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Tottey S, Shoji Y, Mark Jones R, Musiychuk K, Chichester JA, Miura K, Zhou L, Lee SM, Plieskatt J, Wu Y, Long CA, Streatfield SJ, Yusibov V. Engineering of a plant-produced virus-like particle to improve the display of the Plasmodium falciparum Pfs25 antigen and transmission-blocking activity of the vaccine candidate. Vaccine 2023; 41:938-944. [PMID: 36585278 PMCID: PMC9888754 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.12.048] [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: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Malaria kills around 409,000 people a year, mostly children under the age of five. Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines work to reduce malaria prevalence in a community and have the potential to be part of a multifaceted approach required to eliminate the parasites causing the disease. Pfs25 is a leading malaria transmission-blocking antigen and has been successfully produced in a plant expression system as both a subunit vaccine and as a virus-like particle. This study demonstrates an improved version of the virus-like particle antigen display molecule by eliminating known protease sites from the prior A85 variant. This re-engineered molecule, termed B29, displays three times the number of Pfs25 antigens per virus-like particle compared to the original Pfs25 virus-like particle. An improved purification scheme was also developed, resulting in a substantially higher yield and improved purity. The molecule was evaluated in a mouse model and found to induce improved transmission-blocking activity at lower doses and longer durations than the original molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Tottey
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
| | - Yoko Shoji
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
| | - R Mark Jones
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
| | - Konstantin Musiychuk
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
| | - Jessica A Chichester
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Luwen Zhou
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Shwu-Maan Lee
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | | | - Yimin Wu
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Stephen J Streatfield
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA.
| | - Vidadi Yusibov
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
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2
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de Jong RM, Alkema M, Oulton T, Dumont E, Teelen K, Nakajima R, de Assis RR, Press KWD, Ngotho P, Tetteh KK, Felgner P, Marti M, Collins KA, Drakeley C, Bousema T, Stone WJ. The acquisition of humoral immune responses targeting Plasmodium falciparum sexual stages in controlled human malaria infections. Front Immunol 2022; 13:930956. [PMID: 35924245 PMCID: PMC9339717 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.930956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals infected with P. falciparum develop antibody responses to intra-erythrocytic gametocyte proteins and exported gametocyte proteins present on the surface of infected erythrocytes. However, there is currently limited knowledge on the immunogenicity of gametocyte antigens and the specificity of gametocyte-induced antibody responses. In this study, we assessed antibody responses in participants of two controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) studies by ELISA, multiplexed bead-based antibody assays and protein microarray. By comparing antibody responses in participants with and without gametocyte exposure, we aimed to disentangle the antibody response induced by asexual and sexual stage parasites. We showed that after a single malaria infection, a significant anti-sexual stage humoral response is induced in malaria-naïve individuals, even after exposure to relatively low gametocyte densities (up to ~1,600 gametocytes/mL). In contrast to antibody responses to well-characterised asexual blood stage antigens that were detectable by day 21 after infection, responses to sexual stage antigens (including transmission blocking vaccine candidates Pfs48/45 and Pfs230) were only apparent at 51 days after infection. We found antigens previously associated with early gametocyte or anti-gamete immunity were highly represented among responses linked with gametocyte exposure. Our data provide detailed insights on the induction and kinetics of antibody responses to gametocytes and identify novel antigens that elicit antibody responses exclusively in individuals with gametocyte exposure. Our findings provide target identification for serological assays for surveillance of the malaria infectious reservoir, and support vaccine development by describing the antibody response to leading vaccine antigens after primary infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roos M. de Jong
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Centre of Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Manon Alkema
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Centre of Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Tate Oulton
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elin Dumont
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karina Teelen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Centre of Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rie Nakajima
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Rafael Ramiro de Assis
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | | | - Priscilla Ngotho
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin K.A. Tetteh
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Phil Felgner
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Katharine A. Collins
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Centre of Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Chris Drakeley
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Teun Bousema
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Centre of Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands,Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Will J.R. Stone
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Will J.R. Stone,
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3
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Duffy PE. The Virtues and Vices of Pfs230: From Vaccine Concept to Vaccine Candidate. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:tpmd211337. [PMID: 35895391 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Among the Plasmodium falciparum surface antigens reported by Richard Carter and his colleagues decades ago, Pfs230 is currently the target of the most advanced candidate for a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine. First identified by its orthologue in the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium gallinaceum, the large cysteine-rich 14-domain Pfs230 antigen is displayed on the surface of gametes that emerge in the mosquito midgut. Gametes lacking Pfs230 cannot bind to red blood cells nor develop further into oocysts. Human antibodies against Pfs230 lyse gametes in the presence of complement, which largely explains serum transmission-blocking activity in Pfs230 antisera. A protein-protein conjugate vaccine that incorporates the first domain of the Pfs230 antigen induced greater serum transmission-reducing activity versus a similarly manufactured Pfs25 vaccine in U.S. trials, and is currently in phase II field trials in Mali.
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4
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Lyons FMT, Gabriela M, Tham WH, Dietrich MH. Plasmodium 6-Cysteine Proteins: Functional Diversity, Transmission-Blocking Antibodies and Structural Scaffolds. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:945924. [PMID: 35899047 PMCID: PMC9309271 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.945924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The 6-cysteine protein family is one of the most abundant surface antigens that are expressed throughout the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle. Many members of the 6-cysteine family have critical roles in parasite development across the life cycle in parasite transmission, evasion of the host immune response and host cell invasion. The common feature of the family is the 6-cysteine domain, also referred to as s48/45 domain, which is conserved across Aconoidasida. This review summarizes the current approaches for recombinant expression for 6-cysteine proteins, monoclonal antibodies against 6-cysteine proteins that block transmission and the growing collection of crystal structures that provide insights into the functional domains of this protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frankie M. T. Lyons
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mikha Gabriela
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Wai-Hong Tham
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Melanie H. Dietrich
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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5
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Habibi P, Shi Y, Fatima Grossi-de-Sa M, Khan I. Plants as Sources of Natural and Recombinant Antimalaria Agents. Mol Biotechnol 2022; 64:1177-1197. [PMID: 35488142 PMCID: PMC9053566 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-022-00499-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is one of the severe infectious diseases that has victimized about half a civilization billion people each year worldwide. The application of long-lasting insecticides is the main strategy to control malaria; however, a surge in antimalarial drug development is also taking a leading role to break off the infections. Although, recurring drug resistance can compromise the efficiency of both conventional and novel antimalarial medicines. The eradication of malaria is significantly contingent on discovering novel potent agents that are low cost and easy to administer. In this context, plant metabolites inhibit malaria infection progression and might potentially be utilized as an alternative treatment for malaria, such as artemisinin. Advances in genetic engineering technology, especially the advent of molecular farming, have made plants more versatile in producing protein drugs (PDs) to treat infectious diseases, including malaria. These recent developments in genetic modifications have enabled the production of native pharmaceutically active compounds and the accumulation of diverse heterologous proteins such as human antibodies, booster vaccines, and many PDs to treat infectious diseases and genetic disorders. This review will discuss the pivotal role of a plant-based production system that expresses natural antimalarial agents or host protein drugs to cure malaria infections. The potential of these natural and induced compounds will support modern healthcare systems in treating malaria infections, especially in developing countries to mitigate human fatalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyman Habibi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Yao Shi
- Department of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Maria Fatima Grossi-de-Sa
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília-DF, Brazil
- Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology, INCT Plant Stress Biotech, Embrapa, Brazil
| | - Imran Khan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
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6
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Yu S, Wang J, Luo X, Zheng H, Wang L, Yang X, Wang Y. Transmission-Blocking Strategies Against Malaria Parasites During Their Mosquito Stages. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:820650. [PMID: 35252033 PMCID: PMC8889032 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.820650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is still the most widespread parasitic disease and causes the most infections globally. Owing to improvements in sanitary conditions and various intervention measures, including the use of antimalarial drugs, the malaria epidemic in many regions of the world has improved significantly in the past 10 years. However, people living in certain underdeveloped areas are still under threat. Even in some well-controlled areas, the decline in malaria infection rates has stagnated or the rates have rebounded because of the emergence and spread of drug-resistant malaria parasites. Thus, new malaria control methods must be developed. As the spread of the Plasmodium parasite is dependent on the part of its life cycle that occurs in mosquitoes, to eliminate the possibility of malaria infections, transmission-blocking strategies against the mosquito stage should be the first choice. In fact, after the gametocyte enters the mosquito body, it undergoes a series of transformation processes over a short period, thus providing numerous potential blocking targets. Many research groups have carried out studies based on targeting the blocking of transmission during the mosquito phase and have achieved excellent results. Meanwhile, the direct killing of mosquitoes could also significantly reduce the probability of malaria infections. Microorganisms that display complex interactions with Plasmodium, such as Wolbachia and gut flora, have shown observable transmission-blocking potential. These could be used as a biological control strategy and play an important part in blocking the transmission of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Yu
- Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xue Luo
- Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Luhan Wang
- Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuesen Yang
- Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Ying Wang,
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7
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Elucidating functional epitopes within the N-terminal region of malaria transmission blocking vaccine antigen Pfs230. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:4. [PMID: 35027567 PMCID: PMC8758780 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00423-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pfs230 is a leading malaria transmission blocking vaccine (TBV) candidate. Comprising 3135 amino acids (aa), the large size of Pfs230 necessitates the use of sub-fragments as vaccine immunogens. Therefore, determination of which regions induce functional antibody responses is essential. We previously reported that of 27 sub-fragments spanning the entire molecule, only five induced functional antibodies. A “functional” antibody is defined herein as one that inhibits Plasmodium falciparum parasite development in mosquitoes in a standard membrane-feeding assay (SMFA). These five sub-fragments were found within the aa 443–1274 range, and all contained aa 543–730. Here, we further pinpoint the location of epitopes within Pfs230 that are recognized by functional antibodies using antibody depletion and enrichment techniques. Functional epitopes were not found within the aa 918–1274 region. Within aa 443–917, further analysis showed the existence of functional epitopes not only within the aa 543–730 region but also outside of it. Affinity-purified antibodies using a synthetic peptide matching aa 543–588 showed activity in the SMFA. Immunization with a synthetic peptide comprising this segment, formulated either as a carrier-protein conjugate vaccine or with a liposomal vaccine adjuvant system, induced antibodies in mice that were functional in the SMFA. These findings provide key insights for Pfs230-based vaccine design and establish the feasibility for the use of synthetic peptide antigens for a malaria TBV.
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8
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Scaria PV, Anderson C, Muratova O, Alani N, Trinh HV, Nadakal ST, Zaidi I, Lambert L, Beck Z, Barnafo EK, Rausch KM, Rowe C, Chen B, Matyas GR, Rao M, Alving CR, Narum DL, Duffy PE. Malaria transmission-blocking conjugate vaccine in ALFQ adjuvant induces durable functional immune responses in rhesus macaques. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:148. [PMID: 34887448 PMCID: PMC8660773 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00407-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines candidates based on Pfs25 and Pfs230 have advanced to clinical studies. Exoprotein A (EPA) conjugate of Pfs25 in Alhydrogel® developed functional immunity in humans, with limited durability. Pfs230 conjugated to EPA (Pfs230D1-EPA) with liposomal adjuvant AS01 is currently in clinical trials in Mali. Studies with these conjugates revealed that non-human primates are better than mice to recapitulate the human immunogenicity and functional activity. Here, we evaluated the effect of ALFQ, a liposomal adjuvant consisting of TLR4 agonist and QS21, on the immunogenicity of Pfs25-EPA and Pfs230D1-EPA in Rhesus macaques. Both conjugates generated strong antibody responses and functional activity after two vaccinations though activity declined rapidly. A third vaccination of Pfs230D1-EPA induced functional activity lasting at least 9 months. Antibody avidity increased with each vaccination and correlated strongly with functional activity. IgG subclass analysis showed induction of Th1 and Th2 subclass antibody levels that correlated with activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puthupparampil V. Scaria
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Charles Anderson
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Olga Muratova
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Nada Alani
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Hung V. Trinh
- grid.507680.c0000 0001 2230 3166U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA ,grid.201075.10000 0004 0614 9826Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817 USA
| | - Steven T. Nadakal
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Irfan Zaidi
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Lynn Lambert
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Zoltan Beck
- grid.507680.c0000 0001 2230 3166U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA ,grid.201075.10000 0004 0614 9826Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817 USA ,grid.410513.20000 0000 8800 7493Present Address: Pfizer, Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY USA
| | - Emma K. Barnafo
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Kelly M. Rausch
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Chris Rowe
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Beth Chen
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Gary R. Matyas
- grid.507680.c0000 0001 2230 3166U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA
| | - Mangala Rao
- grid.507680.c0000 0001 2230 3166U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA
| | - Carl R. Alving
- grid.507680.c0000 0001 2230 3166U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA
| | - David L. Narum
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Patrick E. Duffy
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
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9
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Keleta Y, Ramelow J, Cui L, Li J. Molecular interactions between parasite and mosquito during midgut invasion as targets to block malaria transmission. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:140. [PMID: 34845210 PMCID: PMC8630063 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00401-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable effort, malaria remains a major public health burden. Malaria is caused by five Plasmodium species and is transmitted to humans via the female Anopheles mosquito. The development of malaria vaccines against the liver and blood stages has been challenging. Therefore, malaria elimination strategies advocate integrated measures, including transmission-blocking approaches. Designing an effective transmission-blocking strategy relies on a sophisticated understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the interactions between the mosquito midgut molecules and the malaria parasite. Here we review recent advances in the biology of malaria transmission, focusing on molecular interactions between Plasmodium and Anopheles mosquito midgut proteins. We provide an overview of parasite and mosquito proteins that are either targets for drugs currently in clinical trials or candidates of promising transmission-blocking vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yacob Keleta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Julian Ramelow
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Liwang Cui
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
- Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
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10
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He W, Baysal C, Lobato Gómez M, Huang X, Alvarez D, Zhu C, Armario‐Najera V, Blanco Perera A, Cerda Bennaser P, Saba‐Mayoral A, Sobrino‐Mengual G, Vargheese A, Abranches R, Alexandra Abreu I, Balamurugan S, Bock R, Buyel JF, da Cunha NB, Daniell H, Faller R, Folgado A, Gowtham I, Häkkinen ST, Kumar S, Sathish Kumar R, Lacorte C, Lomonossoff GP, Luís IM, K.‐C. Ma J, McDonald KA, Murad A, Nandi S, O’Keef B, Parthiban S, Paul MJ, Ponndorf D, Rech E, Rodrigues JC, Ruf S, Schillberg S, Schwestka J, Shah PS, Singh R, Stoger E, Twyman RM, Varghese IP, Vianna GR, Webster G, Wilbers RHP, Christou P, Oksman‐Caldentey K, Capell T. Contributions of the international plant science community to the fight against infectious diseases in humans-part 2: Affordable drugs in edible plants for endemic and re-emerging diseases. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:1921-1936. [PMID: 34181810 PMCID: PMC8486237 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The fight against infectious diseases often focuses on epidemics and pandemics, which demand urgent resources and command attention from the health authorities and media. However, the vast majority of deaths caused by infectious diseases occur in endemic zones, particularly in developing countries, placing a disproportionate burden on underfunded health systems and often requiring international interventions. The provision of vaccines and other biologics is hampered not only by the high cost and limited scalability of traditional manufacturing platforms based on microbial and animal cells, but also by challenges caused by distribution and storage, particularly in regions without a complete cold chain. In this review article, we consider the potential of molecular farming to address the challenges of endemic and re-emerging diseases, focusing on edible plants for the development of oral drugs. Key recent developments in this field include successful clinical trials based on orally delivered dried leaves of Artemisia annua against malarial parasite strains resistant to artemisinin combination therapy, the ability to produce clinical-grade protein drugs in leaves to treat infectious diseases and the long-term storage of protein drugs in dried leaves at ambient temperatures. Recent FDA approval of the first orally delivered protein drug encapsulated in plant cells to treat peanut allergy has opened the door for the development of affordable oral drugs that can be manufactured and distributed in remote areas without cold storage infrastructure and that eliminate the need for expensive purification steps and sterile delivery by injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshu He
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Can Baysal
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Maria Lobato Gómez
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Derry Alvarez
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Changfu Zhu
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Victoria Armario‐Najera
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Aamaya Blanco Perera
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Pedro Cerda Bennaser
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Andrea Saba‐Mayoral
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | | | - Ashwin Vargheese
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Rita Abranches
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Isabel Alexandra Abreu
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Shanmugaraj Balamurugan
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Ralph Bock
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Johannes F. Buyel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEAachenGermany
- Institute for Molecular BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Nicolau B. da Cunha
- Centro de Análise Proteômicas e Bioquímicas de BrasíliaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasíliaBrazil
| | - Henry Daniell
- School of Dental MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Roland Faller
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
| | - André Folgado
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Iyappan Gowtham
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Suvi T. Häkkinen
- Industrial Biotechnology and Food SolutionsVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland LtdEspooFinland
| | - Shashi Kumar
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and BiotechnologyNew DelhiIndia
| | - Ramalingam Sathish Kumar
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Cristiano Lacorte
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | | | - Ines M. Luís
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Julian K.‐C. Ma
- Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George’s University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Karen A. McDonald
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
- Global HealthShare InitiativeUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
| | - Andre Murad
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | - Somen Nandi
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
- Global HealthShare InitiativeUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
| | - Barry O’Keef
- Division of Cancer Treatment and DiagnosisMolecular Targets ProgramCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer Institute, and Natural Products Branch, Developmental Therapeutics ProgramNational Cancer Institute, NIHFrederickMDUSA
| | - Subramanian Parthiban
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Mathew J. Paul
- Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George’s University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Daniel Ponndorf
- Department of Biological ChemistryJohn Innes CentreNorwich Research Park, NorwichUK
| | - Elibio Rech
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | - Julio C.M. Rodrigues
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | - Stephanie Ruf
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Stefan Schillberg
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEAachenGermany
- Institute for PhytopathologyJustus‐Liebig‐University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Jennifer Schwestka
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Priya S. Shah
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
| | - Rahul Singh
- School of Dental MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Eva Stoger
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | | | - Inchakalody P. Varghese
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Giovanni R. Vianna
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | - Gina Webster
- Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George’s University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Ruud H. P. Wilbers
- Laboratory of NematologyPlant Sciences GroupWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Paul Christou
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
- ICREACatalan Institute for Research and Advanced StudiesBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - Teresa Capell
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
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11
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Barry A, Bradley J, Stone W, Guelbeogo MW, Lanke K, Ouedraogo A, Soulama I, Nébié I, Serme SS, Grignard L, Patterson C, Wu L, Briggs JJ, Janson O, Awandu SS, Ouedraogo M, Tarama CW, Kargougou D, Zongo S, Sirima SB, Marti M, Drakeley C, Tiono AB, Bousema T. Higher gametocyte production and mosquito infectivity in chronic compared to incident Plasmodium falciparum infections. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2443. [PMID: 33903595 PMCID: PMC8076179 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22573-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte kinetics and infectivity may differ between chronic and incident infections. In the current study, we assess parasite kinetics and infectivity to mosquitoes among children (aged 5-10 years) from Burkina Faso with (a) incident infections following parasite clearance (n = 48) and (b) chronic asymptomatic infections (n = 60). In the incident infection cohort, 92% (44/48) of children develop symptoms within 35 days, compared to 23% (14/60) in the chronic cohort. All individuals with chronic infection carried gametocytes or developed them during follow-up, whereas only 35% (17/48) in the incident cohort produce gametocytes before becoming symptomatic and receiving treatment. Parasite multiplication rate (PMR) and the relative abundance of ap2-g and gexp-5 transcripts are positively associated with gametocyte production. Antibody responses are higher and PMR lower in chronic infections. The presence of symptoms and sexual stage immune responses are associated with reductions in gametocyte infectivity to mosquitoes. We observe that most incident infections require treatment before the density of mature gametocytes is sufficient to infect mosquitoes. In contrast, chronic, asymptomatic infections represent a significant source of mosquito infections. Our observations support the notion that malaria transmission reduction may be expedited by enhanced case management, involving both symptom-screening and infection detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aissata Barry
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - John Bradley
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Will Stone
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Moussa W Guelbeogo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Kjerstin Lanke
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alphonse Ouedraogo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Issiaka Soulama
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Issa Nébié
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Samuel S Serme
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Lynn Grignard
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Catriona Patterson
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Lindsey Wu
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jessica J Briggs
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Owen Janson
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shehu S Awandu
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mireille Ouedraogo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Casimire W Tarama
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Désiré Kargougou
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Soumanaba Zongo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Sodiomon B Sirima
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Chris Drakeley
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Alfred B Tiono
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Teun Bousema
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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12
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Coelho CH, Tang WK, Burkhardt M, Galson JD, Muratova O, Salinas ND, Alves e Silva TL, Reiter K, MacDonald NJ, Nguyen V, Herrera R, Shimp R, Narum DL, Byrne-Steele M, Pan W, Hou X, Brown B, Eisenhower M, Han J, Jenkins BJ, Doritchamou JYA, Smelkinson MG, Vega-Rodríguez J, Trück J, Taylor JJ, Sagara I, Healy SA, Renn JP, Tolia NH, Duffy PE. A human monoclonal antibody blocks malaria transmission and defines a highly conserved neutralizing epitope on gametes. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1750. [PMID: 33741942 PMCID: PMC7979743 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21955-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria elimination requires tools that interrupt parasite transmission. Here, we characterize B cell receptor responses among Malian adults vaccinated against the first domain of the cysteine-rich 230 kDa gamete surface protein Pfs230, a key protein in sexual stage development of P. falciparum parasites. Among nine Pfs230 human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that we generated, one potently blocks transmission to mosquitoes in a complement-dependent manner and reacts to the gamete surface; the other eight show only low or no blocking activity. The structure of the transmission-blocking mAb in complex with vaccine antigen reveals a large discontinuous conformational epitope, specific to domain 1 of Pfs230 and comprising six structural elements in the protein. The epitope is conserved, suggesting the transmission-blocking mAb is broadly functional. This study provides a rational basis to improve malaria vaccines and develop therapeutic antibodies for malaria elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila H. Coelho
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Pathogenesis and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Wai Kwan Tang
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Martin Burkhardt
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Jacob D. Galson
- grid.7400.30000 0004 1937 0650Division of Immunology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland ,Alchemab Therapeutics Ltd, 55-56 Russell Square, London, UK
| | - Olga Muratova
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Nichole D. Salinas
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Thiago Luiz Alves e Silva
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD USA
| | - Karine Reiter
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Nicholas J. MacDonald
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Vu Nguyen
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Raul Herrera
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Richard Shimp
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - David L. Narum
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | | | - Wenjing Pan
- grid.429220.fiRepertoire Inc., Huntsville, AL USA
| | - Xiaohong Hou
- grid.429220.fiRepertoire Inc., Huntsville, AL USA
| | | | | | - Jian Han
- grid.429220.fiRepertoire Inc., Huntsville, AL USA
| | - Bethany J. Jenkins
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Pathogenesis and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Justin Y. A. Doritchamou
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Pathogenesis and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Margery G. Smelkinson
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Biological Imaging Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Joel Vega-Rodríguez
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD USA
| | - Johannes Trück
- grid.7400.30000 0004 1937 0650Division of Immunology and Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Justin J. Taylor
- grid.270240.30000 0001 2180 1622Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Issaka Sagara
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technology, Bamako, Mali
| | - Sara A. Healy
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Jonathan P. Renn
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Niraj H. Tolia
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Patrick E. Duffy
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Pathogenesis and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA ,grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
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13
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Mamedov T, Gurbuzaslan I, Yuksel D, Ilgin M, Mammadova G, Ozkul A, Hasanova G. Soluble Human Angiotensin- Converting Enzyme 2 as a Potential Therapeutic Tool for COVID-19 is Produced at High Levels In Nicotiana benthamiana Plant With Potent Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:742875. [PMID: 34938305 PMCID: PMC8685454 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.742875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread to more than 222 countries and has put global public health at high risk. The world urgently needs a safe, cost-effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine as well as therapeutic and antiviral drugs to combat COVID-19. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as a key receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infections, has been proposed as a potential therapeutic tool in patients with COVID-19. In this study, we report a high-level production (about ∼0.75 g/kg leaf biomass) of human soluble (truncated) ACE2 in the Nicotiana benthamiana plant. After the Ni-NTA single-step, the purification yields of recombinant plant produced ACE2 protein in glycosylated and deglycosylated forms calculated as ∼0.4 and 0.5 g/kg leaf biomass, respectively. The plant produced recombinant human soluble ACE2s successfully bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Importantly, both deglycosylated and glycosylated forms of ACE2 are stable at increased temperatures for extended periods of time and demonstrated strong anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities in vitro. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of glycosylated ACE2 (gACE2) and deglycosylated ACE2 (dACE2) were ∼1.0 and 8.48 μg/ml, respectively, for the pre-entry infection, when incubated with 100TCID50 of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, plant produced soluble ACE2s are promising cost-effective and safe candidates as a potential therapeutic tool in the treatment of patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarlan Mamedov
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, Azerbaijan
- *Correspondence: Tarlan Mamedov,
| | - Irem Gurbuzaslan
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Damla Yuksel
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Merve Ilgin
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Gunay Mammadova
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Aykut Ozkul
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
- Biotechnology Institute, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gulnara Hasanova
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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14
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Qiu Y, Zhao Y, Liu F, Ye B, Zhao Z, Thongpoon S, Roobsoong W, Sattabongkot J, Cui L, Fan Q, Cao Y. Evaluation of Plasmodium vivax HAP2 as a transmission-blocking vaccine candidate. Vaccine 2020; 38:2841-2848. [PMID: 32093983 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) is a promising strategy to interfere with the transmission of malaria. To date, only limited TBV candidate antigens have been identified for Plasmodium vivax. HAP2 is a gamete membrane fusion protein, with homology to the class II viral fusion proteins. Herein we reported the characterization of the PvHAP2 for its potential as a TBV candidate for P. vivax. The HAP2/GCS1 domain of PvHAP2 was expressed in the baculovirus expression system and the recombinant protein was used to raise antibodies in rabbits. Indirect immunofluorescence assays showed that anti-PvHAP2 antibodies reacted only with the male gametocytes on blood smears. Direct membrane feeding assays were conducted using four field P. vivax isolates in Anopheles dirus. At a mean infection intensity of 72.4, 70.7, 51.3, and 15.6 oocysts/midgut with the control antibodies, anti-PvHAP2 antibodies significantly reduced the midgut oocyst intensity by 40.3, 44.4, 61.9, and 89.7%. Whereas the anti-PvHAP2 antibodies were not effective in reducing the infection prevalence at higher parasite exposure (51.3-72.4 oocysts/midgut in the control group), the anti-PvHAP2 antibodies reduced infection prevalence by 50% at a low challenge (15.6 oocysts/midgut). Multiple sequence alignment showed 100% identity among these Thai P. vivax isolates, suggesting that polymorphism may not be an impediment for the utilization of PvHAP2 as a TBV antigen. In conclusion, our results suggest that PvHAP2 could serve as a TBV candidate for P. vivax, and further optimization and evaluation are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qiu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China
| | - Bo Ye
- Dalian Institute of Biotechnology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhenjun Zhao
- Dalian Institute of Biotechnology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Sataporn Thongpoon
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand
| | - Wanlapa Roobsoong
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Boulevard, Suite 304, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Qi Fan
- Dalian Institute of Biotechnology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China.
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15
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de Jong RM, Tebeje SK, Meerstein‐Kessel L, Tadesse FG, Jore MM, Stone W, Bousema T. Immunity against sexual stage Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax parasites. Immunol Rev 2020; 293:190-215. [PMID: 31840844 PMCID: PMC6973022 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The efficient spread of malaria from infected humans to mosquitoes is a major challenge for malaria elimination initiatives. Gametocytes are the only Plasmodium life stage infectious to mosquitoes. Here, we summarize evidence for naturally acquired anti-gametocyte immunity and the current state of transmission blocking vaccines (TBV). Although gametocytes are intra-erythrocytic when present in infected humans, developing Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes may express proteins on the surface of red blood cells that elicit immune responses in naturally exposed individuals. This immune response may reduce the burden of circulating gametocytes. For both P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, there is a solid evidence that antibodies against antigens present on the gametocyte surface, when co-ingested with gametocytes, can influence transmission to mosquitoes. Transmission reducing immunity, reducing the burden of infection in mosquitoes, is a well-acknowledged but poorly quantified phenomenon that forms the basis for the development of TBV. Transmission enhancing immunity, increasing the likelihood or intensity of transmission to mosquitoes, is more speculative in nature but is convincingly demonstrated for P. vivax. With the increased interest in malaria elimination, TBV and monoclonal antibodies have moved to the center stage of malaria vaccine development. Methodologies to prioritize and evaluate products are urgently needed.
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MESH Headings
- Antibodies, Blocking/immunology
- Antibodies, Protozoan/immunology
- Host-Parasite Interactions/immunology
- Humans
- Immunity
- Immunomodulation
- Life Cycle Stages
- Malaria Vaccines/immunology
- Malaria, Falciparum/immunology
- Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology
- Malaria, Falciparum/prevention & control
- Malaria, Falciparum/transmission
- Malaria, Vivax/immunology
- Malaria, Vivax/parasitology
- Malaria, Vivax/prevention & control
- Malaria, Vivax/transmission
- Plasmodium falciparum/growth & development
- Plasmodium falciparum/immunology
- Plasmodium vivax/growth & development
- Plasmodium vivax/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Roos M. de Jong
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | | | - Lisette Meerstein‐Kessel
- Radboud Institute for Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular InformaticsRadboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Fitsum G. Tadesse
- Armauer Hansen Research InstituteAddis AbabaEthiopia
- Radboud Institute for Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Matthijs M. Jore
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Will Stone
- Department of Immunology and InfectionLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Teun Bousema
- Radboud Institute for Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Department of Immunology and InfectionLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
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16
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Angrisano F, Sala KA, Tapanelli S, Christophides GK, Blagborough AM. Male-Specific Protein Disulphide Isomerase Function is Essential for Plasmodium Transmission and a Vulnerable Target for Intervention. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18300. [PMID: 31797966 PMCID: PMC6892906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54613-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting transmission of Plasmodium is an essential strategy in malaria eradication, and the biological process of gamete fusion during fertilization is a proven target for this approach. Lack of knowledge of the mechanisms underlying fertilization have been a hindrance in the development of transmission-blocking interventions. Here we describe a protein disulphide isomerase essential for malarial transmission (PDI-Trans/PBANKA_0820300) to the mosquito. We show that PDI-Trans activity is male-specific, surface-expressed, essential for fertilization/transmission, and exhibits disulphide isomerase activity which is up-regulated post-gamete activation. We demonstrate that PDI-Trans is a viable anti-malarial drug and vaccine target blocking malarial transmission with the use of PDI inhibitor bacitracin (98.21%/92.48% reduction in intensity/prevalence), and anti-PDI-Trans antibodies (66.22%/33.16% reduction in intensity/prevalence). To our knowledge, these results provide the first evidence that PDI function is essential for malarial transmission, and emphasize the potential of anti-PDI agents to act as anti-malarials, facilitating the future development of novel transmission-blocking interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Angrisano
- Division of Microbiology and Parasitology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, United Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna A Sala
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Sofia Tapanelli
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - George K Christophides
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M Blagborough
- Division of Microbiology and Parasitology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, United Kingdom. .,Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
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17
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The Pfs230 N-terminal fragment, Pfs230D1+: expression and characterization of a potential malaria transmission-blocking vaccine candidate. Malar J 2019; 18:356. [PMID: 31703583 PMCID: PMC6839146 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2989-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Control and elimination of malaria can be accelerated by transmission-blocking interventions such as vaccines. A surface antigen of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes, Pfs230, is a leading vaccine target antigen, and has recently progressed to experimental clinical trials. To support vaccine product development, an N-terminal Pfs230 antigen was designed to increase yield, as well as to improve antigen quality, integrity, and homogeneity. Methods A scalable baculovirus expression system was used to express the Pfs230D1+ construct (aa 552–731), which was subsequently purified and analysed. Pfs230D1+ was designed to avoid glycosylation and protease digestion, thereby potentially increasing homogeneity and stability. The resulting Pfs230D1+ protein was compared to a previous iteration of the Pfs230 N-terminal domain, Pfs230C1 (aa 443–731), through physiochemical characterization and in vivo analysis. The induction of functional antibody responses was confirmed via the standard membrane feeding assay (SMFA). Results Pfs230D1+ was produced and purified to an overall yield of 23 mg/L culture supernatant, a twofold yield increase over Pfs230C1. The Pfs230D1+ protein migrated as a single band via SDS-PAGE and was detected by anti-Pfs230C1 monoclonal antibodies. Evaluation by SDS-PAGE, chromatography (size-exclusion and reversed phase) and capillary isoelectric focusing demonstrated the molecule had improved homogeneity in terms of size, conformation, and charge. Intact mass spectrometry confirmed its molecular weight and that it was free of glycosylation, a key difference to the prior Pfs230C1 protein. The correct formation of the two intramolecular disulfide bonds was initially inferred by binding of a conformation specific monoclonal antibody and directly confirmed by LC/MS and peptide mapping. When injected into mice the Pfs230D1+ protein elicited antibodies that demonstrated transmission-reducing activity, via SMFA, comparable to Pfs230C1. Conclusion By elimination of an O-glycosylation site, a potential N-glycosylation site, and two proteolytic cleavage sites, an improved N-terminal Pfs230 fragment was produced, termed D1+, which is non-glycosylated, homogeneous, and biologically active. An intact protein at higher yield than that previously observed for the Pfs230C1 fragment was achieved. The results indicate that Pfs230D1+ protein produced in the baculovirus expression system is an attractive antigen for transmission-blocking vaccine development.
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18
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Muthui MK, Kamau A, Bousema T, Blagborough AM, Bejon P, Kapulu MC. Immune Responses to Gametocyte Antigens in a Malaria Endemic Population-The African falciparum Context: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2480. [PMID: 31695697 PMCID: PMC6817591 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Malaria elimination remains a priority research agenda with the need for interventions that reduce and/or block malaria transmission from humans to mosquitoes. Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) are in development, most of which target the transmission stage (i.e., gametocyte) antigens Pfs230 and Pfs48/45. For these interventions to be implemented, there is a need to understand the naturally acquired immunity to gametocytes. Several studies have measured the prevalence of immune responses to Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 in populations in malaria-endemic areas. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies carried out in African populations that measured the prevalence of immune responses to the gametocyte antigens Pfs230 and Pfs48/45. We assessed seroprevalence of antibody responses to the two antigens and investigated the effects of covariates such as age, transmission intensity/endemicity, season, and parasite prevalence on the prevalence of these antibody responses by meta-regression. Results: We identified 12 studies covering 23 sites for inclusion in the analysis. We found that the range of reported seroprevalence to Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 varied widely across studies, from 0 to 64% for Pfs48/45 and from 6 to 72% for Pfs230. We also found a modest association between increased age and increased seroprevalence to Pfs230: adults were associated with higher seroprevalence estimates in comparison to children (β coefficient 0.21, 95% CI: 0.05-0.38, p = 0.042). Methodological factors were the most significant contributors to heterogeneity between studies which prevented calculation of pooled prevalence estimates. Conclusions: Naturally acquired sexual stage immunity, as detected by antibodies to Pfs230 and Pfs48/45, was present in most studies analyzed. Significant between-study heterogeneity was seen, and methodological factors were a major contributor to this, and prevented further analysis of epidemiological and biological factors. This demonstrates a need for standardized protocols for conducting and reporting seroepidemiological analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle K Muthui
- Department of Biosciences, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Alice Kamau
- Department of Biosciences, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Teun Bousema
- Immunology and Infection Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Andrew M Blagborough
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Bejon
- Department of Biosciences, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa C Kapulu
- Department of Biosciences, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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19
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Wetzel D, Chan JA, Suckow M, Barbian A, Weniger M, Jenzelewski V, Reiling L, Richards JS, Anderson DA, Kouskousis B, Palmer C, Hanssen E, Schembecker G, Merz J, Beeson JG, Piontek M. Display of malaria transmission-blocking antigens on chimeric duck hepatitis B virus-derived virus-like particles produced in Hansenula polymorpha. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221394. [PMID: 31483818 PMCID: PMC6726142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is one of the major threats to human health globally. Despite huge efforts in malaria control and eradication, highly effective vaccines are urgently needed, including vaccines that can block malaria transmission. Chimeric virus-like particles (VLP) have emerged as a promising strategy to develop new malaria vaccine candidates. METHODS We developed yeast cell lines and processes for the expression of malaria transmission-blocking vaccine candidates Pfs25 and Pfs230 as VLP and VLP were analyzed for purity, size, protein incorporation rate and expression of malaria antigens. RESULTS In this study, a novel platform for the display of Plasmodium falciparum antigens on chimeric VLP is presented. Leading transmission-blocking vaccine candidates Pfs25 and Pfs230 were genetically fused to the small surface protein (dS) of the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV). The resulting fusion proteins were co-expressed in recombinant Hansenula polymorpha (syn. Pichia angusta, Ogataea polymorpha) strains along with the wild-type dS as the VLP scaffold protein. Through this strategy, chimeric VLP containing Pfs25 or the Pfs230-derived fragments Pfs230c or Pfs230D1M were purified. Up to 100 mg chimeric VLP were isolated from 100 g dry cell weight with a maximum protein purity of 90% on the protein level. Expression of the Pfs230D1M construct was more efficient than Pfs230c and enabled VLP with higher purity. VLP showed reactivity with transmission-blocking antibodies and supported the surface display of the malaria antigens on the native VLP. CONCLUSION The incorporation of leading Plasmodium falciparum transmission-blocking antigens into the dS-based VLP scaffold is a promising novel strategy for their display on nano-scaled particles. Competitive processes for efficient production and purification were established in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Wetzel
- ARTES Biotechnology GmbH, Langenfeld, Germany
- Laboratory of Plant and Process Design, Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jo-Anne Chan
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Andreas Barbian
- Düsseldorf University Hospital, Institute for Anatomy I, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | - Linda Reiling
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jack S. Richards
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David A. Anderson
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Betty Kouskousis
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catherine Palmer
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eric Hanssen
- The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gerhard Schembecker
- Laboratory of Plant and Process Design, Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Juliane Merz
- Evonik Technology & Infrastructure GmbH, Hanau, Germany
| | - James G. Beeson
- Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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20
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Abstract
Malaria vaccine development has rapidly advanced in the past decade. The very first phase 3 clinical trial of the RTS,S vaccine was completed with over 15,000 African infants and children, and pilot implementation studies are underway. Next-generation candidate vaccines using novel antigens, platforms, or approaches targeting different and/or multiple stages of the Plasmodium life cycle are being tested. Many candidates, in various stages of development, promise enhanced efficacy of long duration and broad protection against genetically diverse malaria strains, with a few studies under way in target populations in endemic areas. Malaria vaccines together with other interventions promise interruption and eventual elimination of malaria in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B Laurens
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201, Maryland, USA; .,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.,Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201, Maryland, USA
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21
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Guindo A, Sagara I, Ouedraogo B, Sallah K, Assadou MH, Healy S, Duffy P, Doumbo OK, Dicko A, Giorgi R, Gaudart J. "Spatial heterogeneity of environmental risk in randomized prevention trials: consequences and modeling". BMC Med Res Methodol 2019; 19:149. [PMID: 31307393 PMCID: PMC6632226 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-019-0759-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the context of environmentally influenced communicable diseases, proximity to environmental sources results in spatial heterogeneity of risk, which is sometimes difficult to measure in the field. Most prevention trials use randomization to achieve comparability between groups, thus failing to account for heterogeneity. This study aimed to determine under what conditions spatial heterogeneity biases the results of randomized prevention trials, and to compare different approaches to modeling this heterogeneity. Methods Using the example of a malaria prevention trial, simulations were performed to quantify the impact of spatial heterogeneity and to compare different models. Simulated scenarios combined variation in baseline risk, a continuous protective factor (age), a non-related factor (sex), and a binary protective factor (preventive treatment). Simulated spatial heterogeneity scenarios combined variation in breeding site density and effect, location, and population density. The performances of the following five statistical models were assessed: a non-spatial Cox Proportional Hazard (Cox-PH) model and four models accounting for spatial heterogeneity—i.e., a Data-Generating Model, a Generalized Additive Model (GAM), and two Stochastic Partial Differential Equation (SPDE) models, one modeling survival time and the other the number of events. Using a Bayesian approach, we estimated the SPDE models with an Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation algorithm. For each factor (age, sex, treatment), model performances were assessed by quantifying parameter estimation biases, mean square errors, confidence interval coverage rates (CRs), and significance rates. The four models were applied to data from a malaria transmission blocking vaccine candidate. Results The level of baseline risk did not affect our estimates. However, with a high breeding site density and a strong breeding site effect, the Cox-PH and GAM models underestimated the age and treatment effects (but not the sex effect) with a low CR. When population density was low, the Cox-SPDE model slightly overestimated the effect of related factors (age, treatment). The two SPDE models corrected the impact of spatial heterogeneity, thus providing the best estimates. Conclusion Our results show that when spatial heterogeneity is important but not measured, randomization alone cannot achieve comparability between groups. In such cases, prevention trials should model spatial heterogeneity with an adapted method. Trial registration The dataset used for the application example was extracted from Vaccine Trial #NCT02334462 (ClinicalTrials.gov registry). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12874-019-0759-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdoulaye Guindo
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Marseille, France. .,Malaria Research and Training Center - Ogobara K Doumbo, FMOS-FAPH, Mali-NIAID-ICER, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako, Bamako, Mali.
| | - Issaka Sagara
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Marseille, France.,Malaria Research and Training Center - Ogobara K Doumbo, FMOS-FAPH, Mali-NIAID-ICER, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Boukary Ouedraogo
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Marseille, France.,Direction des systèmes d'information en santé, Ministère de la santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Kankoe Sallah
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Marseille, France.,AP-HP, Hôpital Bichat, Unité de Recherche Clinique PNVS, Paris, France
| | - Mahamadoun Hamady Assadou
- Malaria Research and Training Center - Ogobara K Doumbo, FMOS-FAPH, Mali-NIAID-ICER, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Sara Healy
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Patrick Duffy
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Ogobara K Doumbo
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Marseille, France.,Malaria Research and Training Center - Ogobara K Doumbo, FMOS-FAPH, Mali-NIAID-ICER, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Alassane Dicko
- Malaria Research and Training Center - Ogobara K Doumbo, FMOS-FAPH, Mali-NIAID-ICER, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Roch Giorgi
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Hop Timone, BioSTIC, Biostatistic & ICT, Marseille, France
| | - Jean Gaudart
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Hop Timone, BioSTIC, Biostatistic & ICT, Marseille, France
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22
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Outer membrane protein complex as a carrier for malaria transmission blocking antigen Pfs230. NPJ Vaccines 2019; 4:24. [PMID: 31312527 PMCID: PMC6614402 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-019-0121-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria transmission blocking vaccines (TBV) target the mosquito stage of parasite development by passive immunization of mosquitoes feeding on a vaccinated human. Through uptake of vaccine-induced antibodies in a blood meal, mosquito infection is halted and hence transmission to another human host is blocked. Pfs230 is a gametocyte and gamete surface antigen currently under clinical evaluation as a TBV candidate. We have previously shown that chemical conjugation of poorly immunogenic TBV antigens to Exoprotein A (EPA) can enhance their immunogenicity. Here, we assessed Outer Membrane Protein Complex (OMPC), a membrane vesicle derived from Neisseria meningitidis, as a carrier for Pfs230. We prepared Pfs230-OMPC conjugates with varying levels of antigen load and examined immunogenicity in mice. Chemical conjugation of Pfs230 to OMPC enhanced immunogenicity and functional activity of the Pfs230 antigen, and OMPC conjugates achieved 2-fold to 20-fold higher antibody titers than Pfs230-EPA/AdjuPhos® at different doses. OMPC conjugates were highly immunogenic even at low doses, indicating a dose-sparing effect. EPA conjugates induced an IgG subclass profile biased towards a Th2 response, whereas OMPC conjugates induced a strong Th1-biased immune response with high levels of IgG2, which can benefit Pfs230 antibody functional activity, which depends on complement activation. OMPC is a promising carrier for Pfs230 vaccines. Malaria transmission blocking vaccines (TBV) target Plasmodium stages that transmit between human and mosquitos in order to interrupt the parasite’s life cycle and reduce spread. One TBV antigen currently under clinical development is Pf230, which is expressed on sexual Plasmodium stages. In this study, led by Patrick Duffy from the NIAID, researchers improve immunogenicity of Pf230. They chemically conjugate a part of Pf230 to membrane vesicles derived from bacteria, so-called outer membrane protein complexes (OMPC). Immunization of mice with Pf230-OMPC elicits a higher antibody response and a more balanced IgG subclass profile than control immunizations. Serum from Pf230-OMPC-vaccinated mice efficiently blocks infection of mosquitoes. These results with mice encourage further pre-clinical and clinical characterization of OMPC as a carrier for TBV antigens.
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23
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Singh SK, Thrane S, Chourasia BK, Teelen K, Graumans W, Stoter R, van Gemert GJ, van de Vegte-Bolmer MG, Nielsen MA, Salanti A, Sander AF, Sauerwein RW, Jore MM, Theisen M. Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 Fusion Proteins Elicit Strong Transmission-Blocking Antibody Responses Against Plasmodium falciparum. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1256. [PMID: 31231386 PMCID: PMC6560166 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 proteins are expressed during transmission from man to mosquito and are leading candidates for a malaria transmission blocking vaccine. Individually they generate transmission blocking (TB) antibodies in rodent models. Whether the single protein vaccines are suitable to use in field settings will primarily depend on their potency to elicit functional antibodies. We hypothesized that a combination of both proteins will be more potent than each protein individually. Therefore we designed chimeric proteins composed of fragments of both Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 as well as single protein fragments, and expressed these in Lactoccus lactis. Both the individual Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 fragments and chimeras elicited high levels of functional antibodies in mice. Importantly, one of the chimeric proteins elicited over threefold higher transmission blocking antibody responses than the single antigens alone. Furthermore the immunogenicity of one of the chimeras could be enhanced through coupling to a virus-like particle (VLP). Altogether these data support further clinical development of these novel constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susheel K Singh
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susan Thrane
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bishwanath K Chourasia
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karina Teelen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Wouter Graumans
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rianne Stoter
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan van Gemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Morten A Nielsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ali Salanti
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Adam F Sander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robert W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Matthijs M Jore
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Michael Theisen
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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24
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Abstract
In the progression of the life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum, a small proportion of asexual parasites differentiate into male or female sexual forms called gametocytes. Just like their asexual counterparts, gametocytes are contained within the infected host's erythrocytes (RBCs). However, unlike their asexual partners, they do not exit the RBC until they are taken up in a blood meal by a mosquito. In the mosquito midgut, they are stimulated to emerge from the RBC, undergo fertilization, and ultimately produce tens of thousands of sporozoites that are infectious to humans. This transmission cycle can be blocked by antibodies targeting proteins exposed on the parasite surface in the mosquito midgut, a process that has led to the development of candidate transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV), including some that are in clinical trials. Here we review the leading TBV antigens and highlight the ongoing search for additional gametocyte/gamete surface antigens, as well as antigens on the surfaces of gametocyte-infected erythrocytes, which can potentially become a new group of TBV candidates.
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25
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Lee SM, Plieskatt J, Krishnan S, Raina M, Harishchandra R, King CR. Expression and purification optimization of an N-terminal Pfs230 transmission-blocking vaccine candidate. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 160:56-65. [PMID: 30978392 PMCID: PMC6547048 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In an effort to control and eventually eliminate malaria, the development of transmission-blocking vaccines has long been sought. However, few antigens have been evaluated in clinical trials, often due to limitations in the expression and purification of the antigen in sufficient yield and quality. Pfs230, a surface antigen of gametocytes, has recently advanced to clinical evaluation as a conjugate vaccine using the Pseudomonas aeruginosa exoprotein A carrier protein. Here we continue to build upon prior work of developing a Pfs230 candidate in the baculovirus system, Pfs230C1 (aa 443–731), through systematic process development efforts to improve yield and purity. Various insect cells including High Five, Sf9 and Super Sf9 were first evaluated for quality and quantity of antigen, along with three insect cell media. In the selection of Sf9 cells, an intact Pfs230C1 was expressed and harvested at 48 h for downstream development. A downstream process, utilizing immobilized metal affinity column (IMAC), followed by ion exchange (IEX) membranes (Mustang S) and finally IEX chromatography (DEAE) yielded a pure Pfs230C1 protein. The complete process was repeated three times at the 20 L scale. To support the eventual chemistry manufacturing and controls (CMC) of Pfs230C1, analytical tools, including monoclonal antibodies, were developed to characterize the identity, integrity, and purity of Pfs230C1. These analytical tools, taken in combination with the optimized process, were implemented with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) in mind with the ultimate objective of Phase I clinical trials. Super Sf9, Sf9 and High Five baculovirus cells were evaluated to express the Pfs230 construct. Following selection of Sf9 cells to minimize degradation, expression media was optimized. A purification approach was developed to produce a pure recombinant product free of host cell proteins. A variety of biochemical release assays were developed to support the release and stability of Pfs230. A scalable process suitable for cGMP manufacture was developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shwu-Maan Lee
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), 455 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20001-2621, USA.
| | - Jordan Plieskatt
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), 455 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20001-2621, USA
| | - Seetha Krishnan
- Syngene International Ltd, Plot No.2,3,4 &5 Phase IV, Bommasandra Jigani Link Road, Bommasandra Industrial Area, Bangalore, 560099, India
| | - Monika Raina
- Syngene International Ltd, Plot No.2,3,4 &5 Phase IV, Bommasandra Jigani Link Road, Bommasandra Industrial Area, Bangalore, 560099, India
| | - Rakeshkumar Harishchandra
- Syngene International Ltd, Plot No.2,3,4 &5 Phase IV, Bommasandra Jigani Link Road, Bommasandra Industrial Area, Bangalore, 560099, India
| | - C Richter King
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), 455 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20001-2621, USA
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26
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Miura K, Deng B, Wu Y, Zhou L, Pham TP, Diouf A, Wu CK, Lee SM, Plieskatt JL, Morin MJ, Long CA. ELISA units, IgG subclass ratio and avidity determined functional activity of mouse anti-Pfs230 antibodies judged by a standard membrane-feeding assay with Plasmodium falciparum. Vaccine 2019; 37:2073-2078. [PMID: 30850239 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.02.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The standard membrane-feeding assay (SMFA) is a functional assay that has been used to inform the development of transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV) against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. For Pfs230, a lead target antigen for TBV development, a few studies have tested either a single anti-Pfs230 polyclonal or monoclonal antibody (one antibody per study) at serial dilutions and showed a dose-dependent response. Further, there have been reports that the SMFA activity of anti-Pfs230 polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were enhanced in the presence of complement. However, no analysis has been performed with multiple samples, and the impact of anti-Pfs230 antibody titers, IgG subclass profile and avidity were evaluated together in relation to transmission-reducing activity (TRA) by SMFA. In this report, a total of 39 unique anti-Pfs230 IgGs from five different mouse immunization studies were assessed for their ELISA units (EU), IgG2/IgG1 ratio and avidity by ELISA, and the functionality (% transmission-reducing activity, %TRA) by SMFA. The mice were immunized with Pfs230 alone, Pfs230 conjugated to CRM197, or a mixture of unconjugated Pfs230 and CRM197 proteins using Alhydrogel or Montanide ISA720 adjuvants. In all studies, the Pfs230 antigen was from the same source. There was a significant correlation between EU and %TRA (p < 0.0001 by a Spearman rank test) for the anti-Pfs230 IgGs. Notably, multiple linear regression analyses showed that both IgG2/IgG1 ratio and avidity significantly affected %TRA (p = 0.003 to p = 0.014, depending on the models) after adjusting for EU. The results suggest that in addition to antibody titers, IgG2/IgG1 ratio and avidity should each be evaluated to predict the biological activity of anti-Pfs230 antibodies for future vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
| | - Bingbing Deng
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Yimin Wu
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Luwen Zhou
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Thao P Pham
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Ababacar Diouf
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Chia-Kuei Wu
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Shwu-Maan Lee
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | | | | | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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27
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Identification of domains within Pfs230 that elicit transmission blocking antibody responses. Vaccine 2019; 37:1799-1806. [PMID: 30824357 PMCID: PMC6708081 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) against Plasmodium falciparum is likely to be a valuable tool in a malaria eradication program. Pfs230 is one of the major TBV candidates, and multiple Pfs230-based vaccines induced antibodies, which prevented oocyst formation in mosquitoes as determined by a standard membrane-feeding assay (SMFA). Pfs230 is a >300 kDa protein consisting of 14 cysteine motif (CM) domains, and the size and cysteine-rich nature of the molecule have hampered its production as an intact protein. Except for one early study with maltose-binding protein fusion Pfs230 constructs expressed in Esherichia coli, all other studies have focused on only the first four CM domains in the Pfs230 molecule. To identify all possible TBV candidate domains, we systematically produced either single-CM-domain (a total of 14), 2-CM-domain (7), or 4-CM-domain (6) recombinant protein fragments using a eukaryotic wheat germ cell-free expression system (WGCFS). In addition, two more constructs which covered previously published regions, and an N-terminal prodomain construct spanning the natural cleavage site of Pfs230 were produced. Antisera against each fragment were generated in mice and we evaluated the reactivity to native Pfs230 protein by Western blots and immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and functionality by SMFA. All 30 WGCFS-produced Pfs230 constructs were immunogenic in mice. Approximately half of the mouse antibodies specifically recognized native Pfs230 by Western blots with variable band intensities. Among them, seven antibodies showed higher reactivities against native Pfs230 determined by IFA. Interestingly, antibodies against all protein fragments containing CM domain 1 displayed strong inhibitions in SMFA, while antibodies generated using constructs without CM domain 1 showed no inhibition. The results strongly support the concept that future Pfs230-based vaccine development should focus on the Pfs230 CM domain 1.
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28
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Kengne-Ouafo JA, Sutherland CJ, Binka FN, Awandare GA, Urban BC, Dinko B. Immune Responses to the Sexual Stages of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites. Front Immunol 2019; 10:136. [PMID: 30804940 PMCID: PMC6378314 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria infections remain a serious global health problem in the world, particularly among children and pregnant women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, malaria control and elimination is hampered by rapid development of resistance by the parasite and the vector to commonly used antimalarial drugs and insecticides, respectively. Therefore, vaccine-based strategies are sorely needed, including those designed to interrupt disease transmission. However, a prerequisite for such a vaccine strategy is the understanding of both the human and vector immune responses to parasite developmental stages involved in parasite transmission in both man and mosquito. Here, we review the naturally acquired humoral and cellular responses to sexual stages of the parasite while in the human host and the Anopheles vector. In addition, updates on current anti-gametocyte, anti-gamete, and anti-mosquito transmission blocking vaccines are given. We conclude with our views on some important future directions of research into P. falciparum sexual stage immunity relevant to the search for the most appropriate transmission-blocking vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas A Kengne-Ouafo
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Colin J Sutherland
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fred N Binka
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Gordon A Awandare
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Britta C Urban
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Bismarck Dinko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
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29
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Antimalarial Transmission-Blocking Interventions: Past, Present, and Future. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:735-746. [PMID: 30082147 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Malaria remains a major global health challenge. Appropriate use of current antimalarial tools has reduced the disease burden, but morbidity and mortality remain unacceptably high. It is widely accepted that, to achieve long-term control/eradication, it will be necessary to use interventions that inhibit the transmission of parasites to mosquitoes - these tools are termed transmission-blocking interventions (TBIs). This article aims to outline the rationale for the development of TBIs, with a focus on transmission-blocking drugs and (parasite-derived) transmission-blocking vaccines. We describe and summarise the current status of each of these intervention classes and attempt to identify future requirements in development, with a focus on the challenges of establishing each method within an integrated malarial control programme in the future.
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30
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Stone WJR, Campo JJ, Ouédraogo AL, Meerstein-Kessel L, Morlais I, Da D, Cohuet A, Nsango S, Sutherland CJ, van de Vegte-Bolmer M, Siebelink-Stoter R, van Gemert GJ, Graumans W, Lanke K, Shandling AD, Pablo JV, Teng AA, Jones S, de Jong RM, Fabra-García A, Bradley J, Roeffen W, Lasonder E, Gremo G, Schwarzer E, Janse CJ, Singh SK, Theisen M, Felgner P, Marti M, Drakeley C, Sauerwein R, Bousema T, Jore MM. Unravelling the immune signature of Plasmodium falciparum transmission-reducing immunity. Nat Commun 2018; 9:558. [PMID: 29422648 PMCID: PMC5805765 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02646-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Plasmodium can elicit antibodies that inhibit parasite survival in the mosquito, when they are ingested in an infectious blood meal. Here, we determine the transmission-reducing activity (TRA) of naturally acquired antibodies from 648 malaria-exposed individuals using lab-based mosquito-feeding assays. Transmission inhibition is significantly associated with antibody responses to Pfs48/45, Pfs230, and to 43 novel gametocyte proteins assessed by protein microarray. In field-based mosquito-feeding assays the likelihood and rate of mosquito infection are significantly lower for individuals reactive to Pfs48/45, Pfs230 or to combinations of the novel TRA-associated proteins. We also show that naturally acquired purified antibodies against key transmission-blocking epitopes of Pfs48/45 and Pfs230 are mechanistically involved in TRA, whereas sera depleted of these antibodies retain high-level, complement-independent TRA. Our analysis demonstrates that host antibody responses to gametocyte proteins are associated with reduced malaria transmission efficiency from humans to mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Will J R Stone
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. .,Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
| | | | | | - Lisette Meerstein-Kessel
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Isabelle Morlais
- Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale, BP 288, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC (IRD, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier), 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier, France
| | - Dari Da
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, 399 Avenue de la Liberté, 01 BP 545, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Anna Cohuet
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, MIVEGEC (IRD, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier), 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier, France.,Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, 399 Avenue de la Liberté, 01 BP 545, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Sandrine Nsango
- Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale, BP 288, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Faculty of Medecine and Pharmaceutical Science, PO Box 2701, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Colin J Sutherland
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rianne Siebelink-Stoter
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan van Gemert
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter Graumans
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kjerstin Lanke
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Andy A Teng
- Antigen Discovery Inc., Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Sophie Jones
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Roos M de Jong
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Amanda Fabra-García
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - John Bradley
- Medical Research Council Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Will Roeffen
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin Lasonder
- School of Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences, Plymouth University, Drakes Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Giuliana Gremo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Via Santena 5bis, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Evelin Schwarzer
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Via Santena 5bis, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Chris J Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Susheel K Singh
- Department for Congenital Diseases, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, DK 2300, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, DK 2200, Denmark
| | - Michael Theisen
- Department for Congenital Diseases, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, DK 2300, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, DK 2200, Denmark
| | - Phil Felgner
- Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Matthias Marti
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Wellcome Center for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Chris Drakeley
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Robert Sauerwein
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Teun Bousema
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. .,Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
| | - Matthijs M Jore
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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31
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Kapoor N, Vanjak I, Rozzelle J, Berges A, Chan W, Yin G, Tran C, Sato AK, Steiner AR, Pham TP, Birkett AJ, Long CA, Fairman J, Miura K. Malaria Derived Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Anchor Enhances Anti-Pfs25 Functional Antibodies That Block Malaria Transmission. Biochemistry 2018; 57:516-519. [PMID: 29323879 PMCID: PMC5803671 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b01099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
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Malaria,
one of the most common vector borne human diseases, is a major world
health issue. In 2015 alone, more than 200 million people were infected
with malaria, out of which, 429 000 died. Even though artemisinin-based
combination therapies (ACT) are highly effective at treating malaria
infections, novel efforts toward development of vaccines to prevent
transmission are still needed. Pfs25, a postfertilization stage parasite
surface antigen, is a leading transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV)
candidate. It is postulated that Pfs25 anchors to the cell membrane
using a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) linker, which itself possesses
pro-inflammatory properties. In this study, Escherichia coli derived extract (XtractCF+TM) was used in cell free protein
synthesis [CFPS] to successfully express >200 mg/L of recombinant
Pfs25 with a C-terminal non-natural amino acid (nnAA), namely, p-azidomethyl phenylalanine (pAMF), which possesses a reactive
azide group. Thereafter, a unique conjugate vaccine (CV), namely,
Pfs25-GPI was generated with dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO) derivatized
glycan core of malaria GPI using a simple but highly efficient copper
free click chemistry reaction. In mice immunized with Pfs25 or Pfs25-GPI,
the Pfs25-GPI group showed significantly higher titers compared to
the Pfs25 group. Moreover, only purified IgGs from Pfs25-GPI group
were able to significantly block transmission of parasites to mosquitoes,
as judged by a standard membrane feeding assay [SMFA]. To our knowledge,
this is the first report of the generation of a CV using Pfs25 and
malaria specific GPI where the GPI is shown to enhance the ability
of Pfs25 to elicit transmission blocking antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj Kapoor
- SutroVax, Inc. , 353 Hatch Drive, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - Ivana Vanjak
- SutroVax, Inc. , 353 Hatch Drive, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - James Rozzelle
- SutroVax, Inc. , 353 Hatch Drive, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - Aym Berges
- SutroVax, Inc. , 353 Hatch Drive, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - Wei Chan
- SutroVax, Inc. , 353 Hatch Drive, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - Gang Yin
- Sutro Biopharma , 310 Utah, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Cuong Tran
- Sutro Biopharma , 310 Utah, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Aaron K Sato
- Sutro Biopharma , 310 Utah, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Alexander R Steiner
- Sutro Biopharma , 310 Utah, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Thao P Pham
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Ashley J Birkett
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) , Washington, D.C. 20001 United States
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Jeff Fairman
- SutroVax, Inc. , 353 Hatch Drive, Foster City, California 94404, United States
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
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32
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N-Terminal Pfs230 Domain Produced in Baculovirus as a Biological Active Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Candidate. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2017; 24:CVI.00140-17. [PMID: 28747311 PMCID: PMC5629673 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00140-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Transmission-blocking vaccines have the potential to accelerate malaria parasite elimination by inducing antibodies that block parasite transmission from humans to mosquitoes. Pfs230, a gametocyte surface protein involved in gamete function, has long been a promising candidate. Due to the large size (3,135 amino acids), complex domains, and repeating 6-cysteine (6-Cys) motifs with a multitude of disulfide bonds, the feasibility of expression of a full-length protein has been difficult. A priority focus, therefore, has been on the generation of single domains, including N-terminal fragments. Here we utilized a heterologous expression system, baculovirus, to produce an N-terminal domain of Pfs230 (Pfs230C1). Pfs230C1 (amino acids 443 to 731) with a polyhistidine affinity tag was expressed in Super Sf9 cells. Since the native host lacks glycosylation machinery, a single N585Q mutation was made to eliminate potential N-linked glycosylation. The expressed protein, purified by nickel affinity, ion exchange, and size exclusion chromatography to >90% purity, was present in monomeric form with an observed mass of 33,510 Da (matching oxidized form). Peptide mapping and disulfide analysis confirmed the proper formation of predicted disulfide bonds. Antibodies, generated against Pfs230C1 in mice, bound to the gametocyte in an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and demonstrated functional activity in both the standard membrane feeding assay (SMFA) and the exflagellation assay (EXA). The biochemical, biophysical, and immunological results reported herein support the continued advancement of an N-terminal Pfs230 antigen (Pfs230C1) as a component of a transmission-blocking vaccine. Our results also support the continued use of the scalable baculovirus expression system for the generation of complex Plasmodium proteins.
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33
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Acquah FK, Obboh EK, Asare K, Boampong JN, Nuvor SV, Singh SK, Theisen M, Williamson KC, Amoah LE. Antibody responses to two new Lactococcus lactis-produced recombinant Pfs48/45 and Pfs230 proteins increase with age in malaria patients living in the Central Region of Ghana. Malar J 2017; 16:306. [PMID: 28764709 PMCID: PMC5540549 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1955-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent advances in malaria control efforts have led to an increased number of national malaria control programmes implementing pre-elimination measures and demonstrated the need to develop new tools to track and control malaria transmission. Key to understanding transmission is monitoring the prevalence and immune response against the sexual stages of the parasite, known as gametocytes, which are responsible for transmission. Sexual-stage specific antigens, Pfs230 and Pfs48/45, have been identified and shown to be targets for transmission blocking antibodies, but they have been difficult to produce recombinantly in the absence of a fusion partner. Methods Regions of Pfs48/45 and Pfs230 known to contain transmission blocking epitopes, 6C and C0, respectively, were produced in a Lactococcus lactis expression system and used in enzyme linked immunosorbent assays to determine the seroreactivity of 95 malaria patients living in the Central Region of Ghana. Results Pfs48/45.6C and Pfs230.C0 were successfully produced in L. lactis in the absence of a fusion partner using a simplified purification scheme. Seroprevalence for L. lactis-produced Pfs48/45.6C and Pfs230.C0 in the study population was 74.7 and 72.8%, respectively. Conclusions A significant age-dependent increase in antibody titers was observed, which suggests a vaccine targeting these antigens could be boosted during a natural infection in the field. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-017-1955-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Festus K Acquah
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Evans K Obboh
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Kwame Asare
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Johnson N Boampong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Samuel Victor Nuvor
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Susheel K Singh
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Theisen
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kim C Williamson
- Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Uniform Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Linda Eva Amoah
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
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34
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E. Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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35
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Nanoassembly routes stimulate conflicting antibody quantity and quality for transmission-blocking malaria vaccines. Sci Rep 2017. [PMID: 28630474 PMCID: PMC5476561 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03798-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccine development efforts have recently focused on enabling strong immune responses to poorly immunogenic antigens, via display on multimerisation scaffolds or virus like particles (VLPs). Typically such studies demonstrate improved antibody titer comparing monomeric and nano-arrayed antigen. There are many such studies and scaffold technologies, but minimal side-by-side evaluation of platforms for both the amount and efficacy of antibodies induced. Here we present direct comparison of three leading platforms displaying the promising malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) target Pfs25. These platforms encompass the three important routes to antigen-scaffold linkage: genetic fusion, chemical cross-linking and plug-and-display SpyTag/SpyCatcher conjugation. We demonstrate that chemically-conjugated Qβ VLPs elicited the highest quantity of antibodies, while SpyCatcher-AP205-VLPs elicited the highest quality anti-Pfs25 antibodies for transmission blocking upon mosquito feeding. These quantative and qualitative features will guide future nanoassembly optimisation, as well as the development of the new generation of malaria vaccines targeting transmission.
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36
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Pua TL, Chan XY, Loh HS, Omar AR, Yusibov V, Musiychuk K, Hall AC, Coffin MV, Shoji Y, Chichester JA, Bi H, Streatfield SJ. Purification and immunogenicity of hemagglutinin from highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 13:306-313. [PMID: 27929750 PMCID: PMC5328219 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1264783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is an ongoing global health concern due to its severe sporadic outbreaks in Asia, Africa and Europe, which poses a potential pandemic threat. The development of safe and cost-effective vaccine candidates for HPAI is considered the best strategy for managing the disease and addressing the pandemic preparedness. The most potential vaccine candidate is the antigenic determinant of influenza A virus, hemagglutinin (HA). The present research was aimed at developing optimized expression in Nicotiana benthamiana and protein purification process for HA from the Malaysian isolate of H5N1 as a vaccine antigen for HPAI H5N1. Expression of HA from the Malaysian isolate of HPAI in N. benthamiana was confirmed, and more soluble protein was expressed as truncated HA, the HA1 domain over the entire ectodomain of HA. Two different purification processes were evaluated for efficiency in terms of purity and yield. Due to the reduced yield, protein degradation and length of the 3-column purification process, the 2-column method was chosen for target purification. Purified HA1 was found immunogenic in mice inducing H5 HA-specific IgG and a hemagglutination inhibition antibody. This paper offers an alternative production system of a vaccine candidate against a locally circulating HPAI, which has a regional significance.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/genetics
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/immunology
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/isolation & purification
- Immunoglobulin G/blood
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/immunology
- Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Influenza Vaccines/genetics
- Influenza Vaccines/immunology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/prevention & control
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Recombinant Proteins/isolation & purification
- Nicotiana/genetics
- Nicotiana/metabolism
- Treatment Outcome
- Vaccines, Subunit/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Subunit/genetics
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Teen-Lee Pua
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Xiao Ying Chan
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hwei-San Loh
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
- Biotechnology Research Centre, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Abdul Rahman Omar
- Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Vidadi Yusibov
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
| | | | | | - Megan V. Coffin
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Yoko Shoji
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
| | | | - Hong Bi
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
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37
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The s48/45 six-cysteine proteins: mediators of interaction throughout the Plasmodium life cycle. Int J Parasitol 2016; 47:409-423. [PMID: 27899328 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
During their life cycle Plasmodium parasites rely upon an arsenal of proteins that establish key interactions with the host and vector, and between the parasite sexual stages, with the purpose of ensuring infection, reproduction and proliferation. Among these is a group of secreted or membrane-anchored proteins known as the six-cysteine (6-cys) family. This is a small but important family with only 14 members thus far identified, each stage-specifically expressed during the parasite life cycle. 6-cys proteins often localise at the parasite surface or interface with the host and vector, and are conserved in different Plasmodium species. The unifying feature of the family is the s48/45 domain, presumably involved in adhesion and structurally related to Ephrins, the ligands of Eph receptors. The most prominent s48/45 members are currently under functional investigation and are being pursued as vaccine candidates. In this review, we examine what is known about the 6-cys family, their structure and function, and discuss future research directions.
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38
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Joung YH, Park SH, Moon KB, Jeon JH, Cho HS, Kim HS. The Last Ten Years of Advancements in Plant-Derived Recombinant Vaccines against Hepatitis B. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E1715. [PMID: 27754367 PMCID: PMC5085746 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17101715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease prevention through vaccination is considered to be the greatest contribution to public health over the past century. Every year more than 100 million children are vaccinated with the standard World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended vaccines including hepatitis B (HepB). HepB is the most serious type of liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), however, it can be prevented by currently available recombinant vaccine, which has an excellent record of safety and effectiveness. To date, recombinant vaccines are produced in many systems of bacteria, yeast, insect, and mammalian and plant cells. Among these platforms, the use of plant cells has received considerable attention in terms of intrinsic safety, scalability, and appropriate modification of target proteins. Research groups worldwide have attempted to develop more efficacious plant-derived vaccines for over 30 diseases, most frequently HepB and influenza. More inspiring, approximately 12 plant-made antigens have already been tested in clinical trials, with successful outcomes. In this study, the latest information from the last 10 years on plant-derived antigens, especially hepatitis B surface antigen, approaches are reviewed and breakthroughs regarding the weak points are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Hee Joung
- School of Biological Sciences & Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea.
| | - Se Hee Park
- School of Biological Sciences & Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea.
| | - Ki-Beom Moon
- Molecular Biofarming Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Jae-Heung Jeon
- Molecular Biofarming Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Hye-Sun Cho
- Molecular Biofarming Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Hyun-Soon Kim
- Molecular Biofarming Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Korea.
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MacDonald NJ, Nguyen V, Shimp R, Reiter K, Herrera R, Burkhardt M, Muratova O, Kumar K, Aebig J, Rausch K, Lambert L, Dawson N, Sattabongkot J, Ambroggio X, Duffy PE, Wu Y, Narum DL. Structural and Immunological Characterization of Recombinant 6-Cysteine Domains of the Plasmodium falciparum Sexual Stage Protein Pfs230. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:19913-22. [PMID: 27432885 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.732305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of a Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) transmission blocking vaccine (TBV) has the potential to significantly impact malaria control. Antibodies elicited against sexual stage proteins in the human bloodstream are taken up with the blood meal of the mosquitoes and inactivate parasite development in the mosquito. In a phase 1 trial, a leading TBV identified as Pfs25-EPA/Alhydrogel® appeared safe and immunogenic, however, the level of Pfs25-specific antibodies were likely too low for an effective vaccine. Pfs230, a 230-kDa sexual stage protein expressed in gametocytes is an alternative vaccine candidate. A unique 6-cysteine-rich domain structure within Pfs230 have thwarted its recombinant expression and characterization for clinical evaluation for nearly a quarter of a century. Here, we report on the identification, biochemical, biophysical, and immunological characterization of recombinant Pfs230 domains. Rabbit antibodies generated against recombinant Pfs230 domains blocked mosquito transmission of a laboratory strain and two field isolates using an ex vivo assay. A planned clinical trial of the Pfs230 vaccine is a significant step toward the potential development of a transmission blocking vaccine to eliminate malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J MacDonald
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Vu Nguyen
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Richard Shimp
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Karine Reiter
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Raul Herrera
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Martin Burkhardt
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Olga Muratova
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Krishan Kumar
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Joan Aebig
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Kelly Rausch
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Lynn Lambert
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Nikiah Dawson
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- the Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand, and
| | | | - Patrick E Duffy
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - Yimin Wu
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852
| | - David L Narum
- From the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852,
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Abstract
Gametocytes are the specialized form of Plasmodium parasites that are responsible for human-to-mosquito transmission of malaria. Transmission of gametocytes is highly effective, but represents a biomass bottleneck for the parasite that has stimulated interest in strategies targeting the transmission stages separately from those responsible for clinical disease. Studying targets of naturally acquired immunity against transmission-stage parasites may reveal opportunities for novel transmission reducing interventions, particularly the development of a transmission blocking vaccine (TBV). In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on immunity against the transmission stages of Plasmodium. This includes immune responses against epitopes on the gametocyte-infected erythrocyte surface during gametocyte development, as well as epitopes present upon gametocyte activation in the mosquito midgut. We present an analysis of historical data on transmission reducing immunity (TRI), as analysed in mosquito feeding assays, and its correlation with natural recognition of sexual stage specific proteins Pfs48/45 and Pfs230. Although high antibody titres towards either one of these proteins is associated with TRI, the presence of additional, novel targets is anticipated. In conclusion, the identification of novel gametocyte-specific targets of naturally acquired immunity against different gametocyte stages could aid in the development of potential TBV targets and ultimately an effective transmission blocking approach.
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41
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Tailoring a Combination Preerythrocytic Malaria Vaccine. Infect Immun 2015; 84:622-34. [PMID: 26667840 PMCID: PMC4771343 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01063-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The leading malaria vaccine candidate, RTS,S, based on the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP), will likely be the first publicly adopted malaria vaccine. However, this and other subunit vaccines, such as virus-vectored thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (TRAP), provide only intermediate to low levels of protection. In this study, the Plasmodium berghei homologues of antigens CSP and TRAP are combined. TRAP is delivered using adenovirus- and vaccinia virus-based vectors in a prime-boost regime. Initially, CSP is also delivered using these viral vectors; however, a reduction of anti-CSP antibodies is seen when combined with virus-vectored TRAP, and the combination is no more protective than either subunit vaccine alone. Using an adenovirus-CSP prime, protein-CSP boost regime, however, increases anti-CSP antibody titers by an order of magnitude, which is maintained when combined with virus-vectored TRAP. This combination regime using protein CSP provided 100% protection in C57BL/6 mice compared to no protection using virus-vectored TRAP alone and 40% protection using adenovirus-CSP prime and protein-CSP boost alone. This suggests that a combination of CSP and TRAP subunit vaccines could enhance protection against malaria.
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42
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Beiss V, Spiegel H, Boes A, Scheuermayer M, Reimann A, Schillberg S, Fischer R. Plant expression and characterization of the transmission-blocking vaccine candidate PfGAP50. BMC Biotechnol 2015; 15:108. [PMID: 26625934 PMCID: PMC4665938 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-015-0225-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the limited success after decades of intensive research and development efforts, vaccination still represents the most promising strategy to significantly reduce the disease burden in malaria endemic regions. Besides the ultimate goal of inducing sterile protection in vaccinated individuals, the prevention of transmission by so-called transmission blocking vaccines (TBVs) is being regarded as an important feature of an efficient malaria eradication strategy. Recently, Plasmodium falciparum GAP50 (PfGAP50), a 44.6 kDa transmembrane protein that forms an essential part of the invasion machinery (glideosome) multi-protein complex, has been proposed as novel potential transmission-blocking candidate. Plant-based expression systems combine the advantages of eukaryotic expression with a up-scaling potential and a good product safety profile suitable for vaccine production. In this study we investigated the feasibility to use the transient plant expression to produce PfGAP50 suitable for the induction of parasite specific inhibitory antibodies. RESULTS We performed the transient expression of recombinant PfGAP50 in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves using endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) and plastid targeting. After IMAC-purification the protein yield and integrity was investigated by SDS-PAGE and Western Blot. Rabbit immune IgG derived by the immunization with the plastid-targeted variant of PfGAP50 was analyzed by immune fluorescence assay (IFA) and zygote inhibition assay (ZIA). PfGAP50 could be produced in both subcellular compartments at different yields IMAC (Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography) purification from extract yielded up to 4.1 μg/g recombinant protein per fresh leaf material for ER-retarded and16.2 μg/g recombinant protein per fresh leave material for plasmid targeted PfGAP50, respectively. IgG from rabbit sera generated by immunization with the recombinant protein specifically recognized different parasite stages in immunofluorescence assay. Furthermore up to 55 % inhibition in an in vitro zygote inhibition assay could be achieved using PfGAP50-specific rabbit immune IgG. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrate that the plant-produced PfGAP50 is functional regarding the presentation of inhibitory epitopes and could be considered as component of a transmission-blocking malaria vaccine formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronique Beiss
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Holger Spiegel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Alexander Boes
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Matthias Scheuermayer
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Wuerzburg, Josef Schneider Str. 2/Bau D15, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - Andreas Reimann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Stefan Schillberg
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Rainer Fischer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, Worringer Weg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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43
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Sack M, Rademacher T, Spiegel H, Boes A, Hellwig S, Drossard J, Stoger E, Fischer R. From gene to harvest: insights into upstream process development for the GMP production of a monoclonal antibody in transgenic tobacco plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2015; 13:1094-105. [PMID: 26214282 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The EU Sixth Framework Programme Integrated Project 'Pharma-Planta' developed an approved manufacturing process for recombinant plant-made pharmaceutical proteins (PMPs) using the human HIV-neutralizing monoclonal antibody 2G12 as a case study. In contrast to the well-established Chinese hamster ovary platform, which has been used for the production of therapeutic antibodies for nearly 30 years, only draft regulations were initially available covering the production of recombinant proteins in transgenic tobacco plants. Whereas recombinant proteins produced in animal cells are secreted into the culture medium during fermentation in bioreactors, intact plants grown under nonsterile conditions in a glasshouse environment provide various 'plant-specific' regulatory and technical challenges for the development of a process suitable for the acquisition of a manufacturing licence for clinical phase I trials. During upstream process development, several generic steps were addressed (e.g. plant transformation and screening, seed bank generation, genetic stability, host plant uniformity) as well as product-specific aspects (e.g. product quantity). This report summarizes the efforts undertaken to analyse and define the procedures for the GMP/GACP-compliant upstream production of 2G12 in transgenic tobacco plants from gene to harvest, including the design of expression constructs, plant transformation, the generation of production lines, master and working seed banks and the detailed investigation of cultivation and harvesting parameters and their impact on biomass, product yield and intra/interbatch variability. The resulting procedures were successfully translated into a prototypic manufacturing process that has been approved by the German competent authority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Sack
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Rademacher
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
| | - Holger Spiegel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
| | - Alexander Boes
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stephan Hellwig
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
| | - Juergen Drossard
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
| | - Eva Stoger
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology (IAGZ), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rainer Fischer
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
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44
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Sauerwein RW, Bousema T. Transmission blocking malaria vaccines: Assays and candidates in clinical development. Vaccine 2015; 33:7476-82. [PMID: 26409813 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.08.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Stimulated by recent advances in malaria control and increased funding, the elimination of malaria is now considered to be an attainable goal for an increasing number of malaria-endemic regions. This has boosted the interest in transmission-reducing interventions including vaccines that target sexual, sporogenic, and/or mosquito-stage antigens to interrupt malaria transmission (SSM-VIMT). SSM-VIMT aim to prevent human malaria infection in vaccinated communities by inhibiting parasite development within the mosquito after a blood meal taken from a gametocyte carrier. Only a handful of target antigens are in clinical development and progress has been slow over the years. Major stumbling blocks include (i) the expression of appropriately folded target proteins and their downstream purification, (ii) insufficient induction of sustained functional blocking antibody titers by candidate vaccines in humans, and (iii) validation of a number of (bio)-assays as correlate for blocking activity in the field. Here we discuss clinical manufacturing and testing of current SSM-VIMT candidates and the latest bio-assay development for clinical evaluation. New testing strategies are discussed that may accelerate the evaluation and application of SSM-VIMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101 (268), Geert Grooteplein 28, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - T Bousema
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101 (268), Geert Grooteplein 28, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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45
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Kumar R, Ray PC, Datta D, Bansal GP, Angov E, Kumar N. Nanovaccines for malaria using Plasmodium falciparum antigen Pfs25 attached gold nanoparticles. Vaccine 2015; 33:5064-71. [PMID: 26299750 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Revised: 08/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV) targeting sexual stages of the parasite represent an ideal intervention to reduce the burden of the disease and eventual elimination at the population level in endemic regions. Immune responses against sexual stage antigens impair the development of parasite inside the mosquitoes. Target antigens identified in Plasmodium falciparum include surface proteins Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 in male and female gametocytes and Pfs25 expressed in zygotes and ookinetes. The latter has undergone extensive evaluation in pre-clinical and phase I clinical trials and remains one of the leading target antigens for the development of TBV. Pfs25 has a complex tertiary structure characterized by four EGF-like repeat motifs formed by 11 disulfide bonds, and it has been rather difficult to obtain Pfs25 as a homogenous product in native conformation in any heterologous expression system. Recently, we have reported expression of codon-harmonized recombinant Pfs25 in Escherichia coli (CHrPfs25) and which elicited highly potent malaria transmission-blocking antibodies in mice. In the current study, we investigated CHrPfs25 along with gold nanoparticles of different shapes, size and physicochemical properties as adjuvants for induction of transmission blocking immunity. The results revealed that CHrPfs25 delivered with various gold nanoparticles elicited strong transmission blocking antibodies and suggested that gold nanoparticles based formulations can be developed as nanovaccines to enhance the immunogenicity of vaccine antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Kumar
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Paresh C Ray
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Jackson State University, Jackson, MI 39217, United States
| | - Dibyadyuti Datta
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Geetha P Bansal
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Evelina Angov
- Walter Reed Army Institute for Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Nirbhay Kumar
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States.
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46
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Plasmodium falciparum Gametocyte-Specific Antibody Profiling Reveals Boosting through Natural Infection and Identifies Potential Markers of Gametocyte Exposure. Infect Immun 2015; 83:4229-36. [PMID: 26283330 PMCID: PMC4598406 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00644-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria elimination efforts would benefit from vaccines that block transmission of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes from humans to mosquitoes. A clear understanding of gametocyte-specific antibody responses in exposed populations could help determine whether transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV) would be boosted by natural gametocyte exposure, and also inform the development of serologic tools to monitor gametocyte exposure in populations targeted for malaria elimination. To this end, plasma was collected from Malian children and adults before and after the 6-month malaria season and probed against a microarray containing 1,204 P. falciparum proteins. Using publicly available proteomic data, we classified 91 proteins as gametocyte specific and 69 as proteins not expressed by gametocytes. The overall breadth and magnitude of gametocyte-specific IgG responses increased during the malaria season, although they were consistently lower than IgG responses to nongametocyte antigens. Notably, IgG specific for the TBV candidates Pfs48/45 and Pfs230 increased during the malaria season. In addition, IgGs specific for the gametocyte proteins Pfmdv1, Pfs16, PF3D7_1346400, and PF3D7_1024800 were detected in nearly all subjects, suggesting that seroconversion to these proteins may be a sensitive indicator of gametocyte exposure, although further studies are needed to determine the specificity and kinetics of these potential serologic markers. These findings suggest that TBV-induced immunity would be boosted through natural gametocyte exposure, and that antibody responses to particular antigens may reliably indicate gametocyte exposure.
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47
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Boes A, Spiegel H, Voepel N, Edgue G, Beiss V, Kapelski S, Fendel R, Scheuermayer M, Pradel G, Bolscher JM, Behet MC, Dechering KJ, Hermsen CC, Sauerwein RW, Schillberg S, Reimann A, Fischer R. Analysis of a Multi-component Multi-stage Malaria Vaccine Candidate--Tackling the Cocktail Challenge. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131456. [PMID: 26147206 PMCID: PMC4492585 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Combining key antigens from the different stages of the P. falciparum life cycle in the context of a multi-stage-specific cocktail offers a promising approach towards the development of a malaria vaccine ideally capable of preventing initial infection, the clinical manifestation as well as the transmission of the disease. To investigate the potential of such an approach we combined proteins and domains (11 in total) from the pre-erythrocytic, blood and sexual stages of P. falciparum into a cocktail of four different components recombinantly produced in plants. After immunization of rabbits we determined the domain-specific antibody titers as well as component-specific antibody concentrations and correlated them with stage specific in vitro efficacy. Using purified rabbit immune IgG we observed strong inhibition in functional in vitro assays addressing the pre-erythrocytic (up to 80%), blood (up to 90%) and sexual parasite stages (100%). Based on the component-specific antibody concentrations we calculated the IC50 values for the pre-erythrocytic stage (17–25 μg/ml), the blood stage (40–60 μg/ml) and the sexual stage (1.75 μg/ml). While the results underline the feasibility of a multi-stage vaccine cocktail, the analysis of component-specific efficacy indicates significant differences in IC50 requirements for stage-specific antibody concentrations providing valuable insights into this complex scenario and will thereby improve future approaches towards malaria vaccine cocktail development regarding the selection of suitable antigens and the ratios of components, to fine tune overall and stage-specific efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Boes
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Aachen, Germany
| | - Holger Spiegel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Aachen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Nadja Voepel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Aachen, Germany
| | - Gueven Edgue
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Aachen, Germany
| | - Veronique Beiss
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Aachen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Kapelski
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Aachen, Germany
| | - Rolf Fendel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Aachen, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Gabriele Pradel
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Marije C. Behet
- Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Robert W. Sauerwein
- TropIQ Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Schillberg
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Aachen, Germany
| | - Andreas Reimann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Aachen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fischer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Aachen, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Aachen, Germany
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48
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Beiss V, Spiegel H, Boes A, Kapelski S, Scheuermayer M, Edgue G, Sack M, Fendel R, Reimann A, Schillberg S, Pradel G, Fischer R. Heat-precipitation allows the efficient purification of a functional plant-derived malaria transmission-blocking vaccine candidate fusion protein. Biotechnol Bioeng 2015; 112:1297-305. [PMID: 25615702 DOI: 10.1002/bit.25548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Revised: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a vector-borne disease affecting more than two million people and accounting for more than 600,000 deaths each year, especially in developing countries. The most serious form of malaria is caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The complex life cycle of this parasite, involving pre-erythrocytic, asexual and sexual stages, makes vaccine development cumbersome but also offers a broad spectrum of vaccine candidates targeting exactly those stages. Vaccines targeting the sexual stage of P. falciparum are called transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs). They do not confer protection for the vaccinated individual but aim to reduce or prevent the transmission of the parasite within a population and are therefore regarded as an essential tool in the fight against the disease. Malaria predominantly affects large populations in developing countries, so TBVs need to be produced in large quantities at low cost. Combining the advantages of eukaryotic expression with a virtually unlimited upscaling potential and a good product safety profile, plant-based expression systems represent a suitable alternative for the production of TBVs. We report here the high level (300 μg/g fresh leaf weight (FLW)) transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves of an effective TBV candidate based on a fusion protein F0 comprising Pfs25 and the C0-domain of Pfs230, and the implementation of a simple and cost-effective heat treatment step for purification that yields intact recombinant protein at >90% purity with a recovery rate of >70%. The immunization of mice clearly showed that antibodies raised against plant-derived F0 completely blocked the formation of oocysts in a malaria transmission-blocking assay (TBA) making F0 an interesting TBV candidate or a component of a multi-stage malaria vaccine cocktail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronique Beiss
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Holger Spiegel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Alexander Boes
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Stephanie Kapelski
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Scheuermayer
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Wuerzburg, Josef Schneider Str. 2/Bau D15, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Gueven Edgue
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Markus Sack
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rolf Fendel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andreas Reimann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Schillberg
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Wuerzburg, Josef Schneider Str. 2/Bau D15, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fischer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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49
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Wu Y, Sinden RE, Churcher TS, Tsuboi T, Yusibov V. Development of malaria transmission-blocking vaccines: from concept to product. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2015; 89:109-52. [PMID: 26003037 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2015.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of effort battling against malaria, the disease is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) that target sexual stage parasite development could be an integral part of measures for malaria elimination. In the 1950s, Huff et al. first demonstrated the induction of transmission-blocking immunity in chickens by repeated immunizations with Plasmodium gallinaceum-infected red blood cells. Since then, significant progress has been made in identification of parasite antigens responsible for transmission-blocking activity. Recombinant technologies accelerated evaluation of these antigens as vaccine candidates, and it is possible to induce effective transmission-blocking immunity in humans both by natural infection and now by immunization with recombinant vaccines. This chapter reviews the efforts to produce TBVs, summarizes the current status and advances and discusses the remaining challenges and approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Wu
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | - Thomas S Churcher
- MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Vidadi Yusibov
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
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50
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Jones S, Grignard L, Nebie I, Chilongola J, Dodoo D, Sauerwein R, Theisen M, Roeffen W, Singh SK, Singh RK, Singh S, Kyei-Baafour E, Tetteh K, Drakeley C, Bousema T. Naturally acquired antibody responses to recombinant Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 transmission blocking vaccine candidates. J Infect 2015; 71:117-27. [PMID: 25869538 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2015.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Revised: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pfs48/45 and Pfs230 are Plasmodium falciparum sexual stage proteins and promising malaria transmission-blocking vaccine candidates. Antibody responses against these proteins may be naturally acquired and target antigens may be under selective pressure. This has consequences for the future evaluation of vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy in populations naturally exposed to malaria. METHODS We determined naturally acquired antibody responses to the recombinant proteins Pfs48/45-10C and Pfs230-230CMB in children from three malaria endemic settings in Ghana, Tanzania and Burkina Faso. We also examined genetic polymorphisms in the P. falciparum gene pfs48/45. RESULTS Antibody prevalence was 1.1-18.2% for 10C and 6.7-18.9% for 230CMB. In Burkina Faso we observed evidence of an age-dependent acquisition pattern for both 10C (p < 0.001) and 230CMB (p = 0.031). Membrane feeding assays on a separate dataset demonstrated an association between functional transmission reducing activity and antibody prevalence for both 10C (p = 0.017) and 230CMB (p = 0.049). 17 single nucleotide polymorphisms were found in pfs48/45 (from 126 samples), with 5 non-synonymous SNPs in the Pfs48/45 10C region. CONCLUSIONS We conclude there are naturally acquired antibody responses to both vaccine candidates which have functional relevance by reducing the transmissibility of infected individuals. We identified genetic polymorphisms, in pfs48/45 which exhibited geographical specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Jones
- Department of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lynn Grignard
- Department of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Issa Nebie
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Daniel Dodoo
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Ghana
| | - Robert Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Theisen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Immunology and Genetics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark; Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology, and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Will Roeffen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Sanjay Singh
- Gennova Bio Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pune, India
| | - Eric Kyei-Baafour
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Ghana
| | - Kevin Tetteh
- Department of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Drakeley
- Department of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Teun Bousema
- Department of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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