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Hernández-Zambrano LJ, Alfonso-González H, Buitrago SP, Castro-Cavadía CJ, Garzón-Ospina D. Exploring the genetic diversity pattern of PvEBP/DBP2: A promising candidate for an effective Plasmodium vivax vaccine. Acta Trop 2024; 255:107231. [PMID: 38685340 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Malaria remains a public health challenge. Since many control strategies have proven ineffective in eradicating this disease, new strategies are required, among which the design of a multivalent vaccine stands out. However, the effectiveness of this strategy has been hindered, among other reasons, by the genetic diversity observed in parasite antigens. In Plasmodium vivax, the Erythrocyte Binding Protein (PvEBP, also known as DBP2) is an alternate ligand to Duffy Binding Protein (DBP); given its structural resemblance to DBP, EBP/DBP2 is proposed as a promising antigen for inclusion in vaccine design. However, the extent of genetic diversity within the locus encoding this protein has not been comprehensively assessed. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity of the locus encoding the P. vivax EBP/DBP2 protein and to determine the evolutionary mechanisms modulating this diversity. Several intrapopulation genetic variation parameters were estimated using 36 gene sequences of PvEBP/DBP2 from Colombian P. vivax clinical isolates and 186 sequences available in databases. The study then evaluated the worldwide genetic structure and the evolutionary forces that may influence the observed patterns of genetic variation. It was found that the PvEBP/DBP2 gene exhibits one of the lowest levels of genetic diversity compared to other vaccine-candidate antigens. Four major haplotypes were shared worldwide. Analysis of the protein's 3D structure and epitope prediction identified five regions with potential antigenic properties. The results suggest that the PvEBP/DBP2 protein possesses ideal characteristics to be considered when designing a multivalent effective antimalarial vaccine against P. vivax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Hernández-Zambrano
- Grupo de Estudios en Genética y Biología Molecular (GEBIMOL), School of Biological Sciences, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia - UPTC, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia; Population Genetics And Molecular Evolution (PGAME), Fundación Scient, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Heliairis Alfonso-González
- Grupo de Estudios en Genética y Biología Molecular (GEBIMOL), School of Biological Sciences, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia - UPTC, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia; Population Genetics And Molecular Evolution (PGAME), Fundación Scient, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Sindy P Buitrago
- Grupo de Estudios en Genética y Biología Molecular (GEBIMOL), School of Biological Sciences, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia - UPTC, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia; Population Genetics And Molecular Evolution (PGAME), Fundación Scient, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Carlos J Castro-Cavadía
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas y Biomédicas de Córdoba (GIMBIC), School of Health Sciences, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Diego Garzón-Ospina
- Grupo de Estudios en Genética y Biología Molecular (GEBIMOL), School of Biological Sciences, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia - UPTC, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia; Population Genetics And Molecular Evolution (PGAME), Fundación Scient, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia.
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Kanyal A, Deshmukh B, Davies H, Mamatharani DV, Farheen D, Treeck M, Karmodiya K. PfHDAC1 is an essential regulator of P. falciparum asexual proliferation and host cell invasion genes with a dynamic genomic occupancy responsive to artemisinin stress. mBio 2024; 15:e0237723. [PMID: 38709067 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02377-23] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the deadly protozoan parasite responsible for malaria, has a tightly regulated gene expression profile closely linked to its intraerythrocytic development cycle. Epigenetic modifiers of the histone acetylation code have been identified as key regulators of the parasite's transcriptome but require further investigation. In this study, we map the genomic distribution of Plasmodium falciparum histone deacetylase 1 (PfHDAC1) across the erythrocytic asexual development cycle and find it has a dynamic occupancy over a wide array of developmentally relevant genes. Overexpression of PfHDAC1 results in a progressive increment in parasite load over consecutive rounds of the asexual infection cycle and is associated with enhanced gene expression of multiple families of host cell invasion factors (merozoite surface proteins, rhoptry proteins, etc.) and with increased merozoite invasion efficiency. With the use of class-specific inhibitors, we demonstrate that PfHDAC1 activity in parasites is crucial for timely intraerythrocytic development. Interestingly, overexpression of PfHDAC1 results in decreased sensitivity to frontline-drug dihydroartemisinin in parasites. Furthermore, we identify that artemisinin exposure can interfere with PfHDAC1 abundance and chromatin occupancy, resulting in enrichment over genes implicated in response/resistance to artemisinin. Finally, we identify that dihydroartemisinin exposure can interrupt the in vitro catalytic deacetylase activity and post-translational phosphorylation of PfHDAC1, aspects that are crucial for its genomic function. Collectively, our results demonstrate PfHDAC1 to be a regulator of critical functions in asexual parasite development and host invasion, which is responsive to artemisinin exposure stress and deterministic of resistance to it. IMPORTANCE Malaria is a major public health problem, with the parasite Plasmodium falciparum causing most of the malaria-associated mortality. It is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes and results in symptoms such as cyclic fever, chills, and headache. However, if left untreated, it can quickly progress to a more severe and life-threatening form. The World Health Organization currently recommends the use of artemisinin combination therapy, and it has worked as a gold standard for many years. Unfortunately, certain countries in southeast Asia and Africa, burdened with a high prevalence of malaria, have reported cases of drug-resistant infections. One of the major problems in controlling malaria is the emergence of artemisinin resistance. Population genomic studies have identified mutations in the Kelch13 gene as a molecular marker for artemisinin resistance. However, several reports thereafter indicated that Kelch13 is not the main mediator but rather hinted at transcriptional deregulation as a major determinant of drug resistance. Earlier, we identified PfGCN5 as a global regulator of stress-responsive genes, which are known to play a central role in artemisinin resistance generation. In this study, we have identified PfHDAC1, a histone deacetylase as a cell cycle regulator, playing an important role in artemisinin resistance generation. Taken together, our study identified key transcriptional regulators that play an important role in artemisinin resistance generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Kanyal
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Bhagyashree Deshmukh
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Heledd Davies
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - D V Mamatharani
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Dilsha Farheen
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Moritz Treeck
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Krishanpal Karmodiya
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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Jain A, Sharma R, Gautam L, Shrivastava P, Singh KK, Vyas SP. Biomolecular interactions between Plasmodium and human host: A basis of targeted antimalarial therapy. ANNALES PHARMACEUTIQUES FRANÇAISES 2024; 82:401-419. [PMID: 38519002 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Malaria is one of the serious health concerns worldwide as it remains a clinical challenge due to the complex life cycle of the malaria parasite and the morphological changes it undergoes during infection. The malaria parasite multiplies rapidly and spreads in the population by changing its alternative hosts. These various morphological stages of the parasite in the human host cause clinical symptoms (anemia, fever, and coma). These symptoms arise due to the preprogrammed biology of the parasite in response to the human pathophysiological response. Thus, complete elimination becomes one of the major health challenges. Although malaria vaccine(s) are available in the market, they still contain to cause high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, an approach for eradication is needed through the exploration of novel molecular targets by tracking the epidemiological changes the parasite adopts. This review focuses on the various novel molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamika Jain
- Drug Delivery and Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, M.P., 470003, India
| | - Rajeev Sharma
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior, M.P., 474005, India.
| | - Laxmikant Gautam
- Babulal Tarabai Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Sagar, M.P., 470228, India
| | - Priya Shrivastava
- Drug Delivery and Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, M.P., 470003, India
| | - Kamalinder K Singh
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom
| | - Suresh P Vyas
- Drug Delivery and Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, M.P., 470003, India.
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4
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Kuamsab N, Putaporntip C, Kakino A, Kosuwin R, Songsaigath S, Tachibana H, Jongwutiwes S. Anti-Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 3 ϒ (PvMSP3 ϒ) antibodies upon natural infection. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9595. [PMID: 38671033 PMCID: PMC11053162 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59153-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Merozoite surface protein 3 of Plasmodium vivax (PvMSP3) contains a repertoire of protein members with unique sequence organization. While the biological functions of these proteins await elucidation, PvMSP3 has been suggested to be potential vaccine targets. To date, studies on natural immune responses to this protein family have been confined to two members, PvMSP3α and PvMSP3β. This study analyzed natural IgG antibody responses to PvMSP3γ recombinant proteins derived from two variants: one containing insert blocks (CT1230nF) and the other without insert domain (NR25nF). The former variant was also expressed as two subfragment proteins: one encompassing variable domain I and insert block A (CT1230N) and the other spanning from insert block B to conserved block III (CT1230C). Serum samples were obtained from 246 symptomatic vivax malaria patients in Tak (n = 50) and Ubon Ratchathani (n = 196) Provinces. In total, 176 (71.5%) patients could mount antibodies to at least one recombinant PvMSP3γ antigen. IgG antibodies directed against antigens CT1230nF, CT1230N, CT1230C and NR25nF occurred in 96.6%, 61.4%, 71.6% and 68.2% of samples, respectively, suggesting the widespread occurrence of B-cell epitopes across PvMSP3γ. The rates of seropositivity seemed to correlate with the number of previous malaria episodes. Isotype analysis of anti-PvMSP3γ antibodies has shown predominant cytophilic subclass responses, accounting for 75.4-81.7% for IgG1 and 63.6-77.5% for IgG3. Comparing with previous studies in the same cohort, the numbers of serum samples reactive to antigens derived from P. vivax merozoite surface protein 9 (PvMSP9) and thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (PvTRAP) were higher than those to PvMSP3γ, being 92.7% and 87.0% versus 71.5%, respectively. Three (1.22%) serum samples were nonresponsive to all these malarial proteins. Nevertheless, the relevance of naturally acquired antibodies to PvMSP3γ in host protection requires further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Napaporn Kuamsab
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Community Public Health Program, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Southern College of Technology, Nakorn Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Chaturong Putaporntip
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Azumi Kakino
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Rattiporn Kosuwin
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Health Promotion, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhonnayok, Thailand
| | - Sunisa Songsaigath
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Health Promotion, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhonnayok, Thailand
| | - Hiroshi Tachibana
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Somchai Jongwutiwes
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Day CJ, Favuzza P, Bielfeld S, Haselhorst T, Seefeldt L, Hauser J, Shewell LK, Flueck C, Poole J, Jen FEC, Schäfer A, Dangy JP, Gilberger TW, França CT, Duraisingh MT, Tamborrini M, Brancucci NMB, Grüring C, Filarsky M, Jennings MP, Pluschke G. The essential malaria protein PfCyRPA targets glycans to invade erythrocytes. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114012. [PMID: 38573856 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is a human-adapted apicomplexan parasite that causes the most dangerous form of malaria. P. falciparum cysteine-rich protective antigen (PfCyRPA) is an invasion complex protein essential for erythrocyte invasion. The precise role of PfCyRPA in this process has not been resolved. Here, we show that PfCyRPA is a lectin targeting glycans terminating with α2-6-linked N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac). PfCyRPA has a >50-fold binding preference for human, α2-6-linked Neu5Ac over non-human, α2-6-linked N-glycolylneuraminic acid. PfCyRPA lectin sites were predicted by molecular modeling and validated by mutagenesis studies. Transgenic parasite lines expressing endogenous PfCyRPA with single amino acid exchange mutants indicated that the lectin activity of PfCyRPA has an important role in parasite invasion. Blocking PfCyRPA lectin activity with small molecules or with lectin-site-specific monoclonal antibodies can inhibit blood-stage parasite multiplication. Therefore, targeting PfCyRPA lectin activity with drugs, immunotherapy, or a vaccine-primed immune response is a promising strategy to prevent and treat malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Day
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Paola Favuzza
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Bielfeld
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg, Germany; Department of Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Haselhorst
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Leonie Seefeldt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julia Hauser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lucy K Shewell
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Christian Flueck
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Poole
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Freda E-C Jen
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Anja Schäfer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Pierre Dangy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tim-W Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg, Germany; Department of Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Cellular Parasitology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Camila Tenorio França
- Department of Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marco Tamborrini
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas M B Brancucci
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christof Grüring
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Filarsky
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg, Germany; Department of Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael P Jennings
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
| | - Gerd Pluschke
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Akoniyon OP, Akiibinu M, Adeleke MA, Maharaj R, Okpeku M. A Comparative Study of Genetic Diversity and Multiplicity of Infection in Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Infections in Selected Regions of Pre-Elimination and High Transmission Settings Using MSP1 and MSP2 Genes. Pathogens 2024; 13:172. [PMID: 38392910 PMCID: PMC10891941 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020172] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the genetic structure of P. falciparum population in different regions is pivotal to malaria elimination. Genetic diversity and the multiplicity of infection are indicators used for measuring malaria endemicity across different transmission settings. Therefore, this study characterized P. falciparum infections from selected areas constituting pre-elimination and high transmission settings in South Africa and Nigeria, respectively. METHODS Parasite genomic DNA was extracted from 129 participants with uncomplicated P. falciparum infections. Isolates were collected from 78 participants in South Africa (southern Africa) and 51 in Nigeria (western Africa). Allelic typing of the msp1 and msp2 genes was carried out using nested PCR. RESULTS In msp1, the K1 allele (39.7%) was the most common allele among the South African isolates, while the RO33 allele (90.2%) was the most common allele among the Nigerian isolates. In the msp2 gene, FC27 and IC3D7 showed almost the same percentage distribution (44.9% and 43.6%) in the South African isolates, whereas FC27 had the highest percentage distribution (60.8%) in the Nigerian isolates. The msp2 gene showed highly distinctive genotypes, indicating high genetic diversity in the South African isolates, whereas msp1 showed high genetic diversity in the Nigerian isolates. The RO33 allelic family displayed an inverse relationship with participants' age in the Nigerian isolates. The overall multiplicity of infection (MOI) was significantly higher in Nigeria (2.87) than in South Africa (2.44) (p < 0.000 *). In addition, heterozygosity was moderately higher in South Africa (1.46) than in Nigeria (1.13). CONCLUSIONS The high genetic diversity and MOI in P. falciparum that were observed in this study could provide surveillance data, on the basis of which appropriate control strategies should be adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olusegun Philip Akoniyon
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Moses Akiibinu
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Caleb University, Lagos 11379, Nigeria;
| | - Matthew A. Adeleke
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Rajendra Maharaj
- Office of Malaria Research, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, South Africa;
| | - Moses Okpeku
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (M.A.A.)
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Anaguano D, Adewale-Fasoro O, Vick GS, Yanik S, Blauwkamp J, Fierro MA, Absalon S, Srinivasan P, Muralidharan V. Plasmodium RON11 triggers biogenesis of the merozoite rhoptry pair and is essential for erythrocyte invasion. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.29.577654. [PMID: 38352500 PMCID: PMC10862748 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.29.577654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Malaria is a global and deadly human disease caused by the apicomplexan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Parasite proliferation within human red blood cells (RBC) is associated with the clinical manifestations of the disease. This asexual expansion within human RBCs, begins with the invasion of RBCs by P. falciparum, which is mediated by the secretion of effectors from two specialized club-shaped secretory organelles in merozoite-stage parasites known as rhoptries. We investigated the function of the Rhoptry Neck Protein 11 (RON11), which contains seven transmembrane domains and calcium-binding EF-hand domains. We generated conditional mutants of the P. falciparum RON11. Knockdown of RON11 inhibits parasite growth by preventing merozoite invasion. The loss of RON11 did not lead to any defects in processing of rhoptry proteins but instead led to a decrease in the amount of rhoptry proteins. We utilized ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM) to determine the effect of RON11 knockdown on rhoptry biogenesis. Surprisingly, in the absence of RON11, fully developed merozoites had only one rhoptry each. The single rhoptry in RON11 deficient merozoites were morphologically typical with a bulb and a neck oriented into the apical polar ring. Moreover, rhoptry proteins are trafficked accurately to the single rhoptry in RON11 deficient parasites. These data show that in the absence of RON11, the first rhoptry is generated during schizogony but upon the start of cytokinesis, the second rhoptry never forms. Interestingly, these single-rhoptry merozoites were able to attach to host RBCs but are unable to invade RBCs. Instead, RON11 deficient merozoites continue to engage with RBC for prolonged periods eventually resulting in echinocytosis, a result of secreting the contents from the single rhoptry into the RBC. Together, our data show that RON11 triggers the de novo biogenesis of the second rhoptry and functions in RBC invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Anaguano
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Opeoluwa Adewale-Fasoro
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Johns Hopkins Malaria Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Grace S. Vick
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Sean Yanik
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Johns Hopkins Malaria Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - James Blauwkamp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis IN
| | - Manuel A. Fierro
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Sabrina Absalon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis IN
| | - Prakash Srinivasan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Johns Hopkins Malaria Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Vasant Muralidharan
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
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8
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Musundi SD, Gitaka J, Kanoi BN. Identification of conserved cross-species B-cell linear epitopes in human malaria: a subtractive proteomics and immuno-informatics approach targeting merozoite stage proteins. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1352618. [PMID: 38404581 PMCID: PMC10884153 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1352618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Human malaria, caused by five Plasmodium species (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi), remains a significant global health burden. While most interventions target P. falciparum, the species associated with high mortality rates and severe clinical symptoms, non-falciparum species exhibit different transmission dynamics, remain hugely neglected, and pose a significant challenge to malaria elimination efforts. Recent studies have reported the presence of antigens associated with cross-protective immunity, which can potentially disrupt the transmission of various Plasmodium species. With the sequencing of the Plasmodium genome and the development of immunoinformatic tools, in this study, we sought to exploit the evolutionary history of Plasmodium species to identify conserved cross-species B-cell linear epitopes in merozoite proteins. We retrieved Plasmodium proteomes associated with human malaria and applied a subtractive proteomics approach focusing on merozoite stage proteins. Bepipred 2.0 and Epidope were used to predict B-cell linear epitopes using P. falciparum as the reference species. The predictions were further compared against human and non-falciparum databases and their antigenicity, toxicity, and allergenicity assessed. Subsequently, epitope conservation was carried out using locally sequenced P. falciparum isolates from a malaria-endemic region in western Kenya (n=27) and Kenyan isolates from MalariaGEN version 6 (n=131). Finally, physiochemical characteristics and tertiary structure of the B-cell linear epitopes were determined. The analysis revealed eight epitopes that showed high similarity (70-100%) between falciparum and non-falciparum species. These epitopes were highly conserved when assessed across local isolates and those from the MalariaGEN database and showed desirable physiochemical properties. Our results show the presence of conserved cross-species B-cell linear epitopes that could aid in targeting multiple Plasmodium species. Nevertheless, validating their efficacy in-vitro and in-vivo experimentally is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bernard N. Kanoi
- Centre for Malaria Elimination, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
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Winnicki AC, Dietrich MH, Yeoh LM, Carias LL, Roobsoong W, Drago CL, Malachin AN, Redinger KR, Feufack-Donfack LB, Baldor L, Jung NC, McLaine OS, Skomorovska-Prokvolit Y, Orban A, Opi DH, Sattabongkot J, Tham WH, Popovici J, Beeson JG, Bosch J, King CL. Potent AMA1-specific human monoclonal antibody against P. vivax Pre-erythrocytic and Blood Stages. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.07.579302. [PMID: 38370683 PMCID: PMC10871283 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.07.579302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
New therapeutics are a priority for preventing and eliminating Plasmodium vivax (Pv) malaria because of its easy transmissibility and dormant stages in the liver. Relapses due to the dormant liver stages are the major contributor to reoccurring Pv. Therefore, therapies that reduce the establishment of dormant parasites and blood-stage infection are important for controlling this geographically widespread parasite. Here, we isolated 12 human monoclonal antibodies (humAbs) from the plasma of a Pv-exposed individual that recognized Pv apical membrane antigen 1 (PvAMA1). PvAMA1 is important for both sporozoite invasion of hepatocytes and merozoite invasion of reticulocytes. We identified one humAb, 826827, that blocked invasion of human erythrocytes using a transgenic P. falciparum line expressing PvAMA1 (IC 50 = 3 µg/mL) and all Pv clinical isolates in vitro . This humAb also inhibited sporozoite invasion of a human hepatocyte cell line and primary human hepatocytes (IC 50 of 0.3 - 3.7 µg/mL). The crystal structure of recombinant PvAMA1 with the antigen-binding fragment of 826827 at 2.4 Å resolution shows that the humAb partially occupies the highly conserved hydrophobic groove in PvAMA1 that binds its known receptor, RON2. HumAb 826827 binds to PvAMA1 with higher affinity than RON2, accounting for its potency. To our knowledge, this is the first reported humAb specific to PvAMA1, and the PvAMA1 residues it binds to are highly conserved across different isolates, explaining its strain-transcendent properties.
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10
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Andradi-Brown C, Wichers-Misterek JS, von Thien H, Höppner YD, Scholz JAM, Hansson H, Filtenborg Hocke E, Gilberger TW, Duffy MF, Lavstsen T, Baum J, Otto TD, Cunnington AJ, Bachmann A. A novel computational pipeline for var gene expression augments the discovery of changes in the Plasmodium falciparum transcriptome during transition from in vivo to short-term in vitro culture. eLife 2024; 12:RP87726. [PMID: 38270586 PMCID: PMC10945709 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87726] [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] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria involves cytoadhesive microvascular sequestration of infected erythrocytes, mediated by P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). PfEMP1 variants are encoded by the highly polymorphic family of var genes, the sequences of which are largely unknown in clinical samples. Previously, we published new approaches for var gene profiling and classification of predicted binding phenotypes in clinical P. falciparum isolates (Wichers et al., 2021), which represented a major technical advance. Building on this, we report here a novel method for var gene assembly and multidimensional quantification from RNA-sequencing that outperforms the earlier approach of Wichers et al., 2021, on both laboratory and clinical isolates across a combination of metrics. Importantly, the tool can interrogate the var transcriptome in context with the rest of the transcriptome and can be applied to enhance our understanding of the role of var genes in malaria pathogenesis. We applied this new method to investigate changes in var gene expression through early transition of parasite isolates to in vitro culture, using paired sets of ex vivo samples from our previous study, cultured for up to three generations. In parallel, changes in non-polymorphic core gene expression were investigated. Modest but unpredictable var gene switching and convergence towards var2csa were observed in culture, along with differential expression of 19% of the core transcriptome between paired ex vivo and generation 1 samples. Our results cast doubt on the validity of the common practice of using short-term cultured parasites to make inferences about in vivo phenotype and behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Andradi-Brown
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South KensingtonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Jan Stephan Wichers-Misterek
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-StrasseHamburgGermany
- Centre for Structural Systems BiologyHamburgGermany
- Biology Department, University of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Heidrun von Thien
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-StrasseHamburgGermany
- Centre for Structural Systems BiologyHamburgGermany
- Biology Department, University of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Yannick D Höppner
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-StrasseHamburgGermany
- Centre for Structural Systems BiologyHamburgGermany
- Biology Department, University of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Judith AM Scholz
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-StrasseHamburgGermany
| | - Helle Hansson
- Center for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Emma Filtenborg Hocke
- Center for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Tim Wolf Gilberger
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-StrasseHamburgGermany
- Centre for Structural Systems BiologyHamburgGermany
- Biology Department, University of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Michael F Duffy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
| | - Thomas Lavstsen
- Center for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South KensingtonLondonUnited Kingdom
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW, KensingtonSydneyUnited Kingdom
| | - Thomas D Otto
- School of Infection & Immunity, MVLS, University of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Aubrey J Cunnington
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Anna Bachmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-StrasseHamburgGermany
- Centre for Structural Systems BiologyHamburgGermany
- Biology Department, University of HamburgHamburgGermany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-RiemsHamburgGermany
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11
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Takashima E, Otsuki H, Morita M, Ito D, Nagaoka H, Yuguchi T, Hassan I, Tsuboi T. The Need for Novel Asexual Blood-Stage Malaria Vaccine Candidates for Plasmodium falciparum. Biomolecules 2024; 14:100. [PMID: 38254700 PMCID: PMC10813614 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010100] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Extensive control efforts have significantly reduced malaria cases and deaths over the past two decades, but in recent years, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, success has stalled. The WHO has urged the implementation of a number of interventions, including vaccines. The modestly effective RTS,S/AS01 pre-erythrocytic vaccine has been recommended by the WHO for use in sub-Saharan Africa against Plasmodium falciparum in children residing in moderate to high malaria transmission regions. A second pre-erythrocytic vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, was also recommended by the WHO on 3 October 2023. However, the paucity and limitations of pre-erythrocytic vaccines highlight the need for asexual blood-stage malaria vaccines that prevent disease caused by blood-stage parasites. Few asexual blood-stage vaccine candidates have reached phase 2 clinical development, and the challenges in terms of their efficacy include antigen polymorphisms and low immunogenicity in humans. This review summarizes the history and progress of asexual blood-stage malaria vaccine development, highlighting the need for novel candidate vaccine antigens/molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Hitoshi Otsuki
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan; (H.O.); (D.I.)
| | - Masayuki Morita
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Daisuke Ito
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan; (H.O.); (D.I.)
| | - Hikaru Nagaoka
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Takaaki Yuguchi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Ifra Hassan
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Cell-Free Sciences, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan
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12
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Borkens Y. Malaria & mRNA Vaccines: A Possible Salvation from One of the Most Relevant Infectious Diseases of the Global South. Acta Parasitol 2023; 68:916-928. [PMID: 37828249 PMCID: PMC10665248 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00712-y] [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: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world. It occurs in tropical and subtropical regions and affects about 40% of the world´s population. In endemic regions, an estimated 200 million people contract malaria each year. Three-quarters of all global deaths (about 600 per year) are children under 5 years of age. Thus, malaria is one of the most relevant tropical and also childhood diseases in the world. Thanks to various public health measures such as vector control through mosquito nets or the targeted use of insecticides as well as the use of antimalarial prophylaxis drugs, the incidence has already been successfully reduced in recent years. However, to reduce the risk of malaria and to protect children effectively, further measures are necessary. An important part of these measures is an effective vaccination against malaria. However, the history of research shows that the development of an effective malaria vaccine is not an easy undertaking and is associated with some complications. Research into possible vaccines began as early as the 1960s. However, the results achieved were rather sobering and the various vaccines fell short of their expectations. It was not until 2015 that the vaccine RTS,S/AS01 received a positive evaluation from the European Medicines Agency. Since then, the vaccine has been tested in Africa. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, there are new developments in vaccine research that could also benefit malaria research. These include, among others, the so-called mRNA vaccines. Already in the early 1990s, an immune response triggered by an mRNA vaccine was described for the first time. Since then, mRNA vaccines have been researched and discussed for possible prophylaxis. However, it was not until the COVID-19 pandemic that these vaccines experienced a veritable progress. mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 were rapidly developed and achieved high efficacy in studies. Based on this success, it is not surprising that companies are also focusing on other diseases and pathogens. Besides viral diseases, such as influenza or AIDS, malaria is high on this list. Many pharmaceutical companies (including the German companies BioNTech and CureVac) have already confirmed that they are researching mRNA vaccines against malaria. However, this is not an easy task. The aim of this article is to describe and discuss possible antigens that could be considered for mRNA vaccination. However, this topic is currently still very speculative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Borkens
- Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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13
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Andrews M, Baum J, Gilson PR, Wilson DW. Bottoms up! Malaria parasite invasion the right way around. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:1004-1013. [PMID: 37827961 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
A critical part of the malaria parasite's life cycle is invasion of red blood cells (RBCs) by merozoites. Inside RBCs, the parasite forms a schizont, which undergoes segmentation to produce daughter merozoites. These cells are released, establishing cycles of invasion. Traditionally, merozoites are represented as nonmotile, egg-shaped cells that invade RBCs 'narrower end' first and pack within schizonts with this narrower end facing outwards. Here, we discuss recent evidence and re-evaluate previous data which suggest that merozoites are capable of motility and have spherical or elongated-teardrop shapes. Furthermore, merozoites invade RBCs 'wider end' first and pack within schizonts with this wider end facing outwards. We encourage the field to review this revised model and consider its implications for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Andrews
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Jake Baum
- School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Paul R Gilson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danny W Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia; Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), University of Adelaide, 5005, SA, Australia.
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14
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Mansouri S, Heidari A, Keshavarz H, Fallah P, Bairami A, Mahmoudi E. Genetic diversity of merozoite surface protein-5 (MSP-5) of Plasmodium vivax isolates from Malaria patients in Iran. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:807. [PMID: 37978446 PMCID: PMC10656958 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08804-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria has not yet been eradicated in Iran, and Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) is the main cause of malaria in the country. This study aimed to investigate and analyze the amount of genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-5 (PvMSP-5) exon 1 gene in the southeast of Iran.Thirty-five patients with clinical symptoms of P. vivax malaria participated. The exon 1 of PvMSP-5 was amplified by PCR, and the PCR product of all isolates was sequenced, and genetic polymorphisms were determined using various genetic software.The analysis showed that studied isolates are different from one another in the DnaSP software version. Out of the 612 sites, 477 were monomorphic and 135 were segregated. The total number of mutations was 143. The singleton variable and the parsimony informative sites were 23 and 112, respectively. There were 17 specific haplotypes with haplotype diversity equal to 0.943. Nucleotide diversity was equal to 0.06766 in the isolates. The ratio of nonsynonymous (0.06446) to synonymous (0.07909) mutations was 0.815020. Tajima's D, which expressed coding, and non-coding regions, was 0.72403, which was not deemed significant (P > 0.10).The analysis of intrapopulation diversity revealed nucleotide and haplotype diversity in the msp-5 gene of Iranian P. vivax isolates. In addition to balancing or purifying selection, intragenic recombination also contributed to the variation observed in exon 1 of PvMSP-5, according to the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sholeh Mansouri
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Aliehsan Heidari
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Hossein Keshavarz
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Fallah
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Amir Bairami
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Elaheh Mahmoudi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
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15
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Natama HM, Moncunill G, Vidal M, Rouamba T, Aguilar R, Santano R, Rovira-Vallbona E, Jiménez A, Somé MA, Sorgho H, Valéa I, Coulibaly-Traoré M, Coppel RL, Cavanagh D, Chitnis CE, Beeson JG, Angov E, Dutta S, Gamain B, Izquierdo L, Mens PF, Schallig HDFH, Tinto H, Rosanas-Urgell A, Dobaño C. Associations between prenatal malaria exposure, maternal antibodies at birth, and malaria susceptibility during the first year of life in Burkina Faso. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0026823. [PMID: 37754682 PMCID: PMC10580994 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00268-23] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated how different categories of prenatal malaria exposure (PME) influence levels of maternal antibodies in cord blood samples and the subsequent risk of malaria in early childhood in a birth cohort study (N = 661) nested within the COSMIC clinical trial (NCT01941264) in Burkina Faso. Plasmodium falciparum infections during pregnancy and infants' clinical malaria episodes detected during the first year of life were recorded. The levels of maternal IgG and IgG1-4 to 15 P. falciparum antigens were measured in cord blood by quantitative suspension array technology. Results showed a significant variation in the magnitude of maternal antibody levels in cord blood, depending on the PME category, with past placental malaria (PM) more frequently associated with significant increases of IgG and/or subclass levels across three groups of antigens defined as pre-erythrocytic, erythrocytic, and markers of PM, as compared to those from the cord of non-exposed control infants. High levels of antibodies to certain erythrocytic antigens (i.e., IgG to EBA140 and EBA175, IgG1 to EBA175 and MSP142, and IgG3 to EBA140 and MSP5) were independent predictors of protection from clinical malaria during the first year of life. By contrast, high levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 to the VAR2CSA DBL1-2 and IgG4 to DBL3-4 were significantly associated with an increased risk of clinical malaria. These findings indicate that PME categories have different effects on the levels of maternal-derived antibodies to malaria antigens in children at birth, and this might drive heterogeneity to clinical malaria susceptibility in early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamtandi Magloire Natama
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Gemma Moncunill
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Vidal
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toussaint Rouamba
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Ruth Aguilar
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rebeca Santano
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Rovira-Vallbona
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfons Jiménez
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - M. Athanase Somé
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Hermann Sorgho
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Innocent Valéa
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Maminata Coulibaly-Traoré
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Ross L. Coppel
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Cavanagh
- Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, Ashworth Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Chetan E. Chitnis
- Malaria Parasite Biology and Vaccines Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | - Evelina Angov
- U.S. Military Malaria Vaccine Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Sheetij Dutta
- U.S. Military Malaria Vaccine Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Luis Izquierdo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Petra F. Mens
- Academic Medical Centre at the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Halidou Tinto
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Anna Rosanas-Urgell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carlota Dobaño
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
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16
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Hart MN, Mohring F, DonVito SM, Thomas JA, Muller-Sienerth N, Wright GJ, Knuepfer E, Saibil HR, Moon RW. Sequential roles for red blood cell binding proteins enable phased commitment to invasion for malaria parasites. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4619. [PMID: 37528099 PMCID: PMC10393984 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40357-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasion of red blood cells (RBCs) by Plasmodium merozoites is critical to their continued survival within the host. Two major protein families, the Duffy binding-like proteins (DBPs/EBAs) and the reticulocyte binding like proteins (RBLs/RHs) have been studied extensively in P. falciparum and are hypothesized to have overlapping, but critical roles just prior to host cell entry. The zoonotic malaria parasite, P. knowlesi, has larger invasive merozoites and contains a smaller, less redundant, DBP and RBL repertoire than P. falciparum. One DBP (DBPα) and one RBL, normocyte binding protein Xa (NBPXa) are essential for invasion of human RBCs. Taking advantage of the unique biological features of P. knowlesi and iterative CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, we determine the precise order of key invasion milestones and demonstrate distinct roles for each family. These distinct roles support a mechanism for phased commitment to invasion and can be targeted synergistically with invasion inhibitory antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa N Hart
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK
| | - Franziska Mohring
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Sophia M DonVito
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - James A Thomas
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | - Gavin J Wright
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Ellen Knuepfer
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Helen R Saibil
- ISMB, Biological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet St, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Robert W Moon
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
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17
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Ofori EA, Garcia-Senosiain A, Naghizadeh M, Kana IH, Dziegiel MH, Adu B, Singh S, Theisen M. Human blood neutrophils generate ROS through FcγR-signaling to mediate protection against febrile P. falciparum malaria. Commun Biol 2023; 6:743. [PMID: 37463969 PMCID: PMC10354059 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05118-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood phagocytes, such as neutrophils and monocytes, generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a part of host defense response against infections. We investigated the mechanism of Fcγ-Receptor (FcγR) mediated ROS production in these cells to understand how they contribute to anti-malarial immunity. Plasmodium falciparum merozoites opsonized with naturally occurring IgG triggered both intracellular and extracellular ROS generation in blood phagocytes, with neutrophils being the main contributors. Using specific inhibitors, we show that both FcγRIIIB and FcγRIIA acted synergistically to induce ROS production in neutrophils, and that NADPH oxidase 2 and the PI3K intracellular signal transduction pathway were involved in this process. High levels of neutrophil ROS were also associated with protection against febrile malaria in two geographically diverse malaria endemic regions from Ghana and India, stressing the importance of the cooperation between anti-malarial IgG and neutrophils in triggering ROS-mediated parasite killing as a mechanism for naturally acquired immunity against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebenezer Addo Ofori
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Asier Garcia-Senosiain
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mohammad Naghizadeh
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ikhlaq Hussain Kana
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Hanefeld Dziegiel
- Blood Bank KI 2034, Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bright Adu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Subhash Singh
- ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
| | - Michael Theisen
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Fall AKDJ, Dechavanne C, Sabbagh A, Garcia A, Courtin D, Migot-Nabias F. Combined polymorphisms involving the IgG heavy chain and fc gamma receptors among Fulani and non-Fulani in Benin: Implications for the natural protection of young Fulani against plasmodium. Falciparum malaria infections. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023:105461. [PMID: 37269963 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A decreased susceptibility of Fulani populations to malaria infections has been shown in Africa. A previous longitudinal cohort study conducted in the Atacora region of northern Benin showed a high merozoite-phagocytosis capacity in young Fulani. Here, we explored the combined polymorphisms in the constant region of the IgG3 heavy chain (presence/absence of the G3m6 allotype) and in Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) as potentially involved in the natural protection against malaria of young Fulani in Benin. An active malaria follow-up was conducted among individuals from Fulani, Bariba, Otamari and Gando ethnic groups living in sympatry in Atacora, over the full malaria transmission season. FcγRIIA 131R/H (rs1801274), FcγRIIC C/T (rs3933769) and FcγRIIIA 176F/V (rs396991) were determined using the TaqMan method; FcγRIIIB NA1/NA2 was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using allele-specific primers and G3m6 using allotype by PCR-RFLP. Individual carriage of G3m6 (+) was associated with an increased risk of Pf malaria infection (logistic multivariate regression model (lmrm), IRR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.06;4.74, P = 0.034). Combined haplotype G3m6 (+) - FcγRIIA 131H - FcγRIIC T - FcγRIIIA 176F - FcγRIIIB NA2 was also associated with an increased risk of Pf malaria infection (lmrm, IRR = 13.01, 95% CI = 1.69;99.76, P = 0.014). G3m6 (-), FcγRIIA 131R and FcγRIIIB NA1 were more prevalent in young Fulani (P = 0.002, P < 0.001 and P = 0.049, respectively), while no Fulani presented the combined G3m6 (+) - FcγRIIA 131H - FcγRIIC T - FcγRIIIA 176F - FcγRIIIB NA2 haplotype that was carried by a majority of infected children. Our results highlight the combined factors G3m6 - FcγR as potentially involved in the merozoite-phagocytosis capacity and in the natural protection of young Fulani individuals against P. falciparum malaria in Benin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Célia Dechavanne
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, UMR261, MERIT, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Audrey Sabbagh
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, UMR261, MERIT, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - André Garcia
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, UMR261, MERIT, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - David Courtin
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, UMR261, MERIT, F-75006 Paris, France
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Kwapong SS, Asare KK, Kusi KA, Pappoe F, Ndam N, Tahar R, Poinsignon A, Amoah LE. Mosquito bites and stage-specific antibody responses against Plasmodium falciparum in southern Ghana. Malar J 2023; 22:126. [PMID: 37061695 PMCID: PMC10105943 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04557-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human host elicits specific immune responses after exposure to various life stages of the malaria parasite as well as components of mosquito saliva injected into the host during a mosquito bite. This study describes differences in IgG responses against antigens derived from the sporozoite (PfCSP), asexual stage parasite (PfEBA175) and the gametocyte (Pfs230), in addition to an Anopheles gambiae salivary gland antigen (gSG6-P1), in two communities in Ghana with similar blood stage malaria parasite prevalence. METHODS This study used archived plasma samples collected from an earlier cross-sectional study that enrolled volunteers aged from 6 months to 70 years from Simiw, peri-urban community (N = 347) and Obom, rural community (N = 291). An archived thick and thin blood smear for microscopy was used for the estimation of Plasmodium parasite density and species and DNA extraction from blood spots and P. falciparum confirmation was performed using PCR. This study used the stored plasma samples to determine IgG antibody levels to P. falciparum and Anopheles salivary antigens using indirect ELISA. RESULTS Individuals from Simiw had significantly higher levels of IgG against mosquito gSG6-P1 [median (95%CI)] [2.590 (2.452-2.783) ng/mL] compared to those from Obom [2.119 (1.957-2.345) ng/mL], p < 0.0001. Both IgG responses against Pfs230proC (p = 0.0006), and PfCSP (p = 0.002) were significantly lower in volunteers from Simiw compared to the participants from Obom. The seroprevalence of PfEBA-175.5R (p = 0.8613), gSG6-P1 (p = 0.0704), PfCSP (p = 0.7798) IgG were all similar in Obom and Simiw. However, Pfs230 seroprevalence was significantly higher at Obom compared to Simiw (p = 0.0006). Spearman correlation analysis showed no significant association between IgG responses against gSG6-P1, PfCSP, Pfs230proC and PfEBA-175.5R and parasite density at both Obom and Simiw (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION In conclusion, the study showed that participants from Simiw had higher concentrations of circulating gSG6-P1 IgG antibodies but lower concentrations of P. falciparum antibodies, PfCSP IgG and Pfs230proC IgG compared to participants from Obom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Shine Kwapong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwame Kumi Asare
- Department of Biomedical Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Biomedical and Clinical Research Centre, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Faustina Pappoe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Nicaise Ndam
- MERIT, IRD, Université de Paris Cité, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Rachida Tahar
- MERIT, IRD, Université de Paris Cité, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Anne Poinsignon
- IRD, CNRS, MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, 34000, Montpellier, France
| | - Linda Eva Amoah
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
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Waweru H, Kanoi BN, Kuja JO, Maranga M, Kongere J, Maina M, Kinyua J, Gitaka J. Limited genetic variations of the Rh5-CyRPA-Ripr invasion complex in Plasmodium falciparum parasite population in selected malaria-endemic regions, Kenya. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2023; 4:1102265. [PMID: 38406638 PMCID: PMC7615667 DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1102265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The invasion of human erythrocytes by Plasmodium falciparum merozoites requires interaction between parasite ligands and host receptors. Interaction of PfRh5-CyRPA-Ripr protein complex with basigin, an erythrocyte surface receptor, via PfRh5 is essential for erythrocyte invasion. Antibodies raised against each antigen component of the complex have demonstrated erythrocyte invasion inhibition, making these proteins potential blood-stage vaccine candidates. Genetic polymorphisms present a significant challenge in developing efficacious vaccines, leading to variant-specific immune responses. This study investigated the genetic variations of the PfRh5 complex proteins in P. falciparum isolates from Lake Victoria islands, Western Kenya. Here, twenty-nine microscopically confirmed P. falciparum field samples collected from islands in Lake Victoria between July 2014 and July 2016 were genotyped by whole genome sequencing, and results compared to sequences mined from the GenBank database, from a study conducted in Kilifi, as well as other sequences from the MalariaGEN repository. We analyzed the frequency of polymorphisms in the PfRh5 protein complex proteins, PfRh5, PfCyRPA, PfRipr, and PfP113, and their location mapped on the 3D protein complex structure. We identified a total of 58 variants in the PfRh5 protein complex. PfRh5 protein was the most polymorphic with 30 SNPs, while PfCyRPA was relatively conserved with 3 SNPs. The minor allele frequency of the SNPs ranged between 1.9% and 21.2%. Ten high-frequency alleles (>5%) were observed in PfRh5 at codons 147, 148, 277, 410, and 429 and in PfRipr at codons 190, 255, 259, and 1003. A SNP was located in protein-protein interaction region C203Y and F292V of PfRh5 and PfCyRPA, respectively. Put together, this study revealed low polymorphisms in the PfRh5 invasion complex in the Lake Victoria parasite population. However, the two mutations identified on the protein interaction regions prompts for investigation on their impacts on parasite invasion process to support the consideration of PfRh5 components as potential malaria vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison Waweru
- Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Bernard N. Kanoi
- Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
- Centre for Research in Tropical Medicine and Community Development, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Josiah O. Kuja
- Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mary Maranga
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - James Kongere
- Centre for Research in Tropical Medicine and Community Development, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Michael Maina
- Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Johnson Kinyua
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jesse Gitaka
- Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
- Centre for Research in Tropical Medicine and Community Development, Nairobi, Kenya
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21
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Defining species-specific and conserved interactions of apical membrane protein 1 during erythrocyte invasion in malaria to inform multi-species vaccines. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:74. [PMID: 36847896 PMCID: PMC9969379 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04712-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax are the major causes of human malaria, and P. knowlesi is an important additional cause in SE Asia. Binding of apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) to rhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2) was thought to be essential for merozoite invasion of erythrocytes by Plasmodium spp. Our findings reveal that P. falciparum and P. vivax have diverged and show species-specific binding of AMA1 to RON2, determined by a β-hairpin loop in RON2 and specific residues in AMA1 Loop1E. In contrast, cross-species binding of AMA1 to RON2 is retained between P. vivax and P. knowlesi. Mutation of specific amino acids in AMA1 Loop1E in P. falciparum or P. vivax ablated RON2 binding without impacting erythrocyte invasion. This indicates that the AMA1-RON2-loop interaction is not essential for invasion and additional AMA1 interactions are involved. Mutations in AMA1 that disrupt RON2 binding also enable escape of invasion inhibitory antibodies. Therefore, vaccines and therapeutics will need to be broader than targeting only the AMA1-RON2 interaction. Antibodies targeting AMA1 domain 3 had greater invasion-inhibitory activity when RON2-loop binding was ablated, suggesting this domain is a promising additional target for vaccine development. Targeting multiple AMA1 interactions involved in invasion may enable vaccines that generate more potent inhibitory antibodies and address the capacity for immune evasion. Findings on specific residues for invasion function and species divergence and conservation can inform novel vaccines and therapeutics against malaria caused by three species, including the potential for cross-species vaccines.
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Belmonte M, Ganeshan H, Huang J, Belmonte A, Inoue S, Velasco R, Acheampong N, Ofori EA, Akyea-Mensah K, Frimpong A, Ennuson NA, Frempong AF, Kyei-Baafour E, Amoah LE, Edgel K, Peters B, Villasante E, Kusi KA, Sedegah M. Immunodominant T cell peptides from four candidate malarial antigens as biomarkers of protective immunity against malaria. Vaccine 2023; 41:1265-1273. [PMID: 36642628 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
A malaria vaccine with high efficacy and capable of inducing sterile immunity against malaria within genetically diverse populations is urgently needed to complement ongoing disease control and elimination efforts. Parasite-specific IFN-γ and granzyme B-secreting CD8 + T cells have been identified as key mediators of protection and the rapid identification of malaria antigen targets that elicit these responses will fast-track the development of simpler, cost-effective interventions. This study extends our previous work which used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from adults with life-long exposure to malaria parasites to identify immunodominant antigen-specific peptide pools composed of overlapping 15mer sequences spanning full length proteins of four malarial antigens. Our current study aimed to identify CD8 + T cell epitopes within these previously identified positive peptide pools. Cryopreserved PBMCs from 109 HLA-typed subjects were stimulated with predicted 9-11mer CD8 + T cell epitopes from P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP), apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1), thrombospondin related anonymous protein (TRAP) and cell traversal for ookinetes and sporozoites (CelTOS) in FluoroSpot assays. A total of 135 epitopes out of 297 tested peptides from the four antigens were experimentally identified as positive for IFN-γ and/or granzyme B production in 65 of the 109 subjects. Forty-three of 135 epitopes (32 %) were promiscuous for HLA binding, with 31 of these promiscuous epitopes (72 %) being presented by HLA alleles that fall within at least two different HLA supertypes. Furthermore, about 52 % of identified epitopes were conserved when the respective sequences were aligned with those from 16 highly diverse P. falciparum parasite strains. In summary, we have identified a number of conserved epitopes, immune responses to which could be effective against multiple P. falciparum parasite strains in genetically diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Belmonte
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Harini Ganeshan
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jun Huang
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Arnel Belmonte
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; GDIT, MD 20817, USA
| | - Sandra Inoue
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; GDIT, MD 20817, USA
| | - Rachel Velasco
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; GDIT, MD 20817, USA
| | - Neda Acheampong
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; GDIT, MD 20817, USA
| | - Ebenezer Addo Ofori
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Akyea-Mensah
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Augustina Frimpong
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Nana Aba Ennuson
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Abena Fremaah Frempong
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Eric Kyei-Baafour
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Linda Eva Amoah
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Kimberly Edgel
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA
| | - Bjoern Peters
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
| | - Martha Sedegah
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA
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Fontana MF, Ollmann Saphire E, Pepper M. Plasmodium infection disrupts the T follicular helper cell response to heterologous immunization. eLife 2023; 12:83330. [PMID: 36715223 PMCID: PMC9886276 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Naturally acquired immunity to malaria develops only after many years and repeated exposures, raising the question of whether Plasmodium parasites, the etiological agents of malaria, suppress the ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to activate optimal T cell responses. We demonstrated recently that B cells, rather than DCs, are the principal activators of CD4+ T cells in murine malaria. In the present study, we further investigated factors that might prevent DCs from priming Plasmodium-specific T helper cell responses. We found that DCs were significantly less efficient at taking up infected red blood cells (iRBCs) compared to soluble antigen, whereas B cells more readily bound iRBCs. To assess whether DCs retained the capacity to present soluble antigen during malaria, we measured responses to a heterologous protein immunization administered to naïve mice or mice infected with P. chabaudi. Antigen uptake, DC activation, and expansion of immunogen-specific T cells were intact in infected mice, indicating DCs remained functional. However, polarization of the immunogen-specific response was dramatically altered, with a near-complete loss of germinal center T follicular helper cells specific for the immunogen, accompanied by significant reductions in antigen-specific B cells and antibody. Our results indicate that DCs remain competent to activate T cells during Plasmodium infection, but that T cell polarization and humoral responses are severely disrupted. This study provides mechanistic insight into the development of both Plasmodium-specific and heterologous adaptive responses in hosts with malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary F Fontana
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of MedicineSeattleUnited States
| | - Erica Ollmann Saphire
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for ImmunologyLa JollaUnited States
| | - Marion Pepper
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of MedicineSeattleUnited States
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Sauer LM, Canovas R, Roche D, Shams-Eldin H, Ravel P, Colinge J, Schwarz RT, Ben Mamoun C, Rivals E, Cornillot E. FT-GPI, a highly sensitive and accurate predictor of GPI-anchored proteins, reveals the composition and evolution of the GPI proteome in Plasmodium species. Malar J 2023; 22:27. [PMID: 36698187 PMCID: PMC9876418 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04430-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protozoan parasites are known to attach specific and diverse group of proteins to their plasma membrane via a GPI anchor. In malaria parasites, GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) have been shown to play an important role in host-pathogen interactions and a key function in host cell invasion and immune evasion. Because of their immunogenic properties, some of these proteins have been considered as malaria vaccine candidates. However, identification of all possible GPI-APs encoded by these parasites remains challenging due to their sequence diversity and limitations of the tools used for their characterization. METHODS The FT-GPI software was developed to detect GPI-APs based on the presence of a hydrophobic helix at both ends of the premature peptide. FT-GPI was implemented in C ++and applied to study the GPI-proteome of 46 isolates of the order Haemosporida. Using the GPI proteome of Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 and Plasmodium vivax strain Sal-1, a heuristic method was defined to select the most sensitive and specific FT-GPI software parameters. RESULTS FT-GPI enabled revision of the GPI-proteome of P. falciparum and P. vivax, including the identification of novel GPI-APs. Orthology- and synteny-based analyses showed that 19 of the 37 GPI-APs found in the order Haemosporida are conserved among Plasmodium species. Our analyses suggest that gene duplication and deletion events may have contributed significantly to the evolution of the GPI proteome, and its composition correlates with speciation. CONCLUSION FT-GPI-based prediction is a useful tool for mining GPI-APs and gaining further insights into their evolution and sequence diversity. This resource may also help identify new protein candidates for the development of vaccines for malaria and other parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena M. Sauer
- Institute for Virology, Hans-Meerwein-Straße, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Computational Biology Institute, Campus Saint Priest, 161 Rue Ada, 34095 Montpellier, France
- Present Address: GRN-Klinik Sinsheim, Alte Waibstadter Straße 2a, 74889 Sinsheim, Germany
| | - Rodrigo Canovas
- Computational Biology Institute, Campus Saint Priest, 161 Rue Ada, 34095 Montpellier, France
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141LIRMM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Campus Saint Priest, 161 Rue Ada, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Daniel Roche
- Computational Biology Institute, Campus Saint Priest, 161 Rue Ada, 34095 Montpellier, France
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141LIRMM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Campus Saint Priest, 161 Rue Ada, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Hosam Shams-Eldin
- Institute for Virology, Hans-Meerwein-Straße, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Patrice Ravel
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier INSERM U1094, ICM, Université de Montpellier, Campus Val d’Aurelle, 208 Avenue Des Apothicaires, 34298 Montpellier, France
| | - Jacques Colinge
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier INSERM U1094, ICM, Université de Montpellier, Campus Val d’Aurelle, 208 Avenue Des Apothicaires, 34298 Montpellier, France
| | - Ralph T. Schwarz
- Institute for Virology, Hans-Meerwein-Straße, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Choukri Ben Mamoun
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Eric Rivals
- Computational Biology Institute, Campus Saint Priest, 161 Rue Ada, 34095 Montpellier, France
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141LIRMM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Campus Saint Priest, 161 Rue Ada, 34095 Montpellier, France
- grid.510302.5Institut Français de Bioinformatique, CNRS UAR 3601, 2, rue Gaston Crémieux, 91057 Évry, France
| | - Emmanuel Cornillot
- Computational Biology Institute, Campus Saint Priest, 161 Rue Ada, 34095 Montpellier, France
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier INSERM U1094, ICM, Université de Montpellier, Campus Val d’Aurelle, 208 Avenue Des Apothicaires, 34298 Montpellier, France
- Wespran SAS, 13 Rue de Penthièvre, 75008 Paris, France
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Susceptibility to malaria in fulani, Bariba, Otamari and gando individuals living in sympatry in Benin: Role of opsonizing antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum merozoites. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13092. [PMID: 36711279 PMCID: PMC9879790 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Fulani in Africa are known to be less susceptible to Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria. This study explored a potential involvement of antibody-mediated merozoite phagocytosis mechanism in this natural protection against malaria. Methods Before the start of the malaria transmission season (MTS) in Benin, the functionality of antibodies against Pf merozoites was determined by the opsonic phagocytosis (OP) assay in plasma samples from Fulani, Bariba, Otamari and Gando groups. These individuals were actively followed-up for malaria detection from the beginning to the end of MTS. Anti-GLURP Immunoglobulin G antibody quantification, malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and spleen palpation were performed before and after MTS. Results In Bariba, Otamari and Gando, but not in Fulani, plasma from adults promoted higher levels of OP than the children (P = 0.003; P = 0.012; P = 0.031 and P = 0.122). A high proportion of Fulani children had higher OP and anti-GLURP (P < 0.0001) antibody levels as compared to non-Fulani children; whereas this was not observed for Fulani adults (P = 0.223). High OP levels before MTS were significantly related to negative RDT after MTS (P = 0.011). Conclusion Our results highlight the ability of opsonizing antibodies to potentially enhance natural protection of young Fulani individuals against Pf malaria in Benin.
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da Veiga GTS, Moriggi MR, Vettorazzi JF, Müller-Santos M, Albrecht L. Plasmodium vivax vaccine: What is the best way to go? Front Immunol 2023; 13:910236. [PMID: 36726991 PMCID: PMC9885200 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.910236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most devastating human infectious diseases caused by Plasmodium spp. parasites. A search for an effective and safe vaccine is the main challenge for its eradication. Plasmodium vivax is the second most prevalent Plasmodium species and the most geographically distributed parasite and has been neglected for decades. This has a massive gap in knowledge and consequently in the development of vaccines. The most significant difficulties in obtaining a vaccine against P. vivax are the high genetic diversity and the extremely complex life cycle. Due to its complexity, studies have evaluated P. vivax antigens from different stages as potential targets for an effective vaccine. Therefore, the main vaccine candidates are grouped into preerythrocytic stage vaccines, blood-stage vaccines, and transmission-blocking vaccines. This review aims to support future investigations by presenting the main findings of vivax malaria vaccines to date. There are only a few P. vivax vaccines in clinical trials, and thus far, the best protective efficacy was a vaccine formulated with synthetic peptide from a circumsporozoite protein and Montanide ISA-51 as an adjuvant with 54.5% efficacy in a phase IIa study. In addition, the majority of P. vivax antigen candidates are polymorphic, induce strain-specific and heterogeneous immunity and provide only partial protection. Nevertheless, immunization with recombinant proteins and multiantigen vaccines have shown promising results and have emerged as excellent strategies. However, more studies are necessary to assess the ideal vaccine combination and test it in clinical trials. Developing a safe and effective vaccine against vivax malaria is essential for controlling and eliminating the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to determine what is already known to propose and identify new candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisele Tatiane Soares da Veiga
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Parasites Research, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Brazil,Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcelo Müller-Santos
- Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Letusa Albrecht
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Parasites Research, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Brazil,*Correspondence: Letusa Albrecht,
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Balbin JM, Heinemann GK, Yeoh LM, Gilberger TW, Armstrong M, Duffy MF, Gilson PR, Wilson DW. Characterisation of PfCZIF1 and PfCZIF2 in Plasmodium falciparum asexual stages. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:27-41. [PMID: 36400305 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum exerts strong temporal control of gene expression across its lifecycle. Proteins expressed exclusively during late schizogony of blood stages, for example, often have a role in facilitating merozoite invasion of the host red blood cell (RBC), through merozoite development, egress, invasion or early establishment of infection in the RBC. Here, we characterise P. falciparum C3H1 zinc finger 1 (PfCZIF1, Pf3D7_1468400) and P. falciparum C3H1 zinc finger 2 (PfCZIF2, Pf3D7_0818100) which we identified as the only C3H1-type zinc finger proteins with peak expression at schizogony. Previous studies reported that antibodies against PfCZIF1 inhibit merozoite invasion, suggesting this protein may have a potential role during RBC invasion. We show using C-terminal truncations and gene knockouts of each of Pfczif1 and Pfczif2 that neither are essential for blood stage growth. However, they could not both be knocked out simultaneously, suggesting that at least one is needed for parasite growth in vitro. Immunofluorescence localisation of PfCZIF1 and PfCZIF2 indicated that both proteins occur in discrete foci on the periphery of the parasite's cytosol and biochemical assays suggest they are peripherally associated to a membrane. Transcriptomic analyses for the C-terminal truncation mutants reveal no significant expression perturbations with PfCZIF1 truncation. However, modification of PfCZIF2 appears to modify the expression for some exported proteins including PfKAHRP. This study does not support a role for PfCZIF1 or PfCZIF2 in merozoite invasion of the RBC and suggests that these proteins may help regulate the expression of proteins exported into the RBC cytosol after merozoite invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Balbin
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia. https://twitter.com/jmiguel_balbin
| | - Gary K Heinemann
- Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Clinical and Health Science Unit, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Lee M Yeoh
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tim-Wolf Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, 22607 Hamburg, Germany; Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Michael F Duffy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul R Gilson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danny W Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia; Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), University of Adelaide, 5005 SA, Australia.
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Bouyssou I, Martínez FJ, Campagne P, Ma L, Doderer-Lang C, Chitnis CE, Ménard D. Plasmodium vivax blood stage invasion pathways: Contribution of omics technologies in deciphering molecular and cellular mechanisms. C R Biol 2022; 345:91-133. [PMID: 36847467 DOI: 10.5802/crbiol.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Vivax malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium vivax, a parasitic protozoan transmitted by female Anopheline mosquitoes. Historically, vivax malaria has often been regarded as a benign self-limiting infection due to the observation of low parasitemia in Duffy-positive patients in endemic transmission areas and the virtual absence of infections in Duffy-negative individuals in Sub Saharan Africa. However, the latest estimates show that the burden of the disease is not decreasing in many countries and cases of vivax infections in Duffy-negative individuals are increasingly reported throughout Africa. This raised questions about the accuracy of diagnostics and the evolution of interactions between humans and parasites. For a long time, our knowledge on P. vivax biology has been hampered due to the limited access to biological material and the lack of robust in vitro culture methods. Consequently, little is currently known about P. vivax blood stage invasion mechanisms. The introduction of omics technologies with novel and accessible techniques such as third generation sequencing and RNA sequencing at single cell level, two-dimensional electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry, has progressively improved our understanding of P. vivax genetics, transcripts, and proteins. This review aims to provide broad insights into P. vivax invasion mechanisms generated by genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics and to illustrate the importance of integrated multi-omics studies.
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Fall AKDJ, Kana IH, Dechavanne C, Garcia-Senosiain A, Guitard E, Milet J, Massougbodji A, Garcia A, Dugoujon JM, Migot-Nabias F, Theisen M, Courtin D. Naturally acquired antibodies from Beninese infants promote Plasmodium falciparum merozoite-phagocytosis by human blood leukocytes: implications for control of asymptomatic malaria infections. Malar J 2022; 21:356. [PMCID: PMC9707106 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04361-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies are thought to play important roles in the protection against Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) malaria. A longitudinal cohort study performed in the Southern part of Benin, identified a group of infants who were able to control asymptomatic malaria infections (CAIG).
Methods
IgG antibodies against distinct merozoite antigens were quantified in plasma from Beninese infants. Functionality of these antibodies was assessed by the merozoite-phagocytosis assay using THP-1 cells and primary neutrophils as effector cells. Gm allotypes were determined by a serological method of haemagglutination inhibition.
Results
Purified IgG from infants in CAIG promoted higher levels of merozoite-phagocytosis than did IgG from children who were unable to control asymptomatic infections (Ologit multivariate regression model, Coef. = 0.06, 95% CI 0.02;0.10, P = 0.002). High level of merozoite-phagocytosis activity was significantly associated with high levels of IgG against AMA1 (Coef. = 1.76, 95% CI 0.39;3.14, P = 0.012) and GLURP-R2 (Coef. = 12.24, 95% CI 1.35;23.12, P = 0.028). Moreover, infants of the G3m5,6,10,11,13,14,24 phenotype showed higher merozoite-phagocytosis activity (Generalized linear model multivariate regression, Coef. = 7.46, 95% CI 0.31;14.61, P = 0.041) than those presenting other G3m phenotypes.
Conclusion
The results of the present study confirm the importance of antibodies to merozoite surface antigens in the control of asymptomatic malaria infection in Beninese infants. The study also demonstrated that G3m phenotypes impact the functional activity of IgG. This last point could have a considerable impact in the research of candidate vaccines against malaria parasites or other pathogens.
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Fall AKDJ, Courtin D, Adamou R, Edslev S, Hansen A, Domingo N, Christiansen M, Adu B, Milet J, Garcia A, Theisen M, Migot-Nabias F, Dechavanne C. Fc Gamma Receptor IIIB NA1/NA2/SH Polymorphisms Are Associated with Malaria Susceptibility and Antibody Levels to P. falciparum Merozoite Antigens in Beninese Children. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314882. [PMID: 36499205 PMCID: PMC9739279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper aimed to investigate the influence of polymorphisms in the FCGR2A gene encoding R131H FcgRIIA variants and in the FCGR3B gene (108G > C, 114C > T, 194 A > G, 233C > A, 244 G > A and 316G > A) encoding FcgRIIIB-NA1, -NA2 and -SH variants on malaria susceptibility and antibody responses against P. falciparum merozoite antigens in Beninese children. An active malaria follow-up was conducted in infants from birth to 24 months of age in Allada, Benin. FCGR3B exon 3 was sequenced and FCGR2A exon 4 was genotyped. Antibodies directed to GLURP and MSP3 were quantified by ELISA. Association studies were performed using mixed-effect models. Individual carriage of FCGR3B 194 AA genotype was associated with a high number of malaria infections and a low level of IgG1 against MSP3 and GLURP-R0. High parasitemia and increased malaria infections were observed in infants carrying the FCGR3B*05 108C-114T-194A-233C-244A-316A haplotype. A reduced risk of malaria infections and low parasitemia were related to the carriages of the FCGR3B 108C-114T-194G-233C-244G-316A (FCGR3B*06), FCGR3B 108C−114T−194G−233A−244A−316A (FCGR3B*03 encoding for FcgRIIIB-SH) haplotypes and FCGR3B 297 TT genotype. Our results highlight the impact of FCGR3B polymorphisms on the individual susceptibility to malaria and antibody responses against MSP3 and GLURP in Beninese children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdou Khadre Dit Jadir Fall
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
- Correspondence:
| | - David Courtin
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Rafiou Adamou
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
- Centre d’Etude et de Recherche sur les Pathologies Associées à la Grossesse et à l’Enfance, Cotonou 00229, Benin
| | - Sofie Edslev
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Bacteria, Parasites, and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anita Hansen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nadia Domingo
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
- Centre d’Etude et de Recherche sur les Pathologies Associées à la Grossesse et à l’Enfance, Cotonou 00229, Benin
| | - Michael Christiansen
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bright Adu
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, Ghana
| | - Jacqueline Milet
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - André Garcia
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Michael Theisen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Florence Migot-Nabias
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Célia Dechavanne
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
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Beeson JG, Kurtovic L, Valim C, Asante KP, Boyle MJ, Mathanga D, Dobano C, Moncunill G. The RTS,S malaria vaccine: Current impact and foundation for the future. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabo6646. [DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abo6646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The RTS,S vaccine has recently been recommended for implementation as a childhood vaccine in regions with moderate-to-high malaria transmission. We discuss mechanisms of vaccine protection and longevity, implementation considerations, and future research needed to increase the vaccine’s health impact, including vaccine modifications for higher efficacy and longevity of protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G. Beeson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash University, Central Clinical School and Department of Microbiology, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liriye Kurtovic
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia
- Monash University, Central Clinical School and Department of Microbiology, Victoria, Australia
| | - Clarissa Valim
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kwaku Poku Asante
- Kintampo Health Research Centre, Kintampo North Municipality, Bono East Region, Ghana
| | - Michelle J. Boyle
- QIMR Berghofer Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- University of Queensland, School of Biomedical Sciences, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Don Mathanga
- Malaria Alert Centre, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Carlota Dobano
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Moncunill
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
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Satchwell TJ. Generation of red blood cells from stem cells: Achievements, opportunities and perspectives for malaria research. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1039520. [PMID: 36452302 PMCID: PMC9702814 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1039520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Plasmodium that cause malaria survive within humans by invasion of, and proliferation within, the most abundant cell type in the body, the red blood cell. As obligate, intracellular parasites, interactions between parasite and host red blood cell components are crucial to multiple aspects of the blood stage malaria parasite lifecycle. The requirement for, and involvement of, an array of red blood cell proteins in parasite invasion and intracellular development is well established. Nevertheless, detailed mechanistic understanding of host cell protein contributions to these processes are hampered by the genetic intractability of the anucleate red blood cell. The advent of stem cell technology and more specifically development of methods that recapitulate in vitro the process of red blood cell development known as erythropoiesis has enabled the generation of erythroid cell stages previously inaccessible in large numbers for malaria studies. What is more, the capacity for genetic manipulation of nucleated erythroid precursors that can be differentiated to generate modified red blood cells has opened new horizons for malaria research. This review summarises current methodologies that harness in vitro erythroid differentiation of stem cells for generation of cells that are susceptible to malaria parasite invasion; discusses existing and emerging approaches to generate novel red blood cell phenotypes and explores the exciting potential of in vitro derived red blood cells for improved understanding the broad role of host red blood cell proteins in malaria pathogenesis.
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Antiplasmodial Activity of 80% Methanolic Extract and Solvent Fractions of Stem Bark of Acacia tortilis in Swiss Albino Mice. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:7493294. [PMID: 36387357 PMCID: PMC9652074 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7493294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Malarial infection has significant negative impact on the health of the world population. It is treated by modern and traditional medicines. Among traditional medicinal plants, Acacia tortilis is used by different communities as antimalarial agent. Therefore, the objective of this study is to validate antimalarial activity of the stem bark of Acacia tortilis in mice. Methods To evaluate antimalarial activity of the plant, 4-day suppressive, curative, and prophylactic antimalarial test models were used. Parasitemia, packed cell volume (PCV), survival time, rectal temperature, and body weight were used to evaluate the effect of the plant extracts. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 followed by Tukey's post hoc multiple comparison test. Results The crude extract and dichloromethane fraction significantly suppressed the level of parasitemia (p < 0.001) and increased mean survival time (p < 0.01) at all tested doses. Similarly, significant effects were observed in mean survival time, % change of PCV, weight, and temperature in both curative and prophylactic antimalarial test models. Conclusions The methanolic extract and solvent fractions of the stem bark of Acacia tortilis has shown antimalarial activity, and the finding supports the traditional use and the in vitro studies. Thus, this study can be used as an initiation for researchers to find the most active phytochemical entity and to conduct additional safety and efficacy tests.
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Inklaar MR, Barillas-Mury C, Jore MM. Deceiving and escaping complement - the evasive journey of the malaria parasite. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:962-974. [PMID: 36089499 PMCID: PMC9588674 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.08.013] [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: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
During its life cycle, Plasmodium, the malaria parasite, is exposed to the human and mosquito complement systems. Early experiments demonstrated that activation of complement can pose a serious threat to parasites, but recent studies revealed complement-evasion mechanisms important for parasite survival. Blood-stage parasites and gametes recruit regulators to neutralize human complement activation, while ookinetes inhibit mosquito complement by disrupting epithelial nitration in response to midgut invasion. Here we provide an in-depth overview of the evasion mechanisms currently known and speculate on the existence of others not yet identified. Finally, we discuss how these mechanisms could provide novel targets for urgently needed malaria vaccines and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
| | - Matthijs M Jore
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, The Netherlands.
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Mascarenhas A, Chakrabarti R, Chery-Karschney L, White J, Skillman KM, Kanjee U, Babar PH, Patrapuvich R, Mohanty AK, Duraisingh MT, Rathod PK. International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research for South Asia and Broader Malaria Research in India. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:118-123. [PMID: 36228906 PMCID: PMC9662211 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The Malaria Evolution in South Asia (MESA) International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR) conducted research studies at multiple sites in India to record blood-slide positivity over time, but also to study broader aspects of the disease. From the Southwest of India (Goa) to the Northeast (Assam), the MESA-ICEMR invested in research equipment, operational capacity, and trained personnel to observe frequencies of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections, clinical presentations, treatment effectiveness, vector transmission, and reinfections. With Government of India partners, Indian and U.S. academics, and trained researchers on the ground, the MESA-ICEMR team contributes information on malaria in selected parts of India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Mascarenhas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Medicine, Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, India
| | - Rimi Chakrabarti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Medicine, Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, India
| | | | - John White
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Kristen M. Skillman
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Usheer Kanjee
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Prasad H. Babar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Medicine, Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, India
| | - Rapatbhorn Patrapuvich
- Drug Research Unit for Malaria, Center of Excellence in Malaria Research, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Manoj T. Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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Razavi Vakhshourpour S, Nateghpour M, Shahrokhi N, Motevalli Haghi A, Mohebali M, Hanifian H. Potential of RH5 Antisense on Plasmodium falciparum Proliferation Abatement. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2022; 17:525-534. [PMID: 36694567 PMCID: PMC9825705 DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v17i4.11280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Infections by Plasmodium falciparum, are becoming increasingly difficult to treat. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel antimalarial agents' discovery against infection. In present study, we described a 2'-O-Methyl gapmer phosphorothioate oligonucleotide antisense targeting translation initiation region of 3D7 strain RH5 gene. Methods The study was conducted in Pasteur Institute of Iran in 2020. ODNs effects were measured by microscopic examination and real time RT-PCR. For microscopy, microplates were charged with 2'-OMe ODNs at different dilutions. Unsynchronized parasites were added to a total of 0.4 ml (0.4% parasitemia, 5% red blood cells), and slides were prepared. Proportion of infected cells was measured by counting at least 500 red blood cells. Results RH5 genes start codon regions selected as conserved region besed on alignment results. Gap-RH5-As which was complementary to sequence surrounding AUG RH5 start codon significantly reduced parasite growth (>90% at 50 nM) compared to sense sequence control (Gap-RH5-Se) (17%), (P<0.001). RH5 transcripts were dramatically reduced after exposed to ODNs at a concentration of 5-500 nM for 48 h. Conclusion Gemnosis delivery of a chimeric gapmer PS-ODN with 2'-OMe modifications at both sides had high antisense activity at low concentrations (10-100 nM) and shown a good efficiency to reach to target mRNA in human RBCs. Anti-parasite effect was correlated to reduction of target gene mRNA level. In addition, 2'-OMe ODNs free delivery is an effective way and does not need any carrier molecules or particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepand Razavi Vakhshourpour
- Department of Medical Parasitology & Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Nateghpour
- Department of Medical Parasitology & Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center of Quran, Hadith and Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nader Shahrokhi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Motevalli Haghi
- Department of Medical Parasitology & Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mohebali
- Department of Medical Parasitology & Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haleh Hanifian
- Department of Medical Parasitology & Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Mueller I, Vantaux A, Karl S, Laman M, Witkowski B, Pepey A, Vinit R, White M, Barry A, Beeson JG, Robinson LJ. Asia-Pacific ICEMR: Understanding Malaria Transmission to Accelerate Malaria Elimination in the Asia Pacific Region. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:131-137. [PMID: 36228917 PMCID: PMC9662229 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Gaining an in-depth understanding of malaria transmission requires integrated, multifaceted research approaches. The Asia-Pacific International Center of Excellence in Malaria Research (ICEMR) is applying specifically developed molecular and immunological assays, in-depth entomological assessments, and advanced statistical and mathematical modeling approaches to a rich series of longitudinal cohort and cross-sectional studies in Papua New Guinea and Cambodia. This is revealing both the essential contribution of forest-based transmission and the particular challenges posed by Plasmodium vivax to malaria elimination in Cambodia. In Papua New Guinea, these studies document the complex host-vector-parasite interactions that are underlying both the stunning reductions in malaria burden from 2006 to 2014 and the significant resurgence in transmission in 2016 to 2018. Here we describe the novel analytical, surveillance, molecular, and immunological tools that are being applied in our ongoing Asia-Pacific ICEMR research program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo Mueller
- Population Health & Immunity Division, Walter + Eliza Hall Institutes, Melbourne, Australia;,University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia;,Address correspondence to Ivo Mueller, Population Health & Immunity Division, Walter + Eliza Hall Institutes, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, Australia 3052. E-mail:
| | | | - Stephan Karl
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia;,PNG Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Moses Laman
- PNG Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | | | - Anais Pepey
- Institute Pasteur Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Rebecca Vinit
- PNG Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | | | - Alyssa Barry
- Deakin University, Geelong, Australia;,Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - James G. Beeson
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia;,Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia;,Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Leanne J. Robinson
- Population Health & Immunity Division, Walter + Eliza Hall Institutes, Melbourne, Australia;,PNG Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea;,Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia;,Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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De Meulenaere K, Prajapati SK, Villasis E, Cuypers B, Kattenberg JH, Kasian B, Laman M, Robinson LJ, Gamboa D, Laukens K, Rosanas-Urgell A. Band 3–mediated Plasmodium vivax invasion is associated with transcriptional variation in PvTRAg genes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1011692. [PMID: 36250048 PMCID: PMC9563252 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1011692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium vivax reticulocyte invasion process is still poorly understood, with only a few receptor-ligand interactions identified to date. Individuals with the Southeast Asian ovalocytosis (SAO) phenotype have a deletion in the band 3 protein on the surface of erythrocytes, and are reported to have a lower incidence of clinical P. vivax malaria. Based on this observation, band 3 has been put forward as a receptor for P. vivax invasion, although direct proof is still lacking. In this study, we combined functional ex vivo invasion assays and transcriptome sequencing to uncover a band 3–mediated invasion pathway in P. vivax and potential band 3 ligands. Invasion by P. vivax field isolates was 67%-71% lower in SAO reticulocytes compared with non-SAO reticulocytes. Reticulocyte invasion was decreased by 40% and 27%-31% when blocking with an anti-band 3 polyclonal antibody and a PvTRAg38 peptide, respectively. To identify new band 3 receptor candidates, we mRNA-sequenced schizont-stage isolates used in the invasion assays, and observed high transcriptional variability in multigene and invasion-related families. Transcriptomes of isolates with low or high dependency on band 3 for invasion were compared by differential expression analysis, which produced a list of band 3 ligand candidates with high representation of PvTRAg genes. Our ex vivo invasion assays have demonstrated that band 3 is a P. vivax invasion receptor and confirm previous in vitro studies showing binding between PvTRAg38 and band 3, although the lower and variable inhibition levels observed suggest the involvement of other ligands. By coupling transcriptomes and invasion phenotypes from the same isolates, we identified a list of band 3 ligand candidates, of which the overrepresented PvTRAg genes are the most promising for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katlijn De Meulenaere
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Computer Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Anna Rosanas-Urgell, ; Katlijn De Meulenaere,
| | - Surendra Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Elizabeth Villasis
- Laboratorio de Malaria, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Bart Cuypers
- Department of Computer Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Bernadine Kasian
- Vector-borne Diseases Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute for Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Moses Laman
- Vector-borne Diseases Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute for Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Leanne J. Robinson
- Vector-borne Diseases Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute for Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
- Population Health and Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Health Security and Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dionicia Gamboa
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Departamento de Ciencias Celulares y Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Kris Laukens
- Department of Computer Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Anna Rosanas-Urgell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Anna Rosanas-Urgell, ; Katlijn De Meulenaere,
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Somanathan A, Mian SY, Chaddha K, Uchoi S, Bharti PK, Tandon R, Gaur D, Chauhan VS. Process development and preclinical evaluation of a major Plasmodium falciparum blood stage vaccine candidate, Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (CyRPA). Front Immunol 2022; 13:1005332. [PMID: 36211427 PMCID: PMC9535676 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1005332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (CyRPA) is an essential, highly conserved merozoite antigen that forms an important multi-protein complex (RH5/Ripr/CyRPA) necessary for erythrocyte invasion. CyRPA is a promising blood-stage vaccine target that has been shown to elicit potent strain-transcending parasite neutralizing antibodies. Recently, we demonstrated that naturally acquired immune anti-CyRPA antibodies are invasion-inhibitory and therefore a correlate of protection against malaria. Here, we describe a process for the large-scale production of tag-free CyRPA vaccine in E. coli and demonstrate its parasite neutralizing efficacy with commonly used adjuvants. CyRPA was purified from inclusion bodies using a one-step purification method with high purity (>90%). Biochemical and biophysical characterization showed that the purified tag-free CyRPA interacted with RH5, readily detected by a conformation-specific CyRPA monoclonal antibody and recognized by sera from malaria infected individuals thus indicating that the recombinant antigen was correctly folded and retained its native conformation. Tag-free CyRPA formulated with Freund’s adjuvant elicited highly potent parasite neutralizing antibodies achieving inhibition of >90% across diverse parasite strains. Importantly, we identified tag-free CyRPA/Alhydrogel formulation as most effective in inducing a highly immunogenic antibody response that exhibited efficacious, cross-strain in vitro parasite neutralization achieving ~80% at 10 mg/ml. Further, CyRPA/Alhydrogel vaccine induced anti-parasite cytokine response in mice. In summary, our study provides a simple, scalable, cost-effective process for the production of tag-free CyRPA that in combination with human-compatible adjuvant induces efficacious humoral and cell-mediated immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Somanathan
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Syed Yusuf Mian
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Kritika Chaddha
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Seemalata Uchoi
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Praveen K. Bharti
- ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, India
| | - Ravi Tandon
- Laboratory of AIDS Research and Immunology, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepak Gaur
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Virander Singh Chauhan
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Virander Singh Chauhan,
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Reda AG, Messele A, Mohammed H, Assefa A, Golassa L, Mamo H. Temporal dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum population in Metehara, east-central Ethiopia. Malar J 2022; 21:267. [PMID: 36109748 PMCID: PMC9479295 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04277-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium falciparum is the most serious, genetically most complex and fastest-evolving malaria parasite. Information on genetic diversity of this parasite would guide policy decision and malaria elimination endeavors. This study explored the temporal dynamics of P. falciparum population in two time points in Metehara, east-central Ethiopia. Methods The participants were quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction-confirmed patients who were recruited for uncomplicated falciparum malaria therapeutic efficacy test in 2015 and 2019. Dry blood spot samples were analysed by the nested PCR to genotype P. falciparum merozoite surface protein (msp1, msp2) and glutamate-rich protein (glurp) genes. Results While msp1, msp2 and glurp genotypes were successfully detected in 26(89.7%), 24(82.8%) and 14(48.3%) of 2015 samples (n = 29); the respective figures for 2019 (n = 41) were 31(68.3%), 39(95.1%), 25(61.0%). In 2015, the frequencies of K1, MAD20 and RO33 allelic families of msp1, and FC27 and IC/3D7 of msp2 were 19(73.1%), 8(30.6%), 14(53.8%), 21(87.5%), 12(50.5%); and in 2019 it was 15(48.4%), 19(61.3%), 15(48.4%), 30(76.9%), 27(69.2%) respectively. MAD20 has shown dominance over both K1 and RO33 in 2019 compared to the proportion in 2015. Similarly, although FC27 remained dominant, there was shifting trend in the frequency of IC/3D7 from 50.5% in 2015 to 69.2% in 2019. The multiplicity of infection (MOI) and expected heterozygosity index (He) in 2015 and 2019 were respectively [1.43 ± 0.84] and [1.15 ± 0.91], 0.3 and 0.03 for msp1. However, there was no significant association between MOI and age or parasitaemia in both time points. Conclusion The lower genetic diversity in P. falciparum population in the two time points and overall declining trend as demonstrated by the lower MOI and He may suggest better progress in malaria control in Metehara. But, the driving force and selective advantage of switching to MAD20 dominance over the other two msp1 allelic families, and the dynamics within msp2 alleles needs further investigation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04277-5.
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Borkens Y. Malaria-Antigene in der Ära der mRNA-Impfstoffe. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd 2022; 170:828-838. [PMID: 35855690 PMCID: PMC9281189 DOI: 10.1007/s00112-022-01554-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungBereits in den frühen 1990er-Jahren wurde erstmals eine durch einen mRNA-Impfstoff ausgelöste Immunantwort beschrieben. Seitdem wurden mRNA-Impfstoffe für eine mögliche Prophylaxe erforscht und diskutiert. Doch erst mit der COVID-19-Pandemie erlebten diese Impfstoffe einen wahren Boom. Die ersten mRNA-Impfstoffe wurden gegen SARS-CoV‑2 zugelassen und zeigten große Erfolge. Es ist daher nicht verwunderlich, dass sich die Hersteller auch auf andere Krankheiten und Pathogene konzentrieren. Neben viralen Krankheiten wie Influenza oder Aids steht Malaria weit oben auf dieser Liste. Viele Pharmaunternehmen (u. a. die deutschen Unternehmen BioNTech und CureVac) haben bereits bestätigt, an mRNA-Impfstoffen gegen Malaria zu forschen. Dabei ist die Entwicklung eines funktionierenden Impfstoffes gegen Malaria kein leichtes Unterfangen. Seit den 1960ern wird an möglichen Impfstoffen geforscht. Die Ergebnisse sind dabei eher ernüchternd. Erst 2015 erhielt der Impfstoff RTS,S/AS01 eine positive Bewertung der Europäischen Arzneimittel-Agentur. Seitdem wird der Impfstoff in Afrika getestet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Borkens
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Science, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, 4811 Townsville, Queensland Australien
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Antibody Responses Against Plasmodium falciparum MSP3 Protein During Natural Malaria Infection in Individuals Living in Malaria-Endemic Regions of India. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, INDIA SECTION B: BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2022; 92:613-619. [PMID: 35411125 PMCID: PMC8985746 DOI: 10.1007/s40011-021-01330-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The humoral immune responses to blood-stage malaria proteins are requisite for the inhibition of parasite invasion. Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3) is a secretory, expressed abundantly, merozoite surface protein that is important for the parasite invasion process. It has been shown to induce antibody responses during natural infections and is, therefore, considered to be the potential vaccine candidates against Plasmodium. Elucidating the immunogenicity and prevalence of anti-parasite antibodies is important in identifying potential targets as candidates for malarial diagnosis and anti‐malarial vaccine. The present study concerns the presence of antibodies against the MSP3 proteins of human malaria parasite- P. falciparum in infected individuals from endemic regions of India. Seventy-one anonymized P. falciparum infected serum samples were procured from the malaria fever clinic of ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), New Delhi to detect the presence of antibodies against MSP3 protein by ELISA. The IgM antibody response against recombinant MSP3 was detected at significantly higher levels during acute malaria. The protein was found to be immunogenic and did not demonstrate any cross-reactivity with the serum of uninfected individuals or individuals infected with other Plasmodium species. The protein has hydrophilic regions in its N- and C-terminus which may contain immunogenic linear and conformational B-cell epitopes. The results from this study suggest that the MSP3 is immunogenic and likely a potential candidate for antibody-based diagnosis or vaccine development against the blood-stage of P. falciparum.
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Opute AO, Akinkunmi JA, Funsho AO, Obaniyi AK, Anifowoshe AT. Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Nigeria. A review. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s43042-022-00340-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The complexity of infection in malaria-endemic areas is exacerbated by the presence of genetically diverse Plasmodium falciparum strains. There is a risk that more virulent or drug-resistant versions of the disease may arise. Therefore, we reviewed most reported molecular markers that have been detailed to date in Nigeria.
Main body of the abstract
In this review, we have summarized the genetic diversity of P. falciparum in Nigeria using the two well-reported genes (msp1 and msp2) as genetic diversity biomarkers. The review includes the findings obtained from research conducted in all major geopolitical regions of the country. We found that MSP-2 infection complexity is generally moderate to high in the North-central region. However, in the South-West, there were several regions where the multiplicity of infection (MOI) was either low or extremely high.
Conclusion
Understanding how Nigeria's malaria situation fits into various reports on P. falciparum genetic variation can improve treatment and immunization options. This review will be helpful for future treatment strategies that would be tailored to the specific needs of Nigeria's malaria-endemic populations.
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Li H, Sun L, Jiang Y, Wang B, Wu Z, Sun J, Zhang X, Li H, Zhao X. Identification and characterization of Eimeria tenella EtTrx1 protein. Vet Parasitol 2022; 310:109785. [PMID: 35994916 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Thioredoxin (Trx) is a widespread protein regulator of redox reactions in all organisms. It operates together with NADPH and thioredoxin reductase as a general protein disulfide catalytic system. Recently, Trx has been found to be related to the process by which apicomplexan protozoa invade host cells. In this study, Eimeria tenella thioredoxin (EtTrx1) was identified and its gene structural features, expression levels at different developmental stages, localization in sporozoites, roles in adhesion and invasion, and immunogenicity were investigated. Sequence analysis indicated that EtTrx1 contains a Trx domain with a WCGPC motif in 29-33 aa and a typical Trx fold, and belongs to thioredoxin family. EtTrx1 was detected on the surface of sporozoites using anti-EtTrx1 polyclonal antibodies under non-permeabilized conditions by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and also in a secretion form. EtTrx1 protein was highly transcribed and expressed in merozoites and sporozoites by quantitative PCR and western blot. The attachment assay showed that the adherence rates of yeast cells expressing EtTrx1 on the surface to host cells were 3.1-fold higher than those of the blank control. Specific anti-EtTrx1 antibodies inhibited the invasion of sporozoites into DF-1 cells. The highest inhibition rate was up to 36.75% compared to the control group. Immunization with recombinant EtTrx1 peptides also showed significant protection against lethal infections in chickens. It could offer moderate protective efficacy (Anticoccidial Index [ACI]: 163.70), induce humoral responses, and be an effective candidate for the development of new vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Li
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Lingyu Sun
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yingying Jiang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Bingxiang Wang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhiyuan Wu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jinkun Sun
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Tai'an City, Shandong Province 271018, China
| | - Hongmei Li
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Tai'an City, Shandong Province 271018, China.
| | - Xiaomin Zhao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Tai'an City, Shandong Province 271018, China.
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Abugri J, Ayariga J, Sunwiale SS, Wezena CA, Gyamfi JA, Adu-Frimpong M, Agongo G, Dongdem JT, Abugri D, Dinko B. Targeting the Plasmodium falciparum proteome and organelles for potential antimalarial drug candidates. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10390. [PMID: 36033316 PMCID: PMC9398786 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an unmet need to unearth alternative treatment options for malaria, wherein this quest is more pressing in recent times due to high morbidity and mortality data arising mostly from the endemic countries coupled with partial diversion of attention from the disease in view of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic. Available therapeutic options for malaria have been severely threatened with the emergence of resistance to almost all the antimalarial drugs by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite in humans, which is a worrying situation. Artemisinin combination therapies (ACT) that have so far been the mainstay of malaria have encountered resistance by malaria parasite in South East Asia, which is regarded as a notorious ground zero for the emergence of resistance to antimalarial drugs. This review analyzes a few key druggable targets for the parasite and the potential of specific inhibitors to mitigate the emerging antimalarial drug resistance problem by providing a concise assessment of the essential proteins of the malaria parasite that could serve as targets. Moreover, this work provides a summary of the advances made in malaria parasite biology and the potential to leverage these findings for antimalarial drug production.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Abugri
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Joseph Ayariga
- The Biomedical Engineering Programme, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
| | - Samuel Sunyazi Sunwiale
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Cletus Adiyaga Wezena
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biosciences, University for Development Studies (UDS), Nyankpala Campus, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Julien Agyemang Gyamfi
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Michael Adu-Frimpong
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Godfred Agongo
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Julius Tieroyaare Dongdem
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. School of Medicine. University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale-Campus, Ghana
| | - Daniel Abugri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Microbiology PhD Programme, Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Parasitology, and Drug Discovery, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, USA
| | - Bismarck Dinko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho. Ghana
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Agonhossou R, Akoton R, Lagnika H, Djihinto OY, Sovegnon PM, Saizonou HD, Ntoumi F, Wondji CS, Borrmann S, Adegnika AA, Djogbénou LS. P. falciparum msp1 and msp2 genetic diversity in P. falciparum single and mixed infection with P. malariae among the asymptomatic population in Southern Benin. Parasitol Int 2022; 89:102590. [PMID: 35472441 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102590] [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: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium malariae infections are prevalent in malaria-endemic countries. However, very little is known about their interactions especially the effect of P. malariae on P. falciparum genetic diversity. This study aimed to assess P. falciparum genetic diversity in P. falciparum and mixed infection P. falciparum/P. malariae isolates among the asymptomatic populations in Southern Benin. Two hundred and fifty blood samples (125 of P. falciparum and 125 P. falciparum/P. malariae isolates) were analysed by a nested PCR amplification of msp1 and msp2 genes. The R033 allelic family was the most represented for the msp1 gene in mono and mixed infection isolates (99.2% vs 86.4%), while the K1 family had the lowest frequency (38.3% vs 20.4%). However, with the msp2 gene, the two allelic families displayed similar frequencies in P. falciparum isolates while the 3D7 allelic family was more represented in P. falciparum/P. malariae isolates (88.7%). Polyclonal infections were also lower (62.9%) in P. falciparum/P. malariae isolates (p < 0.05). Overall, 96 individual alleles were identified (47 for msp1 and 49 for msp2) in P. falciparum isolates while a total of 50 individual alleles were identified (23 for msp1 and 27 for msp2) in P. falciparum/P. malariae isolates. The Multiplicity of Infection (MOI) was lower in P. falciparum/P. malariae isolates (p < 0.05). This study revealed a lower genetic diversity of P. falciparum in P. falciparum/P. malariae isolates using msp1 and msp2 genes among the asymptomatic population in Southern Benin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romuald Agonhossou
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research Centre (TIDRC), University of Abomey-Calavi, 01BP 526, Cotonou, Benin; Fondation Pour la Recherche Scientifique (FORS), ISBA, BP 88, Cotonou, Bénin.
| | - Romaric Akoton
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research Centre (TIDRC), University of Abomey-Calavi, 01BP 526, Cotonou, Benin; Fondation Pour la Recherche Scientifique (FORS), ISBA, BP 88, Cotonou, Bénin
| | - Hamirath Lagnika
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research Centre (TIDRC), University of Abomey-Calavi, 01BP 526, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Oswald Y Djihinto
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research Centre (TIDRC), University of Abomey-Calavi, 01BP 526, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Pierre M Sovegnon
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research Centre (TIDRC), University of Abomey-Calavi, 01BP 526, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Helga D Saizonou
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research Centre (TIDRC), University of Abomey-Calavi, 01BP 526, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Francine Ntoumi
- Fondation Congolaise pour la Recherche Médicale (FCRM), Brazzaville, Congo; Institute for Tropical Medicine (ITM), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Charles S Wondji
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), Yaoundé, Centre Region, 237, Cameroon
| | - Steffen Borrmann
- Institute for Tropical Medicine (ITM), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ayola A Adegnika
- Fondation Pour la Recherche Scientifique (FORS), ISBA, BP 88, Cotonou, Bénin; Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon; Institute for Tropical Medicine (ITM), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Luc S Djogbénou
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research Centre (TIDRC), University of Abomey-Calavi, 01BP 526, Cotonou, Benin; Institut Régional de Santé Publique/Université d'Abomey-Calavi, BP 384 Ouidah, Bénin
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Musasia FK, Nkumama IN, Frank R, Kipkemboi V, Schneider M, Mwai K, Odera DO, Rosenkranz M, Fürle K, Kimani D, Tuju J, Njuguna P, Hamaluba M, Kapulu MC, Wardemann H, Osier FHA. Phagocytosis of Plasmodium falciparum ring-stage parasites predicts protection against malaria. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4098. [PMID: 35835738 PMCID: PMC9281573 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31640-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Ring-infected erythrocytes are the predominant asexual stage in the peripheral circulation but are rarely investigated in the context of acquired immunity against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Here we compare antibody-dependent phagocytosis of ring-infected parasite cultures in samples from a controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) study (NCT02739763). Protected volunteers did not develop clinical symptoms, maintained parasitaemia below a predefined threshold of 500 parasites/μl and were not treated until the end of the study. Antibody-dependent phagocytosis of both ring-infected and uninfected erythrocytes from parasite cultures was strongly correlated with protection. A surface proteomic analysis revealed the presence of merozoite proteins including erythrocyte binding antigen-175 and -140 on ring-infected and uninfected erythrocytes, providing an additional antibody-mediated protective mechanism for their activity beyond invasion-inhibition. Competition phagocytosis assays support the hypothesis that merozoite antigens are the key mediators of this functional activity. Targeting ring-stage parasites may contribute to the control of parasitaemia and prevention of clinical malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fauzia K. Musasia
- grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Irene N. Nkumama
- grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Roland Frank
- grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Victor Kipkemboi
- grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.449481.40000 0004 0427 2011Department of Biotechnology, Hochschule Rhein-Waal, Kleve, Germany
| | - Martin Schneider
- grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Genomics and Proteomics Core Facility, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kennedy Mwai
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya ,grid.11951.3d0000 0004 1937 1135Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Dennis O. Odera
- grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Micha Rosenkranz
- grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kristin Fürle
- grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Domitila Kimani
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - James Tuju
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Patricia Njuguna
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Mainga Hamaluba
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Melissa C. Kapulu
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Hedda Wardemann
- grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of B Cell Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Faith H. A. Osier
- grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya ,grid.7445.20000 0001 2113 8111Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Goodswen SJ, Kennedy PJ, Ellis JT. Compilation of parasitic immunogenic proteins from 30 years of published research using machine learning and natural language processing. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10349. [PMID: 35725870 PMCID: PMC9208253 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13790-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organisation reported in 2020 that six of the top 10 sources of death in low-income countries are parasites. Parasites are microorganisms in a relationship with a larger organism, the host. They acquire all benefits at the host’s expense. A disease develops if the parasitic infection disrupts normal functioning of the host. This disruption can range from mild to severe, including death. Humans and livestock continue to be challenged by established and emerging infectious disease threats. Vaccination is the most efficient tool for preventing current and future threats. Immunogenic proteins sourced from the disease-causing parasite are worthwhile vaccine components (subunits) due to reliable safety and manufacturing capacity. Publications with ‘subunit vaccine’ in their title have accumulated to thousands over the last three decades. However, there are possibly thousands more reporting immunogenicity results without mentioning ‘subunit’ and/or ‘vaccine’. The exact number is unclear given the non-standardised keywords in publications. The study aim is to identify parasite proteins that induce a protective response in an animal model as reported in the scientific literature within the last 30 years using machine learning and natural language processing. Source code to fulfil this aim and the vaccine candidate list obtained is made available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Goodswen
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Paul J Kennedy
- School of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology and the Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - John T Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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Ika MD, Ibrahim MA, Sallau AB, Salman AA, Sani AM, Isah MB. Variations in the Serum Sialic Acid Profiles of Malaria Patients in Zaria, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:1010-1014. [PMID: 35000113 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00503-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Understanding some variations in specialized molecules during malaria could facilitate adequate monitoring of patients and reduce the fatalities caused by the disease. The present study reports changes in the levels of free serum sialic acid (FSSA) among Plasmodium-infected individuals in Zaria, Nigeria, in a cross-sectional study with 170 individuals. METHODS The FSSA and total sialic acid (TSA) in the blood were determined using the thiobarbituric acid method and the white blood cells (WBC) count, haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volumes were assessed using an automated haematological analyser. RESULTS The results showed that, in the patients aged > 5 years the level of TSA was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) compared to apparently healthy age-matched controls whereas TSA was slightly lower in patients aged < 5 years compared to controls. The ratio of FSSA to TSA was not different between patients aged > 5 years compared to their age-matched controls whereas FSSA/TSA was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) in patients aged < 5 years compared to their aged-matched controls. The level of FSSA/TSA in the patients aged < 5 years was not correlated with parasite density, white blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration or packed cell volume. CONCLUSION We concluded that, metabolism and/or physiology of serum sialo-glycoconjugates is affected by malaria and FSSA is mainly elevated in children < 5 years of age but not among older patients suggesting the possible usefulness of FSSA in the analysis of uncomplicated malaria in under five children.
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50
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Molina-Franky J, Patarroyo ME, Kalkum M, Patarroyo MA. The Cellular and Molecular Interaction Between Erythrocytes and Plasmodium falciparum Merozoites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:816574. [PMID: 35433504 PMCID: PMC9008539 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.816574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal human malaria parasite, partly due to its genetic variability and ability to use multiple invasion routes via its binding to host cell surface receptors. The parasite extensively modifies infected red blood cell architecture to promote its survival which leads to increased cell membrane rigidity, adhesiveness and permeability. Merozoites are initially released from infected hepatocytes and efficiently enter red blood cells in a well-orchestrated process that involves specific interactions between parasite ligands and erythrocyte receptors; symptoms of the disease occur during the life-cycle’s blood stage due to capillary blockage and massive erythrocyte lysis. Several studies have focused on elucidating molecular merozoite/erythrocyte interactions and host cell modifications; however, further in-depth analysis is required for understanding the parasite’s biology and thus provide the fundamental tools for developing prophylactic or therapeutic alternatives to mitigate or eliminate Plasmodium falciparum-related malaria. This review focuses on the cellular and molecular events during Plasmodium falciparum merozoite invasion of red blood cells and the alterations that occur in an erythrocyte once it has become infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Molina-Franky
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
- PhD Programme in Biotechnology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Manuel Elkin Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia
- Health Sciences Division, Universidad Santo Tomás, Bogotá, Colombia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Markus Kalkum, ; Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo,
| | - Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia
- Health Sciences Division, Universidad Santo Tomás, Bogotá, Colombia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
- *Correspondence: Markus Kalkum, ; Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo,
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