falciparum red blood cell invasion does not require its transmembrane domain or interaction with monocarboxylate transporter 1. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011989. [PMID: 38315723 PMCID: PMC10868855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011989] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum invasion of the red blood cell is reliant upon the essential interaction of PfRh5 with the host receptor protein basigin. Basigin exists as part of one or more multiprotein complexes, most notably through interaction with the monocarboxylate transporter MCT1. However, the potential requirement for basigin association with MCT1 and the wider role of basigin host membrane context and lateral protein associations during merozoite invasion has not been established. Using genetically manipulated in vitro derived reticulocytes, we demonstrate the ability to uncouple basigin ectodomain presentation from its transmembrane domain-mediated interactions, including with MCT1. Merozoite invasion of reticulocytes is unaffected by disruption of basigin-MCT1 interaction and by removal or replacement of the basigin transmembrane helix. Therefore, presentation of the basigin ectodomain at the red blood cell surface, independent of its native association with MCT1 or other interactions mediated by the transmembrane domain, is sufficient to facilitate merozoite invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine R. King
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jawida Touhami
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Montpellier, France
| | - Marc Sitbon
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Montpellier, France
- Laboratory of Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Ashley M. Toye
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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9
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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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10
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Farrell B, Alam N, Hart MN, Jamwal A, Ragotte RJ, Walters-Morgan H, Draper SJ, Knuepfer E, Higgins MK. The PfRCR complex bridges malaria parasite and erythrocyte during invasion. Nature 2024; 625:578-584. [PMID: 38123677 PMCID: PMC10794152 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06856-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The symptoms of malaria occur during the blood stage of infection, when parasites invade and replicate within human erythrocytes. The PfPCRCR complex1, containing PfRH5 (refs. 2,3), PfCyRPA, PfRIPR, PfCSS and PfPTRAMP, is essential for erythrocyte invasion by the deadliest human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Invasion can be prevented by antibodies3-6 or nanobodies1 against each of these conserved proteins, making them the leading blood-stage malaria vaccine candidates. However, little is known about how PfPCRCR functions during invasion. Here we present the structure of the PfRCR complex7,8, containing PfRH5, PfCyRPA and PfRIPR, determined by cryogenic-electron microscopy. We test the hypothesis that PfRH5 opens to insert into the membrane9, instead showing that a rigid, disulfide-locked PfRH5 can mediate efficient erythrocyte invasion. We show, through modelling and an erythrocyte-binding assay, that PfCyRPA-binding antibodies5 neutralize invasion through a steric mechanism. We determine the structure of PfRIPR, showing that it consists of an ordered, multidomain core flexibly linked to an elongated tail. We also show that the elongated tail of PfRIPR, which is the target of growth-neutralizing antibodies6, binds to the PfCSS-PfPTRAMP complex on the parasite membrane. A modular PfRIPR is therefore linked to the merozoite membrane through an elongated tail, and its structured core presents PfCyRPA and PfRH5 to interact with erythrocyte receptors. This provides fresh insight into the molecular mechanism of erythrocyte invasion and opens the way to new approaches in rational vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Farrell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nawsad Alam
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Abhishek Jamwal
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert J Ragotte
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Hannah Walters-Morgan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon J Draper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Matthew K Higgins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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11
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Baro B, Kim CY, Lin C, Kongsomboonvech AK, Tetard M, Peterson NA, Salinas ND, Tolia NH, Egan ES. Plasmodium falciparum exploits CD44 as a coreceptor for erythrocyte invasion. Blood 2023; 142:2016-2028. [PMID: 37832027 PMCID: PMC10783654 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023020831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum invades and replicates asexually within human erythrocytes. CD44 expressed on erythrocytes was previously identified as an important host factor for P falciparum infection through a forward genetic screen, but little is known about its regulation or function in these cells, nor how it may be used by the parasite. We found that CD44 can be efficiently deleted from primary human hematopoietic stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and that the efficiency of ex vivo erythropoiesis to enucleated cultured red blood cells (cRBCs) is not affected by lack of CD44. However, the rate of P falciparum invasion was reduced in CD44-null cRBCs relative to isogenic wild-type control cells, validating CD44 as an important host factor for this parasite. We identified 2 P falciparum invasion ligands as binding partners for CD44, erythrocyte binding antigen 175 (EBA-175) and EBA-140 and demonstrated that their ability to bind to human erythrocytes relies primarily on their canonical receptors, glycophorin A and glycophorin C, respectively. We further show that EBA-175 induces phosphorylation of erythrocyte cytoskeletal proteins in a CD44-dependent manner. Our findings support a model in which P falciparum exploits CD44 as a coreceptor during invasion of human erythrocytes, stimulating CD44-dependent phosphorylation of host cytoskeletal proteins that alter host cell deformability and facilitate parasite entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Baro
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Chi Yong Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Carrie Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | | | - Marilou Tetard
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | | | - Nichole D. Salinas
- Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Niraj H. Tolia
- Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Elizabeth S. Egan
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub–San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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12
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Jamwal A, Constantin CF, Hirschi S, Henrich S, Bildl W, Fakler B, Draper SJ, Schulte U, Higgins MK. Erythrocyte invasion-neutralising antibodies prevent Plasmodium falciparum RH5 from binding to basigin-containing membrane protein complexes. eLife 2023; 12:e83681. [PMID: 37796723 PMCID: PMC10569788 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Basigin is an essential host receptor for invasion of Plasmodium falciparum into human erythrocytes, interacting with parasite surface protein PfRH5. PfRH5 is a leading blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate and a target of growth-inhibitory antibodies. Here, we show that erythrocyte basigin is exclusively found in one of two macromolecular complexes, bound either to plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase 1/4 (PMCA1/4) or to monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1). PfRH5 binds to each of these complexes with a higher affinity than to isolated basigin ectodomain, making it likely that these are the physiological targets of PfRH5. PMCA-mediated Ca2+ export is not affected by PfRH5, making it unlikely that this is the mechanism underlying changes in calcium flux at the interface between an erythrocyte and the invading parasite. However, our studies rationalise the function of the most effective growth-inhibitory antibodies targeting PfRH5. While these antibodies do not reduce the binding of PfRH5 to monomeric basigin, they do reduce its binding to basigin-PMCA and basigin-MCT complexes. This indicates that the most effective PfRH5-targeting antibodies inhibit growth by sterically blocking the essential interaction of PfRH5 with basigin in its physiological context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Jamwal
- Department of Biochemistry, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Stephan Hirschi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Sebastian Henrich
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Wolfgang Bildl
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Bernd Fakler
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSFreiburgGermany
| | - Simon J Draper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Uwe Schulte
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSFreiburgGermany
| | - Matthew K Higgins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
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13
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Yanik S, Venkatesh V, Parker ML, Ramaswamy R, Diouf A, Sarkar D, Miura K, Long CA, Boulanger MJ, Srinivasan P. Structure guided mimicry of an essential P. falciparum receptor-ligand complex enhances cross neutralizing antibodies. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5879. [PMID: 37735574 PMCID: PMC10514071 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41636-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasion of human erythrocytes by Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) merozoites relies on the interaction between two parasite proteins: apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) and rhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2). While antibodies to AMA1 provide limited protection against Pf in non-human primate malaria models, clinical trials using recombinant AMA1 alone (apoAMA1) yielded no protection due to insufficient functional antibodies. Immunization with AMA1 bound to RON2L, a 49-amino acid peptide from its ligand RON2, has shown superior protection by increasing the proportion of neutralizing antibodies. However, this approach relies on the formation of a complex in solution between the two vaccine components. To advance vaccine development, here we engineered chimeric antigens by replacing the AMA1 DII loop, displaced upon ligand binding, with RON2L. Structural analysis confirmed that the fusion chimera (Fusion-FD12) closely mimics the binary AMA1-RON2L complex. Immunization studies in female rats demonstrated that Fusion-FD12 immune sera, but not purified IgG, neutralized vaccine-type parasites more efficiently compared to apoAMA1, despite lower overall anti-AMA1 titers. Interestingly, Fusion-FD12 immunization enhanced antibodies targeting conserved epitopes on AMA1, leading to increased neutralization of non-vaccine type parasites. Identifying these cross-neutralizing antibody epitopes holds promise for developing an effective, strain-transcending malaria vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Yanik
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Varsha Venkatesh
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Michelle L Parker
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 3P6, Canada
| | - Raghavendran Ramaswamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 3P6, Canada
| | - Ababacar Diouf
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Deepti Sarkar
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Martin J Boulanger
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 3P6, Canada
| | - Prakash Srinivasan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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14
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Weiss GE, Ragotte RJ, Quinkert D, Lias AM, Dans MG, Boulet C, Looker O, Ventura OD, Williams BG, Crabb BS, Draper SJ, Gilson PR. The dual action of human antibodies specific to Plasmodium falciparum PfRH5 and PfCyRPA: Blocking invasion and inactivating extracellular merozoites. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011182. [PMID: 37713419 PMCID: PMC10529537 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011182] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 (PfRH5) is the current leading blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate. PfRH5 functions as part of the pentameric PCRCR complex containing PTRAMP, CSS, PfCyRPA and PfRIPR, all of which are essential for infection of human red blood cells (RBCs). To trigger RBC invasion, PfRH5 engages with RBC protein basigin in a step termed the RH5-basigin binding stage. Although we know increasingly more about how antibodies specific for PfRH5 can block invasion, much less is known about how antibodies recognizing other members of the PCRCR complex can inhibit invasion. To address this, we performed live cell imaging using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) which bind PfRH5 and PfCyRPA. We measured the degree and timing of the invasion inhibition, the stage at which it occurred, as well as subsequent events. We show that parasite invasion is blocked by individual mAbs, and the degree of inhibition is enhanced when combining a mAb specific for PfRH5 with one binding PfCyRPA. In addition to directly establishing the invasion-blocking capacity of the mAbs, we identified a secondary action of certain mAbs on extracellular parasites that had not yet invaded where the mAbs appeared to inactivate the parasites by triggering a developmental pathway normally only seen after successful invasion. These findings suggest that epitopes within the PfCyRPA-PfRH5 sub-complex that elicit these dual responses may be more effective immunogens than neighboring epitopes by both blocking parasites from invading and rapidly inactivating extracellular parasites. These two protective mechanisms, prevention of invasion and inactivation of uninvaded parasites, resulting from antibody to a single epitope indicate a possible route to the development of more effective vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta E. Weiss
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert J. Ragotte
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Doris Quinkert
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Amelia M. Lias
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Madeline G. Dans
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Coralie Boulet
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Oliver Looker
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Olivia D. Ventura
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Barnabas G. Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Brendan S. Crabb
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon J. Draper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul R. Gilson
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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15
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Kunz S, Durandy M, Seguin L, Feral CC. NANOBODY ® Molecule, a Giga Medical Tool in Nanodimensions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13229. [PMID: 37686035 PMCID: PMC10487883 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Although antibodies remain the most widely used tool for biomedical research, antibody technology is not flawless. Innovative alternatives, such as Nanobody® molecules, were developed to address the shortcomings of conventional antibodies. Nanobody® molecules are antigen-binding variable-domain fragments derived from the heavy-chain-only antibodies of camelids (VHH) and combine the advantageous properties of small molecules and monoclonal antibodies. Nanobody® molecules present a small size (~15 kDa, 4 nm long and 2.5 nm wide), high solubility, stability, specificity, and affinity, ease of cloning, and thermal and chemical resistance. Recombinant production in microorganisms is cost-effective, and VHH are also building blocks for multidomain constructs. These unique features led to numerous applications in fundamental research, diagnostics, and therapy. Nanobody® molecules are employed as biomarker probes and, when fused to radioisotopes or fluorophores, represent ideal non-invasive in vivo imaging agents. They can be used as neutralizing agents, receptor-ligand antagonists, or in targeted vehicle-based drug therapy. As early as 2018, the first Nanobody®, Cablivi (caplacizumab), a single-domain antibody (sdAb) drug developed by French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi for the treatment of adult patients with acquired thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP), was launched. Nanobody® compounds are ideal tools for further development in clinics for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kunz
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, IRCAN, 06107 Nice, France; (S.K.); (M.D.); (L.S.)
- Department of Oncology, Sanofi Research Center, 94400 Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Manon Durandy
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, IRCAN, 06107 Nice, France; (S.K.); (M.D.); (L.S.)
| | - Laetitia Seguin
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, IRCAN, 06107 Nice, France; (S.K.); (M.D.); (L.S.)
| | - Chloe C. Feral
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, IRCAN, 06107 Nice, France; (S.K.); (M.D.); (L.S.)
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16
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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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17
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Miura K, Diouf A, Fay MP, Barrett JR, Payne RO, Olotu AI, Minassian AM, Silk SE, Draper SJ, Long CA. Assessment of precision in growth inhibition assay (GIA) using human anti-PfRH5 antibodies. Malar J 2023; 22:159. [PMID: 37208733 PMCID: PMC10196285 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04591-6] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For blood-stage malaria vaccine development, the in vitro growth inhibition assay (GIA) has been widely used to evaluate functionality of vaccine-induced antibodies (Ab), and Plasmodium falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 (RH5) is a leading blood-stage antigen. However, precision, also called "error of assay (EoA)", in GIA readouts and the source of EoA has not been evaluated systematically. METHODS In the Main GIA experiment, 4 different cultures of P. falciparum 3D7 parasites were prepared with red blood cells (RBC) collected from 4 different donors. For each culture, 7 different anti-RH5 Ab (either monoclonal or polyclonal Ab) were tested by GIA at two concentrations on three different days (168 data points). To evaluate sources of EoA in % inhibition in GIA (%GIA), a linear model fit was conducted including donor (source of RBC) and day of GIA as independent variables. In addition, 180 human anti-RH5 polyclonal Ab were tested in a Clinical GIA experiment, where each Ab was tested at multiple concentrations in at least 3 independent GIAs using different RBCs (5,093 data points). The standard deviation (sd) in %GIA and in GIA50 (Ab concentration that gave 50%GIA) readouts, and impact of repeat assays on 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of these readouts was estimated. RESULTS The Main GIA experiment revealed that the RBC donor effect was much larger than the day effect, and an obvious donor effect was also observed in the Clinical GIA experiment. Both %GIA and log-transformed GIA50 data reasonably fit a constant sd model, and sd of %GIA and log-transformed GIA50 measurements were calculated as 7.54 and 0.206, respectively. Taking the average of three repeat assays (using three different RBCs) reduces the 95%CI width in %GIA or in GIA50 measurements by ~ half compared to a single assay. CONCLUSIONS The RBC donor effect (donor-to-donor variance on the same day) in GIA was much bigger than the day effect (day-to-day variance using the same donor's RBC) at least for the RH5 Ab evaluated in this study; thus, future GIA studies should consider the donor effect. In addition, the 95%CI for %GIA and GIA50 shown here help when comparing GIA results from different samples/groups/studies; therefore, this study supports future malaria blood-stage vaccine development.
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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, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
| | - Ababacar Diouf
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Michael P Fay
- Biostatistics Research Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Jordan R Barrett
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Ruth O Payne
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Ally I Olotu
- Interventions and Clinical Trials Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Angela M Minassian
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Sarah E Silk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Simon J Draper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
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18
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Srinivasan P, Yanik S, Venkatesh V, Parker M, Diouf A, Sarkar D, Miura K, Long C, Boulanger M. Structure guided mimicry of an essential P. falciparum receptor-ligand complex enhances cross neutralizing antibodies. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2733434. [PMID: 37131813 PMCID: PMC10153359 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2733434/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Invasion of human red blood cells (RBCs) by Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) merozoites relies on the interaction between two parasite proteins, apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) and rhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2) 1,2 . Antibodies to AMA1 confer limited protection against P. falciparum in non-human primate malaria models 3,4 . However, clinical trials with recombinant AMA1 alone (apoAMA1) saw no protection, likely due to inadequate levels of functional antibodies 5-8 . Notably, immunization with AMA1 in its ligand bound conformation using RON2L, a 49 amino acid peptide from RON2, confers superior protection against P. falciparum malaria by enhancing the proportion of neutralizing antibodies 9,10 . A limitation of this approach, however, is that it requires the two vaccine components to form a complex in solution. To facilitate vaccine development, we engineered chimeric antigens by strategically replacing the AMA1 DII loop that is displaced upon ligand binding with RON2L. Structural characterization of the fusion chimera, Fusion-F D12 to 1.55 Å resolution showed that it closely mimics the binary receptor-ligand complex. Immunization studies showed that Fusion-F D12 immune sera neutralized parasites more efficiently than apoAMA1 immune sera despite having an overall lower anti-AMA1 titer, suggesting improvement in antibody quality. Furthermore, immunization with Fusion-F D12 enhanced antibodies targeting conserved epitopes on AMA1 resulting in greater neutralization of non-vaccine type parasites. Identifying epitopes of such cross-neutralizing antibodies will help in the development of an effective, strain-transcending malaria vaccine. Our fusion protein design is a robust vaccine platform that can be enhanced by incorporating polymorphisms in AMA1 to effectively neutralize all P. falciparum parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carole Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Resarch, NIAID/NIH
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19
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Triglia T, Scally SW, Seager BA, Pasternak M, Dagley LF, Cowman AF. Plasmepsin X activates the PCRCR complex of Plasmodium falciparum by processing PfRh5 for erythrocyte invasion. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2219. [PMID: 37072430 PMCID: PMC10113190 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37890-2] [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: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form of malaria in humans. The protozoan parasite develops within erythrocytes to mature schizonts, that contain more than 16 merozoites, which egress and invade fresh erythrocytes. The aspartic protease plasmepsin X (PMX), processes proteins and proteases essential for merozoite egress from the schizont and invasion of the host erythrocyte, including the leading vaccine candidate PfRh5. PfRh5 is anchored to the merozoite surface through a 5-membered complex (PCRCR), consisting of Plasmodium thrombospondin-related apical merozoite protein, cysteine-rich small secreted protein, Rh5-interacting protein and cysteine-rich protective antigen. Here, we show that PCRCR is processed by PMX in micronemes to remove the N-terminal prodomain of PhRh5 and this activates the function of the complex unmasking a form that can bind basigin on the erythrocyte membrane and mediate merozoite invasion. The ability to activate PCRCR at a specific time in merozoite invasion most likely masks potential deleterious effects of its function until they are required. These results provide an important understanding of the essential role of PMX and the fine regulation of PCRCR function in P. falciparum biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Triglia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Stephen W Scally
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Benjamin A Seager
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Michał Pasternak
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Laura F Dagley
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Alan F Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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20
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Baro-Sastre B, Kim CY, Lin C, Kongsomboonvech AK, Tetard M, Salinas ND, Tolia NH, Egan ES. Plasmodium falciparum exploits CD44 as a co-receptor for erythrocyte invasion. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.12.536503. [PMID: 37090581 PMCID: PMC10120705 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.12.536503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum invades and replicates asexually within human erythrocytes. CD44 expressed on erythrocytes was previously identified as an important host factor for P. falciparum infection through a forward genetic screen, but little is known about its regulation or function in these cells, nor how it may be utilized by the parasite. We found that CD44 can be efficiently deleted from primary human hematopoietic stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and that the efficiency of ex-vivo erythropoiesis to enucleated cultured red blood cells (cRBCs) is not impacted by lack of CD44. However, the rate of P. falciparum invasion was substantially reduced in CD44-null cRBCs relative to isogenic wild-type (WT) control cells, validating CD44 as an important host factor for this parasite. We identified two P. falciparum invasion ligands as binding partners for CD44, Erythrocyte Binding Antigen-175 (EBA-175) and EBA-140, and demonstrated that their ability to bind to human erythrocytes relies primarily on their canonical receptors-glycophorin A and glycophorin C, respectively. We further show that EBA-175 induces phosphorylation of erythrocyte cytoskeletal proteins in a CD44-dependent manner. Our findings support a model where P. falciparum exploits CD44 as a co-receptor during invasion of human erythrocytes, stimulating CD44-dependent phosphorylation of host cytoskeletal proteins that alter host cell deformability and facilitate parasite entry.
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21
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Björnsson KH, Barfod L. A complex equation - adding to Plasmodium falciparum invasion. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:160-162. [PMID: 36682939 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.01.004] [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: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum invasion complex - consisting of the prime blood-stage vaccine candidates PfRH5, PfCyRPA and PfRipr - is essential and conserved. New data from Scally et al. reveal that the complex consists of two additional proteins, adding important knowledge to the current understanding of the biology behind the invasion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper H Björnsson
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lea Barfod
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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