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Dumarchey A, Lavazec C, Verdier F. Erythropoiesis and Malaria, a Multifaceted Interplay. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232112762. [PMID: 36361552 PMCID: PMC9657351 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112762] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the major pathophysiologies of malaria is the development of anemia. Although hemolysis and splenic clearance are well described as causes of malarial anemia, abnormal erythropoiesis has been observed in malaria patients and may contribute significantly to anemia. The interaction between inadequate erythropoiesis and Plasmodium parasite infection, which partly occurs in the bone marrow, has been poorly investigated to date. However, recent findings may provide new insights. This review outlines clinical and experimental studies describing different aspects of ineffective erythropoiesis and dyserythropoiesis observed in malaria patients and in animal or in vitro models. We also highlight the various human and parasite factors leading to erythropoiesis disorders and discuss the impact that Plasmodium parasites may have on the suppression of erythropoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Dumarchey
- Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, 75014 Paris, France
- Laboratoire d’Excellence GR-Ex, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Catherine Lavazec
- Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, 75014 Paris, France
- Laboratoire d’Excellence GR-Ex, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Frédérique Verdier
- Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, 75014 Paris, France
- Laboratoire d’Excellence GR-Ex, 75015 Paris, France
- Correspondence:
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2
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Martins F, Santos I, da Cruz E Silva OAB, Tambaro S, Rebelo S. The role of the integral type II transmembrane protein BRI2 in health and disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6807-6822. [PMID: 34480585 PMCID: PMC11072861 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03932-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BRI2 is a type II transmembrane protein ubiquitously expressed whose physiological function remains poorly understood. Although several recent important advances have substantially impacted on our understanding of BRI2 biology and function, providing valuable information for further studies on BRI2. These findings have contributed to a better understanding of BRI2 biology and the underlying signaling pathways involved. In turn, these might provide novel insights with respect to neurodegeneration processes inherent to BRI2-related pathologies, namely Familial British and Danish dementias, Alzheimer's disease, ITM2B-related retinal dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis. In this review, we provided a state-of-the-art outline of BRI2 biology, both in physiological and pathological conditions, and discuss the proposed molecular underlying mechanisms. Overall, the BRI2 knowledge here reviewed is of extreme importance and may contribute to propose BRI2 and/or BRI2 proteolytic fragments as novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Martins
- Neuroscience and Signaling Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Isabela Santos
- Neuroscience and Signaling Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Odete A B da Cruz E Silva
- Neuroscience and Signaling Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Simone Tambaro
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden.
| | - Sandra Rebelo
- Neuroscience and Signaling Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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3
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Singh S, Santos JM, Orchard LM, Yamada N, van Biljon R, Painter HJ, Mahony S, Llinás M. The PfAP2-G2 transcription factor is a critical regulator of gametocyte maturation. Mol Microbiol 2021; 115:1005-1024. [PMID: 33368818 PMCID: PMC8330521 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation from asexual blood stages to mature sexual gametocytes is required for the transmission of malaria parasites. Here, we report that the ApiAP2 transcription factor, PfAP2-G2 (PF3D7_1408200) plays a critical role in the maturation of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. PfAP2-G2 binds to the promoters of a wide array of genes that are expressed at many stages of the parasite life cycle. Interestingly, we also find binding of PfAP2-G2 within the gene body of almost 3,000 genes, which strongly correlates with the location of H3K36me3 and several other histone modifications as well as Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1), suggesting that occupancy of PfAP2-G2 in gene bodies may serve as an alternative regulatory mechanism. Disruption of pfap2-g2 does not impact asexual development, but the majority of sexual parasites are unable to mature beyond stage III gametocytes. The absence of pfap2-g2 leads to overexpression of 28% of the genes bound by PfAP2-G2 and none of the PfAP2-G2 bound genes are downregulated, suggesting that it is a repressor. We also find that PfAP2-G2 interacts with chromatin remodeling proteins, a microrchidia (MORC) protein, and another ApiAP2 protein (PF3D7_1139300). Overall our data demonstrate that PfAP2-G2 establishes an essential gametocyte maturation program in association with other chromatin-related proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suprita Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802
| | - Joana M. Santos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802
| | - Lindsey M. Orchard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802
| | - Naomi Yamada
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802
| | - Riëtte van Biljon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802
| | - Heather J. Painter
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802
| | - Shaun Mahony
- Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802
| | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802
- Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802
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4
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Corbett Y, Parapini S, Perego F, Messina V, Delbue S, Misiano P, Falchi M, Silvestrini F, Taramelli D, Basilico N, D'Alessandro S. Phagocytosis and activation of bone marrow-derived macrophages by Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. Malar J 2021; 20:81. [PMID: 33568138 PMCID: PMC7874634 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03589-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The innate immune response against various life cycle stages of the malaria parasite plays an important role in protection against the disease and regulation of its severity. Phagocytosis of asexual erythrocytic stages is well documented, but little and contrasting results are available about phagocytic clearance of sexual stages, the gametocytes, which are responsible for the transmission of the parasites from humans to mosquitoes. Similarly, activation of host macrophages by gametocytes has not yet been carefully addressed. Methods Phagocytosis of early or late Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes was evaluated through methanol fixed cytospin preparations of immortalized mouse C57Bl/6 bone marrow-derived macrophages treated for 2 h with P. falciparum and stained with Giemsa, and it was confirmed through a standardized bioluminescent method using the transgenic P. falciparum 3D7elo1-pfs16-CBG99 strain. Activation was evaluated by measuring nitric oxide or cytokine levels in the supernatants of immortalized mouse C57Bl/6 bone marrow-derived macrophages treated with early or late gametocytes. Results The results showed that murine bone marrow-derived macrophages can phagocytose both early and late gametocytes, but only the latter were able to induce the production of inflammatory mediators, specifically nitric oxide and the cytokines tumour necrosis factor and macrophage inflammatory protein 2. Conclusions These results support the hypothesis that developing gametocytes interact in different ways with innate immune cells of the host. Moreover, the present study proposes that early and late gametocytes act differently as targets for innate immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Corbett
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36, 20133, Milan, Italy. .,Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria-Italian Malaria Network, Milan, Italy.
| | - Silvia Parapini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria-Italian Malaria Network, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Perego
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Messina
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Delbue
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Misiano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Falchi
- AIDS-Ricerca e sviluppo, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Silvestrini
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.,Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria-Italian Malaria Network, Milan, Italy
| | - Donatella Taramelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria-Italian Malaria Network, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Basilico
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria-Italian Malaria Network, Milan, Italy
| | - Sarah D'Alessandro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36, 20133, Milan, Italy. .,Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sulla Malaria-Italian Malaria Network, Milan, Italy. .,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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5
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Brown AC, Guler JL. From Circulation to Cultivation: Plasmodium In Vivo versus In Vitro. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:914-926. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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6
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Neveu G, Richard C, Dupuy F, Behera P, Volpe F, Subramani PA, Marcel-Zerrougui B, Vallin P, Andrieu M, Minz AM, Azar N, Martins RM, Lorthiois A, Gazeau F, Lopez-Rubio JJ, Mazier D, Silva AKA, Satpathi S, Wassmer SC, Verdier F, Lavazec C. Plasmodium falciparum sexual parasites develop in human erythroblasts and affect erythropoiesis. Blood 2020; 136:1381-1393. [PMID: 32589714 PMCID: PMC7498361 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019004746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes, the sexual stage responsible for malaria parasite transmission from humans to mosquitoes, are key targets for malaria elimination. Immature gametocytes develop in the human bone marrow parenchyma, where they accumulate around erythroblastic islands. Notably though, the interactions between gametocytes and this hematopoietic niche have not been investigated. Here, we identify late erythroblasts as a new host cell for P falciparum sexual stages and show that gametocytes can fully develop inside these nucleated cells in vitro and in vivo, leading to infectious mature gametocytes within reticulocytes. Strikingly, we found that infection of erythroblasts by gametocytes and parasite-derived extracellular vesicles delay erythroid differentiation, thereby allowing gametocyte maturation to coincide with the release of their host cell from the bone marrow. Taken together, our findings highlight new mechanisms that are pivotal for the maintenance of immature gametocytes in the bone marrow and provide further insights on how Plasmodium parasites interfere with erythropoiesis and contribute to anemia in malaria patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Neveu
- INSERM U1016, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Cyrielle Richard
- INSERM U1016, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Florian Dupuy
- INSERM U1016, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Prativa Behera
- Department of Pathology, Ispat General Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Fiona Volpe
- INSERM U1016, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Pradeep Annamalai Subramani
- INSERM U1135, CNRS Equipe de Recherche Labellisée (ERL) 8255, Sorbonne Université, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Paris, France
| | | | - Patrice Vallin
- INSERM U1016, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Muriel Andrieu
- INSERM U1016, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Aruna Mukti Minz
- Department of Pathology, Ispat General Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Nabih Azar
- Service d'Hémobiologie, Hôpital La Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Rafael M Martins
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions - UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; and
| | - Audrey Lorthiois
- INSERM U1016, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Florence Gazeau
- Laboratoire Matières et Systèmes Complexes, UMR 7057 CNRS, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - José-Juan Lopez-Rubio
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions - UMR 5235, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; and
| | - Dominique Mazier
- INSERM U1135, CNRS Equipe de Recherche Labellisée (ERL) 8255, Sorbonne Université, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Paris, France
| | - Amanda K A Silva
- Laboratoire Matières et Systèmes Complexes, UMR 7057 CNRS, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | - Samuel C Wassmer
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Frédérique Verdier
- INSERM U1016, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Lavazec
- INSERM U1016, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
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7
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Venugopal K, Hentzschel F, Valkiūnas G, Marti M. Plasmodium asexual growth and sexual development in the haematopoietic niche of the host. Nat Rev Microbiol 2020; 18:177-189. [PMID: 31919479 PMCID: PMC7223625 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-019-0306-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium spp. parasites are the causative agents of malaria in humans and animals, and they are exceptionally diverse in their morphology and life cycles. They grow and develop in a wide range of host environments, both within blood-feeding mosquitoes, their definitive hosts, and in vertebrates, which are intermediate hosts. This diversity is testament to their exceptional adaptability and poses a major challenge for developing effective strategies to reduce the disease burden and transmission. Following one asexual amplification cycle in the liver, parasites reach high burdens by rounds of asexual replication within red blood cells. A few of these blood-stage parasites make a developmental switch into the sexual stage (or gametocyte), which is essential for transmission. The bone marrow, in particular the haematopoietic niche (in rodents, also the spleen), is a major site of parasite growth and sexual development. This Review focuses on our current understanding of blood-stage parasite development and vascular and tissue sequestration, which is responsible for disease symptoms and complications, and when involving the bone marrow, provides a niche for asexual replication and gametocyte development. Understanding these processes provides an opportunity for novel therapies and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kannan Venugopal
- Wellcome Center for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Franziska Hentzschel
- Wellcome Center for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Center for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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8
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Neveu G, Lavazec C. Erythrocyte Membrane Makeover by Plasmodium falciparum Gametocytes. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2652. [PMID: 31787966 PMCID: PMC6856072 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum sexual parasites, called gametocytes, are the only parasite stages responsible for transmission from humans to Anopheles mosquitoes. During their maturation, P. falciparum gametocytes remodel the structural and mechanical properties of the membrane of their erythrocyte host. This remodeling is induced by the export of several parasite proteins and a dynamic reorganization of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton. Some of these modifications are specific for sexual stages and play a key role for gametocyte maturation, sequestration in internal organs, subsequent release in the bloodstream and ability to persist in circulation. Here we discuss the mechanisms developed by gametocytes to remodel their host cell and the functional relevance of these modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Neveu
- Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Lavazec
- Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
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9
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De Niz M, Meehan GR, Tavares J. Intravital microscopy: Imaging host-parasite interactions in lymphoid organs. Cell Microbiol 2019; 21:e13117. [PMID: 31512335 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Intravital microscopy allows imaging of biological phenomena within living animals, including host-parasite interactions. This has advanced our understanding of both, the function of lymphoid organs during parasitic infections, and the effect of parasites on such organs to allow their survival. In parasitic research, recent developments in this technique have been crucial for the direct study of host-parasite interactions within organs at depths, speeds and resolution previously difficult to achieve. Lymphoid organs have gained more attention as we start to understand their function during parasitic infections and the effect of parasites on them. In this review, we summarise technical and biological findings achieved by intravital microscopy with respect to the interaction of various parasites with host lymphoid organs, namely the bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen and the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, and present a view into possible future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana De Niz
- Institute of Cell Biology, Heussler Lab, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gavin R Meehan
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Joana Tavares
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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10
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Wichers JS, Scholz JAM, Strauss J, Witt S, Lill A, Ehnold LI, Neupert N, Liffner B, Lühken R, Petter M, Lorenzen S, Wilson DW, Löw C, Lavazec C, Bruchhaus I, Tannich E, Gilberger TW, Bachmann A. Dissecting the Gene Expression, Localization, Membrane Topology, and Function of the Plasmodium falciparum STEVOR Protein Family. mBio 2019; 10:e01500-19. [PMID: 31363031 PMCID: PMC6667621 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01500-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
During its intraerythrocytic development, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum exposes variant surface antigens (VSAs) on infected erythrocytes to establish and maintain an infection. One family of small VSAs is the polymorphic STEVOR proteins, which are marked for export to the host cell surface through their PEXEL signal peptide. Interestingly, some STEVORs have also been reported to localize to the parasite plasma membrane and apical organelles, pointing toward a putative function in host cell egress or invasion. Using deep RNA sequencing analysis, we characterized P. falciparumstevor gene expression across the intraerythrocytic development cycle, including free merozoites, in detail and used the resulting stevor expression profiles for hierarchical clustering. We found that most stevor genes show biphasic expression oscillation, with maximum expression during trophozoite stages and a second peak in late schizonts. We selected four STEVOR variants, confirmed the expected export of these proteins to the host cell membrane, and tracked them to a secondary location, either to the parasite plasma membrane or the secretory organelles of merozoites in late schizont stages. We investigated the function of a particular STEVOR that showed rhoptry localization and demonstrated its role at the parasite-host interface during host cell invasion by specific antisera and targeted gene disruption. Experimentally determined membrane topology of this STEVOR revealed a single transmembrane domain exposing the semiconserved as well as variable protein regions to the cell surface.IMPORTANCE Malaria claims about half a million lives each year. Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most severe form of the disease, uses proteins that are translocated to the surface of infected erythrocytes for immune evasion. To circumvent the detection of these gene products by the immune system, the parasite evolved a complex strategy that includes gene duplications and elaborate sequence polymorphism. STEVORs are one family of these variant surface antigens and are encoded by about 40 genes. Using deep RNA sequencing of blood-stage parasites, including free merozoites, we first established stevor expression of the cultured isolate and compared it with published transcriptomes. We reveal a biphasic expression of most stevor genes and confirm this for individual STEVORs at the protein level. The membrane topology of a rhoptry-associated variant was experimentally elucidated and linked to host cell invasion, underlining the importance of this multifunctional protein family for parasite proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Stephan Wichers
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Jan Strauss
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), DESY, and European Molecular Biology Laboratory Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Witt
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrés Lill
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Benjamin Liffner
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Petter
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephan Lorenzen
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Danny W Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christian Löw
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), DESY, and European Molecular Biology Laboratory Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Iris Bruchhaus
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Egbert Tannich
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tim W Gilberger
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Bachmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
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11
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Ngotho P, Soares AB, Hentzschel F, Achcar F, Bertuccini L, Marti M. Revisiting gametocyte biology in malaria parasites. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2019; 43:401-414. [PMID: 31220244 PMCID: PMC6606849 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuz010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Gametocytes are the only form of the malaria parasite that is transmissible to the mosquito vector. They are present at low levels in blood circulation and significant knowledge gaps exist in their biology. Recent reductions in the global malaria burden have brought the possibility of elimination and eradication, with renewed focus on malaria transmission biology as a basis for interventions. This review discusses recent insights into gametocyte biology in the major human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum and related species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Ngotho
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, 120 University Road, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Alexandra Blancke Soares
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, 120 University Road, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Franziska Hentzschel
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, 120 University Road, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Fiona Achcar
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, 120 University Road, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Lucia Bertuccini
- Core Facilities, Microscopy Area, Instituto Superiore di Sanita, Via Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, 120 University Road, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, MA, USA
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