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Leow CY, Willis C, Leow CH, Hofmann A, Jones M. Molecular characterization of Schistosoma mansoni tegument annexins and comparative analysis of antibody responses following parasite infection. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 234:111231. [PMID: 31628972 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomes are parasitic blood flukes that infect approximately 250 million people worldwide. The disease known as schistosomiasis, is the second most significant tropical parasitic disease after malaria. Praziquantel is the only effective drug currently licensed for schistosomiasis and there are concerns about resistance to the drug. There has been much effort to develop vaccines against schistosomiasis to produce long-term protection in endemic regions. Surface-associated proteins, and in particular, those expressed in the body wall, or tegument, have been proposed as potential vaccine targets. Of these, annexins are thought to be of integral importance for the stability of this apical membrane system. Here, we present the structural and immunobiochemical characterization of four homologous annexins namely annexin B30, annexin B5a, annexin B7a and annexin B5b from S. mansoni. Bioinformatics analysis showed that there was no signal peptide predicted for any annexin in this study. Further analysis showed that each of all four annexin protein possesses a primary structure consisting of a short but variable N-terminal region and a long C-terminal core containing four homologous annexin repeats (I-IV), which contain five alpha-helices. The life cycle expression profile of each annexin was assessed using quantitative PCR. The results showed that the overall transcript levels of the each of four homologous annexins were relatively low in the egg stage, but increased gradually after the transition of cercariae (the invasive schistosome larvae) to schistosomula (the post-invasive larvae). Circular dichroism (CD) demonstrated that rAnnexin B30, rAnnexin B5a and rAnnexin 7a were folded, showing a secondary structure content rich in alpha-helices. The membrane binding affinity was enhanced when rAnnexin B30, rAnnexin B5a and rAnnexin 7a was incubated in the presence of Ca2+. All annexin members evaluated in this study were immunolocalized to the tegument, with immunoreactivity also occurring in cells and in muscle of adult parasites. All four recombinant annexins were immunoreactive and they were recognized by the sera of mice infected with S. mansoni. In conclusion, the overall results present the molecular characterization of annexin B30, annexin B5a, annexin B7a and annexin B5b from S. mansoni in host-parasite interactions and strongly suggest that the molecules could be useful candidates for vaccine or diagnostic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiuan Yee Leow
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
| | - Charlene Willis
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Chiuan Herng Leow
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Structural Chemistry Program, Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Malcolm Jones
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
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McNeilly C, Cosh S, Vu T, Nichols J, Henningham A, Hofmann A, Fane A, Smeesters PR, Rush CM, Hafner LM, Ketheesan N, Sriprakash KS, McMillan DJ. Predicted Coverage and Immuno-Safety of a Recombinant C-Repeat Region Based Streptococcus pyogenes Vaccine Candidate. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156639. [PMID: 27310707 PMCID: PMC4911098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The C-terminal region of the M-protein of Streptococcus pyogenes is a major target for vaccine development. The major feature is the C-repeat region, consisting of 35–42 amino acid repeat units that display high but not perfect identity. SV1 is a S. pyogenes vaccine candidate that incorporates five 14mer amino acid sequences (called J14i variants) from differing C-repeat units in a single recombinant construct. Here we show that the J14i variants chosen for inclusion in SV1 are the most common variants in a dataset of 176 unique M-proteins. Murine antibodies raised against SV1 were shown to bind to each of the J14i variants present in SV1, as well as variants not present in the vaccine. Antibodies raised to the individual J14i variants were also shown to bind to multiple but different combinations of J14i variants, supporting the underlying rationale for the design of SV1. A Lewis Rat Model of valvulitis was then used to assess the capacity of SV1 to induce deleterious immune response associated with rheumatic heart disease. In this model, both SV1 and the M5 positive control protein were immunogenic. Neither of these antibodies were cross-reactive with cardiac myosin or collagen. Splenic T cells from SV1/CFA and SV1/alum immunized rats did not proliferate in response to cardiac myosin or collagen. Subsequent histological examination of heart tissue showed that 4 of 5 mice from the M5/CFA group had valvulitis and inflammatory cell infiltration into valvular tissue, whereas mice immunised with SV1/CFA, SV1/alum showed no sign of valvulitis. These results suggest that SV1 is a safe vaccine candidate that will elicit antibodies that recognise the vast majority of circulating GAS M-types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia McNeilly
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Samantha Cosh
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Therese Vu
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Jemma Nichols
- Inflammation and Healing Research Cluster, School of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, 4558, Australia
| | - Anna Henningham
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Structural Chemistry Program, Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Griffith University, Nathan, and Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, Smithfield, QLD, Australia
| | - Anne Fane
- Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Pierre R Smeesters
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Physiologie Bactérienne, Institut de Biologie et de Médecine Moléculaires, Faculté des Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium, and Murdoch Children Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Catherine M Rush
- Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Louise M Hafner
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health & Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia
| | - Natkuman Ketheesan
- Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Kadaba S Sriprakash
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - David J McMillan
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia.,Inflammation and Healing Research Cluster, School of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, 4558, Australia
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Nawaratna SSK, Gobert GN, Willis C, Mulvenna J, Hofmann A, McManus DP, Jones MK. Lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein (LAMP)--preliminary study on a hidden antigen target for vaccination against schistosomiasis. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15069. [PMID: 26472258 PMCID: PMC4607944 DOI: 10.1038/srep15069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previously reported gene atlasing of schistosome tissues revealed transcripts that were highly enriched in the digestive tract of Schistosoma mansoni. From these, we selected two candidates, Sm-LAMP and Sm-NPC2 for testing as vaccine targets. The two molecules were selected on the basis of relatively high expression in the gastrodermis, their potentially important biological function, divergence from homologous molecules of the host and possible apical membrane expression in the gastrodermis. Bacterially expressed recombinant peptides corresponding to regions excluding trans-membrane domains of the selected vaccine targets were used in blinded vaccine trials in CBA mice using alum-CpG as adjuvant. Vaccine trials using the recombinant insoluble Sm-LAMP protein showed 16-25% significant reduction in total worm burden. Faecal egg count reduction was 52% and 60% in two trials, respectively, with similar results for the solubly expressed protein. Liver egg burden was reduced significantly (20% and 38%) with an insoluble recombinant Sm-LAMP in two trials, but not with the soluble recombinant form. Parasite fecundity was not affected by either Sm-LAMP protein preparations in the trials. It is concluded that Sm-LAMP may provide limited protection towards S. mansoni infections but could be used in combination with other vaccine candidates, to provide more comprehensive protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujeevi S. K. Nawaratna
- School of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton Qld, 4343, Australia
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Qld, 4006, Australia
| | - Geoffrey N. Gobert
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Qld, 4006, Australia
| | - Charlene Willis
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Qld, 4006, Australia
| | - Jason Mulvenna
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Qld, 4006, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Structural Chemistry Program, Eskitis Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld 4111, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Donald P. McManus
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Qld, 4006, Australia
| | - Malcolm K. Jones
- School of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton Qld, 4343, Australia
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Qld, 4006, Australia
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Weeratunga S, Hu NJ, Simon A, Hofmann A. SDAR: a practical tool for graphical analysis of two-dimensional data. BMC Bioinformatics 2012; 13:201. [PMID: 22892030 PMCID: PMC3480940 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-13-201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Two-dimensional data needs to be processed and analysed in almost any experimental laboratory. Some tasks in this context may be performed with generic software such as spreadsheet programs which are available ubiquitously, others may require more specialised software that requires paid licences. Additionally, more complex software packages typically require more time by the individual user to understand and operate. Practical and convenient graphical data analysis software in Java with a user-friendly interface are rare. Results We have developed SDAR, a Java application to analyse two-dimensional data with an intuitive graphical user interface. A smart ASCII parser allows import of data into SDAR without particular format requirements. The centre piece of SDAR is the Java class GraphPanel which provides methods for generic tasks of data visualisation. Data can be manipulated and analysed with respect to the most common operations experienced in an experimental biochemical laboratory. Images of the data plots can be generated in SVG-, TIFF- or PNG-format. Data exported by SDAR is annotated with commands compatible with the Grace software. Conclusion Since SDAR is implemented in Java, it is truly cross-platform compatible. The software is easy to install, and very convenient to use judging by experience in our own laboratories. It is freely available to academic users at
http://www.structuralchemistry.org/pcsb/. To download SDAR, users will be asked for their name, institution and email address. A manual, as well as the source code of the GraphPanel class can also be downloaded from this site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saroja Weeratunga
- Structural Chemistry Program, Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld 4111, Australia
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Bauer MJ, Georgousakis MM, Vu T, Henningham A, Hofmann A, Rettel M, Hafner LM, Sriprakash KS, McMillan DJ. Evaluation of novel Streptococcus pyogenes vaccine candidates incorporating multiple conserved sequences from the C-repeat region of the M-protein. Vaccine 2012; 30:2197-205. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.12.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2011] [Revised: 12/02/2011] [Accepted: 12/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Jákli I, Perczel A. The inherent flexibility of peptides and protein fragments quantitized by CD in conjunction with CCA+. J Pept Sci 2009; 15:738-52. [PMID: 19768692 DOI: 10.1002/psc.1169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
ECD spectroscopy is traditionally used for rapid, non-atomic level structure analysis of natural products such as peptides and proteins. Unlike globular proteins, peptides less frequently adopt a single 3D-fold in a time average manner. Moreover, they exhibit an ensemble of conformers composed of a multitude of substantially different structures. In principle, both ECD- and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD)-spectroscopy are sensitive enough to pick up structural information on these dynamic ensembles. However, the interpretation of the raw spectral data of these highly dynamic molecular systems can be cumbersome. The herein presented Convex Constraint Analysis Plus method, or CCA+ for short (http://www.chem.elte.hu/departments/protnmr/cca/), provides a unique opportunity for spectral ensemble analysis of peptides, glycopeptides, peptidomimetics, and other foldamers. The precision and accuracy of the approach is presented here through different peptide model systems. An interesting temperature and pH dependent folding and unfolding of a miniprotein (e.g. Tc5b variant) is also described. Analysis of CD spectra sets strongly affected by solvent and ion type is also introduced to account for severe environmental-induced structure influencing effect(s). The deconvolution makes always possible the quantitative data analysis even when the interpretation of the deconvolution resulted in pure CD curves is complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imre Jákli
- Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and Biology, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
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