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Barletta ABF, Smith JC, Burkart E, Bondarenko S, Sharakhov IV, Criscione F, O'Brochta D, Barillas-Mury C. Mosquito midgut stem cell cellular defense response limits Plasmodium parasite infection. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1422. [PMID: 38365823 PMCID: PMC10873411 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45550-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
A novel cellular response of midgut progenitors (stem cells and enteroblasts) to Plasmodium berghei infection was investigated in Anopheles stephensi. The presence of developing oocysts triggers proliferation of midgut progenitors that is modulated by the Jak/STAT pathway and is proportional to the number of oocysts on individual midguts. The percentage of parasites in direct contact with enteroblasts increases over time, as progenitors proliferate. Silencing components of key signaling pathways through RNA interference (RNAi) that enhance proliferation of progenitor cells significantly decreased oocyst numbers, while limiting proliferation of progenitors increased oocyst survival. Live imaging revealed that enteroblasts interact directly with oocysts and eliminate them. Midgut progenitors sense the presence of Plasmodium oocysts and mount a cellular defense response that involves extensive proliferation and tissue remodeling, followed by oocysts lysis and phagocytosis of parasite remnants by enteroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Beatriz F Barletta
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
| | - Jamie C Smith
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Emily Burkart
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Simon Bondarenko
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Igor V Sharakhov
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Frank Criscione
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - David O'Brochta
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research and Department of Entomology University of Maryland-College Park, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
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Barletta ABF, Smith JC, Burkart E, Bondarenko S, Sharakhov I, Criscione F, O’Brochta D, Barillas-Mury C. Mosquito midgut stem cell cellular defense response limits Plasmodium parasite infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.02.551669. [PMID: 37577486 PMCID: PMC10418181 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.02.551669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
A novel cellular response of midgut progenitors (stem cells and enteroblasts) to Plasmodium berghei infection was investigated in Anopheles stephensi. The presence of developing oocysts triggers proliferation of midgut progenitors that is modulated by the Jak/STAT pathway, and proportional to the number of oocysts on individual midguts. The percentage of parasites in direct contact with enteroblasts increases over time, as progenitors proliferate. Enhancing proliferation of progenitors significantly decreases oocyst numbers, while limiting proliferation increases oocyst survival. Live imaging revealed that enteroblasts interact directly with oocysts and eliminate them. Midgut progenitors sense the presence of Plasmodium oocysts and mount a cellular defense response that involves extensive proliferation and tissue remodeling, followed by oocysts lysis and phagocytosis of parasite remnants by enteroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Beatriz F. Barletta
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Rockville, Maryland, 20852, USA
| | - Jamie C. Smith
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Rockville, Maryland, 20852, USA
| | - Emily Burkart
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Rockville, Maryland, 20852, USA
| | - Simon Bondarenko
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Blacksburg, Virginia, 24060, USA
| | - Igor Sharakhov
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Blacksburg, Virginia, 24060, USA
| | - Frank Criscione
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Rockville, Maryland, 20852, USA
| | - David O’Brochta
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research and Department of Entomology University of Maryland-College Park; Rockville, Maryland, 20850, USA
| | - Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Rockville, Maryland, 20852, USA
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Klug D, Blandin SA. Activation of complement-like antiparasitic responses in Anopheles mosquitoes. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 72:102280. [PMID: 36841199 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
During their development in mosquitoes, malaria parasites undergo massive losses that are in part due to a potent antiparasitic response mounted by the vector. The most efficient and best-characterized response relies on a complement-like system particularly effective against parasites as they cross the mosquito midgut epithelium. While our vision of the molecular and cellular events that lead to parasite elimination is still partial, our understanding of the steps triggering complement activation at the surface of invading parasites has considerably progressed, not only through the identification of novel contributing genes, but also with the recent in-depth characterization of the different mosquito blood cell types, and the ability to track them in live mosquitoes. Here, we propose a simple model based on the time of invasion to explain how parasites may escape complement-like responses during midgut infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Klug
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Inserm, UPR9022/U1257, Mosquito Immune Responses (MIR), F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Stephanie A Blandin
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Inserm, UPR9022/U1257, Mosquito Immune Responses (MIR), F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
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Inklaar MR, Barillas-Mury C, Jore MM. Deceiving and escaping complement - the evasive journey of the malaria parasite. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:962-974. [PMID: 36089499 PMCID: PMC9588674 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
During its life cycle, Plasmodium, the malaria parasite, is exposed to the human and mosquito complement systems. Early experiments demonstrated that activation of complement can pose a serious threat to parasites, but recent studies revealed complement-evasion mechanisms important for parasite survival. Blood-stage parasites and gametes recruit regulators to neutralize human complement activation, while ookinetes inhibit mosquito complement by disrupting epithelial nitration in response to midgut invasion. Here we provide an in-depth overview of the evasion mechanisms currently known and speculate on the existence of others not yet identified. Finally, we discuss how these mechanisms could provide novel targets for urgently needed malaria vaccines and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
| | - Matthijs M Jore
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, The Netherlands.
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A toolbox of engineered mosquito lines to study salivary gland biology and malaria transmission. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010881. [PMID: 36223382 PMCID: PMC9555648 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito saliva is a vehicle for the transmission of vector borne pathogens such as Plasmodium parasites and different arboviruses. Despite the key role of the salivary glands in the process of disease transmission, knowledge of host-pathogen interactions taking place within this organ is very limited. To improve the experimental tractability of the salivary glands, we have generated fluorescent reporter lines in the African malaria mosquito Anopheles coluzzii using the salivary gland-specific promoters of the anopheline antiplatelet protein (AAPP), the triple functional domain protein (TRIO) and saglin (SAG) coding genes. Promoter activity was specifically observed in the distal-lateral lobes or in the median lobe of the salivary glands. Besides a comparison of the expression patterns of the selected promoters, the fluorescent probes allowed us to evaluate the inducibility of the selected promoters upon blood feeding and to measure intracellular redox changes. We also combined the aapp-DsRed fluorescent reporter line with a pigmentation-deficient yellow(-) mosquito mutant to assess the feasibility of in vivo microscopy of parasitized salivary glands. This combination allowed locating the salivary gland through the cuticle and imaging of individual sporozoites in vivo, which facilitates live imaging studies of salivary gland colonization by Plasmodium sporozoites. Over the course of evolution, a number of pathogens have developed the ability to replicate within and to be transmitted by mosquitoes. An important adaptation of pathogens to be successfully transmitted is their ability to colonize mosquito slivary glands, as the timing and efficiency with which pathogens enter the glands directly affects their transmission. Despite the importance of salivary glands in disease transmission, host-pathogen interactions in this organ are poorly understood. To facilitate biological studies, we developed fluorescent reporter lines in the malaria mosquito Anopheles coluzzii by placing fluorescent probes under the control of the salivary gland-specific promoters of the anopheline antiplatelet protein (AAPP), triple functional domain protein (TRIO), and saglin (SAG) genes. We used these lines to characterize inducibility by blood meals and spatial expression of the different promoters, as well as intracellular redox changes in salivary glands after sporozoite invasion. In addition, we combined the aapp-DsRed fluorescent reporter line with a pigmentation-deficient yellow(-) mosquito mutant to evaluate the feasibility of in vivo microscopy of parasitized salivary glands. Our data suggest that salivary gland invasion is an active process that requires Plasmodium sporozoites to actively move through the tissues of the mosquito to reach the salivary glands.
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Nakayama K, Kimura Y, Kitahara Y, Soga A, Haraguchi A, Hakozaki J, Sugiyama M, Kusakisako K, Fukumoto S, Ikadai H. Role of Plasmodium berghei ookinete surface and oocyst capsule protein, a novel oocyst capsule-associated protein, in ookinete motility. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:373. [PMID: 34289894 PMCID: PMC8296654 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04868-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium sp., which causes malaria, must first develop in mosquitoes before being transmitted. Upon ingesting infected blood, gametes form in the mosquito lumen, followed by fertilization and differentiation of the resulting zygotes into motile ookinetes. Within 24 h of blood ingestion, these ookinetes traverse mosquito epithelial cells and lodge below the midgut basal lamina, where they differentiate into sessile oocysts that are protected by a capsule. METHODS We identified an ookinete surface and oocyst capsule protein (OSCP) that is involved in ookinete motility as well as oocyst capsule formation. RESULTS We found that knockout of OSCP in parasite decreases ookinete gliding motility and gradually reduces the number of oocysts. On day 15 after blood ingestion, the oocyst wall was significantly thinner. Moreover, adding anti-OSCP antibodies decreased the gliding speed of wild-type ookinetes in vitro. Adding anti-OSCP antibodies to an infected blood meal also resulted in decreased oocyst formation. CONCLUSION These findings may be useful for the development of a transmission-blocking tool for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiko Nakayama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Yuta Kimura
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Yu Kitahara
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Akira Soga
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Asako Haraguchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Jun Hakozaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Makoto Sugiyama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Kodai Kusakisako
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Shinya Fukumoto
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Hiromi Ikadai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan.
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Broichhagen J, Kilian N. Chemical Biology Tools To Investigate Malaria Parasites. Chembiochem 2021; 22:2219-2236. [PMID: 33570245 PMCID: PMC8360121 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases like malaria tropica have been shaping human evolution and history since the beginning of mankind. After infection, the response of the human host ranges from asymptomatic to severe and may culminate in death. Therefore, proper examination of the parasite's biology is pivotal to deciphering unique molecular, biochemical and cell biological processes, which in turn ensure the identification of treatment strategies, such as potent drug targets and vaccine candidates. However, implementing molecular biology methods for genetic manipulation proves to be difficult for many parasite model organisms. The development of fast and straightforward applicable alternatives, for instance small-molecule probes from the field of chemical biology, is essential. In this review, we will recapitulate the highlights of previous molecular and chemical biology approaches that have already created insight and understanding of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We discuss current developments from the field of chemical biology and explore how their application could advance research into this parasite in the future. We anticipate that the described approaches will help to close knowledge gaps in the biology of P. falciparum and we hope that researchers will be inspired to use these methods to gain knowledge - with the aim of ending this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Broichhagen
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP)Robert-Roessle-Strasse 1013125BerlinGermany
| | - Nicole Kilian
- Centre for Infectious DiseasesParasitologyHeidelberg University HospitalIm Neuenheimer Feld 32469120HeidelbergGermany
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Ripp J, Kehrer J, Smyrnakou X, Tisch N, Tavares J, Amino R, Ruiz de Almodovar C, Frischknecht F. Malaria parasites differentially sense environmental elasticity during transmission. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13933. [PMID: 33666362 PMCID: PMC8033522 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202113933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission of malaria-causing parasites to and by the mosquito relies on active parasite migration and constitutes bottlenecks in the Plasmodium life cycle. Parasite adaption to the biochemically and physically different environments must hence be a key evolutionary driver for transmission efficiency. To probe how subtle but physiologically relevant changes in environmental elasticity impact parasite migration, we introduce 2D and 3D polyacrylamide gels to study ookinetes, the parasite forms emigrating from the mosquito blood meal and sporozoites, the forms transmitted to the vertebrate host. We show that ookinetes adapt their migratory path but not their speed to environmental elasticity and are motile for over 24 h on soft substrates. In contrast, sporozoites evolved more short-lived rapid gliding motility for rapidly crossing the skin. Strikingly, sporozoites are highly sensitive to substrate elasticity possibly to avoid adhesion to soft endothelial cells on their long way to the liver. Hence, the two migratory stages of Plasmodium evolved different strategies to overcome the physical challenges posed by the respective environments and barriers they encounter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Ripp
- Integrative ParasitologyCenter for Infectious DiseasesHeidelberg University Medical SchoolHeidelbergGermany
| | - Jessica Kehrer
- Integrative ParasitologyCenter for Infectious DiseasesHeidelberg University Medical SchoolHeidelbergGermany
| | - Xanthoula Smyrnakou
- Integrative ParasitologyCenter for Infectious DiseasesHeidelberg University Medical SchoolHeidelbergGermany
- Gene Therapy for Hearing Impairment and DeafnessDepartment of OtolaryngologyHead & Neck SurgeryUniversity of Tübingen Medical CenterTübingenGermany
| | - Nathalie Tisch
- Biochemistry CenterHeidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
- European Center for Angioscience (ECAS)Medical Faculty MannheimHeidelberg UniversityMannheimGermany
| | - Joana Tavares
- IBMC‐Institute for Molecular and Cell Biologyi3S ‐ Institute for Research and Innovation in HealthUniversity of PortoPortoPortugal
- Malaria Infection and Immunity UnitDepartment of Parasites and Insect VectorsInstitut PasteurParisFrance
| | - Rogerio Amino
- Malaria Infection and Immunity UnitDepartment of Parasites and Insect VectorsInstitut PasteurParisFrance
| | - Carmen Ruiz de Almodovar
- Biochemistry CenterHeidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
- European Center for Angioscience (ECAS)Medical Faculty MannheimHeidelberg UniversityMannheimGermany
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative ParasitologyCenter for Infectious DiseasesHeidelberg University Medical SchoolHeidelbergGermany
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