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Lokole PB, Byamungu GG, Mutwale PK, Ngombe NK, Mudogo CN, Krause RWM, Nkanga CI. Plant-based nanoparticles targeting malaria management. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1440116. [PMID: 39185312 PMCID: PMC11341498 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1440116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most devastating diseases across the globe, particularly in low-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The increasing incidence of malaria morbidity is mainly due to the shortcomings of preventative measures such as the lack of vaccines and inappropriate control over the parasite vector. Additionally, high mortality rates arise from therapeutic failures due to poor patient adherence and drug resistance development. Although the causative pathogen (Plasmodium spp.) is an intracellular parasite, the recommended antimalarial drugs show large volumes of distribution and low-to no-specificity towards the host cell. This leads to severe side effects that hamper patient compliance and promote the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Recent research efforts are promising to enable the discovery of new antimalarial agents; however, the lack of efficient means to achieve targeted delivery remains a concern, given the risk of further resistance development. New strategies based on green nanotechnologies are a promising avenue for malaria management due to their potential to eliminate malaria vectors (Anopheles sp.) and to encapsulate existing and emerging antimalarial agents and deliver them to different target sites. In this review we summarized studies on the use of plant-derived nanoparticles as cost-effective preventative measures against malaria parasites, starting from the vector stage. We also reviewed plant-based nanoengineering strategies to target malaria parasites, and further discussed the site-specific delivery of natural products using ligand-decorated nanoparticles that act through receptors on the host cells or malaria parasites. The exploration of traditionally established plant medicines, surface-engineered nanoparticles and the molecular targets of parasite/host cells may provide valuable insights for future discovery of antimalarial drugs and open new avenues for advancing science toward the goal of malaria eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pathy B. Lokole
- Centre de Recherche en Nanotechnologies Appliquées aux Produits Naturels (CReNAPN), Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Centre d’Etudes des Substances Naturelles d’Origine Végétale (CESNOV), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Center for Chemico- and Bio-Medicinal Research (CCBR), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
| | - Galilée G. Byamungu
- Centre de Recherche en Nanotechnologies Appliquées aux Produits Naturels (CReNAPN), Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Center for Chemico- and Bio-Medicinal Research (CCBR), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Paulin K. Mutwale
- Centre de Recherche en Nanotechnologies Appliquées aux Produits Naturels (CReNAPN), Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Centre d’Etudes des Substances Naturelles d’Origine Végétale (CESNOV), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Nadège K. Ngombe
- Centre de Recherche en Nanotechnologies Appliquées aux Produits Naturels (CReNAPN), Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Centre d’Etudes des Substances Naturelles d’Origine Végétale (CESNOV), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Celestin N. Mudogo
- Unit of Molecular Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Rui W. M. Krause
- Center for Chemico- and Bio-Medicinal Research (CCBR), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
| | - Christian I. Nkanga
- Centre de Recherche en Nanotechnologies Appliquées aux Produits Naturels (CReNAPN), Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Sookpongthai P, Utayopas K, Sitthiyotha T, Pengsakul T, Kaewthamasorn M, Wangkanont K, Harnyuttanakorn P, Chunsrivirot S, Pattaradilokrat S. Global diversity of the gene encoding the Pfs25 protein-a Plasmodium falciparum transmission-blocking vaccine candidate. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:571. [PMID: 34749796 PMCID: PMC8574928 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05078-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vaccines against the sexual stages of the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum are indispensable for controlling malaria and abrogating the spread of drug-resistant parasites. Pfs25, a surface antigen of the sexual stage of P. falciparum, is a leading candidate for transmission-blocking vaccine development. While clinical trials have reported that Pfs25-based vaccines are safe and effective in inducing transmission-blocking antibodies, the extent of the genetic diversity of Pfs25 in malaria endemic populations has rarely been studied. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the global diversity of Pfs25 in P. falciparum populations. Methods A database of 307 Pfs25 sequences of P. falciparum was established. Population genetic analyses were performed to evaluate haplotype and nucleotide diversity, analyze haplotypic distribution patterns of Pfs25 in different geographical populations, and construct a haplotype network. Neutrality tests were conducted to determine evidence of natural selection. Homology models of the Pfs25 haplotypes were constructed, subjected to molecular dynamics (MD), and analyzed in terms of flexibility and percentages of secondary structures. Results The Pfs25 gene of P. falciparum was found to have 11 unique haplotypes. Of these, haplotype 1 (H1) and H2, the major haplotypes, represented 70% and 22% of the population, respectively, and were dominant in Asia, whereas only H1 was dominant in Africa, Central America, and South America. Other haplotypes were rare and region-specific, resulting in unique distribution patterns in different geographical populations. The diversity in Pfs25 originated from ten single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci located in the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains and anchor domain. Of these, an SNP at position 392 (GGA/GCA), resulting in amino acid substitution 131 (Gly/Ala), defined the two major haplotypes. The MD results showed that the structures of H1 and H2 variants were relatively similar. Limited polymorphism in Pfs25 could likely be due to negative selection. Conclusions The study successfully established a Pfs25 sequence database that can become an essential tool for monitoring vaccine efficacy, designing assays for detecting malaria carriers, and conducting epidemiological studies of P. falciparum. The discovery of the two major haplotypes, H1 and H2, and their conserved structures suggests that the current Pfs25-based vaccines could be used globally for malaria control. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05078-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pornpawee Sookpongthai
- M.Sc. program in Zoology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Korawich Utayopas
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Thassanai Sitthiyotha
- Structural and Computational Biology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Theerakamol Pengsakul
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Morakot Kaewthamasorn
- Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Kittikhun Wangkanont
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | | | - Surasak Chunsrivirot
- Structural and Computational Biology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
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McCoy KD, Weldon CT, Ansumana R, Lamin JM, Stenger DA, Ryan SJ, Bardosh K, Jacobsen KH, Dinglasan RR. Are malaria transmission-blocking vaccines acceptable to high burden communities? Results from a mixed methods study in Bo, Sierra Leone. Malar J 2021; 20:183. [PMID: 33849572 PMCID: PMC8045381 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03723-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) could help break the cycle of malaria transmission by conferring community rather than individual protection. When introducing new intervention strategies, uptake is dependent on acceptability, not just efficacy. In this exploratory study on acceptability of TBVs in Sierra Leone, it was hypothesized that TBVs would be largely acceptable to adults and health workers in areas with relatively few ongoing malaria interventions, and that (i) knowledge of malaria and vaccines, (ii) health behaviours associated with malaria and vaccines, and (iii) attitudes towards different vaccines types could lead to greater TBV acceptability. METHODS This study used a mixed methods approach in Bo, Sierra Leone, to understand community knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to malaria and vaccination in general. This included: (i) a population-based cross-sectional survey (n=615 adults), (ii) 6 focus group discussions with parents, and (iii) 20 key informant interviews. The concept of a TBV was explained to participants before they were asked about their willingness to accept this vaccine modality as part of an integrated malaria elimination programme. RESULTS This study found that most adults would be willing to receive a TBV vaccine. Respondents noted mostly positive past experiences with adult and childhood vaccinations for other infectious diseases and high levels of engagement in other malaria prevention behaviors such as bed nets. Perceived barriers to TBV acceptance were largely focused on general community-level distribution of a vaccine, including personal fears of vaccination and possible costs. After an explanation of the TBV mechanism, nearly all focus group and interview participants believed that community members would accept the vaccine as part of an integrated malaria control approach. Both parents and health workers offered insight on how to successfully roll-out a future TBV vaccination programme. CONCLUSIONS The willingness of community members in Bo, Sierra Leone to accept a TBV as part of an integrated anti-malarial strategy suggests that the atypical mechanism of TBV action might not be an obstacle to future clinical trials. This study's findings suggests that perceived general barriers to vaccination implementation, such as perceived personal fears and vaccine cost, must be addressed in future clinical and implementation research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaci D McCoy
- CDC Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Caroline T Weldon
- CDC Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Rashid Ansumana
- Mercy Hospital Research Laboratory, Bo, Sierra Leone
- School of Community Health Sciences, Njala University, Bo, Sierra Leone
| | | | - David A Stenger
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Sadie J Ryan
- CDC Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Geography, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kevin Bardosh
- Center for One Health Research, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kathryn H Jacobsen
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Rhoel R Dinglasan
- CDC Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Tachibana M, Baba M, Takashima E, Tsuboi T, Torii M, Ishino T. The C-terminal region of the Plasmodium yoelii microgamete surface antigen PyMiGS induces potent anti-malarial transmission-blocking immunity in mice. Vaccine 2020; 38:3129-3136. [PMID: 32147299 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.02.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) aim to inhibit parasite fertilization or further development within the mosquito midgut. Because TBV-immunized individuals reduce the transmission of malaria parasites to mosquito vectors, TBVs could serve as a promising strategy to eliminate malaria. We previously reported that a male specific protein, PyMiGS (Plasmodium yoelii microgamete surface protein), is localized to the surface of microgametes and anti-PyMiGS antibodies have strong transmission-blocking activity. In this study we determine a region of PyMiGS that contains epitopes inducing potent transmission-blocking antibodies. PyMiGS excluding the N-terminal signal sequence and C-terminal hydrophobic region (PyMiGS-full) was divided into five overlapping regions, named I through V, and corresponding truncated recombinant proteins were produced. Anti-region V antibody, affinity-purified from anti-PyMiGS-full rabbit antiserum, significantly reduced the number of oocysts in a mosquito membrane-feeding assay. Antibodies from mice immunized with PyMiGS-V recognized the microgamete surface and showed higher transmission-blocking efficacy than antibodies obtained by PyMiGS-full immunization. These results indicate that the major epitopes for transmission-blocking antibodies are within region V at the C-terminal region of PyMiGS. Therefore, region V of MiGS could be a promising pre-fertilization TBV candidate antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Tachibana
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan
| | - Minami Baba
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan
| | - Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Motomi Torii
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan; Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ishino
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
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Angrisano F, Sala KA, Tapanelli S, Christophides GK, Blagborough AM. Male-Specific Protein Disulphide Isomerase Function is Essential for Plasmodium Transmission and a Vulnerable Target for Intervention. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18300. [PMID: 31797966 PMCID: PMC6892906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54613-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting transmission of Plasmodium is an essential strategy in malaria eradication, and the biological process of gamete fusion during fertilization is a proven target for this approach. Lack of knowledge of the mechanisms underlying fertilization have been a hindrance in the development of transmission-blocking interventions. Here we describe a protein disulphide isomerase essential for malarial transmission (PDI-Trans/PBANKA_0820300) to the mosquito. We show that PDI-Trans activity is male-specific, surface-expressed, essential for fertilization/transmission, and exhibits disulphide isomerase activity which is up-regulated post-gamete activation. We demonstrate that PDI-Trans is a viable anti-malarial drug and vaccine target blocking malarial transmission with the use of PDI inhibitor bacitracin (98.21%/92.48% reduction in intensity/prevalence), and anti-PDI-Trans antibodies (66.22%/33.16% reduction in intensity/prevalence). To our knowledge, these results provide the first evidence that PDI function is essential for malarial transmission, and emphasize the potential of anti-PDI agents to act as anti-malarials, facilitating the future development of novel transmission-blocking interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Angrisano
- Division of Microbiology and Parasitology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, United Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna A Sala
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Sofia Tapanelli
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - George K Christophides
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M Blagborough
- Division of Microbiology and Parasitology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, United Kingdom. .,Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
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Bruun TJ, Andersson AMC, Draper SJ, Howarth M. Engineering a Rugged Nanoscaffold To Enhance Plug-and-Display Vaccination. ACS NANO 2018; 12:8855-8866. [PMID: 30028591 PMCID: PMC6158681 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b02805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Nanoscale organization is crucial to stimulating an immune response. Using self-assembling proteins as multimerization platforms provides a safe and immunogenic system to vaccinate against otherwise weakly immunogenic antigens. Such multimerization platforms are generally based on icosahedral viruses and have led to vaccines given to millions of people. It is unclear whether synthetic protein nanoassemblies would show similar potency. Here we take the computationally designed porous dodecahedral i301 60-mer and rationally engineer this particle, giving a mutated i301 (mi3) with improved particle uniformity and stability. To simplify the conjugation of this nanoparticle, we employ a SpyCatcher fusion of mi3, such that an antigen of interest linked to the SpyTag peptide can spontaneously couple through isopeptide bond formation (Plug-and-Display). SpyCatcher-mi3 expressed solubly to high yields in Escherichia coli, giving more than 10-fold greater yield than a comparable phage-derived icosahedral nanoparticle, SpyCatcher-AP205. SpyCatcher-mi3 nanoparticles showed high stability to temperature, freeze-thaw, lyophilization, and storage over time. We demonstrate approximately 95% efficiency coupling to different transmission-blocking and blood-stage malaria antigens. Plasmodium falciparum CyRPA was conjugated to SpyCatcher-mi3 nanoparticles and elicited a high avidity antibody response, comparable to phage-derived virus-like particles despite their higher valency and RNA cargo. The simple production, precise derivatization, and exceptional ruggedness of this nanoscaffold should facilitate broad application for nanobiotechnology and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodora
U. J. Bruun
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Anne-Marie C. Andersson
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Simon J. Draper
- Jenner
Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Howarth
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
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Antimalarial Transmission-Blocking Interventions: Past, Present, and Future. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:735-746. [PMID: 30082147 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Malaria remains a major global health challenge. Appropriate use of current antimalarial tools has reduced the disease burden, but morbidity and mortality remain unacceptably high. It is widely accepted that, to achieve long-term control/eradication, it will be necessary to use interventions that inhibit the transmission of parasites to mosquitoes - these tools are termed transmission-blocking interventions (TBIs). This article aims to outline the rationale for the development of TBIs, with a focus on transmission-blocking drugs and (parasite-derived) transmission-blocking vaccines. We describe and summarise the current status of each of these intervention classes and attempt to identify future requirements in development, with a focus on the challenges of establishing each method within an integrated malarial control programme in the future.
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