1
|
Mbambo G, Dwivedi A, Ifeonu OO, Munro JB, Shrestha B, Bromley RE, Hodges T, Adkins RS, Kouriba B, Diarra I, Niangaly A, Kone AK, Coulibaly D, Traore K, Dolo A, Thera MA, Laurens MB, Doumbo OK, Plowe CV, Berry AA, Travassos M, Lyke KE, Silva JC. Immunogenomic profile at baseline predicts host susceptibility to clinical malaria. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1179314. [PMID: 37465667 PMCID: PMC10351378 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1179314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Host gene and protein expression impact susceptibility to clinical malaria, but the balance of immune cell populations, cytokines and genes that contributes to protection, remains incompletely understood. Little is known about the determinants of host susceptibility to clinical malaria at a time when acquired immunity is developing. Methods We analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from children who differed in susceptibility to clinical malaria, all from a small town in Mali. PBMCs were collected from children aged 4-6 years at the start, peak and end of the malaria season. We characterized the immune cell composition and cytokine secretion for a subset of 20 children per timepoint (10 children with no symptomatic malaria age-matched to 10 children with >2 symptomatic malarial illnesses), and gene expression patterns for six children (three per cohort) per timepoint. Results We observed differences between the two groups of children in the expression of genes related to cell death and inflammation; in particular, inflammatory genes such as CXCL10 and STAT1 and apoptotic genes such as XAF1 were upregulated in susceptible children before the transmission season began. We also noted higher frequency of HLA-DR+ CD4 T cells in protected children during the peak of the malaria season and comparable levels cytokine secretion after stimulation with malaria schizonts across all three time points. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of baseline immune signatures in determining disease outcome. Our data suggests that differences in apoptotic and inflammatory gene expression patterns can serve as predictive markers of susceptibility to clinical malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Mbambo
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ankit Dwivedi
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Olukemi O. Ifeonu
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - James B. Munro
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Biraj Shrestha
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robin E. Bromley
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Theresa Hodges
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ricky S. Adkins
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Bourema Kouriba
- Malaria Research and Training Center, International Centers for Excellence in Research (NIH), University of Science Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Issa Diarra
- Malaria Research and Training Center, International Centers for Excellence in Research (NIH), University of Science Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Amadou Niangaly
- Malaria Research and Training Center, International Centers for Excellence in Research (NIH), University of Science Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Abdoulaye K. Kone
- Malaria Research and Training Center, International Centers for Excellence in Research (NIH), University of Science Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Drissa Coulibaly
- Malaria Research and Training Center, International Centers for Excellence in Research (NIH), University of Science Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Karim Traore
- Malaria Research and Training Center, International Centers for Excellence in Research (NIH), University of Science Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Amagana Dolo
- Malaria Research and Training Center, International Centers for Excellence in Research (NIH), University of Science Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Mahamadou A. Thera
- Malaria Research and Training Center, International Centers for Excellence in Research (NIH), University of Science Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Matthew B. Laurens
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ogobara K. Doumbo
- Malaria Research and Training Center, International Centers for Excellence in Research (NIH), University of Science Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Christopher V. Plowe
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Andrea A. Berry
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mark Travassos
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kirsten E. Lyke
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Joana C. Silva
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto deHigiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHTM, IHMT, UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sena-dos-Santos C, Braga-da-Silva C, Marques D, Azevedo dos Santos Pinheiro J, Ribeiro-dos-Santos Â, Cavalcante GC. Unraveling Cell Death Pathways during Malaria Infection: What Do We Know So Far? Cells 2021; 10:479. [PMID: 33672278 PMCID: PMC7926694 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a parasitic disease (caused by different Plasmodium species) that affects millions of people worldwide. The lack of effective malaria drugs and a vaccine contributes to this disease, continuing to cause major public health and socioeconomic problems, especially in low-income countries. Cell death is implicated in malaria immune responses by eliminating infected cells, but it can also provoke an intense inflammatory response and lead to severe malaria outcomes. The study of the pathophysiological role of cell death in malaria in mammalians is key to understanding the parasite-host interactions and design prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for malaria. In this work, we review malaria-triggered cell death pathways (apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis, pyroptosis, NETosis, and ferroptosis) and we discuss their potential role in the development of new approaches for human malaria therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camille Sena-dos-Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66.075-110, Brazil; (C.S.-d.-S.); (C.B.-d.-S.); (D.M.); (J.A.d.S.P.); (Â.R.-d.-S.)
| | - Cíntia Braga-da-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66.075-110, Brazil; (C.S.-d.-S.); (C.B.-d.-S.); (D.M.); (J.A.d.S.P.); (Â.R.-d.-S.)
| | - Diego Marques
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66.075-110, Brazil; (C.S.-d.-S.); (C.B.-d.-S.); (D.M.); (J.A.d.S.P.); (Â.R.-d.-S.)
| | - Jhully Azevedo dos Santos Pinheiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66.075-110, Brazil; (C.S.-d.-S.); (C.B.-d.-S.); (D.M.); (J.A.d.S.P.); (Â.R.-d.-S.)
| | - Ândrea Ribeiro-dos-Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66.075-110, Brazil; (C.S.-d.-S.); (C.B.-d.-S.); (D.M.); (J.A.d.S.P.); (Â.R.-d.-S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oncologia e Ciências Médicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Oncologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66.075-110, Brazil
| | - Giovanna C. Cavalcante
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66.075-110, Brazil; (C.S.-d.-S.); (C.B.-d.-S.); (D.M.); (J.A.d.S.P.); (Â.R.-d.-S.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dieng MM, Diawara A, Manikandan V, Tamim El Jarkass H, Sermé SS, Sombié S, Barry A, Coulibaly SA, Diarra A, Drou N, Arnoux M, Yousif A, Tiono AB, Sirima SB, Soulama I, Idaghdour Y. Integrative genomic analysis reveals mechanisms of immune evasion in P. falciparum malaria. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5093. [PMID: 33037226 PMCID: PMC7547729 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18915-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms behind the ability of Plasmodium falciparum to evade host immune system are poorly understood and are a major roadblock in achieving malaria elimination. Here, we use integrative genomic profiling and a longitudinal pediatric cohort in Burkina Faso to demonstrate the role of post-transcriptional regulation in host immune response in malaria. We report a strong signature of miRNA expression differentiation associated with P. falciparum infection (127 out of 320 miRNAs, B-H FDR 5%) and parasitemia (72 miRNAs, B-H FDR 5%). Integrative miRNA-mRNA analysis implicates several infection-responsive miRNAs (e.g., miR-16-5p, miR-15a-5p and miR-181c-5p) promoting lymphocyte cell death. miRNA cis-eQTL analysis using whole-genome sequencing data identified 1,376 genetic variants associated with the expression of 34 miRNAs (B-H FDR 5%). We report a protective effect of rs114136945 minor allele on parasitemia mediated through miR-598-3p expression. These results highlight the impact of post-transcriptional regulation, immune cell death processes and host genetic regulatory control in malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mame Massar Dieng
- Program in Biology, Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Aïssatou Diawara
- Program in Biology, Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Vinu Manikandan
- Program in Biology, Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Hala Tamim El Jarkass
- Program in Biology, Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Samuel Sindié Sermé
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Salif Sombié
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Aïssata Barry
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Amidou Diarra
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Nizar Drou
- Bioinformatics Core, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Marc Arnoux
- Core Technology Platforms, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Ayman Yousif
- Bioinformatics Core, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Alfred B Tiono
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Sodiomon B Sirima
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Issiaka Soulama
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Youssef Idaghdour
- Program in Biology, Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Singhaboot Y, Keayarsa S, Piaraksa N, Phumratanaprapin W, Kunawut P, Dondorp A, Chotivanich K. Temperature Dependence of Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocytic Stage Development. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 100:1191-1195. [PMID: 30938284 PMCID: PMC6493921 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum infection causes febrile illness and severe disease with multiple organ failure and death when treatment is delayed. Antipyretic treatment is standard, and inducing hypothermia has been proposed to protect the brain in cerebral malaria. Here, we investigated the temperature dependence of asexual-stage parasite development and parasite multiplication in vitro. Plasmodium falciparum laboratory strain TM267 was incubated for 2 hours (short exposure) or 48 hours (continuous exposure) at different temperatures (32°C, 34°C, 35°C, 38°C, 39°C, and 40°C). The starting parasite developmental stage (ring, trophozoite, or schizont) varied between experiments. The parasite multiplication rate (PMR) was reduced under both hyper- and hypothermic conditions; after continuous exposure, the mean PMR ± SD was 9.1 ± 1.2 at 37°C compared with 2.4 ± 1.8 at 32°C, 2.3 ± 0.4 at 34°C, and 0.4 ± 0.1 at 40°C (P < 0.01). Changes in PMR were not significant after 2-hour exposure at temperatures ranging from 32°C to 40°C. Morphological changes in parasite cytoplasm and nucleus could be observed after long exposure to low or high temperature. After 48-hour incubation, rosette formation (≥ 2 uninfected red blood cells bound to infected red blood cells) was decreased at 34°C or 39°C compared with that at 37°C. In conclusion, both hyper- and hypothermia reduce PMR and delay erythrocytic stage development of P. falciparum, subsequently reducing rosette formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yutatirat Singhaboot
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Srisuda Keayarsa
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nattaporn Piaraksa
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Weerapong Phumratanaprapin
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Parinya Kunawut
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Arjen Dondorp
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kesinee Chotivanich
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Diallo MA, Sausset A, Gnahoui-David A, Silva ARE, Brionne A, Le Vern Y, Bussière FI, Tottey J, Lacroix-Lamandé S, Laurent F, Silvestre A. Eimeria tenella ROP kinase EtROP1 induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibits host cell apoptosis. Cell Microbiol 2019; 21:e13027. [PMID: 30941872 PMCID: PMC6593979 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Coccidia are obligate intracellular protozoan parasites responsible for human and veterinary diseases. Eimeria tenella, the aetiologic agent of caecal coccidiosis, is a major pathogen of chickens. In Toxoplasma gondii, some kinases from the rhoptry compartment (ROP) are key virulence factors. ROP kinases hijack and modulate many cellular functions and pathways, allowing T. gondii survival and development. E. tenella's kinome comprises 28 putative members of the ROP kinase family; most of them are predicted, as pseudokinases and their functions have never been characterised. One of the predicted kinase, EtROP1, was identified in the rhoptry proteome of E. tenella sporozoites. Here, we demonstrated that EtROP1 is active, and the N-terminal extension is necessary for its catalytic kinase activity. Ectopic expression of EtROP1 followed by co-immunoprecipitation identified cellular p53 as EtROP1 partner. Further characterisation confirmed the interaction and the phosphorylation of p53 by EtROP1. E. tenella infection or overexpression of EtROP1 resulted both in inhibition of host cell apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. This work functionally described the first ROP kinase from E. tenella and its noncanonical structure. Our study provides the first mechanistic insight into host cell apoptosis inhibition by E. tenella. EtROP1 appears as a new candidate for coccidiosis control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alix Sausset
- Infectiologie et Santé Publique, INRA, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | | | | | | | - Yves Le Vern
- Infectiologie et Santé Publique, INRA, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | | | - Julie Tottey
- Infectiologie et Santé Publique, INRA, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | | | - Fabrice Laurent
- Infectiologie et Santé Publique, INRA, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Anne Silvestre
- Infectiologie et Santé Publique, INRA, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu X, Li X, Wang Q, Sun X, Lu M, Ehsan M, Xu L, Yan R, Song X, Li X. Toxoplasma gondii Histone 4 Affects Some Functions of Murine Ana-1 Macrophages In Vitro. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2018; 65:860-869. [PMID: 29722109 PMCID: PMC6282536 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular protozoan that can infect almost all nucleated cells. Histone proteins and DNA form the nucleosomes, which are the fundamental building blocks of eukaryotic chromatin. Histone 4 is an essential component of a histone octamer. In the present study, T. gondii histone 4 (TgH4) was cloned and the regulatory effect of TgH4 on murine macrophages was characterized. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that TgH4 was highly conserved in structure. Recombinant TgH4 (rTgH4) protein was identified by sera from rats experimentally infected with T. gondii and native TgH4 in the total soluble protein of T. gondii tachyzoites was recognized by polyclonal antibodies against rTgH4, as indicated by immunoblotting analysis. Immunofluorescence assay showed that TgH4 binds to macrophages. Following incubation with rTgH4, the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) level of the macrophages was downregulated. Meanwhile, chemotaxis and the proliferation of macrophages were inhibited. However, rTgH4 can promote phagocytosis, apoptosis, and the secretion of nitric oxide, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α from macrophages. Just 80 μg/ml rTgH4 can significantly elevate the secretion of interleukin-10 and interleukin-1β (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). Viewed together, these outcomes indicated that rTgH4 can affect the functions of murine macrophages in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinchao Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Qiangqiang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiaoni Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Mingmin Lu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Muhammad Ehsan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Lixin Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - RuoFeng Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - XiaoKai Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - XiangRui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
van Wolfswinkel ME, Langenberg MCC, Wammes LJ, Sauerwein RW, Koelewijn R, Hermsen CC, van Hellemond JJ, van Genderen PJ. Changes in total and differential leukocyte counts during the clinically silent liver phase in a controlled human malaria infection in malaria-naïve Dutch volunteers. Malar J 2017; 16:457. [PMID: 29126422 PMCID: PMC5681833 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-2108-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Both in endemic countries and in imported malaria, changes in total and differential leukocyte count during Plasmodium falciparum infection have been described. To study the exact dynamics of differential leukocyte counts and their ratios, they were monitored in a group of healthy non-immune volunteers in two separate Controlled Human Malaria Infection (CHMI) studies. Methods In two CHMI trials, CHMI-a and CHMI-b, 15 and 24 healthy malaria-naïve volunteers, respectively, were exposed to bites of infected mosquitoes, using the P. falciparum research strain NF54 and the novel clones NF135.C10 and NF166.C8. After mosquito bite exposure, twice-daily blood draws were taken to detect parasitaemia and to monitor the total and differential leukocyte counts. All subjects received a course of atovaquone–proguanil when meeting the treatment criteria. Results A total of 39 volunteers participated in the two trials. Thirty-five participants, all 15 participants in CHMI-a and 20 of the 24 volunteers in CHMI-b, developed parasitaemia. During liver stage development of the parasite, the median total leukocyte count increased from 5.5 to 6.1 × 109 leukocytes/L (p = 0.005), the median lymphocyte count from 1.9 to 2.2 (p = 0.001) and the monocyte count from 0.50 to 0.54 (p = 0.038). During the subsequent blood stage infection, significant changes in total and differential leukocyte counts lead to a leukocytopenia (nadir median 3.3 × 109 leukocytes/L, p = 0.0001), lymphocytopenia (nadir median 0.7 × 109 lymphocytes/L, p = 0.0001) and a borderline neutropenia (nadir median 1.5 × 109 neutrophils/L, p = 0.0001). The neutrophil to lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR) reached a maximum of 4.0. Significant correlations were found between parasite load and absolute lymphocyte count (p < 0.001, correlation coefficient − 0.46) and between parasite load and NLCR (p < 0.001, correlation coefficient 0.50). All parameters normalized after parasite clearance. Conclusions During the clinically silent liver phase of malaria, an increase of peripheral total leukocyte count and differential lymphocytes and monocytes occurs. This finding has not been described previously. This increase is followed by the appearance of parasites in the peripheral blood after 2–3 days, accompanied by a marked decrease in total leukocyte count, lymphocyte count and the neutrophil count and a rise of the NLCR. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-017-2108-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marlies E van Wolfswinkel
- Institute for Tropical Diseases, Harbour Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC and Harbour Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Marijke C C Langenberg
- Institute for Tropical Diseases, Harbour Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Linda J Wammes
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC and Harbour Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Koelewijn
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC and Harbour Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelus C Hermsen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap J van Hellemond
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC and Harbour Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tumor suppressor p53 induces apoptosis of host lymphocytes experimentally infected by Leishmania major, by activation of Bax and caspase-3: a possible survival mechanism for the parasite. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:2159-2166. [PMID: 28560572 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5517-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis of infected host macrophages by Leishmania spp. is mainly addressed as one of the survival mechanisms of the parasite. However, there is no eligible data about whether tumor suppressor p53 could induce the apoptosis of host lymphocytes-treated Leishmania major via the mitochondrial intrinsic pathway. In this study, the amastigotes of L. major obtained from ten cutaneous leishmaniases (CL) patients were separately isolated and cultured in N.N.N and RPMI 1640 media. L. major was definitely confirmed by targeting Cyt b gene following sequencing. Subsequently, 2-3 × 106 lymphocytes obtained from ten healthy individuals were isolated and co-cultured with 1-2 × 106 L. major promastigotes. Following 6 h of exposure time, the enzymatic activity of caspase-3 was determined by fluorometric assay in each L. major-treated lymphocytes and cell control (only lymphocyte). The mRNA expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, p53, and caspase-3 genes were assessed by quantitative real-time-PCR analysis following 6 to 9 h of exposure times. The Bcl-2 mRNA expression in L. major-treated lymphocytes was 100-fold down-regulated relative to cell control. The mRNA expressions of p53 and caspase-3 were over-expressed 1.8- and 3.2-fold up-regulated relative to control lymphocytes, respectively. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 activity were higher than the control group (Pv <0.05). The current new findings indicate that the apoptotic effects of L. major-treated host lymphocytes dependent on p53 tumor suppressor via mitochondrial pathway may probably address as an auxiliary survival mechanism of L. major in CL patients. However, here is much work ahead to figure out the multiple functions played by apoptosis in the evasion of L. major.
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Plasmodium have a complex life cycle. They alternate between their final mosquito host and their intermediate hosts. The parasite can be either extra- or intracellular, depending on the stage of development. By modifying their shape, motility, and metabolic requirements, the parasite adapts to the different environments in their different hosts. The parasite has evolved to escape the multiple immune mechanisms in the host that try to block parasite development at the different stages of their development. In this article, we describe the mechanisms reported thus far that allow the Plasmodium parasite to evade innate and adaptive immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Rénia
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Yun Shan Goh
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Puzzling and ambivalent roles of malarial infections in cancer development and progression. Parasitology 2016; 143:1811-1823. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016001591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYScientific evidence strongly suggests that parasites are directly or indirectly associated with carcinogenesis in humans. However, studies have also indicated that parasites or their products might confer resistance to tumour growth.Plasmodiumprotozoa, the causative agents of malaria, exemplify the ambivalent link between parasites and cancer. Positive relationships between malaria and virus-associated cancers are relatively well-documented; for example, malaria can reactivate the Epstein-Barr Virus, which is the known cause of endemic Burkitt lymphoma. Nevertheless, possible anti-tumour properties of malaria have also been reported and, interestingly, this disease has long been thought to be beneficial to patients suffering from cancers. Current knowledge of the potential pro- and anti-cancer roles of malaria suggests that, contrary to other eukaryotic parasites affecting humans,Plasmodium-related cancers are principally lymphoproliferative disorders and attributable to virus reactivation, whereas, similar to other eukaryotic parasites, the anti-tumour effects of malaria are primarily associated with carcinomas and certain sarcomas. Moreover, malarial infection significantly suppresses murine cancer growth by inducing both innate and specific adaptive anti-tumour responses. This review aims to present an update regarding the ambivalent association between malaria and cancer, and further studies may open future pathways to develop novel strategies for anti-cancer therapies.
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Naturally acquired immunity to the blood-stage of the malaria parasite develops slowly in areas of high endemicity, but is not sterilizing. It manifests as a reduction in parasite density and clinical symptoms. Immunity as a result of blood-stage vaccination has not yet been achieved in humans, although there are many animal models where vaccination has been successful. The development of a blood-stage vaccine has been complicated by a number of factors including limited knowledge of human-parasite interactions and which antigens and immune responses are critical for protection. Opinion is divided as to whether this vaccine should aim to accelerate the acquisition of responses acquired following natural exposure, or whether it should induce a different response. Animal and experimental human models suggest that cell-mediated immune responses can control parasite growth, but these responses can also contribute to significant immunopathology if unregulated. They are largely ignored in most blood-stage malaria vaccine development strategies. Here, we discuss key observations relating to cell-mediated immune responses in the context of experimental human systems and field studies involving naturally exposed individuals and how this may inform the development of a blood-stage malaria vaccine.
Collapse
|
12
|
Autoantibody profile of patients infected with knowlesi malaria. Clin Chim Acta 2015; 448:33-8. [PMID: 26086445 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2015.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Revised: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoantibodies or antibodies against self-antigens are produced either during physiological processes to maintain homeostasis or pathological process such as trauma and infection. Infection with parasites including Plasmodium has been shown to generally induce elevated self-antibody (autoantibody) levels. Plasmodium knowlesi is increasingly recognized as one of the most important emerging human malaria in Southeast Asia that can cause severe infection leading to mortality. Autoimmune-like phenomena have been hypothesized to play a role in the protective immune responses in malaria infection. METHODS We studied the autoantibody profile from serum of eleven patients diagnosed with P. knowlesi. Autoantigen arrays were used to elucidate the autoantibody repertoire of P. knowlesi infected patients. The patented OGT Discovery Array with 1636 correctly folded antigen was employed. RESULTS Analysis of the patient versus control sera gave us 24 antigens with high reactivity with serum antibodies. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the autoantibody profile of malarious patients infected with P. knowlesi would help to further understand the host-parasite interaction, host immune response and disease pathogenesis. These reactive antigens may serve as potential biomarkers for cases of asymptomatic malaria and mild malaria or predictive markers for severe malaria.
Collapse
|
13
|
Nalwoga A, Cose S, Wakeham K, Miley W, Ndibazza J, Drakeley C, Elliott A, Whitby D, Newton R. Association between malaria exposure and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus seropositivity in Uganda. Trop Med Int Health 2015; 20:665-672. [PMID: 25611008 PMCID: PMC4390463 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Unlike other herpes viruses, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) is not ubiquitous worldwide and is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The reasons for this are unclear. As part of a wider investigation of factors that facilitate transmission in Uganda, a high prevalence country, we examined the association between antimalaria antibodies and seropositivity against KSHV. METHODS Antibodies against P. falciparum merozoite surface protein (PfMSP)-1, P. falciparum apical membrane antigen (PfAMA)-1 and KSHV antigens (ORF73 and K8.1) were measured in samples from 1164 mothers and 1227 children. RESULTS Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus seroprevalence was 69% among mothers and 15% children. Among mothers, KSHV seroprevalence increased with malaria antibody titres: from 60% to 82% and from 54% to 77%, comparing those with the lowest and highest titres for PfMSP-1 and PfAMA-1, respectively (P < 0.0001). Among children, only antibodies to PfAMA-1 were significantly associated with KSHV seropositivity, (P < 0.0001). In both mothers and children, anti-ORF73 antibodies were more strongly associated with malaria antibodies than anti-K8.1 antibodies. CONCLUSION The association between malaria exposure and KSHV seropositivity suggests that malaria is a cofactor for KSHV infection or reactivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Nalwoga
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbe, Uganda
| | - Stephen Cose
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondon, UK
| | - Katie Wakeham
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbe, Uganda
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of GlasgowGlasgow, UK
| | - Wendell Miley
- Viral Oncology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer ResearchFrederick, MD, USA
| | - Juliet Ndibazza
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Alison Elliott
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondon, UK
| | - Denise Whitby
- Viral Oncology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer ResearchFrederick, MD, USA
| | - Robert Newton
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research InstituteEntebbe, Uganda
- University of YorkYork, UK
- International Agency for Research on CancerLyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Tripathy S, Chattopadhyay S, Dash SK, Ray Chowdhuri A, Das S, Sahu SK, Majumdar S, Roy S. Chitosan conjugated chloroquine: Proficient to protect the induction of liver apoptosis during malaria. Int J Biol Macromol 2015; 74:585-600. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2014] [Revised: 11/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
15
|
Hojo-Souza NS, Pereira DB, Mendes TAO, Passos LSA, Gazzinelli-Guimarães AC, Gazzinelli-Guimarães PH, Tada MS, Zanini GM, Bartholomeu DC, Fujiwara RT, Bueno LL. CD4+ T cells apoptosis in Plasmodium vivax infection is mediated by activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Malar J 2015; 14:5. [PMID: 25559491 PMCID: PMC4326293 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-14-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reduction in the number of circulating blood lymphocytes (lymphocytopaenia) has been reported during clinical episodes of malaria and is normalized after treatment with anti-malaria drugs. While this phenomenon is well established in malaria infection, the underlying mechanisms are still not fully elucidated. In the present study, the occurrence of apoptosis and its pathways in CD4+ T cells was investigated in naturally Plasmodium vivax-infected individuals from a Brazilian endemic area (Porto Velho - RO). METHODS Blood samples were collected from P. vivax-infected individuals and healthy donors. The apoptosis was characterized by cell staining with Annexin V/FITC and propidium iodide and the apoptosis-associated gene expression profile was carried out using RT2 Profiler PCR Array-Human Apoptosis. The plasma TNF level was determined by ELISA. The unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney test was applied according to the data distribution. RESULTS Plasmodium vivax-infected individuals present low number of leukocytes and lymphocytes with a higher percentage of CD4+ T cells in early and/or late apoptosis. Increased gene expression was observed for TNFRSF1B and Bid, associated with a reduction of Bcl-2, in individuals with P. vivax malaria. Furthermore, these individuals showed increased plasma levels of TNF compared to malaria-naive donors. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study suggest that P. vivax infection induces apoptosis of CD4+ T cells mediated by two types of signaling: by activation of the TNFR1 death receptor (extrinsic pathway), which is amplified by Bid, and by decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 (intrinsic pathway). The T lymphocytes apoptosis could reflect a strategy of immune evasion triggered by the parasite, enabling their persistence but also limiting the occurrence of immunopathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lilian L Bueno
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av, Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhan XY, Wang N, Liu G, Qin L, Xu W, Zhao S, Qin L, Chen X. Plasmodium infection reduces the volume of the viral reservoir in SIV-infected rhesus macaques receiving antiretroviral therapy. Retrovirology 2014; 11:112. [PMID: 25487036 PMCID: PMC4269176 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-014-0112-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies indicated that Plasmodium infection activates the immune system, including memory CD4+ T cells, which constitute the reservoir of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). Therefore, we postulated that co-infection with malaria might activate the reservoir of HIV-1. To test this hypothesis, we used a rhesus macaque model of co-infection with malaria and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), along with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Results Our results showed that Plasmodium infection reduced both the replication-competent virus pool in resting CD4+ T cells and the integrated virus DNA (iDNA) load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the monkeys. This reduction might be attributable to malaria-mediated activation and apoptotic induction of memory CD4+ T cells. Further studies indicated that histone acetylation and NF-kappaB (NF-κB) activation in resting CD4+ T cells may also play an important role in this reduction. Conclusions The findings of this work expand our knowledge of the interaction between these two diseases. As more HIV-1-infected individuals in malaria-endemic areas receive ART, we should explore whether any of the patients co-infected with Plasmodium experience virologic benefits. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12977-014-0112-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yong Zhan
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Luogang District, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510530, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Nina Wang
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Luogang District, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510530, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Guangjie Liu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Luogang District, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510530, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Limei Qin
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Luogang District, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510530, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Wanwan Xu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Luogang District, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510530, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Siting Zhao
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Luogang District, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510530, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Li Qin
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Luogang District, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510530, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Luogang District, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510530, Guangdong Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gansane A, Ouedraogo IN, Henry NB, Soulama I, Ouedraogo E, Yaro JB, Diarra A, Benjamin S, Konate AT, Tiono A, Sirima SB. Variation in haematological parameters in children less than five years of age with asymptomatic Plasmodium infection: implication for malaria field studies. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2014; 108:644-50. [PMID: 23903982 PMCID: PMC3970598 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276108052013017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
During the season of high malaria transmission, most children are infected by Plasmodium, which targets red blood cells (RBCs), affecting haematological parameters. To describe these variations, we examined the haematological profiles of two groups of children living in a malaria-endemic area. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the peak of the malaria transmission season in a rural area of Burkina Faso. After informed consent and clinical examination, blood samples were obtained from the participants for malaria diagnosis and a full blood count. Of the 414 children included in the analysis, 192 were not infected with Plasmodium, whereas 222 were asymptomatic carriers of Plasmodium infection. The mean age of the infected children was 41.8 months (range of 26.4-57.2) compared to 38.8 months (range of 22.4-55.2) for the control group (p = 0.06). The asymptomatic infected children tended to have a significantly lower mean haemoglobin level (10.8 g/dL vs. 10.4 g/dL; p < 0.001), mean lymphocyte count (4592/µL vs. 5141/µL; p = 0.004), mean platelet count (266 x 10³/µL vs. 385 x 10³/µL; p < 0.001) and mean RBC count (4.388 x 10(6)/µL vs. 4.158 x 10(6)/µL; p < 0.001) and a higher mean monocyte count (1403/µL vs. 1192/µL; p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Special attention should be applied when interpreting haematological parameters and evaluating immune responses in asymptomatic infected children living in malaria-endemic areas and enrolled in vaccine trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adama Gansane
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Kadiogo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Phagocytic uptake of oxidized heme polymer is highly cytotoxic to macrophages. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103706. [PMID: 25078090 PMCID: PMC4117526 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 07/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis in macrophages is responsible for immune-depression and pathological effects during malaria. Phagocytosis of PRBC causes induction of apoptosis in macrophages through release of cytosolic factors from infected cells. Heme polymer or β-hematin causes dose-dependent death of macrophages with LC50 of 132 µg/ml and 182 µg/ml respectively. The toxicity of hemin or heme polymer was amplified several folds in the presence of non-toxic concentration of methemoglobin. β-hematin uptake in macrophage through phagocytosis is crucial for enhanced toxicological effects in the presence of methemoglobin. Higher accumulation of β-hematin is observed in macrophages treated with β-hematin along with methemoglobin. Light and scanning electron microscopic observations further confirm accumulation of β-hematin with cellular toxicity. Toxicological potentiation of pro-oxidant molecules toward macrophages depends on generation of H2O2 and independent to release of free iron from pro-oxidant molecules. Methemoglobin oxidizes β-hematin to form oxidized β-hematin (βH*) through single electron transfer mechanism. Pre-treatment of reaction mixture with spin-trap Phenyl-N-t-butyl-nitrone dose-dependently reverses the β-hematin toxicity, indicates crucial role of βH* generation with the toxicological potentiation. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining and DNA fragmentation analysis indicate that macrophage follows an oxidative stress dependent apoptotic pathway to cause death. In summary, current work highlights mutual co-operation between methemoglobin and different pro-oxidant molecules to enhance toxicity towards macrophages. Hence, methemoglobin peroxidase activity can be probed for subduing cellular toxicity of pro-oxidant molecules and it may in-turn make up for host immune response against the malaria parasite.
Collapse
|
19
|
Viriyavejakul P, Khachonsaksumet V, Punsawad C. Liver changes in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria: histopathology, apoptosis and nuclear factor kappa B expression. Malar J 2014; 13:106. [PMID: 24636003 PMCID: PMC3995448 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Liver involvement in severe Plasmodium falciparum infection is commonly a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among humans. The clinical presentation of jaundice often reflects a certain degree of liver damage. This study investigated the liver pathology of severe P. falciparum malaria as well as the regulation and occurrence of apoptosis in cellular components of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver tissues. Methods The liver tissues used in the study came from patients who died from P. falciparum malaria with hyperbilirubinaemia (total bilirubin (TB) ≥ 51.3 μmol/L or 3 mg/dl) (12 cases), P. falciparum malaria without hyperbilirubinaemia (TB < 51.3 μmol/L) (10 cases); and patients who died due to accidents, whose liver histology was normal (the control group) (10 cases). The histopathology of the liver tissue was studied by routine histology method. Caspase-3 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 expressions were determined using immunohistochemistry. Results The severity of liver histopathology, occurrence of apoptosis and NF-κB p65 activation in P. falciparum malaria were associated with higher TB level. Significant correlations were found between NF-κB p65 expression and apoptosis in Kupffer cells and lymphocytes in the portal tracts. Conclusions Hyperplastic Kupffer cells and portal tract inflammation are two main features found in the liver tissues of severe P. falciparum malaria cases. In addition, NF-κB is associated with Kupffer cells and lymphocyte apoptosis in severe P. falciparum malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parnpen Viriyavejakul
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rajvithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
van Wolfswinkel ME, Vliegenthart-Jongbloed K, de Mendonça Melo M, Wever PC, McCall MB, Koelewijn R, van Hellemond JJ, van Genderen PJ. Predictive value of lymphocytopenia and the neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio for severe imported malaria. Malar J 2013; 12:101. [PMID: 23506136 PMCID: PMC3608093 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2012] [Accepted: 03/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphocytopenia has frequently been described in patients with malaria, but studies on its association with disease severity have yielded conflicting results. The neutrophil/lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR) has been introduced as a parameter for systemic inflammation in critically ill patients and was found, together with lymphocytopenia, to be a better predictor of bacteraemia than routine parameters like C-reactive protein and total leukocyte count. In the present study, the predictive value of the NLCR and lymphocytopenia for severe disease was evaluated in patients with imported malaria. METHODS All patients diagnosed with malaria at the Harbour Hospital between January 1st 1999 and January 1st 2012 with differential white cell counts determined within the first 24 hours after admission were included in this retrospective study. Severe malaria was defined according to the WHO criteria. The performance of the NLCR and lymphocytopenia as a marker of severe malarial disease was compared back-to-back with that of C-reactive protein as a reference biomarker. RESULTS A total of 440 patients (severe falciparum malaria n = 61, non-severe falciparum malaria n = 259, non-falciparum malaria n=120) were included in the study. Lymphocytopenia was present in 52% of all patients and the median NLCR of all patients was 3.2. Total lymphocyte counts and NLCR did not differ significantly between groups. A significant correlation of total leukocyte count and NLCR, but not lymphocyte count, with parasitaemia was found. ROC analysis revealed a good negative predictive value but a poor positive predictive value of both lymphocytopenia and NLCR and performance was inferior to that of C-reactive protein. After complete parasite clearance a significant rise in total leukocyte count and lymphocyte count and a significant decrease in NLCR was observed. CONCLUSION The NLCR was found to correlate with parasitaemia, but both lymphocytopenia and the NLCR were inferior to C-reactive protein as markers for severe disease in patients with imported malaria. The NLCR and lymphocytopenia are not useful as predictive markers for severe disease in imported malaria in the acute care setting.
Collapse
|
21
|
Alemu A, Shiferaw Y, Addis Z, Mathewos B, Birhan W. Effect of malaria on HIV/AIDS transmission and progression. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:18. [PMID: 23327493 PMCID: PMC3564906 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2012] [Accepted: 01/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria and HIV are among the two most important global health problems of developing countries. They cause more than 4 million deaths a year. These two infections interact bidirectionally and synergistically with each other. HIV infection increases the risk of an increase in the severity of malaria infection and burdens of malaria, which in turn facilitates the rate of malaria transmission. Malaria infection is also associated with strong CD4+ cell activation and up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and it provides an ideal microenvironment for the spread of the virus among the CD4+ cells and for rapid HIV-1 replication. Additionally, malaria increases blood viral burden by different mechanisms. Therefore, high concentrations of HIV-1 RNA in the blood are predictive of disease progression, and correlate with the risk of blood-borne, vertical, and sexual transmission of the virus. Therefore, this article aims to review information about HIV malaria interactions, the effect of malaria on HIV transmission and progression and the implications related to prevention and treatment of coinfection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abebe Alemu
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Yitayal Shiferaw
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Zelalem Addis
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Biniam Mathewos
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Wubet Birhan
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Keswani T, Bhattacharyya A. Splenocyte apoptosis inPlasmodium berghei ANKAinfection: possible role of TNF-α and TGF-β. Parasite Immunol 2013; 35:73-90. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2012] [Accepted: 08/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Keswani
- Immunology Lab; Department of Zoology; University of Calcutta; Kolkata; India
| | - A. Bhattacharyya
- Immunology Lab; Department of Zoology; University of Calcutta; Kolkata; India
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum malaria remains a major cause of mortality throughout the tropical world. Haematological abnormalities are considered a hallmark of malaria, bearing an impact on final outcome and representing indices of prognostic and follow-up value. These include severe anaemia, coagulation disturbances, leukocyte numerical or functional changes and spleen involvement. Anaemia involves red blood cell lysis due to parasite invasion, as well as mechanisms of intravascular haemolysis and decreased erythropoiesis. Exchange or blood transfusion is mainly recommended in the management of these patients. Haemorrhagic complications in severe malaria are relatively rare despite prominent thrombocytopenia and dysfunction in the coagulation pathway. Numerical, as well as functional changes in the white blood cell are less dramatic than other blood cell series, but still, remain a significant index of disease progression and ultimate prognosis. Finally, the role of the spleen in severe malaria is multifactorial. Care and vigilance should be taken against splenic rupture which is fatal and can occur despite appropriate antimalarial prophylaxis and treatment.
Collapse
|
24
|
Hu X, Li JH, Lan L, Wu FF, Zhang EP, Song ZM, Huang HC, Luo FJ, Pan CW, Tan F. In vitro study of the effects of Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae extracts on apoptosis and dysfunction in the blood-brain barrier (BBB). PLoS One 2012; 7:e32161. [PMID: 22393387 PMCID: PMC3290544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2011] [Accepted: 01/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction in Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection might be due to the apoptosis of the hosts' BBB cells. Here, we evaluated this hypothesis through several methods, all based on an in vitro mouse BBB model consisting of primary culture brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) and brain astrocytic cells (BACs). In the present study, a four-hour percolation and HRP permeability experiment showed that A. cantonensis larvae extracts can increase the permeability of the BBB. Apoptosis among BMECs and BACs after exposure to larvae extracts was monitored by TUNEL and annexin-V-FITC/PI double staining. A. cantonensis larvae extracts were found to induce apoptosis in both BMECs and BACs. For this reason, we concluded that the induction of apoptosis might participate in the BBB dysfunction observed during angiostrongyliasis. Improved fundamental understanding of how A. cantonensis induces apoptosis may lead to new approaches to the treatment or prevention of this parasitic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Hu
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and School of Life Science, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang-Hui Li
- Institution of Health and Environment, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Lan Lan
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei-Fei Wu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Er-Peng Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Zeng-Mei Song
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Cong Huang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang-Jun Luo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhuji People's Hospital, Zhuji, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang-Wang Pan
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Tan
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Happi AN, Milner DA, Antia RE. Blood and Tissue Leukocyte Apoptosis inTrypanosoma bruceiInfected Rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.4303/jnp/n120101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
26
|
Miller CM, Boulter NR, Fuller SJ, Zakrzewski AM, Lees MP, Saunders BM, Wiley JS, Smith NC. The role of the P2X₇ receptor in infectious diseases. PLoS Pathog 2011; 7:e1002212. [PMID: 22102807 PMCID: PMC3213081 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ATP is an extracellular signal for the immune system, particularly during an inflammatory response. It is sensed by the P2X7 receptor, the expression of which is upregulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Activation of the P2X7 receptor opens a cation-specific channel that alters the ionic environment of the cell, activating several pathways, including (i) the inflammasome, leading to production of IL-1β and IL-18; (ii) the stress-activated protein kinase pathway, resulting in apoptosis; (iii) the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, leading to generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates; and (iv) phospholipase D, stimulating phagosome-lysosome fusion. The P2X7 receptor can initiate host mechanisms to remove pathogens, most particularly those that parasitise macrophages. At the same time, the P2X7 receptor may be subverted by pathogens to modulate host responses. Moreover, recent genetic studies have demonstrated significant associations between susceptibility or resistance to parasites and bacteria, and loss-of-function or gain-of-function polymorphisms in the P2X7 receptor, underscoring its importance in infectious disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M. Miller
- Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicola R. Boulter
- Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen J. Fuller
- Nepean Clinical School, Nepean Hospital, The University of Sydney, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alana M. Zakrzewski
- Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael P. Lees
- Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bernadette M. Saunders
- Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine & Cell Biology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - James S. Wiley
- Florey Neuroscience Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas C. Smith
- Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences, James Cook University, Smithfield, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Dingayan LP. p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and NADPH Oxidase (NOX) are cytoprotective determinants in the trophozoite-induced apoptosis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Cell Immunol 2011; 272:25-32. [PMID: 22014391 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2011.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2011] [Revised: 08/04/2011] [Accepted: 09/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In a host-parasite interaction model, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were co-incubated with trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica to determine if the cytotoxic killing of PBMCs involves (NOX)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Experimental PBMC populations were pre-treated with diphenylene iodonium chloride to inhibit NOX, N-acetylcysteine to inhibit p47(phox) (a subunit of NOX), and SB202190 to inhibit p38 MAPK, with co-suppression of caspases. Percentage apoptosis, caspase-3 activity and ROS generation were monitored in all PBMC populations. Pre-treatment significantly raised the proportion of apoptotic PBMCs, but changes in caspase-3 activity and ROS production were relatively negligible. These results indicate that p38 MAPK and NOX were cytoprotective determinants in the trophozoite-induced apoptosis of PBMCs. Further, the programmed cell death herein investigated was independent of both caspases and ROS, and the exact mechanism of cell death remains to be an open question.
Collapse
|
28
|
Good MF. Our impasse in developing a malaria vaccine. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 68:1105-13. [PMID: 21327616 PMCID: PMC11115129 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-011-0634-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2010] [Revised: 12/28/2010] [Accepted: 01/27/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Malaria presents a challenge to world health that to date has been beyond the abilities of researchers to conquer. This critique presents some of the strategies employed by the parasite to overcome immunity and the immunological challenges that we face to develop vaccines. A conclusion is that a vaccine must identify novel antigens or epitopes that are not normally immunogenic and which are therefore not under immune pressure and most likely to be conserved between different strains. Such antigens are most likely to be targets of cellular immunity. The case for a whole parasite blood stage vaccine is presented based on these premises.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Good
- Institute for Glycomics, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4222, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Cambos M, Scorza T. Robust erythrophagocytosis leads to macrophage apoptosis via a hemin-mediated redox imbalance: role in hemolytic disorders. J Leukoc Biol 2010; 89:159-71. [PMID: 20884648 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0510249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
MP from the RES are responsible for the clearance of senescent RBC. Although the frequency of senescent RBC is low under steady-state conditions, it increases dramatically during hemolytic disorders, resulting in enhanced erythrophagocytosis. As erythrophagocytosis has been involved in MP dysfunction and as certain hemolytic disorders associate to MP apoptosis, a possible link between erythrophagocytosis and the viability of phagocytes was investigated herein. To mimic hemolytic disorders, two distinct in vitro models, artificially oxidized RBC and DSRBC, were chosen to study the erythrophagocytosis impact on the viability of J774A.1 MP. Although CRBC were weakly phagocytosed and did not affect MP viability significantly, erythrophagocytosis of oxidized RBC and DSRBC was robust and resulted in a sharp decrease of MP viability via apoptosis. Under these conditions, Hb-derived HE was shown to be involved in the induction of apoptosis. Moreover, oxidized RBC, DSRBC, and HE generated ROS species, which were responsible for the apoptosis of MP. Furthermore, HO-1, strongly induced in response to treatment with oxidized RBC, DSRBC, or HE, was shown to protect MP partially against apoptosis, suggesting that robust erythro-phagocytosis may exceed the detoxification capabilities of MP. Taken together, these results suggest that enhanced erythrophagocytosis associated to hemolytic disorders leads to MP apoptosis in vitro and may have critical implications for the control of malaria infection and for the exacerbated susceptibility to bacterial infections during hemolytic disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Cambos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Freitas do Rosário AP, Muxel SM, Rodríguez-Málaga SM, Sardinha LR, Zago CA, Castillo-Méndez SI, Alvarez JM, D'Império Lima MR. Gradual decline in malaria-specific memory T cell responses leads to failure to maintain long-term protective immunity to Plasmodium chabaudi AS despite persistence of B cell memory and circulating antibody. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2009; 181:8344-55. [PMID: 19050251 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.181.12.8344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms responsible for the generation and maintenance of immunological memory to Plasmodium are poorly understood and the reasons why protective immunity in humans is so difficult to achieve and rapidly lost remain a matter for debate. A possible explanation for the difficulty in building up an efficient immune response against this parasite is the massive T cell apoptosis resulting from exposure to high-dose parasite Ag. To determine the immunological mechanisms required for long-term protection against P. chabaudi malaria and the consequences of high and low acute phase parasite loads for acquisition of protective immunity, we performed a detailed analysis of T and B cell compartments over a period of 200 days following untreated and drug-treated infections in female C57BL/6 mice. By comparing several immunological parameters with the capacity to control a secondary parasite challenge, we concluded that loss of full protective immunity is not determined by acute phase parasite load nor by serum levels of specific IgG2a and IgG1 Abs, but appears to be a consequence of the progressive decline in memory T cell response to parasites, which occurs similarly in untreated and drug-treated mice with time after infection. Furthermore, by analyzing adoptive transfer experiments, we confirmed the major role of CD4(+) T cells for guaranteeing long-term full protection against P. chabaudi malaria.
Collapse
|
31
|
Wilson NO, Huang MB, Anderson W, Bond V, Powell M, Thompson WE, Armah HB, Adjei AA, Gyasi R, Tettey Y, Stiles JK. Soluble factors from Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes induce apoptosis in human brain vascular endothelial and neuroglia cells. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2008; 162:172-6. [PMID: 18848585 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2008.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2008] [Revised: 08/29/2008] [Accepted: 09/08/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The severity of malaria is multi-factorial. It is associated with parasite-induced alteration in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels in host serum and cerebrospinal fluid. It is also associated with sequestration and cytoadherence of parasitized erythrocytes (pRBCs) in post-capillary venules and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. The role of these factors in development of vascular injury and tissue damage in malaria patients is unclear. While some studies indicate a requirement for pRBC adhesion to vascular endothelial cells (ECs) in brain capillaries to induce apoptosis and BBB damage, others show no role of apoptosis resulting from adhesion of pRBC to EC. In the present study, the hypothesis that soluble factors from Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes induce apoptosis in human brain vascular endothelial (HBVEC) and neuroglia cells (cellular components of the BBB) was tested. Apoptotic effects of parasitized (pRBC) and non-parasitized erythrocyte (RBC) conditioned medium on HBVEC and neuroglia cells were determined in vitro by evaluating nuclear DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay) in cultured cells. Soluble factors from P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes in conditioned medium induced extensive DNA fragmentation in both cell lines, albeit to a greater extent in HBVEC than neuroglia, indicating that extended exposure to high levels of these soluble factors in serum may be associated with vascular, neuronal and tissue injury in malaria patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nana O Wilson
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abstract
Leishmania parasites invade host macrophages, causing infections that are either limited to skin or spread to internal organs. In this study, 3 species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis, L. major, L. aethiopica and L. tropica, were tested for their ability to interfere with apoptosis in host macrophages in 2 different lines of human monocyte-derived macrophages (cell lines THP-1 and U937) and the results confirmed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). All 3 species induced early apoptosis 48 h after infection (expression of phosphatidyl serine on the outer membrane). There were significant increases in the percentage of apoptotic cells both for U937 and PBMC following infection with each of the 3 species. Early apoptotic events were confirmed by mitochondrial membrane permeabilization detection and caspase activation 48 and 72 h after infection. Moreover, the percentage of infected THP-1 and U937 macrophages increased significantly (up to 100%) following treatment with an apoptosis inducer. Since phosphatidyl serine externalization on apoptosing cells acts as a signal for engulfment by macrophages, induction of apoptosis in the parasitized cells could actively participate in spreading the infection. In summary, parasite-containing apoptotic bodies with intact membranes could be released and phagocytosed by uninfected macrophages.
Collapse
|
33
|
Mukherjee P, Devi YS, Chauhan VS. Blood stage malaria antigens induce different activation-induced cell death programs in splenic CD4+T cells. Parasite Immunol 2008; 30:497-514. [PMID: 18643960 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2008.01050.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
CD4(+) T cells respond to antigen immunization through a process of activation, clonal expansion to generate activated effector T cells followed by activation-induced clonal deletion of the responding T cells. While loss of responding T cells in post-activation death by apoptosis is a major factor regulating immune homeostasis, the precise pathways involved in downsizing of Plasmodium falciparum antigen-induced T cell expansions are not well characterized. We report in this study that splenic CD4(+) T cells from mice immunized with nonreplicating immunogens like OVA or recombinant blood stage P. falciparum antigens, PfMSP-3 and PfMSP-1(19) or crude parasite antigen (PfAg) undergo sequential T cell activation, proliferation followed by activation-induced cell death (AICD) in a dose- and time-dependent manner after Ag restimulation. While PfMSP-3 and OVA-induced AICD was mediated through a death receptor-dependent apoptotic program, PfMSP-1(19) and PfAg-induced AICD was via a mechanism dependent on the activation of mitochondria apoptosis signalling pathway through Bax activation. These results provide insights into the mechanism through which two blood stage merozoite antigens trigger different apoptotic programs of AICD in splenic CD4(+) T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Mukherjee
- International Centre of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi, India.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Francischetti IMB, Seydel KB, Monteiro RQ. Blood coagulation, inflammation, and malaria. Microcirculation 2008; 15:81-107. [PMID: 18260002 DOI: 10.1080/10739680701451516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Malaria remains a highly prevalent disease in more than 90 countries and accounts for at least 1 million deaths every year. Plasmodium falciparum infection is often associated with a procoagulant tonus characterized by thrombocytopenia and activation of the coagulation cascade and fibrinolytic system; however, bleeding and hemorrhage are uncommon events, suggesting that a compensated state of blood coagulation activation occurs in malaria. This article (i) reviews the literature related to blood coagulation and malaria in a historic perspective, (ii) describes basic mechanisms of coagulation, anticoagulation, and fibrinolysis, (iii) explains the laboratory changes in acute and compensated disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), (iv) discusses the implications of tissue factor (TF) expression in the endothelium of P. falciparum infected patients, and (v) emphasizes the procoagulant role of parasitized red blood cells (RBCs) and activated platelets in the pathogenesis of malaria. This article also presents the Tissue Factor Model (TFM) for malaria pathogenesis, which places TF as the interface between sequestration, endothelial cell (EC) activation, blood coagulation disorder, and inflammation often associated with the disease. The relevance of the coagulation-inflammation cycle for the multiorgan dysfunction and coma is discussed in the context of malaria pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivo M B Francischetti
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-8132, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Baker VS, Imade GE, Molta NB, Tawde P, Pam SD, Obadofin MO, Sagay SA, Egah DZ, Iya D, Afolabi BB, Baker M, Ford K, Ford R, Roux KH, Keller TC. Cytokine-associated neutrophil extracellular traps and antinuclear antibodies in Plasmodium falciparum infected children under six years of age. Malar J 2008; 7:41. [PMID: 18312656 PMCID: PMC2275287 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-7-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2007] [Accepted: 02/29/2008] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Plasmodium falciparum-infected children, the relationships between blood cell histopathology, blood plasma components, development of immunocompetence and disease severity remain poorly understood. Blood from Nigerian children with uncomplicated malaria was analysed to gain insight into these relationships. This investigation presents evidence for circulating neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and antinuclear IgG antibodies (ANA). The presence of NETs and ANA to double-stranded DNA along with the cytokine profiles found suggests autoimmune mechanisms that could produce pathogenesis in children, but immunoprotection in adults. METHODS Peripheral blood smear slides and blood samples obtained from 21 Nigerian children under six years of age, presenting with uncomplicated malaria before and seven days after initiation of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) treatment were analysed. The slides were stained with Giemsa and with DAPI. Levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-2, TNF, CRP, and IL-6, select anti-inflammatory cytokines TGF-beta and IL-10, and ANA were determined by immunoassay. RESULTS The children exhibited circulating NETs with adherent parasites and erythrocytes, elevated ANA levels, a Th2 dominated cytokine profile, and left-shifted leukocyte differential counts. Nonspecific ANA levels were significant in 86% of the children pretreatment and in 100% of the children seven days after SP treatment, but in only 33% of age-matched control samples collected during the season of low parasite transmission. Levels of ANA specific for dsDNA were significant in 81% of the children both pre-treatment and post treatment. CONCLUSION The results of this investigation suggest that NET formation and ANA to dsDNA may induce pathology in falciparum-infected children, but activate a protective mechanism against falciparum malaria in adults. The significance of in vivo circulating chromatin in NETs and dsDNA ANA as a causative factor in the hyporesponsiveness of CpG oligonucleotide-based malaria vaccines is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia S Baker
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Lovegrove FE, Gharib SA, Patel SN, Hawkes CA, Kain KC, Liles WC. Expression microarray analysis implicates apoptosis and interferon-responsive mechanisms in susceptibility to experimental cerebral malaria. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2007; 171:1894-903. [PMID: 17991715 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2007.070630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Specific local brain responses, influenced by parasite sequestration and host immune system activation, have been implicated in the development of cerebral malaria. This study assessed whole-brain transcriptional responses over the course of experimental cerebral malaria by comparing genetically resistant and susceptible inbred mouse strains infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA. Computational methods were used to identify differential patterns of gene expression. Overall, genes that showed the most transcriptional activity were differentially expressed in susceptible mice 1 to 2 days before the onset of characteristic symptoms of cerebral malaria. Most of the differentially expressed genes identified were associated with immune-related gene ontology categories. Further analysis to identify interaction networks and to examine patterns of transcriptional regulation within the set of identified genes implicated a central role for both interferon-regulated processes and apoptosis in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria. Biological relevance of these genes and pathways was confirmed using quantitative RT-PCR and histopathological examination of the brain for apoptosis. The application of computational biology tools to examine systematically the disease progression in cerebral malaria can identify important transcriptional programs activated during its pathogenesis and may serve as a methodological approach to identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona E Lovegrove
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 2C4
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Guha M, Maity P, Choubey V, Mitra K, Reiter RJ, Bandyopadhyay U. Melatonin inhibits free radical-mediated mitochondrial-dependent hepatocyte apoptosis and liver damage induced during malarial infection. J Pineal Res 2007; 43:372-81. [PMID: 17910606 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2007.00488.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We showed earlier that malarial infection significantly induces liver apoptosis mediated by oxidative stress mechanisms. Thus, a nontoxic antioxidant-antiapoptotic molecule may be beneficial for hepatoprotection. Melatonin remarkably prevents hepatocyte apoptosis in mice induced during malaria as indicated by caspase 3 and TUNEL assays as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the liver tissue. The mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, which plays a critical role in liver cell death during malarial infection, was almost completely suppressed by melatonin as it corrects both the overexpression of Bax and down-regulation of bcl-2 as revealed by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Fluorometric studies using JC-1 documented that melatonin also restores mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim) in malaria-infected mice liver. The antiapoptotic effect of melatonin is associated with its antioxidant role because melatonin protects liver from oxidative stress induced during malaria by scavenging the hydroxyl radicals, preventing the depletion of reduced glutathione, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl formation. The effective antioxidant dose of melatonin to protect liver from oxidative stress during malaria is 20 times lower than that of known antioxidants, vitamin C and vitamin E. Apoptosis of hepatocytes during malarial infection is well correlated with dysfunction of the liver while melatonin offers hepatoprotective effects as indicated by different liver function tests. Thus, melatonin may well be effective in combating oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and liver damage during malaria infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mithu Guha
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Hirsch CS, Johnson JL, Okwera A, Kanost RA, Wu M, Peters P, Muhumuza M, Mayanja-Kizza H, Mugerwa RD, Mugyenyi P, Ellner JJ, Toossi Z. Mechanisms of apoptosis of T-cells in human tuberculosis. J Clin Immunol 2007; 25:353-64. [PMID: 16133992 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-005-4841-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/31/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The role of TGF-beta TNF-alpha FasL and Bcl-2 in apoptosis of CD4 T-cells during active TB was studied. Coculture of PBMC from TB patients with neutralizing antibodies to TGF-beta or TNF-alpha decreased spontaneous (P < or = 0.05) and MTB-induced (P < or = 0.02) T-cell apoptosis by 50-90%, but effects were not additive. Interestingly, only levels of TGF-beta in supernatants correlated with rates of spontaneous and MTB-induced apoptosis. FasL surface and mRNA expression were higher in unstimulated and MTB-stimulated PBMC from patients than controls, and neutralization of FasL abrogated apoptosis of T-cells from patients only. Intracellular Bcl-2 protein was lower among unstimulated CD4 T-cells from patients than those from controls (P < or = 0.02), and MTB stimulation reduced intracellular Bcl-2 content in CD4 T-cells from patients only (P < or = 0.001). These findings may indicate that, during TB, predisposition of CD4 T-cells to apoptosis may involve both low expression of Bcl-2, and excessive expression of TGF-beta TNF-alpha and FasL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina S Hirsch
- Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-4984, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Wykes MN, Liu XQ, Beattie L, Stanisic DI, Stacey KJ, Smyth MJ, Thomas R, Good MF. Plasmodium strain determines dendritic cell function essential for survival from malaria. PLoS Pathog 2007; 3:e96. [PMID: 17616976 PMCID: PMC1904473 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0030096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2006] [Accepted: 05/21/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The severity of malaria can range from asymptomatic to lethal infections involving severe anaemia and cerebral disease. However, the molecular and cellular factors responsible for these differences in disease severity are poorly understood. Identifying the factors that mediate virulence will contribute to developing antiparasitic immune responses. Since immunity is initiated by dendritic cells (DCs), we compared their phenotype and function following infection with either a nonlethal or lethal strain of the rodent parasite, Plasmodium yoelii, to identify their contribution to disease severity. DCs from nonlethal infections were fully functional and capable of secreting cytokines and stimulating T cells. In contrast, DCs from lethal infections were not functional. We then transferred DCs from mice with nonlethal infections to mice given lethal infections and showed that these DCs mediated control of parasitemia and survival. IL-12 was necessary for survival. To our knowledge, our studies have shown for the first time that during a malaria infection, DC function is essential for survival. More importantly, the functions of these DCs are determined by the strain of parasite. Our studies may explain, in part, why natural malaria infections may have different outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle N Wykes
- The Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Xue Q Liu
- The Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lynette Beattie
- The Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Immunology and Infection Unit, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Danielle I Stanisic
- The Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Infection and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katryn J Stacey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, CRC for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark J Smyth
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ranjeny Thomas
- Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael F Good
- The Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Carvalho LJM, Ferreira-da-Cruz MF, Daniel-Ribeiro CT, Pelajo-Machado M, Lenzi HL. Germinal center architecture disturbance during Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection in CBA mice. Malar J 2007; 6:59. [PMID: 17506896 PMCID: PMC1890294 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-6-59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2007] [Accepted: 05/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune responses to malaria blood stage infection are in general defective, with the need for long-term exposure to the parasite to achieve immunity, and with the development of immunopathology states such as cerebral malaria in many cases. One of the potential reasons for the difficulty in developing protective immunity is the poor development of memory responses. In this paper, the potential association of cellular reactivity in lymphoid organs (spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches) with immunity and pathology was evaluated during Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection in CBA mice. Methods CBA mice were infected with 1 × 106 P. berghei ANKA-parasitized erythrocytes and killed on days 3, 6–8 and 10 of infection. The spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches were collected, fixed in Carson's formalin, cut in 5 μm sections, mounted in glass slides, stained with Lennert's Giemsa and haematoxylin-eosin and analysed with bright-field microscopy. Results Early (day 3) strong activation of T cells in secondary lymphoid organs was observed and, on days 6–8 of infection, there was overwhelming activation of B cells, with loss of conventional germinal center architecture, intense centroblast activation, proliferation and apoptosis but little differentiation to centrocytes. In the spleen, the marginal zone disappeared and the limits between the disorganized germinal center and the red pulp were blurred. Intense plasmacytogenesis was observed in the T cell zone. Conclusion The observed alterations, especially the germinal center architecture disturbance (GCAD) with poor centrocyte differentiation, suggest that B cell responses during P. berghei ANKA infection in mice are defective, with potential impact on B cell memory responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo JM Carvalho
- Laboratory of Malaria Research, Department of Immunology, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Maria F Ferreira-da-Cruz
- Laboratory of Malaria Research, Department of Immunology, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Claudio T Daniel-Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Malaria Research, Department of Immunology, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Henrique L Lenzi
- Department of Pathology, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Elliott SR, Spurck TP, Dodin JM, Maier AG, Voss TS, Yosaatmadja F, Payne PD, McFadden GI, Cowman AF, Rogerson SJ, Schofield L, Brown GV. Inhibition of dendritic cell maturation by malaria is dose dependent and does not require Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1. Infect Immun 2007; 75:3621-32. [PMID: 17470539 PMCID: PMC1932960 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00095-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Red blood cells infected with Plasmodium falciparum (iRBCs) have been shown to modulate maturation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs), interfering with their ability to activate T cells. Interaction between Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) and CD36 expressed by DCs is the proposed mechanism, but we show here that DC modulation does not require CD36 binding, PfEMP1, or contact between DCs and infected RBCs and depends on the iRBC dose. iRBCs expressing a PfEMP1 variant that binds chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) but not CD36 were phagocytosed, inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced phenotypic maturation and cytokine secretion, and abrogated the ability of DCs to stimulate allogeneic T-cell proliferation. CD36- and CSA-binding iRBCs showed comparable inhibition. P. falciparum lines rendered deficient in PfEMP1 expression by targeted gene knockout or knockdown also inhibited LPS-induced phenotypic maturation, and separation of DCs and iRBCs in transwells showed that inhibition was not contact dependent. Inhibition was observed at an iRBC:DC ratio of 100:1 but not at a ratio of 10:1. High doses of iRBCs were associated with apoptosis of DCs, which was not activation induced. Lower doses of iRBCs stimulated DC maturation sufficient to activate autologous T-cell proliferation. In conclusion, modulation of DC maturation by P. falciparum is dose dependent and does not require interaction between PfEMP1 and CD36. Inhibition and apoptosis of DCs by high-dose iRBCs may or may not be physiological. However, our observation that low-dose iRBCs initiate functional DC maturation warrants reevaluation and further investigation of DC interactions with blood-stage P. falciparum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salenna R Elliott
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Wichmann D, Schwarz RT, Ruppert V, Ehrhardt S, Cramer JP, Burchard GD, Maisch B, Debierre-Grockiego F. Plasmodium falciparum glycosylphosphatidylinositol induces limited apoptosis in liver and spleen mouse tissue. Apoptosis 2007; 12:1037-41. [PMID: 17260185 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-006-0033-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum malaria affects about 500 million people worldwide and is responsible for approximately 2.5 million deaths per year. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) is the major anchor for membrane-associated proteins of P. falciparum and GPI plays a major role as a toxin in the pathology of malaria. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that GPI, like LPS, induces apoptosis in vitro and in vital organs of mice. Our data does not provide evidence for direct cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by GPI in vitro. However, in vivo injection of GPI induced limited apoptosis in mouse liver and spleen tissue. Apoptosis may be due to a direct GPI apoptotic effect or to an indirect effect via the induction of TNFalpha and nitric oxide production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Wichmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Clinical Research Unit, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Kassa D, Petros B, Mesele T, Hailu E, Wolday D. Characterization of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in patients with acute Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax malaria infections at Wonji Sugar Estate, Ethiopia. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2006; 13:376-9. [PMID: 16522780 PMCID: PMC1391951 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.13.3.376-379.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the absolute counts of CD4+, CD8+, B, NK, and CD3+ cells and total lymphocytes in patients with acute Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria. Three-color flow cytometry was used for enumerating the immune cells. After slide smears were stained with 3% Giemsa stain, parasite species were detected using light microscopy. Data were analyzed using STATA and SPSS software. A total of 204 adults of both sexes (age, >15 years) were included in the study. One hundred fifty-eight were acute malaria patients, of whom 79 (50%) were infected with P. falciparum, 76 (48.1%) were infected with P. vivax, and 3 (1.9%) were infected with both malaria parasites. The remaining 46 subjects were healthy controls. The leukocyte count in P. falciparum patients was lower than that in controls (P=0.015). Absolute counts of CD4+, CD8+, B, and CD3+ cells and total lymphocytes were decreased very significantly during both P. falciparum (P<0.0001) and P. vivax (P<0.0001) infections. However, the NK cell count was an exception in that it was not affected by either P. falciparum or P. vivax malaria. No difference was found in the percentages of CD4, CD8, and CD3 cells in P. falciparum or P. vivax patients compared to controls. In summary, acute malaria infection causes a depletion of lymphocyte populations in the peripheral blood. Thus, special steps should be taken in dealing with malaria patients, including enumeration of peripheral lymphocyte cells for diagnostic purposes and research on peripheral blood to evaluate the immune status of patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Desta Kassa
- Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), P.O. Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Guha M, Kumar S, Choubey V, Maity P, Bandyopadhyay U. Apoptosis in liver during malaria: role of oxidative stress and implication of mitochondrial pathway. FASEB J 2006; 20:1224-6. [PMID: 16603602 DOI: 10.1096/fj.05-5338fje] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic dysfunction is a common clinical complication in malaria, although its pathogenesis remains largely unknown. Using a variety of in vivo and ex vivo approaches, we have shown for the first time that malarial infection induces hepatic apoptosis through augmentation of oxidative stress. Apoptosis in hepatocyte has been confirmed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin-nick-end labeling assay (TUNEL) and caspase-3 activation. Gene expression analysis using RT-PCR indicates the significant down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax expression in liver of malaria infected mice suggesting the involvement of mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. The levels of Fas expression and caspase-8 activity in infected liver were same as that of uninfected control mice indicating death receptor (Fas) pathway did not contribute to liver apoptosis during malarial infection. Moreover, evidence has been presented by confocal microscopy to show the translocation of Bax from cytosol to mitochondria in apoptotic hepatocyte, resulting in opening of permeability transition pores, which in turn decreases mitochondrial membrane potential and induces cytochrome c release into cytosol. Malarial infection induces the generation of hydroxyl radical (*OH) in liver, which may be responsible for the induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis as administration of *OH specific antioxidant as well as spin trap, alpha-phenyl-tert-butyl-nitrone in malaria-infected mice significantly inhibits the development of oxidative stress as well as induction of apoptosis. Thus, results suggest the implication of oxidative stress induced-mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in the pathophysiology of hepatic dysfunction in malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mithu Guha
- Division of Drug Target Discovery and Development, Central Drug Research Institute, Chatter Manzil Palace, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow-226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Patarroyo ME, Salazar LM, Cifuentes G, Lozano JM, Delgado G, Rivera Z, Rosas J, Vargas LE. Protective cellular immunity against P. falciparum malaria merozoites is associated with a different P7 and P8 residue orientation in the MHC–peptide–TCR complex. Biochimie 2006; 88:219-30. [PMID: 16126320 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2005.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2005] [Revised: 07/20/2005] [Accepted: 07/21/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Developing a logical and rational methodology for obtaining vaccines, especially against the main parasite causing human malaria (P. falciparum), consists of blocking receptor-ligand interactions. Conserved peptides derived from proteins involved in invasion and having high red blood cell binding ability have thus been identified. Immunization studies using Aotus monkeys have revealed that these peptides were neither immunogenic nor protection inducing. When modified in their critical binding residues, previously identified by Glycine scanning, some of these peptides were immunogenic and non-protection inducers; others induced short-lived antibodies whilst a few were both immunogenic and protection inducing. However, very few of these modified high activity binding peptides (HABPs) reproducibly induced protection without inducing antibody production, but with high cytokine liberation, suggesting that cellular mechanisms had been activated in the protection process. The three-dimensional structure of these peptides inducing protection without producing antibodies was determined by 1H-NMR. Their HLA-DRbeta1* molecule binding ability was also determined to ascertain association between their 3D structure and ability to bind to Major Histocompatibility Complex Class-II molecules (MHC-II). 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance analysis and structure calculations clearly showed that these modified HABPs inducing protective cellular immune responses (but not producing antibodies against malaria) adopted special structural configuration to fit into the MHC II-peptide-TCR complex. A different orientation for P7 and P8 TCR contacting residues was clearly recognized when comparing their structure with modified peptides, which induced high antibody titers and protection, suggesting that these residues are involved in activating the immune system associated with antibody production and protection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Elkin Patarroyo
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50 No., 26-00 Bogotá, Colombia; Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Sommer U, Costello CE, Hayes GR, Beach DH, Gilbert RO, Lucas JJ, Singh BN. Identification of Trichomonas vaginalis cysteine proteases that induce apoptosis in human vaginal epithelial cells. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:23853-60. [PMID: 15843376 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m501752200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A secreted cysteine protease (CP) fraction from Trichomonas vaginalis is shown here to induce apoptosis in human vaginal epithelial cells (HVEC) and is analyzed by mass spectrometry. The trichomonad parasite T. vaginalis causes one of the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection in humans, trichomoniasis. The parasite as well as a secreted cysteine protease (CP) fraction, isolated by affinity chromatography followed by Bio-Gel P-60 column chromatography, are shown to induce HVEC apoptosis, as demonstrated by the Cell Death Detection ELISA(PLUS) assay and annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate flow cytometry analyses. Initiation of apoptosis is correlated with protease activity because the specific CP inhibitor E-64 inhibits both activities. SDS-PAGE analysis of the CP fraction reveals triplet bands around 30 kDa, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight MS indicates two closely associated peaks of molecular mass 23.6 and 23.8 kDa. Mass spectral peptide sequencing of the proteolytically digested CPs results in matches to previously reported cDNA clones, CP2, CP3, and CP4 (Mallinson, D. J., Lockwood, B. C., Coombs, G. H., and North, M. J. (1994) Microbiology 140, 2725-2735), as well as another sequence with high homology to CP4 (www.tigr.org). These last two species are the most abundant components of the CP fraction. The present results, suggesting that CP-induced programmed cell death may be involved in the pathogenesis of T. vaginalis infection in vivo, may have important implications for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulf Sommer
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Good MF, Xu H, Wykes M, Engwerda CR. DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATION OF CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNE RESPONSES TO THE BLOOD STAGES OF MALARIA: Implications for Vaccine Research. Annu Rev Immunol 2005; 23:69-99. [PMID: 15771566 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.immunol.23.021704.115638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The immune response to the malaria parasite is complex and poorly understood. Although antibodies and T cells can control parasite growth in model systems, natural immunity to malaria in regions of high endemicity takes several years to develop. Variation and polymorphism of antibody target antigens are known to impede immune responses, but these factors alone cannot account for the slow acquisition of immunity. In human and animal model systems, cell-mediated responses can control parasite growth effectively, but such responses are regulated by parasite load via direct effects on dendritic cells and possibly on T and B cells as well. Furthermore, high parasite load is associated with pathology, and cell-mediated responses may also harm the host. Inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria, anemia, weight loss, and respiratory distress in malaria. Immunity without pathology requires rapid parasite clearance, effective regulation of the inflammatory anti-parasite effects of cellular responses, and the eventual development of a repertoire of antibodies effective against multiple strains. Data suggest that this may be hastened by exposure to malaria antigens in low dose, leading to augmented cellular immunity and rapid parasite clearance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Good
- The Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, 4029, Australia.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Elliott SR, Kuns RD, Good MF. Heterologous immunity in the absence of variant-specific antibodies after exposure to subpatent infection with blood-stage malaria. Infect Immun 2005; 73:2478-85. [PMID: 15784594 PMCID: PMC1087398 DOI: 10.1128/iai.73.4.2478-2485.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2004] [Revised: 08/23/2004] [Accepted: 12/03/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined immunity induced by subpatent blood-stage malaria (undetectable by microscopy) using the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi, postulating that limited infection may allow expansion of antigen-specific T cells that are normally deleted by apoptosis. After three infections drug cured at 48 h, mice were protected against high-dose challenge with homologous or heterologous parasites (different strain or variant). Immunity differed from that generated by three untreated, patent infections. Subpatently infected mice lacked immunoglobulin G (IgG) to variant surface antigens, despite producing similar titers of total malaria-specific IgG to those produced by patently infected mice, including antibodies specific for merozoite surface antigens conserved between heterologous strains. Antigen-specific proliferation of splenocytes harvested prechallenge was significantly higher in subpatently infected mice than in patently infected or naive mice. In subpatently infected mice, lymphoproliferation was similar in response to homologous and heterologous parasites, suggesting that antigenic targets of cell-mediated immunity were conserved. A Th1 cytokine response was evident during challenge. Apoptosis of CD4+ and CD8+ splenic lymphocytes occurred during patent but not subpatent infection, suggesting a reason for the relative prominence of cell-mediated immunity after subpatent infection. In conclusion, subpatent infection with blood stage malaria parasites induced protective immunity, which differed from that induced by patent infection and targeted conserved antigens. These findings suggest that alternative vaccine strategies based on delivery of multiple parasite antigens at low dose may induce effective immunity targeting conserved determinants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salenna R Elliott
- The Cooperative Research Centre for Vaccine Technology, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Queensland, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Presas AMF, Robert L, Jiménez JA, Willms K. Apoptosis patterns in experimental Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps strobilae from golden hamsters. Parasitol Res 2005; 96:1-5. [PMID: 15759155 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-005-1316-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2004] [Accepted: 01/28/2005] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis or programmed cell death (PCD) patterns of two taeniid species, Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps, were explored in adult tapeworms grown in golden hamsters. Animals were fed either ten viable T. solium cysticerci from naturally infected pigs or from T. crassiceps WFU strain maintained in Balb/c mice. Adult strobilae were recovered from the intestine at different times after infection and either frozen at -70 degrees C or fixed in paraformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde. Frozen sections were processed using the DNA fragmentation fluorescent TUNEL reagents and examined in an epifluorescent microscope. Fixed tissues were processed for light and electron microscopy. Typical apoptotic cells were found in the central core of scolex and strobilar tissues, mainly in the germinal tissue and subtegumentary areas. By the TUNEL technique, cells exhibited the characteristic fluorescent images of condensed nuclear chromatin. By light microscopy of thick sections stained with toluidine blue, we found a number of small rounded cells which had lost their cytoplasmic bridges and had shrunken nuclei with aggregated chromatin, cells which were found interspersed with normal syncytial cells. Similar cell morphology was confirmed by electron microscopy. Stunted viable worms, recovered with longer mature specimens, had very short strobilae and exhibited a large number of apoptotic cells in the germinal neck tissues. The results are consistent with the syncytial nature of these parasites, and strongly suggest that cell proliferation and PCD in these adult cestodes are continuous processes of the germinal tissue and tegumentary cytons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana María Fernández Presas
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Edificio A, Primer Piso Circuito Escolar, México, 04510, DF, México
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
It is widely perceived that immunity to malaria is, to an extent, defective and that one component of this defective immune response is the inability to induce or maintain long-term memory responses. If true, this is likely to pose problems for development of an effective vaccine against malaria. In this article, we critically review and challenge this interpretation of the epidemiological and experimental evidence. While evasion and modulation of host immune responses clearly occurs and naturally acquired immunity is far from optimal, mechanisms to control blood-stage parasites are acquired and maintained by individuals living in endemic areas, allowing parasite density to be kept below the threshold for induction of acute disease. Furthermore, protective immunity to severe pathology is achieved relatively rapidly and is maintained in the absence of boosting by re-infection. Nevertheless, there are significant challenges to overcome. The need for multiple infections to acquire immunity means that young children remain at risk of infection for far too long. Persistent or frequent exposure to antigen seems to be required to maintain anti-parasite immunity (premunition). Lastly, pre-erythrocytic and sexual stages of the life cycle are poorly immunogenic, and there is little evidence of effective pre-erythrocytic or transmission-blocking immunity at the population level. While these problems might theoretically be due to defective immunological memory, we suggest alternative explanations. Moreover, we question the extent to which these problems are malaria-specific rather than generic (i.e. result from inherent limitations of the vertebrate immune system).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siske S Struik
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|