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McLean FE, Azasi Y, Sutherland C, Toboh E, Ansong D, Agbenyega T, Awandare G, Rowe JA. Detection of naturally acquired, strain-transcending antibodies against rosetting Plasmodium falciparum strains in humans. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0001524. [PMID: 38842304 PMCID: PMC11238554 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00015-24] [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: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Strain-transcending antibodies against virulence-associated subsets of P. falciparum-infected erythrocyte surface antigens could protect children from severe malaria. However, the evidence supporting the existence of such antibodies is incomplete and inconsistent. One subset of surface antigens associated with severe malaria, rosette-mediating Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein one (PfEMP1) variants, cause infected erythrocytes to bind to uninfected erythrocytes to form clusters of cells (rosettes) that contribute to microvascular obstruction and pathology. Here, we tested plasma from 80 individuals living in malaria-endemic regions for IgG recognition of the surface of four P. falciparum rosetting strains using flow cytometry. Broadly reactive plasma samples were then used in antibody elution experiments in which intact IgG was eluted from the surface of infected erythrocytes and transferred to heterologous rosetting strains to look for strain-transcending antibodies. We found that seroprevalence (percentage of positive plasma samples) against allopatric rosetting strains was high in adults (63%-93%) but lower in children (13%-48%). Strain-transcending antibodies were present in nine out of eleven eluted antibody experiments, with six of these recognizing multiple heterologous rosetting parasite strains. One eluate had rosette-disrupting activity against heterologous strains, suggesting PfEMP1 as the likely target of the strain-transcending antibodies. Naturally acquired strain-transcending antibodies to rosetting P. falciparum strains in humans have not been directly demonstrated previously. Their existence suggests that such antibodies could play a role in clinical protection and raises the possibility that conserved epitopes recognized by strain-transcending antibodies could be targeted therapeutically by monoclonal antibodies or vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence E. McLean
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Yvonne Azasi
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Cameron Sutherland
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Daniel Ansong
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, School of Medical Sciences, Kumasi, Ghana
- Departments of Child Health and Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Malaria Research Centre, Agogo, Ghana
| | - Tsiri Agbenyega
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, School of Medical Sciences, Kumasi, Ghana
- Departments of Child Health and Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Malaria Research Centre, Agogo, Ghana
| | - Gordon Awandare
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - J. Alexandra Rowe
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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2
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Looker O, Dans MG, Bullen HE, Sleebs BE, Crabb BS, Gilson PR. The Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box contains inhibitors of protein secretion in
Plasmodium falciparum
blood stage parasites. Traffic 2022; 23:442-461. [PMID: 36040075 PMCID: PMC9543830 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum parasites which cause malaria, traffic hundreds of proteins into the red blood cells (RBCs) they infect. These exported proteins remodel their RBCs enabling host immune evasion through processes such as cytoadherence that greatly assist parasite survival. As resistance to all current antimalarial compounds is rising new compounds need to be identified and those that could inhibit parasite protein secretion and export would both rapidly reduce parasite virulence and ultimately lead to parasite death. To identify compounds that inhibit protein export we used transgenic parasites expressing an exported nanoluciferase reporter to screen the Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box of 400 antimalarial compounds with mostly unknown targets. The most potent inhibitor identified in this screen was MMV396797 whose application led to export inhibition of both the reporter and endogenous exported proteins. MMV396797 mediated blockage of protein export and slowed the rigidification and cytoadherence of infected RBCs—modifications which are both mediated by parasite‐derived exported proteins. Overall, we have identified a new protein export inhibitor in P. falciparum whose target though unknown, could be developed into a future antimalarial that rapidly inhibits parasite virulence before eliminating parasites from the host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Madeline G. Dans
- Burnet Institute Melbourne Australia
- School of Medicine Deakin University Geelong Australia
| | - Hayley E. Bullen
- Burnet Institute Melbourne Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology University of Melbourne Melbourne Australia
| | - Brad E. Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville Victoria Australia
- Department of Medical Biology The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Brendan S. Crabb
- Burnet Institute Melbourne Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology University of Melbourne Melbourne Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | - Paul R. Gilson
- Burnet Institute Melbourne Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology University of Melbourne Melbourne Australia
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3
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Quintana MDP, Ch'ng JH. Measuring Rosetting Inhibition in Plasmodium falciparum Parasites Using a Flow Cytometry-Based Assay. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2470:493-503. [PMID: 35881369 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2189-9_37] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Rosetting is the ability of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IEs) to bind to host receptors on the surface of uninfected erythrocytes (uE) leading to the formation of a cluster of cells with a central IE surrounded by uE. It is a hallmark event during the pathogenesis of P. falciparum malaria, the most severe species causing malaria, which affects mostly young children in Africa. There are no current treatments effectively targeting and disrupting parasite rosette formation. Here, we detail a high-throughput, flow cytometry based assay that allows testing and identification of potential rosetting-inhibitory compounds that could be used in combination with anti-plasmodial drugs to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Del Pilar Quintana
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Jun-Hong Ch'ng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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4
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Oleinikov AV. Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum Proteins on the Surface of Infected Erythrocytes as Targets for Novel Drug Discovery. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2022; 87:S192-S177. [PMID: 35501996 PMCID: PMC8802247 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297922140152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Specific adhesion (sequestration) of Plasmodium falciparum parasite-infected erythrocytes (IEs) in deep vascular beds can cause severe complications resulting in death. This review describes our work on the discovery, characterization, and optimization of novel inhibitors that specifically prevent adhesion of IEs to the host vasculature during severe malaria, especially its placental and cerebral forms. The main idea of using anti-adhesion drugs in severe malaria is to release sequestered parasites (or prevent additional sequestration) as quickly as possible. This may significantly improve the outcomes for patients with severe malaria by decreasing local and systemic inflammation associated with the disease and reestablishing the microvascular blood flow. To identify anti-malarial adhesion-inhibiting molecules, we have developed a high-throughput (HT) screening approach and found a number of promising leads that can be further developed into anti-adhesion drugs providing an efficient adjunct therapy against severe forms of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew V Oleinikov
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33428, USA.
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5
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Hedberg P, Sirel M, Moll K, Kiwuwa MS, Höglund P, Ribacke U, Wahlgren M. Red blood cell blood group A antigen level affects the ability of heparin and PfEMP1 antibodies to disrupt Plasmodium falciparum rosettes. Malar J 2021; 20:441. [PMID: 34794445 PMCID: PMC8600353 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03975-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The histo-blood group ABO system has been associated with adverse outcomes in COVID-19, thromboembolic diseases and Plasmodium falciparum malaria. An integral part of the severe malaria pathogenesis is rosetting, the adherence of parasite infected red blood cells (RBCs) to uninfected RBCs. Rosetting is influenced by the host’s ABO blood group (Bg) and rosettes formed in BgA have previously been shown to be more resilient to disruption by heparin and shield the parasite derived surface antigens from antibodies. However, data on rosetting in weak BgA subgroups is scarce and based on investigations of relatively few donors. Methods An improved high-throughput flow cytometric assay was employed to investigate rosetting characteristics in an extensive panel of RBC donor samples of all four major ABO Bgs, as well as low BgA expressing samples. Results All non-O Bgs shield the parasite surface antigens from strain-specific antibodies towards P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). A positive correlation between A-antigen levels on RBCs and rosette tightness was observed, protecting the rosettes from heparin- and antibody-mediated disruption. Conclusions These results provide new insights into how the ABO Bg system affects the disease outcome and cautions against interpreting the results from the heterogeneous BgA phenotype as a single group in epidemiological and experimental studies. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-021-03975-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pontus Hedberg
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Madle Sirel
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kirsten Moll
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mpungu Steven Kiwuwa
- Department of Child Health and Development Centre, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Petter Höglund
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulf Ribacke
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats Wahlgren
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
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6
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Ch’ng JH, Moll K, Wyss K, Hammar U, Rydén M, Kämpe O, Färnert A, Wahlgren M. Enhanced virulence of Plasmodium falciparum in blood of diabetic patients. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249666. [PMID: 34138868 PMCID: PMC8211161 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Rising prevalence of diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa, coupled with continued malaria transmission, has resulted more patients dealing with both communicable and non-communicable diseases. We previously reported that travelers with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) infected with Plasmodium falciparum were three times more likely to develop severe malaria than non-diabetics. Here we explore the biological basis for this by testing blood from uninfected subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, ex vivo, for their effects on parasite growth and rosetting (binding of infected erythrocytes to uninfected erythrocytes). Rosetting was associated with type 2 diabetes, blood glucose and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), while parasite growth was positively associated with blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), fibrinogen and triglycerides. This study establishes a link between diabetes and malaria virulence assays, potentially explaining the protective effect of good glycemic control against severe malaria in subjects with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Hong Ch’ng
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kirsten Moll
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katja Wyss
- Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulf Hammar
- Department of Epidemiology, Institute for Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Rydén
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olle Kämpe
- Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Färnert
- Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats Wahlgren
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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7
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Chesnokov O, Visitdesotrakul P, Kalani K, Nefzi A, Oleinikov AV. Small Molecule Compounds Identified from Mixture-Based Library Inhibit Binding between Plasmodium falciparum Infected Erythrocytes and Endothelial Receptor ICAM-1. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115659. [PMID: 34073419 PMCID: PMC8198633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific adhesion of P. falciparum parasite-infected erythrocytes (IE) in deep vascular beds can result in severe complications, such as cerebral malaria, placental malaria, respiratory distress, and severe anemia. Cerebral malaria and severe malaria syndromes were associated previously with sequestration of IE to a microvasculature receptor ICAM-1. The screening of Torrey Pines Scaffold Ranking library, which consists of more than 30 million compounds designed around 75 molecular scaffolds, identified small molecules that inhibit cytoadhesion of ICAM-1-binding IE to surface-immobilized receptor at IC50 range down to ~350 nM. With their low cytotoxicity toward erythrocytes and human endothelial cells, these molecules might be suitable for development into potentially effective adjunct anti-adhesion drugs to treat cerebral and/or severe malaria syndromes. Our two-step high-throughput screening approach is specifically designed to work with compound mixtures to make screening and deconvolution to single active compounds fast and efficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Chesnokov
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33428, USA
| | | | - Komal Kalani
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University (FIU), Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Adel Nefzi
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University (FIU), Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Andrew V Oleinikov
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33428, USA
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8
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Cao H, Antonopoulos A, Henderson S, Wassall H, Brewin J, Masson A, Shepherd J, Konieczny G, Patel B, Williams ML, Davie A, Forrester MA, Hall L, Minter B, Tampakis D, Moss M, Lennon C, Pickford W, Erwig L, Robertson B, Dell A, Brown GD, Wilson HM, Rees DC, Haslam SM, Alexandra Rowe J, Barker RN, Vickers MA. Red blood cell mannoses as phagocytic ligands mediating both sickle cell anaemia and malaria resistance. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1792. [PMID: 33741926 PMCID: PMC7979802 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21814-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In both sickle cell disease and malaria, red blood cells (RBCs) are phagocytosed in the spleen, but receptor-ligand pairs mediating uptake have not been identified. Here, we report that patches of high mannose N-glycans (Man5-9GlcNAc2), expressed on diseased or oxidized RBC surfaces, bind the mannose receptor (CD206) on phagocytes to mediate clearance. We find that extravascular hemolysis in sickle cell disease correlates with high mannose glycan levels on RBCs. Furthermore, Plasmodium falciparum-infected RBCs expose surface mannose N-glycans, which occur at significantly higher levels on infected RBCs from sickle cell trait subjects compared to those lacking hemoglobin S. The glycans are associated with high molecular weight complexes and protease-resistant, lower molecular weight fragments containing spectrin. Recognition of surface N-linked high mannose glycans as a response to cellular stress is a molecular mechanism common to both the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease and resistance to severe malaria in sickle cell trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Cao
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Sadie Henderson
- grid.476695.f0000 0004 0495 4557Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Heather Wassall
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - John Brewin
- grid.46699.340000 0004 0391 9020Department of Haematology, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Alanna Masson
- grid.417581.e0000 0000 8678 4766Department of Haematology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Jenna Shepherd
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Gabriela Konieczny
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Bhinal Patel
- grid.7445.20000 0001 2113 8111Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Maria-Louise Williams
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Adam Davie
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Megan A. Forrester
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Lindsay Hall
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Beverley Minter
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Dimitris Tampakis
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Centre for Biological Engineering, School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University and Division of Cancer Studies, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Moss
- grid.476695.f0000 0004 0495 4557Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Charlotte Lennon
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Wendy Pickford
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Lars Erwig
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Beverley Robertson
- grid.7445.20000 0001 2113 8111Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anne Dell
- grid.46699.340000 0004 0391 9020Department of Haematology, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Gordon D. Brown
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK ,grid.8391.30000 0004 1936 8024Medical Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Heather M. Wilson
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - David C. Rees
- grid.46699.340000 0004 0391 9020Department of Haematology, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Stuart M. Haslam
- grid.7445.20000 0001 2113 8111Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - J. Alexandra Rowe
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robert N. Barker
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Mark A. Vickers
- grid.7107.10000 0004 1936 7291School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK ,grid.476695.f0000 0004 0495 4557Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Aberdeen, UK ,grid.417581.e0000 0000 8678 4766Department of Haematology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK
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9
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Padilla A, Dovell S, Chesnokov O, Hoggard M, Oleinikov AV, Marí F. Conus venom fractions inhibit the adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 domains to the host vascular receptors. J Proteomics 2020; 234:104083. [PMID: 33373718 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.104083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Using high-throughput BioPlex assays, we determined that six fractions from the venom of Conus nux inhibit the adhesion of various recombinant PfEMP-1 protein domains (PF08_0106 CIDR1α3.1, PF11_0521 DBL2β3, and PFL0030c DBL3X and DBL5e) to their corresponding receptors (CD36, ICAM-1, and CSA, respectively). The protein domain-receptor interactions permit P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IE) to evade elimination in the spleen by adhering to the microvasculature in various organs including the placenta. The sequences for the main components of the fractions, determined by tandem mass spectrometry, yielded four T-superfamily conotoxins, one (CC-Loop-CC) with I-IV, II-III connectivity and three (CC-Loop-CXaaC) with a I-III, II-IV connectivity. The 3D structure for one of the latter, NuxVA = GCCPAPLTCHCVIY, revealed a novel scaffold defined by double turns forming a hairpin-like structure stabilized by the two disulfide bonds. Two other main fraction components were a miniM conotoxin, and a O2-superfamily conotoxin with cysteine framework VI/VII. This study is the first one of its kind suggesting the use of conotoxins for developing pharmacological tools for anti-adhesion adjunct therapy against malaria. Similarly, mitigation of emerging diseases like AIDS and COVID-19, can also benefit from conotoxins as inhibitors of protein-protein interactions as treatment. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Among the 850+ species of cone snail species there are hundreds of thousands of diverse venom exopeptides that have been selected throughout several million years of evolution to capture prey and deter predators. They do so by targeting several surface proteins present in target excitable cells. This immense biomolecular library of conopeptides can be explored for potential use as therapeutic leads against persistent and emerging diseases affecting non-excitable systems. We aim to expand the pharmacological reach of conotoxins/conopeptides by revealing their in vitro capacity to disrupt protein-protein and protein-polysaccharide interactions that directly contribute to pathology of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. This is significant for severe forms of malaria, which might be deadly even after treated with current parasite-killing drugs because of persistent cytoadhesion of P. falciparum infected erythrocytes even when parasites within red blood cells are dead. Anti-adhesion adjunct drugs would de-sequester or prevent additional sequestration of infected erythrocytes and may significantly improve survival of malaria patients. These results provide a lead for further investigations into conotoxins and other venom peptides as potential candidates for anti-adhesion or blockade-therapies. This study is the first of its kind and it suggests that conotoxins can be developed as pharmacological tools for anti-adhesion adjunct therapy against malaria. Similarly, mitigation of emerging diseases like AIDS and COVID-19, can also benefit from conotoxins as potential inhibitors of protein-protein interactions as treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Padilla
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Sanaz Dovell
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Olga Chesnokov
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Mickelene Hoggard
- Chemical Sciences Division, Hollings Marine Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
| | - Andrew V Oleinikov
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA.
| | - Frank Marí
- Chemical Sciences Division, Hollings Marine Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA.
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10
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Rosetting revisited: a critical look at the evidence for host erythrocyte receptors in Plasmodium falciparum rosetting. Parasitology 2019; 147:1-11. [PMID: 31455446 PMCID: PMC7050047 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182019001288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Malaria remains a major cause of mortality in African children, with no adjunctive treatments currently available to ameliorate the severe clinical forms of the disease. Rosetting, the adhesion of infected erythrocytes (IEs) to uninfected erythrocytes, is a parasite phenotype strongly associated with severe malaria, and hence is a potential therapeutic target. However, the molecular mechanisms of rosetting are complex and involve multiple distinct receptor–ligand interactions, with some similarities to the diverse pathways involved in P. falciparum erythrocyte invasion. This review summarizes the current understanding of the molecular interactions that lead to rosette formation, with a particular focus on host uninfected erythrocyte receptors including the A and B blood group trisaccharides, complement receptor one, heparan sulphate, glycophorin A and glycophorin C. There is strong evidence supporting blood group A trisaccharides as rosetting receptors, but evidence for other molecules is incomplete and requires further study. It is likely that additional host erythrocyte rosetting receptors remain to be discovered. A rosette-disrupting low anti-coagulant heparin derivative is being investigated as an adjunctive therapy for severe malaria, and further research into the receptor–ligand interactions underlying rosetting may reveal additional therapeutic approaches to reduce the unacceptably high mortality rate of severe malaria.
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11
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Quintana MDP, Ch'ng JH, Moll K, Zandian A, Nilsson P, Idris ZM, Saiwaew S, Qundos U, Wahlgren M. Antibodies in children with malaria to PfEMP1, RIFIN and SURFIN expressed at the Plasmodium falciparum parasitized red blood cell surface. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3262. [PMID: 29459776 PMCID: PMC5818650 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21026-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Naturally acquired antibodies to proteins expressed on the Plasmodium falciparum parasitized red blood cell (pRBC) surface steer the course of a malaria infection by reducing sequestration and stimulating phagocytosis of pRBC. Here we have studied a selection of proteins representing three different parasite gene families employing a well-characterized parasite with a severe malaria phenotype (FCR3S1.2). The presence of naturally acquired antibodies, impact on rosetting rate, surface reactivity and opsonization for phagocytosis in relation to different blood groups of the ABO system were assessed in a set of sera from children with mild or complicated malaria from an endemic area. We show that the naturally acquired immune responses, developed during malaria natural infection, have limited access to the pRBCs inside a blood group A rosette. The data also indicate that SURFIN4.2 may have a function at the pRBC surface, particularly during rosette formation, this role however needs to be further validated. Our results also indicate epitopes differentially recognized by rosette-disrupting antibodies on a peptide array. Antibodies towards parasite-derived proteins such as PfEMP1, RIFIN and SURFIN in combination with host factors, essentially the ABO blood group of a malaria patient, are suggested to determine the outcome of a malaria infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Del Pilar Quintana
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Jun-Hong Ch'ng
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kirsten Moll
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arash Zandian
- Affinity Proteomics, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institutet of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Nilsson
- Affinity Proteomics, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institutet of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zulkarnain Md Idris
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Somporn Saiwaew
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ulrika Qundos
- Affinity Proteomics, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institutet of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats Wahlgren
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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12
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Frequent GU wobble pairings reduce translation efficiency in Plasmodium falciparum. Sci Rep 2017; 7:723. [PMID: 28389662 PMCID: PMC5429705 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00801-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum genome has 81% A+T content. This nucleotide bias leads to extreme codon usage bias and culminates in frequent insertion of asparagine homorepeats in the proteome. Using recodonized GFP sequences, we show that codons decoded via G:U wobble pairing are suboptimal codons that are negatively associated to protein translation efficiency. Despite this, one third of all codons in the genome are GU wobble codons, suggesting that codon usage in P. falciparum has not been driven to maximize translation efficiency, but may have evolved as translational regulatory mechanism. Particularly, asparagine homorepeats are generally encoded by locally clustered GU wobble AAT codons, we demonstrated that this GU wobble-rich codon context is the determining factor that causes reduction of protein level. Moreover, insertion of clustered AAT codons also causes destabilization of the transcripts. Interestingly, more frequent asparagine homorepeats insertion is seen in single-exon genes, suggesting transcripts of these genes may have been programmed for rapid mRNA decay to compensate for the inefficiency of mRNA surveillance regulation on intronless genes. To our knowledge, this is the first study that addresses P. falciparum codon usage in vitro and provides new insights on translational regulation and genome evolution of this parasite.
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13
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Ch'ng JH, Sirel M, Zandian A, Del Pilar Quintana M, Chun Leung Chan S, Moll K, Tellgren-Roth A, Nilsson I, Nilsson P, Qundos U, Wahlgren M. Epitopes of anti-RIFIN antibodies and characterization of rif-expressing Plasmodium falciparum parasites by RNA sequencing. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43190. [PMID: 28233866 PMCID: PMC5324397 DOI: 10.1038/srep43190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Variable surface antigens of Plasmodium falciparum have been a major research focus since they facilitate parasite sequestration and give rise to deadly malaria complications. Coupled with its potential use as a vaccine candidate, the recent suggestion that the repetitive interspersed families of polypeptides (RIFINs) mediate blood group A rosetting and influence blood group distribution has raised the research profile of these adhesins. Nevertheless, detailed investigations into the functions of this highly diverse multigene family remain hampered by the limited number of validated reagents. In this study, we assess the specificities of three promising polyclonal anti-RIFIN antibodies that were IgG-purified from sera of immunized animals. Their epitope regions were mapped using a 175,000-peptide microarray holding overlapping peptides of the P. falciparum variable surface antigens. Through immunoblotting and immunofluorescence imaging, we show that different antibodies give varying results in different applications/assays. Finally, we authenticate the antibody-based detection of RIFINs in two previously uncharacterized non-rosetting parasite lines by identifying the dominant rif transcripts using RNA sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Hong Ch'ng
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Madle Sirel
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arash Zandian
- Affinity Proteomics, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Del Pilar Quintana
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sherwin Chun Leung Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kirsten Moll
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Asa Tellgren-Roth
- Center for Biomembrane Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - IngMarie Nilsson
- Center for Biomembrane Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Nilsson
- Affinity Proteomics, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Qundos
- Affinity Proteomics, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats Wahlgren
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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14
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The Rheopathobiology of Plasmodium vivax and Other Important Primate Malaria Parasites. Trends Parasitol 2016; 33:321-334. [PMID: 28040374 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Our current understanding of how malaria parasites remodel their host red blood cells (RBCs) and ultimately cause disease is largely based on studies of Plasmodium falciparum. In this review, we expand our knowledge to include what is currently known about pathophysiological changes to RBCs that are infected by non-falciparum malaria parasites. We highlight the potential folly of making generalizations about the rheology of malaria infection, and emphasize the need for more systematic studies into the erythrocytic biology of non-falciparum malaria parasites. We propose that a better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the changes to RBCs induced by malaria parasites other than P. falciparum may be highly informative for the development of therapeutics that specifically disrupt the altered rheological profile of RBCs infected with either sexual- or asexual-stage parasites, resulting in drugs that block transmission, reduce disease severity, and help delay the onset of resistance to current and future anti-malaria drugs.
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15
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Zhang R, Lee WC, Lau YL, Albrecht L, Lopes SCP, Costa FTM, Suwanarusk R, Nosten F, Cooke BM, Rénia L, Russell B. Rheopathologic Consequence of Plasmodium vivax Rosette Formation. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004912. [PMID: 27509168 PMCID: PMC4980013 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites dramatically alter the rheological properties of infected red blood cells. In the case of Plasmodium vivax, the parasite rapidly decreases the shear elastic modulus of the invaded RBC, enabling it to avoid splenic clearance. This study highlights correlation between rosette formation and altered membrane deformability of P. vivax-infected erythrocytes, where the rosette-forming infected erythrocytes are significantly more rigid than their non-rosetting counterparts. The adhesion of normocytes to the PvIRBC is strong (mean binding force of 440pN) resulting in stable rosette formation even under high physiological shear flow stress. Rosetting may contribute to the sequestration of PvIRBC schizonts in the host microvasculature or spleen. While Plasmodium vivax is generally not as virulent as P. falciparum; severe manifestations of vivax malaria do occur. While little is known about the mechanisms underlying the pathobiology of P. vivax, most agree its ability to increase the deformability of stiff host reticulocytes is key adaptation to avoid splenic clearance. We show that P. vivax-infected red blood cells (PvIRBCs) rosette irreversibly with normocytes and are significantly more stiff than non-rosetting PvIRBCs. We discuss how these stiff PvIRBC rosettes are removed from the peripheral circulation and its rheopathological consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rou Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Wenn-Chyau Lee
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Yee-Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Letusa Albrecht
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas-SP, Brazil
| | - Stefanie C. P. Lopes
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas-SP, Brazil
| | - Fabio T. M. Costa
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas-SP, Brazil
| | - Rossarin Suwanarusk
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Francois Nosten
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, MaeSot, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Brian M. Cooke
- Programs in Infection and Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laurent Rénia
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Bruce Russell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
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