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Akter A, Ananna NF, Ullah H, Islam S, Al Amin M, Kibria KMK, Mahmud S. Computational approach for identifying immunogenic epitopes and optimizing peptide vaccine through in-silico cloning against Mycoplasma genitalium. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28223. [PMID: 38596014 PMCID: PMC11002066 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma genitalium is a pathogenic microorganism linked to a variety of severe health conditions including ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, HIV transmission, and sexually transmitted diseases. A more effective approach to address the challenges posed by this pathogen, given its high antibiotic resistance rates, could be the development of a peptide vaccine. In this study, we used experimentally validated 13 membrane proteins and their immunogenicity to identify suitable vaccine candidates. Thus, based on immunogenic properties and high conservation among other Mycoplasma genitalium sub-strains, the P110 surface protein is considered for further investigation. Later on, we identified T-cell epitopes and B-cell epitopes from the P110 protein to construct a multiepitope-based vaccine. As a result, the 'NIAPISFSFTPFTAA' T-cell epitope and 'KVKYESSGSNNISFDS' B-cell epitope have shown 99.53% and 87.50% population coverage along with 100% conservancy among the subspecies, and both epitopes were found to be non-allergenic. Furthermore, focusing on molecular docking analysis showed the lowest binding energy for MHC-I (-137.5 kcal/mol) and MHC-II (-183.3 kcal/mol), leading to a satisfactory binding strength between the T-cell epitopes and the MHC molecules. However, the constructed multiepitope vaccine (MEV) consisting of 54 amino acids demonstrates favorable characteristics for a vaccine candidate, including a theoretical pI of 4.25 with a scaled solubility of 0.812 and high antigenicity probabilities. Additionally, structural analyses reveal that the MEV displays substantial alpha helices and extended strands, vital for its immunogenicity. Molecular docking with the human Toll-like receptors TLR1/2 heterodimer shows strong binding affinity, reinforcing its potential to elicit an immune response. Our immune simulation analysis demonstrates immune memory development and robust immunity, while codon adaptation suggests optimal expression in E. coli using the pET-28a(+) vector. These findings collectively highlight the MEV's potential as a valuable vaccine candidate against M. genitalium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Akter
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh
| | - Natasha Farhin Ananna
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh
| | - Hedayet Ullah
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh
| | - Sirajul Islam
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh
| | - Md Al Amin
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh
| | - K M Kaderi Kibria
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh
| | - Shahin Mahmud
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh
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Ryan NM, Hess JA, Robertson EJ, Tricoche N, Turner C, Davis J, Petrovsky N, Ferguson M, Rinaldi WJ, Wong VM, Shimada A, Zhan B, Bottazzi ME, Makepeace BL, Gray SA, Carter D, Lustigman S, Abraham D. Adjuvanted Fusion Protein Vaccine Induces Durable Immunity to Onchocerca volvulus in Mice and Non-Human Primates. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1212. [PMID: 37515028 PMCID: PMC10385774 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Onchocerciasis remains a debilitating neglected tropical disease. Due to the many challenges of current control methods, an effective vaccine against the causative agent Onchocerca volvulus is urgently needed. Mice and cynomolgus macaque non-human primates (NHPs) were immunized with a vaccine consisting of a fusion of two O. volvulus protein antigens, Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2 (Ov-FUS-1), and three different adjuvants: Advax-CpG, alum, and AlT4. All vaccine formulations induced high antigen-specific IgG titers in both mice and NHPs. Challenging mice with O. volvulus L3 contained within subcutaneous diffusion chambers demonstrated that Ov-FUS-1/Advax-CpG-immunized animals developed protective immunity, durable for at least 11 weeks. Passive transfer of sera, collected at several time points, from both mice and NHPs immunized with Ov-FUS-1/Advax-CpG transferred protection to naïve mice. These results demonstrate that Ov-FUS-1 with the adjuvant Advax-CpG induces durable protective immunity against O. volvulus in mice and NHPs that is mediated by vaccine-induced humoral factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan M Ryan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Jessica A Hess
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Erica J Robertson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Nancy Tricoche
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Lindsey F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | - Jenn Davis
- PAI Life Sciences Inc., Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Ayako Shimada
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Bin Zhan
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Benjamin L Makepeace
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK
| | - Sean A Gray
- PAI Life Sciences Inc., Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | | | - Sara Lustigman
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Lindsey F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - David Abraham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Madanagopal P, Muthusamy S, Pradhan SN, Prince PR. Construction and validation of a multi-epitope in silico vaccine model for lymphatic filariasis by targeting Brugia malayi: a reverse vaccinology approach. BULLETIN OF THE NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRE 2023; 47:47. [PMID: 36987521 PMCID: PMC10037386 DOI: 10.1186/s42269-023-01013-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphatic filariasis (LF), often referred to as elephantiasis, has been identified as one of the 17 neglected tropical diseases by the World Health Organization. Currently, there are no vaccines available to treat this infection in humans. Therefore, with the objective of devising a novel preventive measure, we exploited an immunoinformatics approach to design a multi-epitope-based subunit vaccine for LF, that can elicit a variety of immune responses within the host. In this study, different B cell, TC cell, and TH cell-binding epitopes were screened from the antigenic proteins of Brugia malayi and they were passed through several immunological filters to determine the optimal epitopes. RESULTS As a result, 15 CD8+, 3 CD4+, and 3 B cell epitopes were found to be prominent, antigenic, non-toxic, immunogenic and non-allergenic. The presence of conformational B cell epitopes and cytokine-inducing epitopes confirmed the humoral and cell-mediated immune response that would be triggered by the constructed vaccine model. Following that, the selected epitopes and TLR-4-specific adjuvant were ligated by appropriate peptide linkers to finalize the vaccine construct. Protein-protein docking of the vaccine structure with the TLR4 receptor predicted strong binding affinity and hence putatively confirms its ability to elicit an immune response. Further, the efficiency of the vaccine candidate to provide a long-lasting protective immunity was assessed by in silico immune simulation. The reverse translated vaccine sequence was also virtually cloned in the pET28a (+) plasmid after the optimization of the gene sequence. CONCLUSION So taken together, by monitoring the overall in silico assessment, we hypothesize that our engineered peptide vaccine could be a viable prophylactic approach in the development of vaccines against the threat of human lymphatic filariasis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42269-023-01013-0.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Prabhu Rajaiah Prince
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, India
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging (CUI), University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Infammation, University of Hamburg, c/o DESY, 22603, Hamburg, Germany
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Shey RA, Ghogomu SM, Nebangwa DN, Shintouo CM, Yaah NE, Yengo BN, Nkemngo FN, Esoh KK, Tchatchoua NMT, Mbachick TT, Dede AF, Lemoge AA, Ngwese RA, Asa BF, Ayong L, Njemini R, Vanhamme L, Souopgui J. Rational design of a novel multi-epitope peptide-based vaccine against Onchocerca volvulus using transmembrane proteins. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.1046522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost a decade ago, it was recognized that the global elimination of onchocerciasis by 2030 will not be feasible without, at least, an effective prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccine to complement chemotherapy and vector control strategies. Recent advances in computational immunology (immunoinformatics) have seen the design of novel multi-epitope onchocerciasis vaccine candidates which are however yet to be evaluated in clinical settings. Still, continued research to increase the pool of vaccine candidates, and therefore the chance of success in a clinical trial remains imperative. Here, we designed a multi-epitope vaccine candidate by assembling peptides from 14 O. volvulus (Ov) proteins using an immunoinformatics approach. An initial 126 Ov proteins, retrieved from the Wormbase database, and at least 90% similar to orthologs in related nematode species of economic importance, were screened for localization, presence of transmembrane domain, and antigenicity using different web servers. From the 14 proteins retained after the screening, 26 MHC-1 and MHC-II (T-cell) epitopes, and linear B-lymphocytes epitopes were predicted and merged using suitable linkers. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis Resuscitation-promoting factor E (RPFE_MYCTU), which is an agonist of TLR4, was then added to the N-terminal of the vaccine candidate as a built-in adjuvant. Immune simulation analyses predicted strong B-cell and IFN-γ based immune responses which are necessary for protection against O. volvulus infection. Protein-protein docking and molecular dynamic simulation predicted stable interactions between the 3D structure of the vaccine candidate and human TLR4. These results show that the designed vaccine candidate has the potential to stimulate both humoral and cellular immune responses and should therefore be subject to further laboratory investigation.
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Immunoinformatics-Aided Analysis of RSV Fusion and Attachment Glycoproteins to Design a Potent Multi-Epitope Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091381. [PMID: 36146460 PMCID: PMC9502547 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) usually causes respiratory tract infections of upper airways in infants and young children. Despite recent medical advances, no approved vaccine is available to control RSV infections. Therefore, we conducted an immunoinformatics study to design and evaluate a potential multi-epitope vaccine against RSV. Sequence-based analyses of the glycoproteins F and G revealed a total of eight CD8 T-cell and three CD4 T-cell epitopes after considering antigenicity, binding affinity and other parameters. Molecular docking analysis confirmed that these T-cell epitopes developed strong structural associations with HLA allele(s). By integrating these prioritized epitopes with linkers and a cholera toxin-derived adjuvant, a multi-epitope vaccine was designed. The developed vaccine was found to be stable, non-allergenic, flexible and antigenic. Molecular docking analysis revealed a striking mean HADDOCK score (−143.3) of top-ranked vaccine-TLR cluster and a Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) value of −11.3 kcal mol−1. As per computational immune simulation results, the vaccine generated a high titer of antibodies (especially IgM) and effector T-cells. Also, codon optimization and in silico cloning ensured the increased expression of vaccine in Escherichia coli. Altogether, we anticipate that the multi-epitope vaccine reported in this study will stimulate humoral and cellular responses against RSV infection, subject to follow-up experimental validation.
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Aziz S, Waqas M, Halim SA, Ali A, Iqbal A, Iqbal M, Khan A, Al-Harrasi A. Exploring whole proteome to contrive multi-epitope-based vaccine for NeoCoV: An immunoinformtics and in-silico approach. Front Immunol 2022; 13:956776. [PMID: 35990651 PMCID: PMC9382669 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.956776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neo-Coronavirus (NeoCoV) is a novel Betacoronavirus (β-CoVs or Beta-CoVs) discovered in bat specimens in South Africa during 2011. The viral sequence is highly similar to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, particularly that of structural proteins. Thus, scientists have emphasized the threat posed by NeoCoV associated with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) usage, which could lead to a high death rate and faster transmission rate in humans. The development of a NeoCoV vaccine could provide a promising option for the future control of the virus in case of human infection. In silico predictions can decrease the number of experiments required, making the immunoinformatics approaches cost-effective and convenient. Herein, with the aid of immunoinformatics and reverse vaccinology, we aimed to formulate a multi-epitope vaccine that may be used to prevent and treat NeoCoV infection. Based on the NeoCoV proteins, B-cell, cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), and helper T lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes were shortlisted. Four vaccines (Neo-1-4) were devised by fusing shortlisted epitopes with appropriate adjuvants and linkers. The secondary and three-dimensional structures of final vaccines were then predicted. The binding interactions of these potential vaccines with toll-like immune receptors (TLR-2, TLR-3, and TLR-4) and major histocompatibility complex molecules (MHC-I and II) reveal that they properly fit into the receptors' binding domains. Besides, Neo-1 and Neo-4 vaccines exhibited better docking energies of -101.08 kcal/mol and -114.47 kcal/mol, respectively, with TLR-3 as compared to other vaccine constructs. The constructed vaccines are highly antigenic, non-allergenic, soluble, non-toxic, and topologically assessable with good physiochemical characteristics. Codon optimization and in-silico cloning confirmed efficient expression of the designed vaccines in Escherichia coli strain K12. In-silico immune simulation indicated that Neo-1 and Neo-4 vaccines could induce a strong immune response against NeoCoV. Lastly, the binding stability and strong binding affinity of Neo-1 and Neo-4 with TLR-3 receptor were validated using molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations (Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area method). The final vaccines require experimental validation to establish their safety and effectiveness in preventing NeoCoV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahkaar Aziz
- Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, the University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Waqas
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Birkat-ul-Mouz, Nizwa, Oman
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Hazara University Mansehra, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - Sobia Ahsan Halim
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Birkat-ul-Mouz, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Amjad Ali
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Hazara University Mansehra, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - Aqib Iqbal
- Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, the University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Maaz Iqbal
- Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, the University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Ajmal Khan
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Birkat-ul-Mouz, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Ahmed Al-Harrasi
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Birkat-ul-Mouz, Nizwa, Oman
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Kwofie SK, Broni E, Yunus FU, Nsoh J, Adoboe D, Miller WA, Wilson MD. Molecular Docking Simulation Studies Identifies Potential Natural Product Derived-Antiwolbachial Compounds as Filaricides against Onchocerciasis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111682. [PMID: 34829911 PMCID: PMC8615632 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Onchocerciasis is the leading cause of blindness and severe skin lesions which remain a major public health problem, especially in tropical areas. The widespread use of antibiotics and the long duration required for effective treatment continues to add to the increasing global menace of multi-resistant pathogens. Onchocerca volvulus harbors the endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia, essential for the normal development of embryos, larvae and long-term survival of the adult worm, O. volvulus. We report here results of using structure-based drug design (SBDD) approach aimed at identifying potential novel Wolbachia inhibitors from natural products against the Wolbachia surface protein (WSP). The protein sequence of the WSP with UniProtKB identifier Q0RAI4 was used to model the three-dimensional (3D) structure via homology modelling techniques using three different structure-building algorithms implemented in Modeller, I-TASSER and Robetta. Out of the 15 generated models of WSP, one was selected as the most reasonable quality model which had 82, 15.5, 1.9 and 0.5% of the amino acid residues in the most favored regions, additionally allowed regions, generously allowed regions and disallowed regions, respectively, based on the Ramachandran plot. High throughput virtual screening was performed via Autodock Vina with a library comprising 42,883 natural products from African and Chinese databases, including 23 identified anti-Onchocerca inhibitors. The top six compounds comprising ZINC000095913861, ZINC000095486235, ZINC000035941652, NANPDB4566, acetylaleuritolic acid and rhemannic acid had binding energies of −12.7, −11.1, −11.0, −11, −10.3 and −9.5 kcal/mol, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations including molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann (MMPBSA) calculations reinforced the stability of the ligand-WSP complexes and plausible binding mechanisms. The residues Arg45, Tyr135, Tyr148 and Phe195 were predicted as potential novel critical residues required for ligand binding in pocket 1. Acetylaleuritolic acid and rhemannic acid (lantedene A) have previously been shown to possess anti-onchocercal activity. This warrants the need to evaluate the anti-WSP activity of the identified molecules. The study suggests the exploitation of compounds which target both pockets 1 and 2, by investigating their potential for effective depletion of Wolbachia. These compounds were predicted to possess reasonably good pharmacological profiles with insignificant toxicity and as drug-like. The compounds were computed to possess biological activity including antibacterial, antiparasitic, anthelmintic and anti-rickettsials. The six natural products are potential novel antiwolbachial agents with insignificant toxicities which can be explored further as filaricides for onchocerciasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel K. Kwofie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana; (E.B.); (F.U.Y.); (J.N.); (D.A.)
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +233-203-797922
| | - Emmanuel Broni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana; (E.B.); (F.U.Y.); (J.N.); (D.A.)
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana;
| | - Faruk U. Yunus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana; (E.B.); (F.U.Y.); (J.N.); (D.A.)
| | - John Nsoh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana; (E.B.); (F.U.Y.); (J.N.); (D.A.)
| | - Dela Adoboe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana; (E.B.); (F.U.Y.); (J.N.); (D.A.)
| | - Whelton A. Miller
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA;
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, IL 19104, USA
| | - Michael D. Wilson
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana;
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA;
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Nogueira DS, de Oliveira LM, Amorim CCO, Gazzinelli-Guimarães AC, Barbosa FS, Oliveira FMS, Kraemer L, Mattos M, Cardoso MS, Resende NM, Clímaco MDC, Negrão-Corrêa DA, Faria AMC, Caliari MV, Bueno LL, Gaze S, Russo RC, Gazzinelli-Guimarães PH, Fujiwara RT. Eosinophils mediate SIgA production triggered by TLR2 and TLR4 to control Ascaris suum infection in mice. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1010067. [PMID: 34784389 PMCID: PMC8631680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human ascariasis is the most prevalent but neglected tropical disease in the world, affecting approximately 450 million people. The initial phase of Ascaris infection is marked by larval migration from the host's organs, causing mechanical injuries followed by an intense local inflammatory response, which is characterized mainly by neutrophil and eosinophil infiltration, especially in the lungs. During the pulmonary phase, the lesions induced by larval migration and excessive immune responses contribute to tissue remodeling marked by fibrosis and lung dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the relationship between SIgA levels and eosinophils. We found that TLR2 and TLR4 signaling induces eosinophils and promotes SIgA production during Ascaris suum infection. Therefore, control of parasite burden during the pulmonary phase of ascariasis involves eosinophil influx and subsequent promotion of SIgA levels. In addition, we also demonstrate that eosinophils also participate in the process of tissue remodeling after lung injury caused by larval migration, contributing to pulmonary fibrosis and dysfunction in re-infected mice. In conclusion, we postulate that eosinophils play a central role in mediating host innate and humoral immune responses by controlling parasite burden, tissue inflammation, and remodeling during Ascaris suum infection. Furthermore, we suggest that the use of probiotics can induce eosinophilia and SIgA production and contribute to controlling parasite burden and morbidity of helminthic diseases with pulmonary cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Silva Nogueira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luciana Maria de Oliveira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracajú, Brazil
| | - Chiara Cássia Oliveira Amorim
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Clara Gazzinelli-Guimarães
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Fabrício Marcus Silva Oliveira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lucas Kraemer
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Matheus Mattos
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Mariana Santos Cardoso
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Marianna de Carvalho Clímaco
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Maria Caetano Faria
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Vidigal Caliari
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lilian Lacerda Bueno
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Soraya Gaze
- René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation–FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Remo Castro Russo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Fadaka AO, Sibuyi NRS, Martin DR, Goboza M, Klein A, Madiehe AM, Meyer M. Immunoinformatics design of a novel epitope-based vaccine candidate against dengue virus. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19707. [PMID: 34611250 PMCID: PMC8492693 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99227-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue poses a global health threat, which will persist without therapeutic intervention. Immunity induced by exposure to one serotype does not confer long-term protection against secondary infection with other serotypes and is potentially capable of enhancing this infection. Although vaccination is believed to induce durable and protective responses against all the dengue virus (DENV) serotypes in order to reduce the burden posed by this virus, the development of a safe and efficacious vaccine remains a challenge. Immunoinformatics and computational vaccinology have been utilized in studies of infectious diseases to provide insight into the host-pathogen interactions thus justifying their use in vaccine development. Since vaccination is the best bet to reduce the burden posed by DENV, this study is aimed at developing a multi-epitope based vaccines for dengue control. Combined approaches of reverse vaccinology and immunoinformatics were utilized to design multi-epitope based vaccine from the sequence of DENV. Specifically, BCPreds and IEDB servers were used to predict the B-cell and T-cell epitopes, respectively. Molecular docking was carried out using Schrödinger, PATCHDOCK and FIREDOCK. Codon optimization and in silico cloning were done using JCAT and SnapGene respectively. Finally, the efficiency and stability of the designed vaccines were assessed by an in silico immune simulation and molecular dynamic simulation, respectively. The predicted epitopes were prioritized using in-house criteria. Four candidate vaccines (DV-1-4) were designed using suitable adjuvant and linkers in addition to the shortlisted epitopes. The binding interactions of these vaccines against the receptors TLR-2, TLR-4, MHC-1 and MHC-2 show that these candidate vaccines perfectly fit into the binding domains of the receptors. In addition, DV-1 has a better binding energies of - 60.07, - 63.40, - 69.89 kcal/mol against MHC-1, TLR-2, and TLR-4, with respect to the other vaccines. All the designed vaccines were highly antigenic, soluble, non-allergenic, non-toxic, flexible, and topologically assessable. The immune simulation analysis showed that DV-1 may elicit specific immune response against dengue virus. Moreover, codon optimization and in silico cloning validated the expressions of all the designed vaccines in E. coli. Finally, the molecular dynamic study shows that DV-1 is stable with minimum RMSF against TLR4. Immunoinformatics tools are now applied to screen genomes of interest for possible vaccine target. The designed vaccine candidates may be further experimentally investigated as potential vaccines capable of providing definitive preventive measure against dengue virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adewale Oluwaseun Fadaka
- Department of Science and Innovation/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Biolabels Node, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa.
| | - Nicole Remaliah Samantha Sibuyi
- Department of Science and Innovation/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Biolabels Node, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Darius Riziki Martin
- Department of Science and Innovation/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Biolabels Node, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Mediline Goboza
- Department of Science and Innovation/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Biolabels Node, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Ashwil Klein
- Plant Omics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Abram Madimabe Madiehe
- Department of Science and Innovation/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Biolabels Node, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
- Nanobiotechnology Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Mervin Meyer
- Department of Science and Innovation/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Biolabels Node, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa.
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10
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Exploring Onchocerca volvulus Cysteine Protease Inhibitor for Multi-epitope Subunit Vaccine Against Onchocerciasis: An Immunoinformatics Approach. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10224-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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11
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Shey RA, Ghogomu SM, Shintouo CM, Nkemngo FN, Nebangwa DN, Esoh K, Yaah NE, Manka’aFri M, Nguve JE, Ngwese RA, Njume FN, Bertha FA, Ayong L, Njemini R, Vanhamme L, Souopgui J. Computational Design and Preliminary Serological Analysis of a Novel Multi-Epitope Vaccine Candidate against Onchocerciasis and Related Filarial Diseases. Pathogens 2021; 10:99. [PMID: 33494344 PMCID: PMC7912539 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
: Onchocerciasis is a skin and eye disease that exerts a heavy socio-economic burden, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, a region which harbours greater than 96% of either infected or at-risk populations. The elimination plan for the disease is currently challenged by many factors including amongst others; the potential emergence of resistance to the main chemotherapeutic agent, ivermectin (IVM). Novel tools, including preventative and therapeutic vaccines, could provide additional impetus to the disease elimination tool portfolio. Several observations in both humans and animals have provided evidence for the development of both natural and artificial acquired immunity. In this study, immuno-informatics tools were applied to design a filarial-conserved multi-epitope subunit vaccine candidate, (designated Ov-DKR-2) consisting of B-and T-lymphocyte epitopes of eight immunogenic antigens previously assessed in pre-clinical studies. The high-percentage conservation of the selected proteins and epitopes predicted in related nematode parasitic species hints that the generated chimera may be instrumental for cross-protection. Bioinformatics analyses were employed for the prediction, refinement, and validation of the 3D structure of the Ov-DKR-2 chimera. In-silico immune simulation projected significantly high levels of IgG1, T-helper, T-cytotoxic cells, INF-γ, and IL-2 responses. Preliminary immunological analyses revealed that the multi-epitope vaccine candidate reacted with antibodies in sera from both onchocerciasis-infected individuals, endemic normals as well as loiasis-infected persons but not with the control sera from European individuals. These results support the premise for further characterisation of the engineered protein as a vaccine candidate for onchocerciasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Adamu Shey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies Campus, 6040 Gosselies, Belgium;
| | - Stephen Mbigha Ghogomu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
| | - Cabirou Mounchili Shintouo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
- Frailty in Ageing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium;
- Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Francis Nongley Nkemngo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon;
- Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Yaounde BP 13591, Cameroon
| | - Derrick Neba Nebangwa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
| | - Kevin Esoh
- Division of Human Genetics, Health Sciences Campus, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Anzio Rd, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
| | - Ntang Emmaculate Yaah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
| | - Muyanui Manka’aFri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
| | - Joel Ebai Nguve
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
| | - Roland Akwelle Ngwese
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
| | - Ferdinand Ngale Njume
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies Campus, 6040 Gosselies, Belgium;
| | - Fru Asa Bertha
- Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon;
| | - Lawrence Ayong
- Malaria Research Unit, Centre Pasteur Cameroon, Yaoundé Rue 2005, Cameroon;
| | - Rose Njemini
- Frailty in Ageing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium;
- Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Vanhamme
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies Campus, 6040 Gosselies, Belgium;
| | - Jacob Souopgui
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies Campus, 6040 Gosselies, Belgium;
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Hossain MS, Hossan MI, Mizan S, Moin AT, Yasmin F, Akash AS, Powshi SN, Hasan AR, Chowdhury AS. Immunoinformatics approach to designing a multi-epitope vaccine against Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2020.100500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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13
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Shey RA, Ghogomu SM, Esoh KK, Nebangwa ND, Shintouo CM, Nongley NF, Asa BF, Ngale FN, Vanhamme L, Souopgui J. In-silico design of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against onchocerciasis and related filarial diseases. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4409. [PMID: 30867498 PMCID: PMC6416346 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40833-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease with high socio-economic burden particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The elimination plan for this disease has faced numerous challenges. A multi-epitope prophylactic/therapeutic vaccine targeting the infective L3 and microfilaria stages of the parasite's life cycle would be invaluable to achieve the current elimination goal. There are several observations that make the possibility of developing a vaccine against this disease likely. For example, despite being exposed to high transmission rates of infection, 1 to 5% of people have no clinical manifestations of the disease and are thus considered as putatively immune individuals. An immuno-informatics approach was applied to design a filarial multi-epitope subunit vaccine peptide consisting of linear B-cell and T-cell epitopes of proteins reported to be potential novel vaccine candidates. Conservation of the selected proteins and predicted epitopes in other parasitic nematode species suggests that the generated chimera could be helpful for cross-protection. The 3D structure was predicted, refined, and validated using bioinformatics tools. Protein-protein docking of the chimeric vaccine peptide with the TLR4 protein predicted efficient binding. Immune simulation predicted significantly high levels of IgG1, T-helper, T-cytotoxic cells, INF-γ, and IL-2. Overall, the constructed recombinant putative peptide demonstrated antigenicity superior to current vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Adamu Shey
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Stephen Mbigha Ghogomu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Kevin Kum Esoh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Juja, Kenya
| | - Neba Derrick Nebangwa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Cabirou Mounchili Shintouo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Nkemngo Francis Nongley
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Bertha Fru Asa
- Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Ferdinand Njume Ngale
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Luc Vanhamme
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Jacob Souopgui
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium.
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14
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Patton JB, Bennuru S, Eberhard ML, Hess JA, Torigian A, Lustigman S, Nutman TB, Abraham D. Development of Onchocerca volvulus in humanized NSG mice and detection of parasite biomarkers in urine and serum. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006977. [PMID: 30540742 PMCID: PMC6306240 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study of Onchocerca volvulus has been limited by its host range, with only humans and non-human primates shown to be susceptible to the full life cycle infection. Small animal models that support the development of adult parasites have not been identified. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We hypothesized that highly immunodeficient NSG mice would support the survival and maturation of O. volvulus and alteration of the host microenvironment through the addition of various human cells and tissues would further enhance the level of parasite maturation. NSG mice were humanized with: (1) umbilical cord derived CD34+ stem cells, (2) fetal derived liver, thymus and CD34+ stem cells or (3) primary human skeletal muscle cells. NSG and humanized NSG mice were infected with 100 O. volvulus infective larvae (L3) for 4 to 12 weeks. When necropsies of infected animals were performed, it was observed that parasites survived and developed throughout the infection time course. In each of the different humanized mouse models, worms matured from L3 to advanced fourth stage larvae, with both male and female organ development. In addition, worms increased in length by up to 4-fold. Serum and urine, collected from humanized mice for identification of potential biomarkers of infection, allowed for the identification of 10 O. volvulus-derived proteins found specifically in either the urine or the serum of the humanized O. volvulus-infected NSG mice. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The newly identified mouse models for onchocerciasis will enable the development of O. volvulus specific biomarkers, screening for new therapeutic approaches and potentially studying the human immune response to infection with O. volvulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- John B. Patton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Sasisekhar Bennuru
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Mark L. Eberhard
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jessica A. Hess
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - April Torigian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Sara Lustigman
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Thomas B. Nutman
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - David Abraham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Rodrigo MB, Schulz S, Krupp V, Ritter M, Wiszniewsky K, Arndts K, Tamadaho RSE, Endl E, Hoerauf A, Layland LE. Patency of Litomosoides sigmodontis infection depends on Toll-like receptor 4 whereas Toll-like receptor 2 signalling influences filarial-specific CD4(+) T-cell responses. Immunology 2016; 147:429-42. [PMID: 26714796 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BALB/c mice develop a patent state [release of microfilariae (Mf), the transmission life-stage, into the periphery] when exposed to the rodent filariae Litomosoides sigmodontis. Interestingly, only a portion of the infected mice become patent, which reflects the situation in human individuals infected with Wuchereria bancrofti. Since those individuals had differing filarial-specific profiles, this study compared differences in immune responses between Mf(+) and Mf(-) infected BALB/c mice. We demonstrate that cultures of total spleen or mediastinal lymph node cells from Mf(+) mice produce significantly more interleukin-5 (IL-5) to filarial antigens but equal levels of IL-10 when compared with Mf(-) mice. However, isolated CD4(+) T cells from Mf(+) mice produced significantly higher amounts of all measured cytokines, including IL-10, when compared with CD4(+) T-cell responses from Mf(-) mice. Since adaptive immune responses are influenced by triggering the innate immune system we further studied the immune profiles and parasitology in infected Toll-like receptor-2-deficient (TLR2(-/-)) and TLR4(-/-) BALB/c mice. Ninety-three per cent of L. sigmodontis-exposed TLR4(-/-) BALB/c mice became patent (Mf(+)) although worm numbers remained comparable to those in Mf(+) wild-type controls. Lack of TLR2 had no influence on patency outcome or worm burden but infected Mf(+) mice had significantly lower numbers of Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells and dampened peripheral immune responses. Interestingly, in vitro culturing of CD4(+) T cells from infected wild-type mice with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-derived TLR2(-/-) dendritic cells resulted in an overall diminished cytokine profile to filarial antigens. Hence, triggering TLR4 or TLR2 during chronic filarial infection has a significant impact on patency and efficient CD4(+) T-cell responses, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria B Rodrigo
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sandy Schulz
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Vanessa Krupp
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Manuel Ritter
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katharina Wiszniewsky
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kathrin Arndts
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ruth S E Tamadaho
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Elmar Endl
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site, Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Laura E Layland
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site, Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
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Hyperreactive onchocerciasis is characterized by a combination of Th17-Th2 immune responses and reduced regulatory T cells. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e3414. [PMID: 25569210 PMCID: PMC4288720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical manifestations in onchocerciasis range from generalized onchocerciasis (GEO) to the rare but severe hyperreactive (HO)/sowda form. Since disease pathogenesis is associated with host inflammatory reactions, we investigated whether Th17 responses could be related to aggravated pathology in HO. Using flow cytometry, filarial-specific cytokine responses and PCR arrays, we compared the immune cell profiles, including Th subsets, in individuals presenting the two polar forms of infection and endemic normals (EN). In addition to elevated frequencies of memory CD4+ T cells, individuals with HO showed accentuated Th17 and Th2 profiles but decreased CD4+CD25hiFoxp3+ regulatory T cells. These profiles included increased IL-17A+, IL-4+, RORC2+ and GATA3+CD4+ T cell populations. Flow cytometry data was further confirmed using a PCR array since Th17-related genes (IL-17 family members, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-22) and Th2-related (IL-4, IL-13, STAT6) genes were all significantly up-regulated in HO individuals. In addition, stronger Onchocerca volvulus-specific Th2 responses, especially IL-13, were observed in vitro in hyperreactive individuals when compared to GEO or EN groups. This study provides initial evidence that elevated frequencies of Th17 and Th2 cells form part of the immune network instigating the development of severe onchocerciasis. Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness is a tropical disease causing health and socioeconomic problems in endemic communities especially sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is transmitted by a filarial nematode called Onchocerca volvulus, which is spread by the bite of infected Simulium black flies. Characteristic disease symptoms include dermatological disorders and eye lesions that can lead to blindness. Two polar forms of clinical manifestations can occur: generalized onchocerciasis (GEO) presenting mild skin disease or the hyperreactive form (HO) exhibiting severe skin disorders and inflammation. The immunological determinants behind such disease polarization are still not fully clarified. Here, we compared the immune profiles of individuals presenting these two polar forms with those of endemic normals (EN): individuals who have no clinical or parasitological evidence of infection despite ongoing exposure to the infectious agent. We could show that HO individuals, in contrast to GEO and EN, simultaneously presented elevated Th17 and Th2 profiles which were accompanied by reduced numbers of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. This study provides initial evidence that elevated frequencies of Th17 and Th2 cells form part of the immune network associated with severe onchocerciasis.
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17
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Favoretto BC, Silva SR, Jacysyn JF, Câmara NO, Faquim-Mauro EL. TLR2- and 4-independent immunomodulatory effect of high molecular weight components from Ascaris suum. Mol Immunol 2014; 58:17-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2013.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 10/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Bonne-Année S, Hess JA, Abraham D. Innate and adaptive immunity to the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis in a mouse model. Immunol Res 2011; 51:205-14. [PMID: 22101674 PMCID: PMC6707741 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-011-8258-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mice have been used to the study the mechanisms of protective innate and adaptive immunity to larval Strongyloides stercoralis. During primary infection, neutrophils and eosinophils are attracted by parasite components and kill the larvae by release of granule products. Eosinophils also function as antigen-presenting cells for the induction of a Th2 response. B cells produce both IgM and IgG that collaborate with neutrophils to kill worms in the adaptive immune response. Vaccine studies have identified a recombinant diagnostic antigen that induced high levels of immunity to infection with S. stercoralis in mice. These studies demonstrate that there are redundancies in the mechanisms used by the immune response to kill the parasite and that a vaccine with a single antigen may be suitable as a prophylactic vaccine to prevent human strongyloidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Bonne-Année
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Jessica A. Hess
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - David Abraham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Strongyloides stercoralis and the immune response. Parasitol Int 2009; 59:9-14. [PMID: 19892034 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2009.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2008] [Revised: 10/25/2009] [Accepted: 10/26/2009] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The immune system is a highly evolved network of cells and molecules that can distinguish between invading pathogens and the body's own cells. But helminths, in their complex forms, are capable of down-regulating host immunity, protecting them from being eliminated and also minimizing severe pathology in the host. This review focuses on Strongyloides stercoralis and the immune responses in immunocompetent and/or immunocompromised individuals. It also highlights the implications for diagnosis/treatment and draws attention to an emerging public health disease. The solution to reducing the prevalence of strongyloidiasis remains on the effectiveness of pre-emptive measures in endemic communities, increased awareness, prompt early diagnosis as well as timely treatment.
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Allen JE, Adjei O, Bain O, Hoerauf A, Hoffmann WH, Makepeace BL, Schulz-Key H, Tanya VN, Trees AJ, Wanji S, Taylor DW. Of mice, cattle, and humans: the immunology and treatment of river blindness. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2008; 2:e217. [PMID: 18446236 PMCID: PMC2323618 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
River blindness is a seriously debilitating disease caused by the filarial parasite Onchocerca volvulus, which infects millions in Africa as well as in South and Central America. Research has been hampered by a lack of good animal models, as the parasite can only develop fully in humans and some primates. This review highlights the development of two animal model systems that have allowed significant advances in recent years and hold promise for the future. Experimental findings with Litomosoides sigmodontis in mice and Onchocerca ochengi in cattle are placed in the context of how these models can advance our ability to control the human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith E. Allen
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ohene Adjei
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Odile Bain
- Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Benjamin L. Makepeace
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Vincent N. Tanya
- Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
| | - Alexander J. Trees
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Wanji
- Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment, Buea, Cameroon
| | - David W. Taylor
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Royal (Dick) School for Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Vaccination of eels (Anguilla japonicaandAnguilla anguilla) againstAnguillicola crassuswith irradiated L3. Parasitology 2008; 135:633-40. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182008004162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYThe original host of the swimbladder nematodeAnguillicola crassus, the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) and the recently colonized European eel (Anguilla anguilla) were immunized with 40 irradiated (500 Gy) 3rd-stage larvae (L3) of this parasite and challenged with an infection of 40 normal L3. The immunization induced a significant reduction of the number of adult worms developing from the challenge infection inA. japonica, but not inA. anguilla. The induced resistance (calculated using the relation of the number of adult worms in immunized eels and in non-immunized control eels) inA. japonicawas 87·3%±30·4%. Following a single infection, the percentage of adult worms found inA. japonicawas lower as compared toA. anguilla, and the few adult worms were much smaller, revealing a lower susceptibility ofA. japonicatoA. crassusin comparison toA. anguilla. Both eel species developed an antibody response againstA. crassus, but the level of antibody responses was not positively correlated with the protection against infection, suggesting that the antibody response is not a key element in resistance of eels againstA. crassus. This study suggests that the original host ofA. crassusis able to mount efficient protective immune responses against its parasite, whereas the newly acquired host seems to lack this ability.
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Gillette-Ferguson I, Daehnel K, Hise AG, Sun Y, Carlson E, Diaconu E, McGarry HF, Taylor MJ, Pearlman E. Toll-like receptor 2 regulates CXC chemokine production and neutrophil recruitment to the cornea in Onchocerca volvulus/Wolbachia-induced keratitis. Infect Immun 2007; 75:5908-15. [PMID: 17875630 PMCID: PMC2168349 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00991-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus is the causative organism of river blindness. Our previous studies demonstrated an essential role for endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria in corneal disease, which is characterized by neutrophil infiltration into the corneal stroma and the development of corneal haze. To determine the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in neutrophil recruitment and activation, we injected a soluble extract of O. volvulus containing Wolbachia bacteria into the corneal stromata of C57BL/6, TLR2-/-, TLR4-/-, TLR2/4-/-, and TLR9-/- mice. We found an essential role for TLR2, but not TLR4 or TLR9, in neutrophil recruitment to the cornea and development of corneal haze. Furthermore, chimeric mouse bone marrow studies showed that resident bone marrow-derived cells in the cornea can initiate this response. TLR2 expression was also essential for CXC chemokine production by resident cells in the cornea, including corneal fibroblasts, and for neutrophil activation. Taken together, these findings indicate that Wolbachia activates TLR2 on resident bone marrow-derived cells in the corneal stroma to produce CXC chemokines, leading to neutrophil recruitment to the corneal stroma, and that TLR2 mediates O. volvulus/Wolbachia-induced neutrophil activation and development of corneal haze.
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Abstract
Nematode parasites cause significant infections in both humans and animals. They are complex, multicellular organisms that present unique challenges for the host, in particular with respect to the recognition of their unusual surface structures by the innate defence system. The innate immune system is now recognized to be a critical component in the development of an adaptive effector response as well as a driver of vaccine-induced immunity. This paper will give an overview of current research on the innate barriers and immune mechanisms, cells, and receptors involved in the innate host response to nematode parasites. It will also review the 'nematode-associated molecular patterns' that may be specifically recognized by the host, in addition to other signals, such as nervous stimulation and tissue damage, that may alert the innate system to parasite invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J de Veer
- Animal Biotechnology Research Laboratories, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Hise AG, Daehnel K, Gillette-Ferguson I, Cho E, McGarry HF, Taylor MJ, Golenbock DT, Fitzgerald KA, Kazura JW, Pearlman E. Innate Immune Responses to EndosymbioticWolbachiaBacteria inBrugia malayiandOnchocerca volvulusAre Dependent on TLR2, TLR6, MyD88, and Mal, but Not TLR4, TRIF, or TRAM. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2007; 178:1068-76. [PMID: 17202370 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.178.2.1068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The discovery that endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria play an important role in the pathophysiology of diseases caused by filarial nematodes, including lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis (river blindness) has transformed our approach to these disabling diseases. Because these parasites infect hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide, understanding host factors involved in the pathogenesis of filarial-induced diseases is paramount. However, the role of early innate responses to filarial and Wolbachia ligands in the development of filarial diseases has not been fully elucidated. To determine the role of TLRs, we used cell lines transfected with human TLRs and macrophages from TLR and adaptor molecule-deficient mice and evaluated macrophage recruitment in vivo. Extracts of Brugia malayi and Onchocerca volvulus, which contain Wolbachia, directly stimulated human embryonic kidney cells expressing TLR2, but not TLR3 or TLR4. Wolbachia containing filarial extracts stimulated cytokine production in macrophages from C57BL/6 and TLR4(-/-) mice, but not from TLR2(-/-) or TLR6(-/-) mice. Similarly, macrophages from mice deficient in adaptor molecules Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-beta and Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-beta-related adaptor molecule produced equivalent cytokines as wild-type cells, whereas responses were absent in macrophages from MyD88(-/-) and Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor protein (TIRAP)/MyD88 adaptor-like (Mal) deficient mice. Isolated Wolbachia bacteria demonstrated similar TLR and adaptor molecule requirements. In vivo, macrophage migration to the cornea in response to filarial extracts containing Wolbachia was dependent on TLR2 but not TLR4. These results establish that the innate inflammatory pathways activated by endosymbiotic Wolbachia in B. malayi and O. volvulus filaria are dependent on TLR2-TLR6 interactions and are mediated by adaptor molecules MyD88 and TIRAP/Mal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy G Hise
- Center for Global Health and Diseases and Department of Ophthalmology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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Kerepesi LA, Hess JA, Leon O, Nolan TJ, Schad GA, Abraham D. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is required for protective immunity to larval Strongyloides stercoralis in mice. Microbes Infect 2006; 9:28-34. [PMID: 17196865 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2006.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2006] [Accepted: 10/04/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
TLR4 is important for immunity to various unicellular organisms and has been implicated in the immune responses to helminth parasites. The immune response against helminths is generally Th2-mediated and studies have shown that TLR4 is required for the development of a Th2 response against allergens and helminth antigens in mice. C3H/HeJ mice, which have a point mutation in the Tlr4 gene, were used in this study to determine the role of TLR4 in protective immunity to the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis. It was demonstrated that TLR4 was not required for killing larval S. stercoralis during the innate immune response, but was required for killing the parasites during the adaptive immune response. No differences were seen in the IL-5 and IFN-gamma responses, antibody responses or cell recruitment between wild type and C3H/HeJ mice after immunization. Protective immunity was restored in immunized C3H/HeJ mice by the addition of wild type peritoneal exudate cells in the environment of the larvae. It was therefore concluded that the inability of TLR4-mutant mice to kill larval S. stercoralis during the adaptive immune response is due to a defect in the effector cells recruited to the microenvironment of the larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Kerepesi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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