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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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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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Angwafor SA, Bell GS, Njamnshi AK, Singh G, Sander JW. Parasites and epilepsy: Understanding the determinants of epileptogenesis. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 92:235-244. [PMID: 30711777 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
There is a large body of evidence suggesting that parasites could be a major preventable risk factor for epilepsy in low- and middle-income countries. We review potentially important substrates for epileptogenesis in parasitic diseases. Taenia solium is the most widely known parasite associated with epilepsy, and the risk seems determined mainly by the extent of cortical involvement and the evolution of the primary cortical lesion to gliosis or to a calcified granuloma. For most parasites, however, epileptogenesis is more complex, and other favorable host genetic factors and parasite-specific characteristics may be critical. In situations where cortical involvement by the parasite is either absent or minimal, parasite-induced epileptogenesis through an autoimmune process seems plausible. Further research to identify important markers of epileptogenesis in parasitic diseases will have huge implications for the development of trials to halt or delay onset of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A Angwafor
- NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom; Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
| | - Gail S Bell
- NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom; Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
| | - Alfred K Njamnshi
- Neurology Department, Central Hospital Yaoundé/Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMBS), The University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon; Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Gagandeep Singh
- NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom; Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom; Department of Neurology, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India
| | - Josemir W Sander
- NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom; Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom; Stichting Epilepsie Instelligen Nederland (SEIN), the Netherlands.
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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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Infections Associated with Retinal Autoimmunity. INFECTION AND AUTOIMMUNITY 2015. [PMCID: PMC7151837 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63269-2.00059-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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7
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Blockade of Toll-like Receptor 2 Expression and Membrane Translocation in Rat Corneal Epithelial Cells by Glucocorticoid (TobraDex) After Penetrating Keratoplasty. Cornea 2011; 30:1253-9. [PMID: 21918429 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0b013e318213f389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Hoerauf A, Pfarr K, Mand S, Debrah AY, Specht S. Filariasis in Africa--treatment challenges and prospects. Clin Microbiol Infect 2011; 17:977-85. [PMID: 21722251 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03586.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) and onchocerciasis are parasitic nematode infections that are responsible for a major disease burden in the African continent. Disease symptoms are induced by the immune reactions of the host, with lymphoedema and hydrocoele in LF, and dermatitis and ocular inflammation in onchocerciasis. Wuchereria bancrofti and Onchocerca volvulus, the species causing LF and onchocerciasis in Africa, live in mutual symbiosis with Wolbachia endobacteria, which cause a major part of the inflammation leading to symptoms and are antibiotic targets for treatment. The standard microfilaricidal drugs ivermectin and albendazole are used in mass drug administration programmes, with the aim of interrupting transmission, with a consequent reduction in the burden of infection and, in some situations, leading to regional elimination of LF and onchocerciasis. Co-endemicity of Loa loa with W. bancrofti or O. volvulus is an impediment to mass drug administration with ivermectin and albendazole, owing to the risk of encephalopathy being encountered upon administration of ivermectin. Research into new treatment options is exploring several improved delivery strategies for the classic drugs or new antibiotic treatment regimens for anti-wolbachial chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund Freud Strasse, Bonn, Germany.
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Abstract
The ocular surface is the first line of defence in the eye against environmental microbes. The ocular innate immune system consists of a combination of anatomical, mechanical and immunological defence mechanisms. TLRs (Toll-like receptors), widely expressed by the ocular surface, are able to recognize microbial pathogens and to trigger the earliest immune response leading to inflammation. Increasing evidence highlights the crucial role of TLRs in regulating innate immune responses during ocular surface infective and non-infective inflammatory conditions. In addition, recent observations have shown that TLRs modulate the adaptive immune response, also playing an important role in ocular autoimmune and allergic diseases. One of the main goals of ocular surface treatment is to control the inflammatory reaction in order to preserve corneal integrity and transparency. Recent experimental evidence has shown that specific modulation of TLR pathways induces an improvement in several ocular inflammatory conditions, such as allergic conjunctivitis, suggesting new therapeutic anti-inflammatory strategies. The purpose of the present review is to summarize the current knowledge of TLRs at the ocular surface and to propose them as potential targets of therapy for ocular inflammatory conditions.
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Mishra BB, Gundra UM, Teale JM. Toll-like receptors in CNS parasitic infections. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2009; 336:83-104. [PMID: 19688329 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-00549-7_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Parasite infections in the central nervous system (CNS) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, second only to HIV infection. Finding appropriate therapeutic measures to control CNS parasite infections requires an understanding of the tissue-specific host response. CNS parasitic diseases are invariably associated with persistent T-helper 1 (Th1) cytokine-dependent proinflammatory responses. Although type 1 cytokine-dependent proinflammatory responses are essential to control several types of parasite infections, their persistent production contributes to the development of neuropathology with severe consequences. A family of proteins called Toll-like receptors (TLRs) plays a pivotal role in the induction of inflammatory cytokines during infections and tissue injury. Accumulating evidence indicates that in several CNS parasitic infections such as toxoplasmosis and sleeping sickness, host responses mediated through TLRs contribute to parasite clearance and host survival. However, TLR-mediated responses can also contribute to disease severity, as exemplified in cerebral malaria, neurocysticercosis and river blindness. Thus, TLRs influence the immunopathogenesis of CNS parasitic infections by mechanisms that can either benefit the host or further contribute to CNS pathology. This chapter discusses the immunopathogenesis of parasitic infections in the CNS and the role of TLRs in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibhuti B Mishra
- Department of Biology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249-1644, USA
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Debrah AY, Mand S, Specht S, Marfo-Debrekyei Y, Batsa L, Pfarr K, Larbi J, Lawson B, Taylor M, Adjei O, Hoerauf A. Doxycycline reduces plasma VEGF-C/sVEGFR-3 and improves pathology in lymphatic filariasis. PLoS Pathog 2006; 2:e92. [PMID: 17044733 PMCID: PMC1564427 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0020092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2005] [Accepted: 07/28/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis is a disease of considerable socioeconomic burden in the tropics. Presently used antifilarial drugs are able to strongly reduce transmission and will thus ultimately lower the burden of morbidity associated with the infection, however, a chemotherapeutic principle that directly induces a halt or improvement in the progression of the morbidity in already infected individuals would constitute a major lead. In search of such a more-effective drug to complement the existing ones, in an area endemic for bancroftian filariasis in Ghana, 33 microfilaremic and 18 lymphedema patients took part in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a 6-wk regimen of 200 mg/day doxycycline. Four months after doxycycline treatment, all patients received 150-200 microg/kg ivermectin and 400 mg albendazole. Patients were monitored for Wolbachia and microfilaria loads, antigenemia, filarial dance sign (FDS), dilation of supratesticular lymphatic vessels, and plasma levels of lymphangiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor-C [VEGF-C] and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 [(s)VEGFR-3]). Lymphedema patients were additionally monitored for stage (grade) of lymphedema and the circumferences of affected legs. Wolbachia load, microfilaremia, antigenemia, and frequency of FDS were significantly reduced in microfilaremic patients up to 24 mo in the doxycycline group compared to the placebo group. The mean dilation of supratesticular lymphatic vessels in doxycycline-treated patients was reduced significantly at 24 mo, whereas there was no improvement in the placebo group. Preceding clinical improvement, at 12 mo, the mean plasma levels of VEGF-C and sVEGFR-3 decreased significantly in the doxycycline-treated patients to a level close to that of endemic normal values, whereas there was no significant reduction in the placebo patients. The extent of disease in lymphedema patients significantly improved following doxycycline, with the mean stage of lymphedema in the doxycycline-treated patients being significantly lower compared to placebo patients 12 mo after treatment. The reduction in the stages manifested as better skin texture, a reduction of deep folds, and fewer deep skin folds. In conclusion, a 6-wk regimen of antifilarial treatment with doxycycline against W. bancrofti showed a strong macrofilaricidal activity and reduction in plasma levels of VEGF-C/sVEGFR-3, the latter being associated with amelioration of supratesticular dilated lymphatic vessels and with an improvement of pathology in lymphatic filariasis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Yaw Debrah
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Sabine Mand
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sabine Specht
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Linda Batsa
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kenneth Pfarr
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - John Larbi
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Bernard Lawson
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Mark Taylor
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ohene Adjei
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Kerepesi LA, Leon O, Lustigman S, Abraham D. Protective immunity to the larval stages of onchocerca volvulus is dependent on Toll-like receptor 4. Infect Immun 2006; 73:8291-7. [PMID: 16299326 PMCID: PMC1307100 DOI: 10.1128/iai.73.12.8291-8297.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been shown to be important for the induction of Th2-dependent immune responses in mice. Protective immunity against larval Onchocerca volvulus in mice depends on the development of a Th2 immune response mediated by both interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-5. In addition, O. volvulus contains the rickettsial endosymbiont Wolbachia, which has molecules with lipopolysaccharide-like activities that also signal through TLR4. We therefore hypothesized that protective immunity to O. volvulus would not develop in C3H/HeJ mice which have a mutation in the Tlr4 gene (TLR4 mutant), either because of a decreased Th2 response to the larvae or because of the absence of a response to Wolbachia. TLR4-mutant mice were immunized against O. volvulus with irradiated third-stage larvae, and it was observed that Th2 responses were elevated based on increased IL-5 production, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, antigen-specific IgG1 response, and eosinophil recruitment. Protective immunity, however, did not develop in the TLR4-mutant mice. The Th1 response, as measured by gamma interferon production from spleen cells, was comparable in both wild-type and TLR4-mutant mice. Furthermore, antibody responses to Wolbachia were absent in both wild-type and TLR4-mutant mice. Therefore, the defect in the development of a protective immune response against O. volvulus in TLR4-mutant mice is not due to loss of Th2 immunity or the response to Wolbachia but is due to an unidentified TLR4-dependent larval killing mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Kerepesi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 S. 10th St., BLSB 530, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Foster J, Ganatra M, Kamal I, Ware J, Makarova K, Ivanova N, Bhattacharyya A, Kapatral V, Kumar S, Posfai J, Vincze T, Ingram J, Moran L, Lapidus A, Omelchenko M, Kyrpides N, Ghedin E, Wang S, Goltsman E, Joukov V, Ostrovskaya O, Tsukerman K, Mazur M, Comb D, Koonin E, Slatko B. The Wolbachia genome of Brugia malayi: endosymbiont evolution within a human pathogenic nematode. PLoS Biol 2005; 3:e121. [PMID: 15780005 PMCID: PMC1069646 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.0030121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 443] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2004] [Accepted: 02/02/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Complete genome DNA sequence and analysis is presented for Wolbachia, the obligate alpha-proteobacterial endosymbiont required for fertility and survival of the human filarial parasitic nematode Brugia malayi. Although, quantitatively, the genome is even more degraded than those of closely related Rickettsia species, Wolbachia has retained more intact metabolic pathways. The ability to provide riboflavin, flavin adenine dinucleotide, heme, and nucleotides is likely to be Wolbachia's principal contribution to the mutualistic relationship, whereas the host nematode likely supplies amino acids required for Wolbachia growth. Genome comparison of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of B. malayi (wBm) with the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Drosophila melanogaster (wMel) shows that they share similar metabolic trends, although their genomes show a high degree of genome shuffling. In contrast to wMel, wBm contains no prophage and has a reduced level of repeated DNA. Both Wolbachia have lost a considerable number of membrane biogenesis genes that apparently make them unable to synthesize lipid A, the usual component of proteobacterial membranes. However, differences in their peptidoglycan structures may reflect the mutualistic lifestyle of wBm in contrast to the parasitic lifestyle of wMel. The smaller genome size of wBm, relative to wMel, may reflect the loss of genes required for infecting host cells and avoiding host defense systems. Analysis of this first sequenced endosymbiont genome from a filarial nematode provides insight into endosymbiont evolution and additionally provides new potential targets for elimination of cutaneous and lymphatic human filarial disease. Analysis of this Wolbachia genome, which resides within filarial parasites, offers insight into endosymbiont evolution and the promise of new strategies for the elimination of human filarial disease
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Foster
- 1Molecular Parasitology Division, New England BiolabsBeverly, MassachusettsUnited States of America
| | - Mehul Ganatra
- 1Molecular Parasitology Division, New England BiolabsBeverly, MassachusettsUnited States of America
| | - Ibrahim Kamal
- 1Molecular Parasitology Division, New England BiolabsBeverly, MassachusettsUnited States of America
| | - Jennifer Ware
- 1Molecular Parasitology Division, New England BiolabsBeverly, MassachusettsUnited States of America
| | - Kira Makarova
- 2National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MarylandUnited States of America
| | - Natalia Ivanova
- 3Integrated Genomics, ChicagoIllinoisUnited States of America
| | | | | | - Sanjay Kumar
- 1Molecular Parasitology Division, New England BiolabsBeverly, MassachusettsUnited States of America
| | - Janos Posfai
- 1Molecular Parasitology Division, New England BiolabsBeverly, MassachusettsUnited States of America
| | - Tamas Vincze
- 1Molecular Parasitology Division, New England BiolabsBeverly, MassachusettsUnited States of America
| | - Jessica Ingram
- 1Molecular Parasitology Division, New England BiolabsBeverly, MassachusettsUnited States of America
| | - Laurie Moran
- 1Molecular Parasitology Division, New England BiolabsBeverly, MassachusettsUnited States of America
| | - Alla Lapidus
- 3Integrated Genomics, ChicagoIllinoisUnited States of America
| | - Marina Omelchenko
- 2National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MarylandUnited States of America
| | - Nikos Kyrpides
- 3Integrated Genomics, ChicagoIllinoisUnited States of America
| | - Elodie Ghedin
- 4Parasite Genomics, Institute for Genomic ResearchRockville, MarylandUnited States of America
| | - Shiliang Wang
- 4Parasite Genomics, Institute for Genomic ResearchRockville, MarylandUnited States of America
| | - Eugene Goltsman
- 3Integrated Genomics, ChicagoIllinoisUnited States of America
| | - Victor Joukov
- 3Integrated Genomics, ChicagoIllinoisUnited States of America
| | | | - Kiryl Tsukerman
- 3Integrated Genomics, ChicagoIllinoisUnited States of America
| | - Mikhail Mazur
- 3Integrated Genomics, ChicagoIllinoisUnited States of America
| | - Donald Comb
- 1Molecular Parasitology Division, New England BiolabsBeverly, MassachusettsUnited States of America
| | - Eugene Koonin
- 2National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MarylandUnited States of America
| | - Barton Slatko
- 1Molecular Parasitology Division, New England BiolabsBeverly, MassachusettsUnited States of America
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