1
|
Zhang M, Wang Y, Shen HM, Chen SB, Wang TY, Kassegne K, Chen JH. Genetic Diversity and Natural Selection of Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein 8 in Global Populations. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 122:105605. [PMID: 38759940 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein 8 (PvMSP8) is a promising candidate target for the development of multi-component vaccines. Therefore, determining the genetic variation pattern of Pvmsp8 is essential in providing a reference for the rational design of the P. vivax malaria vaccines. This study delves into the genetic characteristics of the Pvmsp8 gene, specifically focusing on samples from the China-Myanmar border (CMB) region, and contrasts these findings with broader global patterns. The study uncovers that Pvmsp8 exhibits a notable level of conservation across different populations, with limited polymorphisms and relatively low nucleotide diversity (0.00023-0.00120). This conservation contrasts starkly with the high polymorphisms found in other P. vivax antigens such as Pvmsp1. A total of 25 haplotypes and 14 amino acid mutation sites were identified in the global populations, and all mutation sites were confined to non-functional regions. The study also notes that most CMB Pvmsp8 haplotypes are shared among Burmese, Cambodian, Thai, and Vietnamese populations, indicating less geographical variance, but differ notably from those found in Pacific island regions or the Panama. The findings underscore the importance of considering regional genetic diversity in P. vivax when developing targeted malaria vaccines. Non departure from neutral evolution were found by Tajima's D test, however, statistically significant differences were observed between the kn/ks rates. The study's findings are crucial in understanding the evolution and population structure of the Pvmsp8 gene, particularly during regional malaria elimination efforts. The highly conserved nature of Pvmsp8, combined with the lack of mutations in its functional domain, presents it as a promising candidate for developing a broad and effective P. vivax vaccine. This research thus lays a foundation for the rational development of multivalent malaria vaccines targeting this genetically stable antigen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Man Zhang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Mo Shen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Shen-Bo Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian-Yu Wang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Kokouvi Kassegne
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China; School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Hu Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China; School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, People's Republic of China; School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China; Hainan Tropical Diseases Research Center (Hainan Sub-Center, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Haikou 571199, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kuamsab N, Putaporntip C, Kakino A, Kosuwin R, Songsaigath S, Tachibana H, Jongwutiwes S. Anti-Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 3 ϒ (PvMSP3 ϒ) antibodies upon natural infection. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9595. [PMID: 38671033 PMCID: PMC11053162 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59153-w] [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: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Merozoite surface protein 3 of Plasmodium vivax (PvMSP3) contains a repertoire of protein members with unique sequence organization. While the biological functions of these proteins await elucidation, PvMSP3 has been suggested to be potential vaccine targets. To date, studies on natural immune responses to this protein family have been confined to two members, PvMSP3α and PvMSP3β. This study analyzed natural IgG antibody responses to PvMSP3γ recombinant proteins derived from two variants: one containing insert blocks (CT1230nF) and the other without insert domain (NR25nF). The former variant was also expressed as two subfragment proteins: one encompassing variable domain I and insert block A (CT1230N) and the other spanning from insert block B to conserved block III (CT1230C). Serum samples were obtained from 246 symptomatic vivax malaria patients in Tak (n = 50) and Ubon Ratchathani (n = 196) Provinces. In total, 176 (71.5%) patients could mount antibodies to at least one recombinant PvMSP3γ antigen. IgG antibodies directed against antigens CT1230nF, CT1230N, CT1230C and NR25nF occurred in 96.6%, 61.4%, 71.6% and 68.2% of samples, respectively, suggesting the widespread occurrence of B-cell epitopes across PvMSP3γ. The rates of seropositivity seemed to correlate with the number of previous malaria episodes. Isotype analysis of anti-PvMSP3γ antibodies has shown predominant cytophilic subclass responses, accounting for 75.4-81.7% for IgG1 and 63.6-77.5% for IgG3. Comparing with previous studies in the same cohort, the numbers of serum samples reactive to antigens derived from P. vivax merozoite surface protein 9 (PvMSP9) and thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (PvTRAP) were higher than those to PvMSP3γ, being 92.7% and 87.0% versus 71.5%, respectively. Three (1.22%) serum samples were nonresponsive to all these malarial proteins. Nevertheless, the relevance of naturally acquired antibodies to PvMSP3γ in host protection requires further studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Napaporn Kuamsab
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Community Public Health Program, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Southern College of Technology, Nakorn Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Chaturong Putaporntip
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Azumi Kakino
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Rattiporn Kosuwin
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Health Promotion, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhonnayok, Thailand
| | - Sunisa Songsaigath
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Health Promotion, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhonnayok, Thailand
| | - Hiroshi Tachibana
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Somchai Jongwutiwes
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
PvMSP-3α and PvMSP-3β genotyping reveals higher genetic diversity in Plasmodium vivax parasites from migrant workers than residents at the China-Myanmar border. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 106:105387. [PMID: 36403920 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genetic diversity of malaria parasites traces the origin and spread of new variants and can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of malaria control measures. Therefore, this study aims to improve the understanding of the molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax malaria at the China-Myanmar border by genotyping the PvMSP-3α and PvMSP-3β genes. METHODS Blood samples were collected from P. vivax malaria patients along the China-Myanmar border. The PvMSP-3α and PvMSP-3β genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the genetic polymorphism and haplotype of the two genes were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 422 blood samples were used for this study, of which 224 were analyzed at PvMSP-3α and 126 at PvMSP-3β. Samples mainly were from young adults aged 18-45 years, although local patients were significantly younger than migrant laborers crossing the border at Tengchong (P < 0.0001). Molecular evolutionary analysis revealed that PvMSP-3α and PvMSP-3β underwent diversifying natural selection, and intragenic recombination contributed to the diversity of the isolates. Based on the length of the genes, we identified three types of PvMSP-3α [1.9-2.0 kb (Type-A), 1.4-1.5 kb (Type-B), and 1.1-1.3 kb (Type-C)] and two types of PvMSP-3β [1.7-2.2 kb (Type-A) and 1.4-1.5 kb (Type-B)]. Migrant laborers returning to China through Tengchong bore P. vivax infections displaying significantly higher genetic diversity than local residents. CONCLUSIONS Both PvMSP-3 paralogs were subjected to diversifying selection in each sample population. Clustering of alleles supports ephemeral endemic differentiation of alleles, but the broader phylogeny suggests that alleles transit the globe, perhaps accelerated by movements of migrants such as those transiting Tengchong.
Collapse
|
4
|
Plasmodium vivax malaria serological exposure markers: Assessing the degree and implications of cross-reactivity with P. knowlesi. Cell Rep Med 2022; 3:100662. [PMID: 35732155 PMCID: PMC9245056 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Serological markers are a promising tool for surveillance and targeted interventions for Plasmodium vivax malaria. P. vivax is closely related to the zoonotic parasite P. knowlesi, which also infects humans. P. vivax and P. knowlesi are co-endemic across much of South East Asia, making it important to design serological markers that minimize cross-reactivity in this region. To determine the degree of IgG cross-reactivity against a panel of P. vivax serological markers, we assayed samples from human patients with P. knowlesi malaria. IgG antibody reactivity is high against P. vivax proteins with high sequence identity with their P. knowlesi ortholog. IgG reactivity peaks at 7 days post-P. knowlesi infection and is short-lived, with minimal responses 1 year post-infection. We designed a panel of eight P. vivax proteins with low levels of cross-reactivity with P. knowlesi. This panel can accurately classify recent P. vivax infections while reducing misclassification of recent P. knowlesi infections.
Collapse
|
5
|
Chotirat S, Nekkab N, Kumpitak C, Hietanen J, White MT, Kiattibutr K, Sa-angchai P, Brewster J, Schoffer K, Takashima E, Tsuboi T, Harbers M, Chitnis CE, Healer J, Tham WH, Nguitragool W, Mueller I, Sattabongkot J, Longley RJ. Application of 23 Novel Serological Markers for Identifying Recent Exposure to Plasmodium vivax Parasites in an Endemic Population of Western Thailand. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:643501. [PMID: 34276583 PMCID: PMC8279756 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.643501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Thailand is aiming for malaria elimination by the year 2030. However, the high proportion of asymptomatic infections and the presence of the hidden hypnozoite stage of Plasmodium vivax are impeding these efforts. We hypothesized that a validated surveillance tool utilizing serological markers of recent exposure to P. vivax infection could help to identify areas of ongoing transmission. The objective of this exploratory study was to assess the ability of P. vivax serological exposure markers to detect residual transmission "hot-spots" in Western Thailand. Total IgG levels were measured against a panel of 23 candidate P. vivax serological exposure markers using a multiplexed bead-based assay. A total of 4,255 plasma samples from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2012 of endemic areas in the Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi provinces were assayed. We compared IgG levels with multiple epidemiological factors that are associated with an increased risk of P. vivax infection in Thailand, including age, gender, and spatial location, as well as Plasmodium infection status itself. IgG levels to all proteins were significantly higher in the presence of a P. vivax infection (n = 144) (T-test, p < 0.0001). Overall seropositivity rates varied from 2.5% (PVX_097625, merozoite surface protein 8) to 16.8% (PVX_082670, merozoite surface protein 7), with 43% of individuals seropositive to at least 1 protein. Higher IgG levels were associated with older age (>18 years, p < 0.05) and males (17/23 proteins, p < 0.05), supporting the paradigm that men have a higher risk of infection than females in this setting. We used a Random Forests algorithm to predict which individuals had exposure to P. vivax parasites in the last 9-months, based on their IgG antibody levels to a panel of eight previously validated P. vivax proteins. Spatial clustering was observed at the village and regional level, with a moderate correlation between PCR prevalence and sero-prevalence as predicted by the algorithm. Our data provides proof-of-concept for application of such surrogate markers as evidence of recent exposure in low transmission areas. These data can be used to better identify geographical areas with asymptomatic infection burdens that can be targeted in elimination campaigns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sadudee Chotirat
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Narimane Nekkab
- Malaria Parasites and Hosts Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Chalermpon Kumpitak
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jenni Hietanen
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Michael T. White
- Malaria Parasites and Hosts Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Kirakorn Kiattibutr
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Patiwat Sa-angchai
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jessica Brewster
- Population Health and Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Kael Schoffer
- Population Health and Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Matthias Harbers
- CellFree Sciences Co., Ltd., Yokohama, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Chetan E. Chitnis
- Malaria Parasite Biology and Vaccines Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Julie Healer
- Population Health and Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Wai-Hong Tham
- Population Health and Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Wang Nguitragool
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ivo Mueller
- Malaria Parasites and Hosts Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Population Health and Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rhea J. Longley
- Population Health and Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Songsaigath S, Putaporntip C, Kuamsab N, Jongwutiwes S. Structural diversity, natural selection and intragenic recombination in the Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 9 locus in Thailand. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 85:104467. [PMID: 32711079 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The merozoite surface protein 9 (MSP9) of malarial parasite forms co-ligand complex with the 19 kDa fragment of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) prior to erythrocyte invasion. Interruption of this process could hamper subsequent asexual erythrocytic development of malaria parasites; therefore, these proteins are considered potential vaccine candidates. In Plasmodium vivax, MSP9 (PvMSP9) contains both conserved and polymorphic repetitive domains that were immunogenic upon natural malaria exposure and conferred protection in vaccination studies in animal models. To investigate the extent of sequence diversity at this locus, 104 P. vivax isolates from 4 major malaria endemic areas of Thailand were analyzed. Results revealed that pvmsp9 contained 3 repeat domains (R1-R3) flanked by conserved domains. Repeat domains exhibit extensive sequence and length variation, in which 14, 39 and 16 haplotypes for domains R1-R3, respectively, circulated in this country. Sequence diversity in pvmsp9 among P. vivax isolates from each endemic area displayed population structure. The extent of sequence diversity in pvmsp9 isolates from the provinces of Tak, Chanthaburi, Ubon Ratchathani and Prachuap Khiri Khan in northwestern, eastern, northeastern and southwestern areas, respectively, was almost comparable and was remarkably higher than that from Yala/Narathiwat population in southern Thailand. Evidence for intragenic recombination in this locus was observed within each P. vivax population except among isolates from Yala and Narathiwat. Synonymous nucleotide diversity significantly exceeded nonsynonymous nucleotide diversity in domains R2 and R3, indicating purifying selection. However, micro-scale signatures of positive and negative selections occurred in both conserved and repeat domains, implying two opposing forces, probably from functional or structural constraint and host immune pressure, could have influenced diversity at this locus. The immunodominant T and B cell epitopes so far identified were invariant or highly conserved across isolates. Further analysis of global isolates is warranted for vaccine design based on this protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunisa Songsaigath
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Inter-Department Program of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chaturong Putaporntip
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Napaporn Kuamsab
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somchai Jongwutiwes
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|