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Ariff A, Song Y, Aguilar R, Nhabomba A, Manaca MN, Khoo SK, Wiertsema S, Bassat Q, Barbosa A, Quintó L, Laing IA, Guinovart C, Alonso PL, Dobaño C, Le Souëf P, Zhang G. Genetic variants of TLR4, including the novel variant, rs5030719, and related genes are associated with susceptibility to clinical malaria in African children. Malar J 2023; 22:177. [PMID: 37287037 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04549-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria is a deadly disease caused by Plasmodium spp. Several blood phenotypes have been associated with malarial resistance, which suggests a genetic component to immune protection. METHODS One hundred and eighty-seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 37 candidate genes were genotyped and investigated for associations with clinical malaria in a longitudinal cohort of 349 infants from Manhiça, Mozambique, in a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) (AgeMal, NCT00231452). Malaria candidate genes were selected according to involvement in known malarial haemoglobinopathies, immune, and pathogenesis pathways. RESULTS Statistically significant evidence was found for the association of TLR4 and related genes with the incidence of clinical malaria (p = 0.0005). These additional genes include ABO, CAT, CD14, CD36, CR1, G6PD, GCLM, HP, IFNG, IFNGR1, IL13, IL1A, IL1B, IL4R, IL4, IL6, IL13, MBL, MNSOD, and TLR2. Of specific interest, the previously identified TLR4 SNP rs4986790 and the novel finding of TRL4 SNP rs5030719 were associated with primary cases of clinical malaria. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight a potential central role of TLR4 in clinical malarial pathogenesis. This supports the current literature and suggests that further research into the role of TLR4, as well as associated genes, in clinical malaria may provide insight into treatment and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Ariff
- Centre for Genetic Origins of Health and Disease, The University of Western Australia and Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Yong Song
- Centre for Genetic Origins of Health and Disease, The University of Western Australia and Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Ruth Aguilar
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), 1929, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Augusto Nhabomba
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), 1929, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Maria Nelia Manaca
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), 1929, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Siew-Kim Khoo
- Division of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6008, Australia
| | - Selma Wiertsema
- Division of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6008, Australia
| | - Quique Bassat
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), 1929, Maputo, Mozambique
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
- Pediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Esplugues, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Arnoldo Barbosa
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), 1929, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Llorenç Quintó
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ingrid A Laing
- Division of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6008, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6008, Australia
| | - Caterina Guinovart
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), 1929, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Pedro L Alonso
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), 1929, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Carlota Dobaño
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), 1929, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Peter Le Souëf
- Division of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6008, Australia.
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6008, Australia.
| | - Guicheng Zhang
- Centre for Genetic Origins of Health and Disease, The University of Western Australia and Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia.
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6008, Australia.
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia.
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2
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Blankson SO, Dadjé DS, Traikia N, Alao MJ, Ayivi S, Amoussou A, Deloron P, Ndam NT, Milet J, Basco LK, Aniweh Y, Tahar R. ICAM-1 Kilifi variant is not associated with cerebral and severe malaria pathogenesis in Beninese children. Malar J 2022; 21:115. [PMID: 35379236 PMCID: PMC8978164 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04139-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Cytoadhesion and sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum infected red blood cells (iRBC) in the microvasculature of vital organs are a major cause of malaria pathology. Several studies have provided evidence on the implication of the human host intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) as a major receptor for iRBCs binding to P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) in the development of severe and cerebral malaria. The genetic polymorphism K29M in the immunoglobulin-like domain of ICAM-1, known as ICAM-1Kilifi, has been associated with either increased or decreased risk of developing cerebral malaria.
Methods
To provide more conclusive results, the genetic polymorphism of ICAM-1Kilifi was assessed by PCR and sequencing in blood samples from 215 Beninese children who presented with either mild or severe malaria including cerebral malaria.
Results and conclusions
The results showed that in this cohort of Beninese children, the ICAM-1kilifi variant is present at the frequencies of 0.27, similar to the frequency observed in other African countries. This ICAM-1kilifi variant was not associated with disease severity in agreement with other findings from the Gambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Gabon, and Thailand, suggesting no evidence of a direct link between this polymorphism and the pathogenesis of severe and cerebral malaria.
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3
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Lennartz F, Smith C, Craig AG, Higgins MK. Structural insights into diverse modes of ICAM-1 binding by Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:20124-20134. [PMID: 31527263 PMCID: PMC6778195 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1911900116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A major determinant of pathogenicity in malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is the adhesion of parasite-infected erythrocytes to the vasculature or tissues of infected individuals. This occludes blood flow, leads to inflammation, and increases parasitemia by reducing spleen-mediated clearance of the parasite. This adhesion is mediated by PfEMP1, a multivariant family of around 60 proteins per parasite genome which interact with specific host receptors. One of the most common of these receptors is intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which is bound by 2 distinct groups of PfEMP1, A-type and B or C (BC)-type. Here, we present the structure of a domain from a B-type PfEMP1 bound to ICAM-1, revealing a complex binding site. Comparison with the existing structure of an A-type PfEMP1 bound to ICAM-1 shows that the 2 complexes share a globally similar architecture. However, while the A-type PfEMP1 bind ICAM-1 through a highly conserved binding surface, the BC-type PfEMP1 use a binding site that is more diverse in sequence, similar to how PfEMP1 interact with other human receptors. We also show that A- and BC-type PfEMP1 present ICAM-1 at different angles, perhaps influencing the ability of neighboring PfEMP1 domains to bind additional receptors. This illustrates the deep diversity of the PfEMP1 and demonstrates how variations in a single domain architecture can modulate binding to a specific ligand to control function and facilitate immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Lennartz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Cameron Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alister G Craig
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, L3 5QA Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew K Higgins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU Oxford, United Kingdom;
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4
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Carrington E, Otto TD, Szestak T, Lennartz F, Higgins MK, Newbold CI, Craig AG. In silico guided reconstruction and analysis of ICAM-1-binding var genes from Plasmodium falciparum. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3282. [PMID: 29459671 PMCID: PMC5818487 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21591-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum variant surface antigen PfEMP1 expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes is thought to play a major role in the pathology of severe malaria. As the sequence pool of the var genes encoding PfEMP1 expands there are opportunities, despite the high degree of sequence diversity demonstrated by this gene family, to reconstruct full-length var genes from small sequence tags generated from patient isolates. To test whether this is possible we have used a set of recently laboratory adapted ICAM-1-binding parasite isolates to generate sequence tags and, from these, to identify the full-length PfEMP1 being expressed by them. In a subset of the strains available we were able to produce validated, full-length var gene sequences and use these to conduct biophysical analyses of the ICAM-1 binding regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eilidh Carrington
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
- Malaria Gene Regulation Lab, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas D Otto
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Tadge Szestak
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Frank Lennartz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Matt K Higgins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Chris I Newbold
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Alister G Craig
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK.
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5
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Núñez D, Comas L, Lanuza PM, Sánchez-Martinez D, Pérez-Hernández M, Catalán E, Domingo MP, Velázquez-Campoy A, Pardo J, Gálvez EM. A Functional Analysis on the Interspecies Interaction between Mouse LFA-1 and Human Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 at the Cell Level. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1817. [PMID: 29312326 PMCID: PMC5742583 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction between intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM) and the integrin leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) is crucial for the regulation of several physiological and pathophysiological processes like cell-mediated elimination of tumor or virus infected cells, cancer metastasis, or inflammatory and autoimmune processes. Using purified proteins it was reported a species restriction for the interaction of ICAM-1 and LFA-1, being mouse ICAM-1 able to interact with human LFA-1 but not human ICAM-1 with mouse LFA-1. However, in vivo results employing tumor cells transfected with human ICAM-1 suggest that functionally mouse LFA-1 can recognize human ICAM-1. In order to clarify the interspecies cross-reactivity of the ICAM-1/LFA-1 interaction, we have performed functional studies analyzing the ability of human soluble ICAM-1 and human/mouse LFA-1 derived peptides to inhibit cell aggregation and adhesion as well as cell-mediated cytotoxicity in both mouse and human systems. In parallel, the affinity of the interaction between mouse LFA-1-derived peptides and human ICAM-1 was determined by calorimetry assays. According to the results obtained, it seems that human ICAM-1 is able to interact with mouse LFA-1 on intact cells, which should be taking into account when using humanized mice and xenograft models for the study of immune-related processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Núñez
- Immune Effector Cells Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Fac. Ciencias, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Instituto de Carboquímica ICB-CSIC, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura Comas
- Immune Effector Cells Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Fac. Ciencias, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Instituto de Carboquímica ICB-CSIC, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pilar M Lanuza
- Immune Effector Cells Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Fac. Ciencias, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Diego Sánchez-Martinez
- Immune Effector Cells Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Fac. Ciencias, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Marta Pérez-Hernández
- Immune Effector Cells Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Fac. Ciencias, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Elena Catalán
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Fac. Ciencias, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Adrián Velázquez-Campoy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Fac. Ciencias, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Unidad Asociada IQFR-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Aragón I + D Foundation (ARAID), Government of Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Julián Pardo
- Immune Effector Cells Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Aragón I + D Foundation (ARAID), Government of Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain.,Nanoscience Institute of Aragon (INA), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Eva M Gálvez
- Immune Effector Cells Group, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Instituto de Carboquímica ICB-CSIC, Zaragoza, Spain
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6
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Mustaffa KMF, Storm J, Whittaker M, Szestak T, Craig AG. In vitro inhibition and reversal of Plasmodium falciparum cytoadherence to endothelium by monoclonal antibodies to ICAM-1 and CD36. Malar J 2017; 16:279. [PMID: 28679447 PMCID: PMC5499065 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1930-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sequestration of parasitized red blood cells from the peripheral circulation during an infection with Plasmodium falciparum is caused by an interaction between the parasite protein PfEMP1 and receptors on the surface of host endothelial cells, known as cytoadherence. Several lines of evidence point to a link between the pathology of severe malaria and cytoadherence, therefore blocking adhesion receptors involved in this process could be a good target to inhibit pRBC sequestration and prevent disease. In a malaria endemic setting this is likely to be used as an adjunct therapy by reversing existing cytoadherence. Two well-characterized parasite lines plus three recently derived patient isolates were tested for their cytoadherence to purified receptors (CD36 and ICAM-1) as well as endothelial cells. Monoclonal antibodies against human CD36 and ICAM-1 were used to inhibit and reverse infected erythrocyte binding in static and flow-based adhesion assays. Results Anti-ICAM-1 and CD36 monoclonal antibodies were able to inhibit and reverse P. falciparum binding of lab and recently adapted patient isolates in vitro. However, reversal of binding was incomplete and varied in its efficiency between parasite isolates. Conclusions The results show that, as a proof of concept, disturbing existing ligand–receptor interactions is possible and could have potential therapeutic value for severe malaria. The variation seen in the degree of reversing existing binding with different parasite isolates and the incomplete nature of reversal, despite the use of high affinity inhibitors, suggest that anti-adhesion approaches as adjunct therapies for severe malaria may not be effective, and the focus may need to be on inhibitory approaches such as vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khairul M F Mustaffa
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.,Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Janet Storm
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Megan Whittaker
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK.,School of Medicine, University of Liverpool, Cedar House, Ashton Street, Liverpool, L69 3GE, UK
| | - Tadge Szestak
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Alister G Craig
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK.
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7
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Madkhali AM, Alkurbi MO, Szestak T, Bengtsson A, Patil PR, Wu Y, Alharthi S, Jensen ATR, Pleass R, Craig AG. An analysis of the binding characteristics of a panel of recently selected ICAM-1 binding Plasmodium falciparum patient isolates. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111518. [PMID: 25360558 PMCID: PMC4216080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The basis of severe malaria pathogenesis in part includes sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IE) from the peripheral circulation. This phenomenon is mediated by the interaction between several endothelial receptors and one of the main parasite-derived variant antigens (PfEMP1) expressed on the surface of the infected erythrocyte membrane. One of the commonly used host receptors is ICAM-1, and it has been suggested that ICAM-1 has a role in cerebral malaria pathology, although the evidence to support this is not conclusive. The current study examined the cytoadherence patterns of lab-adapted patient isolates after selecting on ICAM-1. We investigated the binding phenotypes using variant ICAM-1 proteins including ICAM-1Ref, ICAM-1Kilifi, ICAM-1S22/A, ICAM-1L42/A and ICAM-1L44/A using static assays. The study also examined ICAM-1 blocking by four anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) under static conditions. We also characterised the binding phenotypes using Human Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HDMEC) under flow conditions. The results show that different isolates have variant-specific binding phenotypes under both static and flow conditions, extending our previous observations that this variation might be due to variable contact residues on ICAM-1 being used by different parasite PfEMP1 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymen M. Madkhali
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed O. Alkurbi
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Tadge Szestak
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Anja Bengtsson
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pradeep R. Patil
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Saeed Alharthi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Anja T. R. Jensen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Richard Pleass
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Alister G. Craig
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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8
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Ramos TN, Bullard DC, Barnum SR. ICAM-1: isoforms and phenotypes. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 192:4469-74. [PMID: 24795464 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
ICAM-1 plays an important role in leukocyte trafficking, immunological synapse formation, and numerous cellular immune responses. Although considered a single glycoprotein, there are multiple membrane-bound and soluble ICAM-1 isoforms that arise from alternative splicing and proteolytic cleavage during inflammatory responses. The function and expression of these isoforms on various cell types are poorly understood. In the generation of ICAM-1-deficient mice, two isoform-deficient ICAM-1 mutants were inadvertently produced as a result of alternative splicing. These mice, along with true ICAM-1-deficient mice and newly generated ICAM-1-transgenic mice, have provided the opportunity to begin examining the role of ICAM-1 isoforms (singly or in combination) in various disease settings. In this review, we highlight the sharply contrasting disease phenotypes using ICAM-1 isoform mutant mice. These studies demonstrate that ICAM-1 immunobiology is highly complex but that individual isoforms, aside from the full-length molecule, make significant contributions to disease development and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa N Ramos
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
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9
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Gemma S, Brogi S, Patil PR, Giovani S, Lamponi S, Cappelli A, Novellino E, Brown A, Higgins MK, Mustafa K, Szestak T, Craig AG, Campiani G, Butini S, Brindisi M. From (+)-epigallocatechin gallate to a simplified synthetic analogue as a cytoadherence inhibitor for P. falciparum. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c3ra45933k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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10
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Transfected HEK293 cells expressing functional recombinant intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)--a receptor associated with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69999. [PMID: 23936131 PMCID: PMC3723725 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is a membrane-bound glycoprotein expressed on endothelial cells and cells of the immune system. Human ICAM-1 mediates adhesion and migration of leucocytes, and is implicated in inflammatory pathologies, autoimmune diseases and in many cancer processes. Additionally, ICAM-1 acts as receptor for pathogens like human rhinovirus and Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites. A group of related P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) domains, the DBLβ, mediates ICAM-1 binding of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes. This ICAM‑1-binding phenotype has been suggested to be involved in the development of cerebral malaria. However, more studies identifying cross-reactive antibody and ICAM-1-binding epitopes and the establishment of a clinical link between DBLβ expression and e.g. cerebral malaria are needed before the DBLβ domains can be put forward as vaccine candidates and go into clinical trials. Such studies require availability of functional recombinant ICAM-1 in large quantities. In this study, we compared recombinant ICAM-1 expressed in HEK293 and COS-7 cells with mouse myeloma NS0 ICAM-1 purchased from a commercial vendor in terms of protein purity, yield, fold, ability to bind DBLβ, and relative cost. We present a HEK293 cell-based, high-yield expression and purification scheme for producing inexpensive, functional ICAM‑1. ICAM-1 expressed in HEK293 is applicable to malaria research and can also be useful in other research fields.
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11
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Gomez F, Tomas G, Ko WY, Ranciaro A, Froment A, Ibrahim M, Lema G, Nyambo TB, Omar SA, Wambebe C, Hirbo JB, Rocha J, Tishkoff SA. Patterns of nucleotide and haplotype diversity at ICAM-1 across global human populations with varying levels of malaria exposure. Hum Genet 2013; 132:987-99. [PMID: 23609612 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-013-1284-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is one of the strongest selective pressures in recent human evolution. African populations have been and continue to be at risk for malarial infections. However, few studies have re-sequenced malaria susceptibility loci across geographically and genetically diverse groups in Africa. We examined nucleotide diversity at Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a malaria susceptibility candidate locus, in a number of human populations with a specific focus on diverse African ethnic groups. We used tests of neutrality to assess whether natural selection has impacted this locus and tested whether SNP variation at ICAM-1 is correlated with malaria endemicity. We observe differing patterns of nucleotide and haplotype variation in global populations and higher levels of diversity in Africa. Although we do not observe a deviation from neutrality based on the allele frequency distribution, we do observe several alleles at ICAM-1, including the ICAM-1 (Kilifi) allele, that are correlated with malaria endemicity. We show that the ICAM-1 (Kilifi) allele, which is common in Africa and Asia, exists on distinct haplotype backgrounds and is likely to have arisen more recently in Asia. Our results suggest that correlation analyses of allele frequencies and malaria endemicity may be useful for identifying candidate functional variants that play a role in malaria resistance and susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Gomez
- Department of Genetics and Biology, School of Medicine and School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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12
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Ramos TN, Bullard DC, Darley MM, McDonald K, Crawford DF, Barnum SR. Experimental cerebral malaria develops independently of endothelial expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (icam-1). J Biol Chem 2013; 288:10962-6. [PMID: 23493396 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.c113.457028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe clinical complication of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection and is characterized by a high fatality rate and neurological damage. Sequestration of parasite-infected red blood cells in brain microvasculature utilizes host- and parasite-derived adhesion molecules and is an important factor in the development of CM. ICAM-1, an alternatively spliced adhesion molecule, is believed to be critical on endothelial cells for infected red blood cell sequestration in CM. Using ICAM-1 mutant mice, we found that the full-length ICAM-1 isoform is not required for development of murine experimental CM (ECM) and that ECM phenotype varies with the combination of ICAM-1 isoforms expressed. Furthermore, we observed development of ECM in transgenic mice expressing ICAM-1 only on leukocytes, indicating that endothelial cell expression of this adhesion molecule is not required for disease pathogenesis. We propose that ICAM-1-dependent cellular aggregation, independent of ICAM-1 expression on the cerebral microvasculature, contributes to ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa N Ramos
- Department of Microbiology and Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA
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13
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Brown A, Turner L, Christoffersen S, Andrews KA, Szestak T, Zhao Y, Larsen S, Craig AG, Higgins MK. Molecular architecture of a complex between an adhesion protein from the malaria parasite and intracellular adhesion molecule 1. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:5992-6003. [PMID: 23297413 PMCID: PMC3581401 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.416347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Revised: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes to human tissues or endothelium is central to the pathology caused by the parasite during malaria. It contributes to the avoidance of parasite clearance by the spleen and to the specific pathologies of cerebral and placental malaria. The PfEMP1 family of adhesive proteins is responsible for this sequestration by mediating interactions with diverse human ligands. In addition, as the primary targets of acquired, protective immunity, the PfEMP1s are potential vaccine candidates. PfEMP1s contain large extracellular ectodomains made from CIDR (cysteine-rich interdomain regions) and DBL (Duffy-binding-like) domains and show extensive variation in sequence, size, and domain organization. Here we use biophysical methods to characterize the entire ∼300-kDa ectodomain from IT4VAR13, a protein that interacts with the host receptor, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). We show through small angle x-ray scattering that IT4VAR13 is rigid, elongated, and monomeric. We also show that it interacts with ICAM-1 through the DBLβ domain alone, forming a 1:1 complex. These studies provide a first low resolution structural view of a PfEMP1 ectodomain in complex with its ligand. They show that it combines a modular domain arrangement consisting of individual ligand binding domains, with a defined higher order architecture that exposes the ICAM-1 binding surface to allow adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Brown
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Turner
- Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Bygning 221014, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stig Christoffersen
- Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Bygning 221014, Copenhagen, Denmark
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katrina A. Andrews
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Tadge Szestak
- Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, United Kingdom
| | - Yuguang Zhao
- Division of Structural Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, and
| | - Sine Larsen
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alister G. Craig
- Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew K. Higgins
- the Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
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14
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Fatih FA, Siner A, Ahmed A, Woon LC, Craig AG, Singh B, Krishna S, Cox-Singh J. Cytoadherence and virulence - the case of Plasmodium knowlesi malaria. Malar J 2012; 11:33. [PMID: 22305466 PMCID: PMC3330018 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cytoadherence of infected red blood cells to brain endothelium is causally implicated in malarial coma, one of the severe manifestations of falciparum malaria. Cytoadherence is mediated by specific binding of variant parasite antigens, expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes, to endothelial receptors including, ICAM-1, VCAM and CD36. In fatal cases of severe falciparum malaria with coma, blood vessels in the brain are characteristically congested with infected erythrocytes. Brain sections from a fatal case of knowlesi malaria, but without coma, were similarly congested with infected erythrocytes. The objective of this study was to determine the binding phenotype of Plasmodium knowlesi infected human erythrocytes to recombinant human ICAM-1, VCAM and CD36. Methods Five patients with PCR-confirmed P. knowlesi malaria were recruited into the study with consent between April and August 2010. Pre-treatment venous blood was washed and cultured ex vivo to increase the proportion of schizont-infected erythrocytes. Cultured blood was seeded into Petri dishes with triplicate areas coated with ICAM-1, VCAM and CD36. Following incubation at 37°C for one hour the dishes were washed and the number of infected erythrocytes bound/mm2 to PBS control areas and to recombinant human ICAM-1 VCAM and CD36 coated areas were recorded. Each assay was performed in duplicate. Assay performance was monitored with the Plasmodium falciparum clone HB3. Results Blood samples were cultured ex vivo for up to 14.5 h (mean 11.3 ± 1.9 h) to increase the relative proportion of mature trophozoite and schizont-infected red blood cells to at least 50% (mean 65.8 ± 17.51%). Three (60%) isolates bound significantly to ICAM-1 and VCAM, one (20%) isolate bound to VCAM and none of the five bound significantly to CD36. Conclusions Plasmodium knowlesi infected erythrocytes from human subjects bind in a specific but variable manner to the inducible endothelial receptors ICAM-1 and VCAM. Binding to the constitutively-expressed endothelial receptor CD36 was not detected. Further work will be required to define the pathological consequences of these interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farrah A Fatih
- Centre for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
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15
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Patil PR, Gemma S, Campiani G, Craig AG. Broad inhibition of plasmodium falciparum cytoadherence by (+)-epigallocatechin gallate. Malar J 2011; 10:348. [PMID: 22132804 PMCID: PMC3260111 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Accepted: 12/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The surface antigen PfEMP-1 is a key virulence factor of the human malaria parasite implicated in the cytoadherence of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes to a range of receptors on host endothelium. Among these host receptors, binding to ICAM-1 is related to cerebral malaria. The majority of the mortality in children with cerebral malaria is seen within 24 h of hospital admission despite the use of effective anti-parasite drugs, therefore, the development of adjunctive therapies is urgently needed. The polyphenolic compound (+)-epigallocatechin gallate ((+)-EGCG) has been previously evaluated for anti-adhesive properties using a small number of laboratory parasite isolates. Here, this property is further explored using a new panel of ICAM-1-binding patient isolates of P. falciparum to ascertain if (+)-EGCG might be effective as a broad spectrum inhibitor of ICAM-1-based cytoadherence. Methods Plasmodium falciparum lines, including A4 and ItG as positive controls and nine new ICAM-1 binding patient isolates, were allowed to bind with ICAM-1-Fc protein under static assay conditions in the presence and absence of 50 μM (+)-EGCG. Adhesion levels of all the parasite strains were quantified by microscopy as the mean number of infected erythrocyte (IE) bound per mm2 of surface area and statistical comparisons were made to demonstrate the effect of (+)-EGCG on the binding of various parasite variants to human ICAM-1. Results This study revealed that binding of patient isolates to ICAM-1 was reduced significantly with inhibition levels of 37% in patient isolate BC-12 up to a maximum of 80% in patient isolate 8146 at 50 μM (+)-EGCG. Conclusion Evaluation of the anti-adhesive property of (+)-EGCG against a new panel of ICAM-1-binding patient isolates of P. falciparum showed that this inhibitor, identified as potential mimic of the L43 loop of human ICAM-1, was effective at blocking cytoadherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep R Patil
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development, Department of Pharmaceutical and Applied Chemistry, University of Siena, Italy
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16
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Ochola LB, Siddondo BR, Ocholla H, Nkya S, Kimani EN, Williams TN, Makale JO, Liljander A, Urban BC, Bull PC, Szestak T, Marsh K, Craig AG. Specific receptor usage in Plasmodium falciparum cytoadherence is associated with disease outcome. PLoS One 2011; 6:e14741. [PMID: 21390226 PMCID: PMC3048392 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2010] [Accepted: 01/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of the basis of severe disease in malaria is incomplete. It is clear that pathology is in part related to the pro-inflammatory nature of the host response but a number of other factors are also thought to be involved, including the interaction between infected erythrocytes and endothelium. This is a complex system involving several host receptors and a major parasite-derived variant antigen (PfEMP1) expressed on the surface of the infected erythrocyte membrane. Previous studies have suggested a role for ICAM-1 in the pathology of cerebral malaria, although these have been inconclusive. In this study we have examined the cytoadherence patterns of 101 patient isolates from varying clinical syndromes to CD36 and ICAM-1, and have used variant ICAM-1 proteins to further characterise this adhesive phenotype. Our results show that increased binding to CD36 is associated with uncomplicated malaria while ICAM-1 adhesion is raised in parasites from cerebral malaria cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy B Ochola
- KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research, Kilifi, Kenya.
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17
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Mwanziva C, Mpina M, Balthazary S, Mkali H, Mbugi E, Mosha F, Chilongola J. Child hospitalization due to severe malaria is associated with the ICAM-1Kilifi allele but not adherence patterns of Plasmodium falciparum infected red blood cells to ICAM-1. Acta Trop 2010; 116:45-50. [PMID: 20510872 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2010.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2009] [Revised: 05/20/2010] [Accepted: 05/20/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed at determining whether the predisposition of a mutation at position 179 of the ICAM-1 gene to child hospitalization due to malaria was mediated by changes in adherence properties of IRBCs to ICAM-1. ICAM-1 genotypes were determined by nested polymerase chain reaction of isolated DNA from filter blood spots followed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). Plasmodium falciparum adherence assays were done on immobilized purified ICAM-1. Our data indicate that the homozygosity for the ICAM-1(Kilifi) mutation occurs at a frequency of 22.3% in Magugu-Babati, Northern Tanzania. Our results show that there are no differences in IRBC binding profiles across genotypes. We show in this study that homozygosity for the ICAM-1(Kilifi) is associated with child hospitalization (X(2)=14.47, p<0.001). We have further shown that hospitalization was not associated with cytoadherence (X(2)=0.17, p=0.68). We conclude that the ICAM-1(Kilifi) allele occurs at a high frequency in Tanzania and that associations of this allele with higher child hospitalization frequencies is independent of cytoadherence patterns of IRBC isolated from ICAM-1 genotypes, implying that any associations reported to exist between the ICAM-1(Kilifi) mutation and severe malaria are unlikely to be mediated through altered IRBC cytoadherence properties.
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18
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Hughes KR, Biagini GA, Craig AG. Continued cytoadherence of Plasmodium falciparum infected red blood cells after antimalarial treatment. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2009; 169:71-8. [PMID: 19800372 PMCID: PMC2814047 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2009.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2008] [Revised: 09/21/2009] [Accepted: 09/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Development of severe disease in Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection is thought to be, at least in part, due to the sequestration of trophozoite-stage infected red blood cells in the microvasculature. The process of cytoadherence is mediated by binding of the parasite protein PfEMP-1 on the surface of infected red blood cells to endothelial cell receptors. Although antimalarial treatments rapidly kill parasites, significant mortality is still seen in severe malaria, particularly within 24h of hospital admission. We find that cytoadherence of infected red blood cells continues for several hours after killing of the parasite by antimalarials; after 24h treatment using a range of antimalarials binding is approximately one-third the level of untreated parasite cultures. This is consistent with the maintained presence of PfEMP-1 on the surface of drug-treated infected red blood cells. A specific advantage of artesunate over other treatments tested is seen on addition of this drug to younger ring stage parasites, which do not mature to the cytoadherent trophozoite-stage. These findings show that cytoadherence, a potential pathogenic property of P. falciparum infected red blood cells, continues long after the parasite has been killed. These data support the development of adjunctive therapies to reverse the pathophysiological consequences of cytoadherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie R Hughes
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK.
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19
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Phiri H, Montgomery J, Molyneux M, Craig A. Competitive endothelial adhesion between Plasmodium falciparum isolates under physiological flow conditions. Malar J 2009; 8:214. [PMID: 19772553 PMCID: PMC2754995 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-8-214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2009] [Accepted: 09/21/2009] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sequestration of parasitized red blood cells in the microvasculature of major organs involves a sequence of events that is believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of severe falciparum malaria. Plasmodium falciparum infections are commonly composed of multiple subpopulations of parasites with varied adhesive properties. A key question is: do these subpopulations compete for adhesion to endothelium? This study investigated whether, in a laboratory model of cytoadherence, there is competition in binding to endothelium between pRBC infected with P. falciparum of variant adhesive phenotypes, particularly under flow conditions. METHODS Four different P. falciparum isolates, of known adherence phenotypes, were matched in pairs, mixed in different proportions and allowed to bind to cultured human endothelium. Using in vitro competitive static and flow-based adhesion assays, that allow simultaneous testing of the adhesive properties of two different parasite lines, adherence levels of paired P. falciparum isolates were quantified and analysed using either non-parametric Wilcoxon's paired signed rank test or Student paired test. RESULTS Study findings show that P. falciparum parasite lines show marked differences in the efficiency of adhesion to endothelium. CONCLUSION Plasmodium falciparum variants will compete for adhesion to endothelia and variants can be ranked by their efficiency of binding. These findings suggest that variants from a mixed infection will not show uniform cytoadherence and so may vary in their ability to cause disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Happy Phiri
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, College of Medicine, P.O. Box 30096, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Jacqui Montgomery
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, College of Medicine, P.O. Box 30096, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Malcolm Molyneux
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, College of Medicine, P.O. Box 30096, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Alister Craig
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, University of Liverpool, Pembroke Place, L3 5QA, Liverpool, UK
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20
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Horata N, Kalambaheti T, Craig A, Khusmith S. Sequence variation of PfEMP1-DBLalpha in association with rosette formation in Plasmodium falciparum isolates causing severe and uncomplicated malaria. Malar J 2009; 8:184. [PMID: 19650937 PMCID: PMC3224928 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-8-184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2009] [Accepted: 08/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rosetting and cytoadherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells have been associated with severity of malaria. ICAM-1 and CD36 are the main host cell receptors, while PfEMP1-DBLalpha is a major parasite ligand, which can contribute to rosette formation. This study is aimed at demonstrating whether the highly polymorphic PfEMP1-DBLalpha sequences occurring among Thai isolates causing severe and uncomplicated malaria are associated with their ability to form rosettes and reflected the clinical outcome of the patients. METHODS Two hundred and ninety five PfEMP1-DBLalpha sequences from Thai clinical isolates causing severe and uncomplicated malaria were evaluated by sequencing and direct comparison using the specific text string analysis functions in Microsoft Excel and Perl. The relationships between the PfEMP1-DBLalpha sequences were also analysed by network analysis. The binding abilities of parasitized red blood cells (PRBCs) to CD36, wild type ICAM-1, ICAM-1Kilifi and ICAM-1S22/A under static condition were included. RESULTS Two hundred and eighty one non-identical amino acid sequences were identified (< 95% sequence identity). When the distributions of semi-conserved features (PoLV1-4 and sequence group) within the rosetting domain PfEMP1-DBLalpha were observed, close similarity was found between isolates from the two disease groups. The sequence group 1 representing uncomplicated malaria was significantly different from the sequence group 3 representing the majority of severe malaria (p = 0.027). By using a simple non-phylogenetic approach to visualize the sharing of polymorphic blocks (position specific polymorphic block, PSPB) and cys/PoLV among DBLalpha sequences, the sequence group 1 was split from the other five sequence groups. The isolates belonging to sequence group 5 gave the highest mean rosetting rate (21.31%). However, within sequence group 2 and group 6, the isolates causing severe malaria had significantly higher rosetting rate than those causing uncomplicated malaria (p = 0.014, p = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION This is the first report of PfEMP1-DBLalpha analysis in clinical Thai isolates using semi-conserved features (cys/PoLV and PSPBs). The cys/PoLV group 5 gave the highest rosetting rate. PfEMP1-DBLalpha domains in Thai isolates are highly diverse, however, clinical isolates from severe and uncomplicated malaria shared common sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natharinee Horata
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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21
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Bertonati C, Tramontano A. A model of the complex between the PfEMP1 malaria protein and the human ICAM-1 receptor. Proteins 2009; 69:215-22. [PMID: 17640071 DOI: 10.1002/prot.21691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Four species of Plasmodium can infect humans: P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. vivax, and P. ovale. P. falciparum is the only able to cytoadhere to the surface of postcapillary endothelial cells. A key role in cytoadherence is played by the interaction between the PfEMP1 P. falciparum protein and the human intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) although very little is known about the molecular details of this complex. Here we propose a model for this interaction on the basis of a homology model of the functional domain of PfEMP1 and of the ICAM-1 three dimensional structures. Our model is consistent with the results of many experimental observations, provides a rational explanation for the different binding abilities of different strains of P. falciparum and explains the reduced binding affinity of the A4 strain of P. falciparum for the ICAM-1(Kilifi) polymorphism. On the basis of our model, we can also explain why the murine ICAM-1, although sharing 70% sequence similarity with its human homologue, does not bind PfEMP1, and why the binding of fibrinogen and PfEMP1 to ICAM-1 is mutually exclusive. The model of the complex proposed here can serve as a useful tool for the design and interpretation of biochemical and immunological experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Bertonati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche A. Rossi Fanelli, Università di Roma La Sapienza, I-00185 Rome, Italy
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22
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Adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes to human cells: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Expert Rev Mol Med 2009; 11:e16. [PMID: 19467172 PMCID: PMC2878476 DOI: 10.1017/s1462399409001082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 249] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Severe malaria has a high mortality rate (15–20%) despite treatment with
effective antimalarial drugs. Adjunctive therapies for severe malaria that target the
underlying disease process are therefore urgently required. Adhesion of erythrocytes
infected with Plasmodium falciparum to human cells has a key role in the
pathogenesis of life-threatening malaria and could be targeted with antiadhesion therapy.
Parasite adhesion interactions include binding to endothelial cells (cytoadherence),
rosetting with uninfected erythrocytes and platelet-mediated clumping of infected
erythrocytes. Recent research has started to define the molecular mechanisms of parasite
adhesion, and antiadhesion therapies are being explored. However, many fundamental
questions regarding the role of parasite adhesion in severe malaria remain unanswered.
There is strong evidence that rosetting contributes to severe malaria in sub-Saharan
Africa; however, the identity of other parasite adhesion phenotypes that are implicated in
disease pathogenesis remains unclear. In addition, the possibility of geographic variation
in adhesion phenotypes causing severe malaria, linked to differences in malaria
transmission levels and host immunity, has been neglected. Further research is needed to
realise the untapped potential of antiadhesion adjunctive therapies, which could
revolutionise the treatment of severe malaria and reduce the high mortality rate of the
disease.
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Abstract
Cytoadherence of PRBCs (Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells) to host endothelium has been associated with pathology in severe malaria, but, despite extensive information on the primary processes involved in the adhesive interactions, the mechanisms underlying the disease are poorly understood. Endothelial cells have the ability to mobilize immune and pro-adhesive responses when exposed to both PRBCs and TNF (tumour necrosis factor). In addition, there is also an up-regulation by PRBCs and TNF and a concurrent down-regulation of a range of genes involved in inflammation and cell death, by PRBCs and TNF. We propose that the balance between positive and negative regulation will contribute to endothelial pathology during malarial infection. Apposition of PRBCs has been shown by a number of groups to activate signalling pathways. This is dependent, at least in part, on the cytoadherence characteristics of the invading isolate, such that the avidity of the PRBC for the receptor on host endothelium is proportional to the level of activation of the signalling pathways. An understanding of the post-adhesive processes produced by cytoadherence may help us to understand the variable pathology seen in malaria and to design appropriate therapies to alleviate severe disease.
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Fry AE, Auburn S, Diakite M, Green A, Richardson A, Wilson J, Jallow M, Sisay-Joof F, Pinder M, Griffiths MJ, Peshu N, Williams TN, Marsh K, Molyneux ME, Taylor TE, Rockett KA, Kwiatkowski DP. Variation in the ICAM1 gene is not associated with severe malaria phenotypes. Genes Immun 2008; 9:462-9. [PMID: 18528404 PMCID: PMC2657869 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2008.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2008] [Revised: 04/21/2008] [Accepted: 04/25/2008] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Evidence from autopsy and in vitro binding studies suggests that adhesion of erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum to the human host intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 receptor is important in the pathogenesis of severe malaria. Previous association studies between polymorphisms in the ICAM1 gene and susceptibility to severe malarial phenotypes have been inconclusive and often contradictory. We performed genetic association studies with 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) around the ICAM1 locus. All SNPs were screened in a family study of 1071 trios from The Gambia, Malawi and Kenya. Two key non-synonymous SNPs with previously reported associations, rs5491 (K56M or 'ICAM-1(Kilifi)') and rs5498 (K469E), were tested in an additional 708 Gambian trios and a case-control study of 4058 individuals. None of the polymorphisms were associated with severe malaria phenotypes. Pooled results across our studies for ICAM-1(Kilifi) were, in severe malaria, odds ratio (OR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-1.09, P=0.54, and cerebral malaria OR 1.07, CI 0.97-1.17, P=0.17. We assess the available epidemiological, population genetic and functional evidence that links ICAM-1(Kilifi) to severe malaria susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Fry
- The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK.
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25
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Howell DPG, Levin EA, Springer AL, Kraemer SM, Phippard DJ, Schief WR, Smith JD. Mapping a common interaction site used by Plasmodium falciparum Duffy binding-like domains to bind diverse host receptors. Mol Microbiol 2007; 67:78-87. [PMID: 18047571 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2007.06019.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The Duffy binding-like (DBL) domain is a key adhesive module in Plasmodium falciparum, present in both erythrocyte invasion ligands (EBLs) and the large and diverse P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) family of cytoadherence receptors. DBL domains bind a variety of different host receptors, including intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), a receptor interaction that may have a role in infected erythrocyte binding to cerebral blood vessels and cerebral malaria. In this study, we expressed the nearly full complement of DBLbeta-C2 domains from the IT4/25/5 (IT4) parasite isolate and showed that ICAM-1-binding domains (DBLbeta-C2(ICAM-1)) were confined to group B and group C PfEMP1 proteins and were not present in group A, suggesting that ICAM-1 selection pressure differs between PfEMP1 groups. To further dissect the molecular determinants of binding, we modelled a DBLbeta-C2(ICAM-1) domain on a solved DBL structure and created alanine substitution mutants in two DBLbeta-C2(ICAM-1) domains. This analysis indicates that the DBLbeta-C2::ICAM-1 interaction maps to the equivalent glycan binding region of EBLs, and suggests a general model for how DBL domains evolve under dual selection for host receptor binding and immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasein P-G Howell
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Ave N, Ste 500, Seattle, WA 98109-5219, USA
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Wu Y, Craig A. Comparative proteomic analysis of metabolically labelled proteins from Plasmodium falciparum isolates with different adhesion properties. Malar J 2006; 5:67. [PMID: 16887017 PMCID: PMC1559632 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-5-67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2006] [Accepted: 08/03/2006] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The virulence of Plasmodium falciparum relates in part to the cytoadhesion characteristics of parasitized erythrocytes but the molecular basis of the different qualitative and quantitative binding phenotypes is incompletely understood. This paucity of information is due partly to the difficulty in working with membrane proteins, the variant nature of these surface antigens and their relatively low abundance. To address this two-dimensional (2D) protein profiles of closely related, but phenotypically different laboratory strains of P. falciparum have been characterized using proteomic approaches. Since the mature erythrocyte has no nucleus and no protein synthesis capability, metabolic labelling of proteins was used to selectively identify parasite proteins and increase detection sensitivity. A small number of changes (less than 10) were observed between four different P. falciparum laboratory strains with distinctive cytoadherence properties using metabolic labelling, with more parasite protein changes found in trophozoite iRBCs than ring stage. The combination of metabolic labelling and autoradiography can therefore be used to identify parasite protein differences, including quantitative ones, and in some cases to obtain protein identifications by mass spectrometry. The results support the suggestion that the membrane protein profile may be related to cytoadherent properties of the iRBCs. Most changes between parasite variants were differences in iso-electric point indicating differential protein modification rather than the presence or absence of a specific peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wu
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Alister Craig
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
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Dormeyer M, Adams Y, Kramer B, Chakravorty S, Tse MT, Pegoraro S, Whittaker L, Lanzer M, Craig A. Rational design of anticytoadherence inhibitors for Plasmodium falciparum based on the crystal structure of human intercellular adhesion molecule 1. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2006; 50:724-30. [PMID: 16436732 PMCID: PMC1366927 DOI: 10.1128/aac.50.2.724-730.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IE) to host endothelium has been associated with pathology in malaria. Although the interaction with endothelial cells can be complex due to the relatively large number of host receptors available for binding, specific proteins have been identified that are more commonly used than others. For example, binding to intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM 1) is found frequently in parasites from pediatric cases of malaria. The binding site for P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes on ICAM 1 has been mapped in some detail and is distinct from the site for lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1). Part of the ICAM 1 binding site for P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes (the DE loop) was used to screen a library of compounds based on its structure (derived from the crystal structure of human ICAM 1). This resulted in the identification of 36 structural mimeotopes as potential competitive inhibitors of binding. One of these compounds, (+)-epigalloyl-catechin-gallate [(+)-EGCG], was found to inhibit IE adhesion to ICAM 1 in a dose-dependent manner with two variant ICAM 1-binding parasite lines, providing the first example of a potential mimeotope-based anticytoadherence inhibitor for Plasmodium falciparum.
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Abstract
Parasite sequestration at microvascular sites is a fundamental phenomenon in the manifestation of the symptoms of malaria and the progression to severe disease. Here, we review the endothelial cell-expressed intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and its role in mediating the interaction between the parasitised red blood cell (PRBC) and the vascular endothelium. We highlight the nature of the interaction between ICAM-1 and the parasite-expressed PfEMP-1 molecule at the molecular level. The review also discusses the complexity of the PRBC-endothelial cell interaction and the mechanisms that underlie parasite cytoadherence.
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Springer AL, Smith LM, Mackay DQ, Nelson SO, Smith JD. Functional interdependence of the DBLbeta domain and c2 region for binding of the Plasmodium falciparum variant antigen to ICAM-1. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2005; 137:55-64. [PMID: 15279951 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2004.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2003] [Revised: 12/12/2003] [Accepted: 03/28/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cytoadherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes is associated with severe malaria and is primarily mediated through binding of the variant surface antigen P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) to specific host ligands. Infected erythrocyte binding to Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1) has been implicated as having a role in cerebral malaria, a major cause of death from P. falciparum infection. We have examined ICAM-1-binding PfEMP1 proteins in the cytoadhesive P. falciparum strain IT4/25/5 in order to extend our understanding of binding. For A4tres, the ICAM-1 binding region was previously shown to reside within contiguous DBL2beta and c2 domains. We determined the gene sequence encoding IT-ICAM var, and showed that ICAM-1 binding in this protein also maps to DBL2betac2 domains that have 48% amino acid identity to A4tres. By truncation and chimera analysis, most of the DBL2beta and the first half of the c2 region were required for A4tres binding to ICAM-1, suggesting this tandem should be considered a structural-functional combination for ICAM-1 binding. Of interest, a chimera formed between two different ICAM-1 binding domains did not bind ICAM-1, suggesting a functional interdependence between DBL2beta and c2 from the same protein. As gene recombination and gene conversion are important mechanisms for generating diversity in the PfEMP1 protein family, this finding implies an extra level of constraint on the functional evolution of binding traits. Knowledge about the PfEMP1::ICAM-1 interaction may allow the development of interventions to prevent binding and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Springer
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue N, Suite 500, WA 98109-5219, USA
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