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Sattler JM, Keiber L, Abdelrahim A, Zheng X, Jäcklin M, Zechel L, Moreau CA, Steinbrück S, Fischer M, Janse CJ, Hoffmann A, Hentzschel F, Frischknecht F. Experimental vaccination by single dose sporozoite injection of blood-stage attenuated malaria parasites. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:2060-2079. [PMID: 39103697 PMCID: PMC11392930 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00101-6] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria vaccination approaches using live Plasmodium parasites are currently explored, with either attenuated mosquito-derived sporozoites or attenuated blood-stage parasites. Both approaches would profit from the availability of attenuated and avirulent parasites with a reduced blood-stage multiplication rate. Here we screened gene-deletion mutants of the rodent parasite P. berghei and the human parasite P. falciparum for slow growth. Furthermore, we tested the P. berghei mutants for avirulence and resolving blood-stage infections, while preserving sporozoite formation and liver infection. Targeting 51 genes yielded 18 P. berghei gene-deletion mutants with several mutants causing mild infections. Infections with the two most attenuated mutants either by blood stages or by sporozoites were cleared by the immune response. Immunization of mice led to protection from disease after challenge with wild-type sporozoites. Two of six generated P. falciparum gene-deletion mutants showed a slow growth rate. Slow-growing, avirulent P. falciparum mutants will constitute valuable tools to inform on the induction of immune responses and will aid in developing new as well as safeguarding existing attenuated parasite vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Sattler
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lukas Keiber
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Aiman Abdelrahim
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xinyu Zheng
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Jäcklin
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Luisa Zechel
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Catherine A Moreau
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Smilla Steinbrück
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manuel Fischer
- Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Medical School, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Chris J Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Angelika Hoffmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Medical School, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Bern, Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Hentzschel
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Rao S, Romal S, Torenvliet B, Slotman JA, Huijs T, Mahmoudi T. A 3D organoid platform that supports liver-stage P.falciparum infection can be used to identify intrahepatic antimalarial drugs. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30740. [PMID: 38770342 PMCID: PMC11103482 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria, a major public health burden, is caused by Plasmodium spp parasites that first replicate in the human liver to establish infection before spreading to erythrocytes. Liver-stage malaria research has remained challenging due to the lack of a clinically relevant and scalable in vitro model of the human liver. Here, we demonstrate that organoids derived from intrahepatic ductal cells differentiated into a hepatocyte-like fate can support the infection and intrahepatic maturation of Plasmodium falciparum. The P.falciparum exoerythrocytic forms observed expressed both early and late-stage parasitic proteins and decreased in frequency in response to treatment with both known and putative antimalarial drugs that target intrahepatic P.falciparum. The P.falciparum-infected human liver organoids thus provide a platform not only for fundamental studies that characterise intrahepatic parasite-host interaction but can also serve as a powerful translational tool in pre-erythrocytic vaccine development and to identify new antimalarial drugs that target the liver stage infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shringar Rao
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Zuid Holland, 3015, GD, Netherlands
| | - Shahla Romal
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Zuid Holland, 3015, GD, Netherlands
| | - Bram Torenvliet
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Zuid Holland, 3015, GD, Netherlands
| | - Johan A. Slotman
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Zuid Holland, 3015, GD, Netherlands
- Optical Imaging Centre, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Zuid Holland, 3015, GD, Netherlands
| | | | - Tokameh Mahmoudi
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Zuid Holland, 3015, GD, Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Zuid Holland, 3015, GD, Netherlands
- Department of Urology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Zuid Holland, 3015, GD, Netherlands
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3
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Alkema M, Smit MJ, Marin-Mogollon C, Totté K, Teelen K, van Gemert GJ, van de Vegte-Bolmer M, Mordmüller BG, Reimer JM, Lövgren-Bengtsson KL, Sauerwein RW, Bousema T, Plieskatt J, Theisen M, Jore MM, McCall MBB. A Pfs48/45-based vaccine to block Plasmodium falciparum transmission: phase 1, open-label, clinical trial. BMC Med 2024; 22:170. [PMID: 38649867 PMCID: PMC11036667 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03379-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The stalling global progress in malaria control highlights the need for novel tools for malaria elimination, including transmission-blocking vaccines. Transmission-blocking vaccines aim to induce human antibodies that block parasite development in the mosquito and mosquitoes becoming infectious. The Pfs48/45 protein is a leading Plasmodium falciparum transmission-blocking vaccine candidate. The R0.6C fusion protein, consisting of Pfs48/45 domain 3 (6C) and the N-terminal region of P. falciparum glutamate-rich protein (R0), has previously been produced in Lactococcus lactis and elicited functional antibodies in rodents. Here, we assess the safety and transmission-reducing efficacy of R0.6C adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide with and without Matrix-M™ adjuvant in humans. METHODS In this first-in-human, open-label clinical trial, malaria-naïve adults, aged 18-55 years, were recruited at the Radboudumc in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Participants received four intramuscular vaccinations on days 0, 28, 56 and 168 with either 30 µg or 100 µg of R0.6C and were randomised for the allocation of one of the two different adjuvant combinations: aluminium hydroxide alone, or aluminium hydroxide combined with Matrix-M1™ adjuvant. Adverse events were recorded from inclusion until 84 days after the fourth vaccination. Anti-R0.6C and anti-6C IgG titres were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Transmission-reducing activity of participants' serum and purified vaccine-specific immunoglobulin G was assessed by standard membrane feeding assays using laboratory-reared Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes and cultured P. falciparum gametocytes. RESULTS Thirty-one participants completed four vaccinations and were included in the analysis. Administration of all doses was safe and well-tolerated, with one related grade 3 adverse event (transient fever) and no serious adverse events occurring. Anti-R0.6C and anti-6C IgG titres were similar between the 30 and 100 µg R0.6C arms, but higher in Matrix-M1™ arms. Neat participant sera did not induce significant transmission-reducing activity in mosquito feeding experiments, but concentrated vaccine-specific IgGs purified from sera collected two weeks after the fourth vaccination achieved up to 99% transmission-reducing activity. CONCLUSIONS R0.6C/aluminium hydroxide with or without Matrix-M1™ is safe, immunogenic and induces functional Pfs48/45-specific transmission-blocking antibodies, albeit at insufficient serum concentrations to result in transmission reduction by neat serum. Future work should focus on identifying alternative vaccine formulations or regimens that enhance functional antibody responses. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT04862416.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Alkema
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - M J Smit
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - C Marin-Mogollon
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - K Totté
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - K Teelen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - G J van Gemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - M van de Vegte-Bolmer
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - B G Mordmüller
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - R W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Present Address: TropIQ Health Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - T Bousema
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - J Plieskatt
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Theisen
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M M Jore
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - M B B McCall
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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Oelschlegel AM, Bhattacharjee R, Wenk P, Harit K, Rothkötter HJ, Koch SP, Boehm-Sturm P, Matuschewski K, Budinger E, Schlüter D, Goldschmidt J, Nishanth G. Beyond the microcirculation: sequestration of infected red blood cells and reduced flow in large draining veins in experimental cerebral malaria. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2396. [PMID: 38493187 PMCID: PMC10944460 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46617-w] [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: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Sequestration of infected red blood cells (iRBCs) in the microcirculation is a hallmark of cerebral malaria (CM) in post-mortem human brains. It remains controversial how this might be linked to the different disease manifestations, in particular brain swelling leading to brain herniation and death. The main hypotheses focus on iRBC-triggered inflammation and mechanical obstruction of blood flow. Here, we test these hypotheses using murine models of experimental CM (ECM), SPECT-imaging of radiolabeled iRBCs and cerebral perfusion, MR-angiography, q-PCR, and immunohistochemistry. We show that iRBC accumulation and reduced flow precede inflammation. Unexpectedly, we find that iRBCs accumulate not only in the microcirculation but also in large draining veins and sinuses, particularly at the rostral confluence. We identify two parallel venous streams from the superior sagittal sinus that open into the rostral rhinal veins and are partially connected to infected skull bone marrow. The flow in these vessels is reduced early, and the spatial patterns of pathology correspond to venous drainage territories. Our data suggest that venous efflux reductions downstream of the microcirculation are causally linked to ECM pathology, and that the different spatiotemporal patterns of edema development in mice and humans could be related to anatomical differences in venous anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Oelschlegel
- Combinatorial NeuroImaging Core Facility, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany
- Research group Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - R Bhattacharjee
- Combinatorial NeuroImaging Core Facility, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - P Wenk
- Combinatorial NeuroImaging Core Facility, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - K Harit
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - H-J Rothkötter
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Strasse 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - S P Koch
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Experimental Neurology and Center for Stroke Research, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité 3R | Replace, Reduce, Refine, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - P Boehm-Sturm
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Experimental Neurology and Center for Stroke Research, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité 3R | Replace, Reduce, Refine, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - K Matuschewski
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - E Budinger
- Combinatorial NeuroImaging Core Facility, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany
- Center of Behavioural Brain Sciences, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - D Schlüter
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - J Goldschmidt
- Combinatorial NeuroImaging Core Facility, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Center of Behavioural Brain Sciences, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - G Nishanth
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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5
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Investigation of Plasma-Derived Lipidome Profiles in Experimental Cerebral Malaria in a Mouse Model Study. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010501. [PMID: 36613941 PMCID: PMC9820457 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM), a fatal complication of Plasmodium infection that affects children, especially under the age of five, in sub-Saharan Africa and adults in South-East Asia, results from incompletely understood pathogenetic mechanisms. Increased release of circulating miRNA, proteins, lipids and extracellular vesicles has been found in CM patients and experimental mouse models. We compared lipid profiles derived from the plasma of CBA mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA), which causes CM, to those from Plasmodium yoelii (Py), which does not. We previously showed that platelet-free plasma (18k fractions enriched from plasma) contains a high number of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Here, we found that this fraction produced at the time of CM differed dramatically from those of non-CM mice, despite identical levels of parasitaemia. Using high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS), we identified over 300 lipid species within 12 lipid classes. We identified 45 and 75 lipid species, mostly including glycerolipids and phospholipids, with significantly altered concentrations in PbA-infected mice compared to Py-infected and uninfected mice, respectively. Total lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) levels were significantly lower in PbA infection compared to Py infection and controls. These results suggest that experimental CM could be characterised by specific changes in the lipid composition of the 18k fraction containing circulating EVs and can be considered an appropriate model to study the role of lipids in the pathophysiology of CM.
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Eeka P, Phanithi PB. Lymphotoxin-α Orchestrate Hypoxia and Immune factors to Induce Experimental Cerebral Malaria: Inhibition Mitigates Pathogenesis, Neurodegeneration, and Increase Survival. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:2425-2439. [PMID: 36469197 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02076-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Knockdown studies have shown lymphotoxin-α (Lt-α) as a critical molecule for Experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) pathogenesis. We investigated the role of lymphotoxin-α in regulating active caspase-3 and calpain1. T cell infiltration into the brains, and subsequent neuronal cell death are the essential features of Plasmodium berghei ANKA(PbA)-induced ECM. Our results showed increased Lt-α levels during ECM. Treatment of naïve mice with serum from ECM mice and exogenous Lt-α was lethal. We inhibited Lt-α in vivo during PbA infection by injecting the mice with anti-Lt-α antibody. Inhibition of Lt-α mitigated neuronal cell death and increased mice's survival until 30-day post-infection (p.i.) compared to only 15 days survival of PbA control mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhakar Eeka
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India.,Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Sciences, GITAM Deemed to Be University, Visakhapatnam, India
| | - Prakash Babu Phanithi
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India.
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Akide Ndunge OB, Kilian N, Salman MM. Cerebral Malaria and Neuronal Implications of Plasmodium Falciparum Infection: From Mechanisms to Advanced Models. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2202944. [PMID: 36300890 PMCID: PMC9798991 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202202944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Reorganization of host red blood cells by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum enables their sequestration via attachment to the microvasculature. This artificially increases the dwelling time of the infected red blood cells within inner organs such as the brain, which can lead to cerebral malaria. Cerebral malaria is the deadliest complication patients infected with P. falciparum can experience and still remains a major public health concern despite effective antimalarial therapies. Here, the current understanding of the effect of P. falciparum cytoadherence and their secreted proteins on structural features of the human blood-brain barrier and their involvement in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria are highlighted. Advanced 2D and 3D in vitro models are further assessed to study this devastating interaction between parasite and host. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to neuronal and cognitive deficits in cerebral malaria will be pivotal in devising new strategies to treat and prevent blood-brain barrier dysfunction and subsequent neurological damage in patients with cerebral malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Bate Akide Ndunge
- Department of Internal MedicineSection of Infectious DiseasesYale University School of Medicine300 Cedar StreetNew HavenCT06510USA
| | - Nicole Kilian
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, ParasitologyHeidelberg University HospitalIm Neuenheimer Feld 32469120HeidelbergGermany
| | - Mootaz M. Salman
- Department of PhysiologyAnatomy and GeneticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordOX1 3QUUK
- Kavli Institute for NanoScience DiscoveryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease CentreUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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Abstract
"The Primate Malarias" book has been a uniquely important resource for multiple generations of scientists, since its debut in 1971, and remains pertinent to the present day. Indeed, nonhuman primates (NHPs) have been instrumental for major breakthroughs in basic and pre-clinical research on malaria for over 50 years. Research involving NHPs have provided critical insights and data that have been essential for malaria research on many parasite species, drugs, vaccines, pathogenesis, and transmission, leading to improved clinical care and advancing research goals for malaria control, elimination, and eradication. Whilst most malaria scientists over the decades have been studying Plasmodium falciparum, with NHP infections, in clinical studies with humans, or using in vitro culture or rodent model systems, others have been dedicated to advancing research on Plasmodium vivax, as well as on phylogenetically related simian species, including Plasmodium cynomolgi, Plasmodium coatneyi, and Plasmodium knowlesi. In-depth study of these four phylogenetically related species over the years has spawned the design of NHP longitudinal infection strategies for gathering information about ongoing infections, which can be related to human infections. These Plasmodium-NHP infection model systems are reviewed here, with emphasis on modern systems biological approaches to studying longitudinal infections, pathogenesis, immunity, and vaccines. Recent discoveries capitalizing on NHP longitudinal infections include an advanced understanding of chronic infections, relapses, anaemia, and immune memory. With quickly emerging new technological advances, more in-depth research and mechanistic discoveries can be anticipated on these and additional critical topics, including hypnozoite biology, antigenic variation, gametocyte transmission, bone marrow dysfunction, and loss of uninfected RBCs. New strategies and insights published by the Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center (MaHPIC) are recapped here along with a vision that stresses the importance of educating future experts well trained in utilizing NHP infection model systems for the pursuit of innovative, effective interventions against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary R Galinski
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory National Primate Research Center (Yerkes National Primate Research Center), Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Lombardini ED, Turner GDH, Brown AE, Inamnuay L, Kaewamatawong T, Sunyakumthorn P, Ferguson DJP. A systematic analysis of ultrastructural lesions in the Plasmodium coatneyi splenectomized rhesus macaque model of severe malaria. Vet Pathol 2022; 59:873-882. [DOI: 10.1177/03009858221088783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum remains one of the world’s deadliest diseases and with ongoing concerns of evolving drug resistance, there is a need for continued refinement of the Plasmodium coatneyi infection model in macaques to study severe malaria. As such, the systemic ultrastructural lesions associated with P. coatneyi infection in splenectomized rhesus macaques was evaluated in 6 animals. Autopsy samples from multiple areas of the central nervous system (CNS), kidneys, heart, liver, and lungs of all 6 animals were processed for electron microscopy. A systematic analysis of the ultrastructural changes associated with the plasmodium was undertaken by multiple pathologists to ensure consensus. All tissues exhibited marked sequestration of infected red blood cells comprised either of cytoadherence to endothelium or rosette formation, associated with variable degrees of host cell damage in a range of tissues that in severe cases resulted in necrosis. This is the first complete systemic evaluation of ultrastructural tissue lesions in P. coatneyi–infected rhesus macaques, and the findings have important implications evaluating of the use of this model for the study of severe malaria caused by P. falciparum in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gareth D. H. Turner
- University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Mahidol-Oxford Research Unit, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Arthur E. Brown
- Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Laksanee Inamnuay
- Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
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Sharma D, Priest H, Wilcox A. Pseudoreticulocytosis by the ADVIA 2120 Hematology Analyzer and Other Hematologic Changes in a Cynomolgus Macaque ( Macaca fascicularis) With Malaria. Toxicol Pathol 2022; 50:684-692. [DOI: 10.1177/01926233221083217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Important hematologic changes can be observed in nonhuman primates with malaria, including inaccurate reticulocyte counts by the ADVIA 2120 hematology analyzer. A 5-year-old male purpose-bred cynomolgus macaque ( Macaca fascicularis) imported from a commercial source in Cambodia was enrolled in a nonclinical toxicity study investigating the effects of an immunomodulatory pharmaceutical agent. On study day 22, an increase in large unstained cells (LUCs), due to increased monocytes (2.20 × 103/µl, reference interval: 0.17-0.76 × 103/µl), was reported by the analyzer during a scheduled hematologic evaluation, which prompted blood smear review and revealed that the macaque had a high burden of Plasmodium spp.. The macaque did not have clinical signs for the infection at this time point. Progressively higher parasite burdens and persistently increased monocytes (markedly increased by study day 56, 10.38 × 103/µl) were observed at subsequent hematologic evaluations. New Methylene Blue stain manual reticulocyte counts were performed on study day 43 and at later time points, and showed that the analyzer reported erroneous higher reticulocyte counts (study day 43: +6.7%, +266.2 × 109/L; study day 50: +18.9%, +409.8 × 109/L) compared with the manual reticulocyte counts (pseudoreticulocytosis). The magnitude of regenerative response was considered inadequate for the severity of anemia at these time points. Atypical reticulocyte scatter plot distributions from the analyzer were also observed at time points with high parasite burdens, and combined with increased LUCs, may suggest high burden parasitemia. Verification of automated reticulocyte counts is important in cases with high malarial parasite burdens and the recognition of pseudoreticulocytosis is prudent in assessing appropriateness of the regenerative response. Increases in monocytes correlated with higher parasite burdens and marked increases may be an indicator of advanced disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diya Sharma
- Charles River Laboratories, Reno, Nevada, USA
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Portugal S, Rodriguez A, Prudêncio M. Maria M. Mota: Bringing Plasmodium Liver Infection to the Centre Stage of Malaria Research. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:851484. [PMID: 35211424 PMCID: PMC8860983 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.851484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Miguel Prudêncio,
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12
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Zeng S, Wang H, Tao L, Ning X, Fan Y, Zhao S, Qin L, Chen X. Decoquinate liposomes: highly effective clearance of Plasmodium parasites causing severe malaria. Malar J 2022; 21:24. [PMID: 35073922 PMCID: PMC8785525 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04042-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum leads to most malaria-related deaths globally. Decoquinate (DQ) displays strong activity against multistage infection by Plasmodium parasites. However, the development of DQ as an oral dosage form for the treatment of malaria at the blood stage has not been successful. In this study, liposome formulations of DQ were created for intravenous (IV) injection to suppress Plasmodium berghei, a parasite that causes severe malaria in mice. Methods DQ liposomes were prepared by conventional ethanol injection method with slight modifications and encapsulation efficiency evaluated by the well-established centrifugation method. Potency of the DQ liposomes against P. falciparum was assessed in vitro using freshly isolated human red blood cells. The efficacy of the DQ liposomes was examined in the mouse model of severe malaria. Results The DQ liposomes were around 150 nm in size and had the encapsulation efficiency rates > 95%. The freshly prepared and lyophilized liposomes were stable after storage at − 20 °C for 6 months. The liposomes were shown to have excellent activity against P. falciparum in vitro with DQ IC50 0.91 ± 0.05 nM for 3D7 (chloroquine sensitive strain) and DQ IC50 1.33 ± 0.14 nM for Dd2 (multidrug resistant strain), which were 18- and 14-fold more potent than artemisinin, respectively. Mice did not have any signs of toxicity after receiving high dose of the liposomes (DQ 500 mg/kg per mouse) by IV injection. In the mouse model of severe malaria, the liposomes had impressive efficacy against P. berghei with DQ ED50 of 0.720 mg/kg. Conclusion The DQ liposomes prepared in this study were stable for long term storage and safe for IV injection in mammalian animals. The newly created liposome formulations had excellent activity against Plasmodium infection at the blood-stage, which encourages their application in the treatment of severe malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumei Zeng
- Guangzhou Bluelight Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, International Business Incubator, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510663, China
| | - Hongxing Wang
- Guangzhou Bluelight Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, International Business Incubator, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510663, China. .,CAS Lamvac Biotech Co. Ltd, International Business Incubator, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510663, China.
| | - Long Tao
- Guangzhou Bluelight Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, International Business Incubator, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510663, China
| | - Xiaohui Ning
- Guangzhou Bluelight Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, International Business Incubator, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510663, China
| | - Yinzhou Fan
- Guangzhou Bluelight Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, International Business Incubator, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510663, China
| | - Siting Zhao
- CAS Lamvac Biotech Co. Ltd, International Business Incubator, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510663, China
| | - Li Qin
- CAS Lamvac Biotech Co. Ltd, International Business Incubator, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510663, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- CAS Lamvac Biotech Co. Ltd, International Business Incubator, Guangzhou Science Park, Guangzhou, 510663, China
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13
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Patra S, Singh M, Wasnik K, Pareek D, Gupta PS, Mukherjee S, Paik P. Polymeric Nanoparticle Based Diagnosis and Nanomedicine for Treatment and Development of Vaccines for Cerebral Malaria: A Review on Recent Advancement. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:7342-7365. [PMID: 35006689 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c00635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral malaria occurs due to Plasmodium falciparum infection, which causes 228 million infections and 450,000 deaths worldwide every year. African people are mostly affected with nearly 91% cases, of which 86% are pregnant women and infants. India and Brazil are the other two countries severely suffering from malaria endemicity. Commonly used drugs have severe side effects, and unfortunately no suitable vaccine is available in the market today. In this line, this review is focused on polymeric nanomaterials and nanocapsules that can be used for the development of effective diagnostic strategies, nanomedicines, and vaccines in the management of cerebral malaria. Further, this review will help scientists and medical professionals by updating the status on the development stages of polymeric nanoparticle based diagnostics, nanomedicines, and vaccines and strategies to eradicate cerebral malaria. In addition to this, the predominant focus of this review is antimalarial agents based on polymer nanomedicines that are currently in the preclinical and clinical trial stages, and potential developments are suggested as well. This review further will have an important social and commercial impact worldwide for the development of polymeric nanomedicines and strategies for the treatment of cerebral malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukanya Patra
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-BHU, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Monika Singh
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-BHU, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Kirti Wasnik
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-BHU, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Divya Pareek
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-BHU, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Prem Shankar Gupta
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-BHU, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Sudip Mukherjee
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Pradip Paik
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-BHU, Varanasi 221005, India
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14
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Gupta A, Styczynski MP, Galinski MR, Voit EO, Fonseca LL. Dramatic transcriptomic differences in Macaca mulatta and Macaca fascicularis with Plasmodium knowlesi infections. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19519. [PMID: 34593836 PMCID: PMC8484567 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98024-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium knowlesi, a model malaria parasite, is responsible for a significant portion of zoonotic malaria cases in Southeast Asia and must be controlled to avoid disease severity and fatalities. However, little is known about the host-parasite interactions and molecular mechanisms in play during the course of P. knowlesi malaria infections, which also may be relevant across Plasmodium species. Here we contrast P. knowlesi sporozoite-initiated infections in Macaca mulatta and Macaca fascicularis using whole blood RNA-sequencing and transcriptomic analysis. These macaque hosts are evolutionarily close, yet malaria-naïve M. mulatta will succumb to blood-stage infection without treatment, whereas malaria-naïve M. fascicularis controls parasitemia without treatment. This comparative analysis reveals transcriptomic differences as early as the liver phase of infection, in the form of signaling pathways that are activated in M. fascicularis, but not M. mulatta. Additionally, while most immune responses are initially similar during the acute stage of the blood infection, significant differences arise subsequently. The observed differences point to prolonged inflammation and anti-inflammatory effects of IL10 in M. mulatta, while M. fascicularis undergoes a transcriptional makeover towards cell proliferation, consistent with its recovery. Together, these findings suggest that timely detection of P. knowlesi in M. fascicularis, coupled with control of inflammation while initiating the replenishment of key cell populations, helps contain the infection. Overall, this study points to specific genes and pathways that could be investigated as a basis for new drug targets that support recovery from acute malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuj Gupta
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mark P Styczynski
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mary R Galinski
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Eberhard O Voit
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Luis L Fonseca
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Laboratory for Systems Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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15
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Memvanga PB, Nkanga CI. Liposomes for malaria management: the evolution from 1980 to 2020. Malar J 2021; 20:327. [PMID: 34315484 PMCID: PMC8313885 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03858-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases and the foremost cause of morbidity in the tropical regions of the world. Strategies for the efficient management of this parasitic infection include adequate treatment with anti-malarial therapeutics and vaccination. However, the emergence and spread of resistant strains of malaria parasites to the majority of presently used anti-malarial medications, on the other hand, complicates malaria treatment. Other shortcomings of anti-malarial drugs include poor aqueous solubility, low permeability, poor bioavailability, and non-specific targeting of intracellular parasites, resulting in high dose requirements and toxic side effects. To address these limitations, liposome-based nanotechnology has been extensively explored as a new solution in malaria management. Liposome technology improves anti-malarial drug encapsulation, bioavailability, target delivery, and controlled release, resulting in increased effectiveness, reduced resistance progression, and fewer adverse effects. Furthermore, liposomes are exploited as immunological adjuvants and antigen carriers to boost the preventive effectiveness of malaria vaccine candidates. The present review discusses the findings from studies conducted over the last 40 years (1980-2020) using in vitro and in vivo settings to assess the prophylactic and curative anti-malarial potential of liposomes containing anti-malarial agents or antigens. This paper and the discussion herein provide a useful resource for further complementary investigations and may pave the way for the research and development of several available and affordable anti-malarial-based liposomes and liposomal malaria vaccines by allowing a thorough evaluation of liposomes developed to date for the management of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick B Memvanga
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Phytopharmaceutical Drug Development, University of Kinshasa, B.P. 212, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
| | - Christian I Nkanga
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Phytopharmaceutical Drug Development, University of Kinshasa, B.P. 212, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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16
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Xiong-Hang K, Haynes CL. Plasmodium chabaudi Affects Mast Cell Degranulation as Measured by Carbon-Fiber Microelectrode Amperometry. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1650-1656. [PMID: 33856187 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) are effector cells of the immune system commonly known for their role in asthma and allergy. They are present throughout biological systems in various tissues, serving as an interface between the biological system and environment. Previous work characterizing the impact of malaria on MCs revealed contradictory results, showing minimal to strong correlation between MC degranulation and disease progression. This work seeks to reveal how MC degranulation is impacted in the presence of malaria, induced by Plasmodium chabaudi, using a mouse model and a single cell measurement technique that reveals exquisite biophysical detail about any impacts to the degranulation process. It was hypothesized that the malaria parasites would impact MC degranulation response during live infection, and the differences would be revealed via carbon-fiber microelectrode amperometry. In fact, the data collected show that different stages of malaria infection affect MC degranulation differently, affirming the importance of considering different infection stages in future studies of malarial immune response. Furthermore, a comparison of MC degranulation response to that measured from platelets under similar circumstances shows similar trends in quantitative degranulation, suggesting that MC and platelet exocytosis machinery are affected similarly despite their distinct biological roles. However, based on the small number of mouse replicates, the studies herein suggest that there should be further study about cellular and disease processes. Overall, the work herein reveals important details about the role of MCs in malaria progression, relevant during treatment decisions, as well as a potentially generalizable impact on chemical messenger secretion from cells during malarial progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Xiong-Hang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Christy L. Haynes
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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17
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Zhang C, Oguz C, Huse S, Xia L, Wu J, Peng YC, Smith M, Chen J, Long CA, Lack J, Su XZ. Genome sequence, transcriptome, and annotation of rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis N67. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:303. [PMID: 33902452 PMCID: PMC8072299 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07555-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rodent malaria parasites are important models for studying host-malaria parasite interactions such as host immune response, mechanisms of parasite evasion of host killing, and vaccine development. One of the rodent malaria parasites is Plasmodium yoelii, and multiple P. yoelii strains or subspecies that cause different disease phenotypes have been widely employed in various studies. The genomes and transcriptomes of several P. yoelii strains have been analyzed and annotated, including the lethal strains of P. y. yoelii YM (or 17XL) and non-lethal strains of P. y. yoelii 17XNL/17X. Genomic DNA sequences and cDNA reads from another subspecies P. y. nigeriensis N67 have been reported for studies of genetic polymorphisms and parasite response to drugs, but its genome has not been assembled and annotated. Results We performed genome sequencing of the N67 parasite using the PacBio long-read sequencing technology, de novo assembled its genome and transcriptome, and predicted 5383 genes with high overall annotation quality. Comparison of the annotated genome of the N67 parasite with those of YM and 17X parasites revealed a set of genes with N67-specific orthology, expansion of gene families, particularly the homologs of the Plasmodium chabaudi erythrocyte membrane antigen, large numbers of SNPs and indels, and proteins predicted to interact with host immune responses based on their functional domains. Conclusions The genomes of N67 and 17X parasites are highly diverse, having approximately one polymorphic site per 50 base pairs of DNA. The annotated N67 genome and transcriptome provide searchable databases for fast retrieval of genes and proteins, which will greatly facilitate our efforts in studying the parasite biology and gene function and in developing effective control measures against malaria. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07555-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui Zhang
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8132, USA
| | - Cihan Oguz
- NIAID Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource (NCBR), Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.,Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Sue Huse
- NIAID Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource (NCBR), Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.,Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Lu Xia
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8132, USA.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Wu
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8132, USA
| | - Yu-Chih Peng
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8132, USA
| | - Margaret Smith
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8132, USA
| | - Jack Chen
- The NCI sequencing facility, 8560 Progress Drive, Room 3007, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8132, USA
| | - Justin Lack
- NIAID Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource (NCBR), Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.,Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Xin-Zhuan Su
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8132, USA.
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18
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Schiess N, Villabona-Rueda A, Cottier KE, Huether K, Chipeta J, Stins MF. Pathophysiology and neurologic sequelae of cerebral malaria. Malar J 2020; 19:266. [PMID: 32703204 PMCID: PMC7376930 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03336-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM), results from Plasmodium falciparum infection, and has a high mortality rate. CM survivors can retain life-long post CM sequelae, including seizures and neurocognitive deficits profoundly affecting their quality of life. As the Plasmodium parasite does not enter the brain, but resides inside erythrocytes and are confined to the lumen of the brain's vasculature, the neuropathogenesis leading to these neurologic sequelae is unclear and under-investigated. Interestingly, postmortem CM pathology differs in brain regions, such as the appearance of haemorragic punctae in white versus gray matter. Various host and parasite factors contribute to the risk of CM, including exposure at a young age, parasite- and host-related genetics, parasite sequestration and the extent of host inflammatory responses. Thus far, several proposed adjunctive treatments have not been successful in the treatment of CM but are highly needed. The region-specific CM neuro-pathogenesis leading to neurologic sequelae is intriguing, but not sufficiently addressed in research. More attention to this may lead to the development of effective adjunctive treatments to address CM neurologic sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoline Schiess
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St., Meyer 6-113, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Andres Villabona-Rueda
- Malaria Research Institute, Dept Molecular Microbiology Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Karissa E Cottier
- Malaria Research Institute, Dept Molecular Microbiology Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.,BioIVT, 1450 South Rolling Road, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - James Chipeta
- Department of Paediatrics, University Teaching Hospital, Nationalist Road, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Monique F Stins
- Malaria Research Institute, Dept Molecular Microbiology Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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19
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Walter NS, Gorki V, Bagai U. Antiplasmodial potential of Thalictrum foliolosum (Ranunculaceae) against lethal murine malaria. J Vector Borne Dis 2020; 57:204-212. [PMID: 34472503 DOI: 10.4103/0972-9062.311772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of Plasmodium falciparum highlights the need to develop novel antimalarial drugs. Present study explores the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of ethanol leaf extract of Thalictrum foliolosum (ELETF) against lethal murine malaria. METHODS The acute toxicity of the extract was assessed by Limit test of Lorke. The suppressive activity of the extract was evaluated by Peter's 4 day test. In vivo preventive and curative activity of ELETF was assessed by Peter's method and Ryley and Peter's method respectively. Biochemical assays were carried out using standard methods. RESULTS ELETF (1000 mg/kg) exhibited considerable in vivo schizontocidal activity with 67.11% chemosuppression on Day 5. The ED50 of the extract was 579.56 mg/kg. ELETF also showed significant repository activity with 87.70% chemosuppression at 750 mg/kg, which was greater than pyrimethamine (78.78%). ELETF exhibited dose dependent chemosuppression in the curative test with maximum 70.06% chemosuppression (750 mg/kg). Maximum Mean Survival Time (MST) was 19.2±4.60 and 22.66±4.41 days respectively in the suppressive and curative test, which was extremely statistically significant (p<0.0005) in comparison to untreated control which died by Day 9 post inoculation. Biochemical analysis revealed the safety of ELETF to the hepatic and renal functions of the rodent host. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION The study reports the antiplasmodial potential of Thalictrum foliolosum (ELETF) against Plasmodium berghei infection. The extract can be developed as a phytomedicine against malaria. Alternatively, the active components can be isolated as new lead compounds against the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Sylvia Walter
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014, India
| | - Varun Gorki
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014, India
| | - Upma Bagai
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014, India
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20
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Posfai D, Maher SP, Roesch C, Vantaux A, Sylvester K, Péneau J, Popovici J, Kyle DE, Witkowski B, Derbyshire ER. Plasmodium vivax Liver and Blood Stages Recruit the Druggable Host Membrane Channel Aquaporin-3. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:719-727.e5. [PMID: 32330444 PMCID: PMC7303948 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax infects hepatocytes to form schizonts that cause blood infection, or dormant hypnozoites that can persist for months in the liver before leading to relapsing blood infections. The molecular processes that drive P. vivax schizont and hypnozoite survival remain largely unknown, but they likely involve a rich network of host-pathogen interactions, including those occurring at the host-parasite interface, the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM). Using a recently developed P. vivax liver-stage model system we demonstrate that host aquaporin-3 (AQP3) localizes to the PVM of schizonts and hypnozoites within 5 days after invasion. This recruitment is also observed in P. vivax-infected reticulocytes. Chemical treatment with the AQP3 inhibitor auphen reduces P. vivax liver hypnozoite and schizont burden, and inhibits P. vivax asexual blood-stage growth. These findings reveal a role for AQP3 in P. vivax liver and blood stages and suggest that the protein may be targeted for therapeutic treatment. Host aquaporin-3 (AQP3) is recruited to P. vivax hypnozoites and schizonts The AQP3 inhibitor auphen inhibits P. vivax hypnozoites and schizonts Host AQP3 is recruited to P. vivax-infected erythrocytes derived from patient samples Auphen inhibits blood stages of clinical P. vivax isolates
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Posfai
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Steven P Maher
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 500 D.W. Brooks Dr, ste 370, Athens, GE 30602, USA
| | - Camille Roesch
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, Phnom Penh 12201, Cambodia
| | - Amélie Vantaux
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, Phnom Penh 12201, Cambodia
| | - Kayla Sylvester
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Julie Péneau
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, Phnom Penh 12201, Cambodia
| | - Jean Popovici
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, Phnom Penh 12201, Cambodia
| | - Dennis E Kyle
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 500 D.W. Brooks Dr, ste 370, Athens, GE 30602, USA
| | - Benoît Witkowski
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, Phnom Penh 12201, Cambodia.
| | - Emily R Derbyshire
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Chemistry Department, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
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21
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Kirkman LA, Deitsch KW. Vive la Différence: Exploiting the Differences between Rodent and Human Malarias. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:504-511. [PMID: 32407681 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Experimental research into malaria biology and pathogenesis has historically focused on two model systems, in vitro culture of the human parasite Plasmodium falciparum and in vivo infections of laboratory animals using rodent parasites. While there is clear value in having a manipulatable animal model for studying malaria, there have occasionally been controversies around how representative the rodent model is of the human disease, and therefore significant emphasis has been placed on the similarities between the two biological systems. By focusing on basic nuclear functions, we wish to highlight that identifying key differences in the parasites and their interactions with their mammalian hosts can be equally informative and provide remarkable insights into the biology and evolution of these important infectious organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Kirkman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kirk W Deitsch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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22
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Galinski MR. Functional genomics of simian malaria parasites and host-parasite interactions. Brief Funct Genomics 2020; 18:270-280. [PMID: 31241151 PMCID: PMC6859816 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elz013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Two simian malaria parasite species, Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium cynomolgi, cause zoonotic infections in Southeast Asia, and they have therefore gained recognition among scientists and public health officials. Notwithstanding, these species and others including Plasmodium coatneyi have served for decades as sources of knowledge on the biology, genetics and evolution of Plasmodium, and the diverse ramifications and outcomes of malaria in their monkey hosts. Experimental analysis of these species can help to fill gaps in knowledge beyond what may be possible studying the human malaria parasites or rodent parasite species. The genome sequences for these simian malaria parasite species were reported during the last decade, and functional genomics research has since been pursued. Here research on the functional genomics analysis involving these species is summarized and their importance is stressed, particularly for understanding host–parasite interactions, and potentially testing novel interventions. Importantly, while Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax can be studied in small New World monkeys, the simian malaria parasites can be studied more effectively in the larger Old World monkey macaque hosts, which are more closely related to humans. In addition to ex vivo analyses, experimental scenarios can include passage through Anopheline mosquito hosts and longitudinal infections in monkeys to study acute and chronic infections, as well as relapses, all in the context of the in vivo host environment. Such experiments provide opportunities for understanding functional genomic elements that govern host–parasite interactions, immunity and pathogenesis in-depth, addressing hypotheses not possible from in vitro cultures or cross-sectional clinical studies with humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary R Galinski
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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23
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Burgert L, Rottmann M, Wittlin S, Gobeau N, Krause A, Dingemanse J, Möhrle JJ, Penny MA. Ensemble modeling highlights importance of understanding parasite-host behavior in preclinical antimalarial drug development. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4410. [PMID: 32157151 PMCID: PMC7064600 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61304-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging drug resistance and high-attrition rates in early and late stage drug development necessitate accelerated development of antimalarial compounds. However, systematic and meaningful translation of drug efficacy and host-parasite dynamics between preclinical testing stages is missing. We developed an ensemble of mathematical within-host parasite growth and antimalarial action models, fitted to extensive data from four antimalarials with different modes of action, to assess host-parasite interactions in two preclinical drug testing systems of murine parasite P. berghei in mice, and human parasite P. falciparum in immune-deficient mice. We find properties of the host-parasite system, namely resource availability, parasite maturation and virulence, drive P. berghei dynamics and drug efficacy, whereas experimental constraints primarily influence P. falciparum infection and drug efficacy. Furthermore, uninvestigated parasite behavior such as dormancy influences parasite recrudescence following non-curative treatment and requires further investigation. Taken together, host-parasite interactions should be considered for meaningful translation of pharmacodynamic properties between murine systems and for predicting human efficacious treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Burgert
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Rottmann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Andreas Krause
- Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Clinical Pharmacology, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Jasper Dingemanse
- Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Clinical Pharmacology, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Jörg J Möhrle
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Melissa A Penny
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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24
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Mellin R, Boddey JA. Organoids for Liver Stage Malaria Research. Trends Parasitol 2019; 36:158-169. [PMID: 31848118 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites cause malaria and are maintained between Anopheles mosquitoes and mammalian hosts in a complex life cycle. Malaria parasites occupy tissue niches that can be difficult to access, and models to study them can be challenging to recapitulate experimentally, particularly for Plasmodium species that infect humans. 2D culture models provide extremely beneficial tools to investigate Plasmodium biology but they have limitations. More complex 3D structural networks, such as organoids, have unveiled new avenues for developing more physiological tissue models, and their application to malaria research offers great promise. Here, we review current models for studying Plasmodium infection with a key focus on the obligate pre-erythrocytic stage that culminates in blood infection, causing malaria, and discuss how organoids should fulfil an important and unmet need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronan Mellin
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Justin A Boddey
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Victoria, Australia.
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25
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Weinstock A, Gallego-Delgado J, Gomes C, Sherman J, Nikain C, Gonzalez S, Fisher E, Rodriguez A. Tamoxifen activity against Plasmodium in vitro and in mice. Malar J 2019; 18:378. [PMID: 31775753 PMCID: PMC6882195 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-3012-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tamoxifen is an oestrogen receptor modulator that is widely used for the treatment of early stage breast cancer and reduction of recurrences. Tamoxifen is also used as a powerful research tool for controlling gene expression in the context of the Cre/loxP site-specific recombination system in conditional mutant mice. METHODS To determine whether the administration of tamoxifen affects Plasmodium growth and/or disease outcome in malaria, in vitro studies assessing the effect of tamoxifen and its active metabolite 4-hydroxytamoxifen on Plasmodium falciparum blood stages were performed. Tamoxifen effects were also evaluated in vivo treating C57/B6 mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain), which is the standard animal model for the study of cerebral malaria. RESULTS Tamoxifen and its active metabolite, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, show activity in vitro against P. falciparum (16.7 to 5.8 µM IC50, respectively). This activity was also confirmed in tamoxifen-treated mice infected with P. berghei, which show lower levels of parasitaemia and do not develop signs of cerebral malaria, compared to control mice. Mice treated with tamoxifen for 1 week and left untreated for an additional week before infection showed similar parasitaemia levels and signs of cerebral malaria as control untreated mice. CONCLUSIONS Tamoxifen and its active metabolite, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, have significant activity against the human parasite P. falciparum in vitro and the rodent parasite P. berghei in vivo. This activity may be useful for prevention of malaria in patients taking this drug chronically, but also represents a major problem for scientists using the conditional mutagenic Cre/LoxP system in the setting of rodent malaria. Allowing mice to clear tamoxifen before starting a Plasmodium infection allows the use the Cre/LoxP conditional mutagenic system to investigate gene function in specific tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada Weinstock
- Departments of Medicine (Cardiology) and Cell Biology, and the Marc and Ruti Bell Program in Vascular Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Julio Gallego-Delgado
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, New York, NY, 10468, USA.
- Ph.D. Program in Biology, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Cláudia Gomes
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Julian Sherman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Cyrus Nikain
- Departments of Medicine (Cardiology) and Cell Biology, and the Marc and Ruti Bell Program in Vascular Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Sandra Gonzalez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Edward Fisher
- Departments of Medicine (Cardiology) and Cell Biology, and the Marc and Ruti Bell Program in Vascular Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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26
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Mice chronically fed a high-fat diet are resistant to malaria induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2969-2977. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06427-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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27
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Boareto AC, Gomes C, Centeno Müller J, da Silva JG, Vergara F, Salum N, Maristany Sargaço R, de Carvalho RR, Queiroz Telles JE, Marinho CRF, Paumgartten FJR, Dalsenter PR. Maternal and fetal outcome of pregnancy in Swiss mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA GFP. Reprod Toxicol 2019; 89:107-114. [PMID: 31310803 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Malaria in pregnant women is associated with risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, and there are few antimalarial drugs considered safe to treat them, so it is necessary to develop safer antimalarial medicines. The goal of this study was to develop an animal model for human malaria during pregnancy by characterizing the maternal and fetal outcomes in malaria infected Swiss mice. For that, in the present study, we evaluated the outcome of pregnancy in Swiss mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKAGFP. We observed a reduction of fetal body weight and signs of skeletal ossification retardation in the offspring of mice infected on GD 12. The group of mice infected with malaria presented premature deliveries and histopathology changes consistent with placental malaria. Our study suggests that Swiss Webster mice infected with P. berghei ANKAGFP on GD 12 might be a valuable model to investigate the safety and the efficacy of new antimalarial drugs indicated to pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cláudia Boareto
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Centro Politécnico, PO Box 19031, Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil.
| | - Caroline Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Centro Politécnico, PO Box 19031, Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Juliane Centeno Müller
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Centro Politécnico, PO Box 19031, Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Jonas Golart da Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Centro Politécnico, PO Box 19031, Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil; Department of Chemistry and Biology, Federal University of Technology - Paraná, Cidade Industrial, Curitiba, PR, 81020-430, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Vergara
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Centro Politécnico, PO Box 19031, Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Noruê Salum
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Centro Politécnico, PO Box 19031, Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Maristany Sargaço
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Centro Politécnico, PO Box 19031, Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Rosângela Ribeiro de Carvalho
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21041-210, Brazil
| | | | - Cláudio Romero Farias Marinho
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 03178-200, Brazil
| | - Francisco José Roma Paumgartten
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Paulo Roberto Dalsenter
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Centro Politécnico, PO Box 19031, Curitiba, PR, 81531-980, Brazil
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28
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Sierro F, Grau GER. The Ins and Outs of Cerebral Malaria Pathogenesis: Immunopathology, Extracellular Vesicles, Immunometabolism, and Trained Immunity. Front Immunol 2019; 10:830. [PMID: 31057552 PMCID: PMC6478768 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Complications from malaria parasite infections still cost the lives of close to half a million people every year. The most severe is cerebral malaria (CM). Employing murine models of CM, autopsy results, in vitro experiments, neuroimaging and microscopic techniques, decades of research activity have investigated the development of CM immunopathology in the hope of identifying steps that could be therapeutically targeted. Yet important questions remain. This review summarizes recent findings, primarily mechanistic insights on the essential cellular and molecular players involved gained within the murine experimental cerebral malaria model. It also highlights recent developments in (a) cell-cell communication events mediated through extracellular vesicles (EVs), (b) mounting evidence for innate immune memory, leading to “trained“ increased or tolerised responses, and (c) modulation of immune cell function through metabolism, that could shed light on why some patients develop this life-threatening condition whilst many do not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic Sierro
- Vascular Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Human Health, Nuclear Science, Technology, and Landmark Infrastructure, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Georges E R Grau
- Vascular Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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29
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Updating the modified Thompson test by using whole-body bioluminescence imaging to replace traditional efficacy testing in experimental models of murine malaria. Malar J 2019; 18:38. [PMID: 30767768 PMCID: PMC6376706 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2661-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rodent malaria models are extensively used to predict treatment outcomes in human infections. There is a constant need to improve and refine these models by innovating ways to apply new scientific findings and cutting edge technologies. In addition, and in accordance with the three R's of animal use in research, in vivo studies should be constantly refined to avoid unnecessary pain and distress to the experimental animals by using preemptive euthanasia as soon as the main scientific study objective has been accomplished. METHODS The new methodology described in this manuscript uses the whole-body bioluminescence signal emitted by transgenic, luciferase-expressing Plasmodium berghei parasites to assess the parasite load predicted parasitaemia (PLPP) in drug and control treated female ICR-CD1 mice infected with 1 × 105 luciferase-expressing P. berghei (ANKA strain) infected erythrocytes. This methodology can replace other time-consuming and expensive methods that are routinely used to measure parasitaemia in infected animals, such as Giemsa-stained thin blood smears and flow cytometry. RESULTS There is a good correlation between whole-body bioluminescence signal and parasitaemia measured using Giemsa-stained thin blood smears and flow cytometry respectively in donor and study mice in the modified Thompson test. The algebraic formulas which represent these correlations can be successfully used to assess PLPP in donor and study mice. In addition, the new methodology can pinpoint sick animals 2-8 days before they would have been otherwise diagnosed based on behavioural or any other signs of malaria disease. CONCLUSIONS The new method for predicting parasitaemia in the modified Thompson test is simple, precise, objective, and minimizes false positive results that can lead to the premature removal of animals from study. Furthermore, from the animal welfare perspective of replace, reduce, and refine, this new method facilitates early removal of sick animals from study as soon as the study objective has been achieved, in many cases well before the clinical signs of disease are present.
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30
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Ramaprasad A, Subudhi AK, Culleton R, Pain A. A fast and cost-effective microsampling protocol incorporating reduced animal usage for time-series transcriptomics in rodent malaria parasites. Malar J 2019; 18:26. [PMID: 30683099 PMCID: PMC6347755 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2659-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transcriptional regulation that occurs in malaria parasites during the erythrocytic stages of infection can be studied in vivo with rodent malaria parasites propagated in mice. Time-series transcriptome profiling commonly involves the euthanasia of groups of mice at specific time points followed by the extraction of parasite RNA from whole blood samples. Current methodologies for parasite RNA extraction involve several steps and when multiple time points are profiled, these protocols are laborious, time-consuming, and require the euthanization of large cohorts of mice. RESULTS A simplified protocol has been designed for parasite RNA extraction from blood volumes as low as 20 μL (microsamples), serially bled from mice via tail snips and directly lysed with TRIzol reagent. Gene expression data derived from microsampling using RNA-seq were closely matched to those derived from larger volumes of leucocyte-depleted and saponin-treated blood obtained from euthanized mice with high reproducibility between biological replicates. Transcriptome profiling of microsamples taken at different time points during the intra-erythrocytic developmental cycle of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium vinckei revealed the transcriptional cascade commonly observed in malaria parasites. CONCLUSIONS Microsampling is a quick, robust and cost-efficient approach to sample collection for in vivo time-series transcriptomic studies in rodent malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinay Ramaprasad
- Pathogen Genomics Laboratory, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. .,Malaria Unit, Department of Pathology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan.
| | - Amit Kumar Subudhi
- Pathogen Genomics Laboratory, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Richard Culleton
- Malaria Unit, Department of Pathology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Arnab Pain
- Pathogen Genomics Laboratory, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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31
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Fonseca LL, Joyner CJ, Saney CL, Moreno A, Barnwell JW, Galinski MR, Voit EO. Analysis of erythrocyte dynamics in Rhesus macaque monkeys during infection with Plasmodium cynomolgi. Malar J 2018; 17:410. [PMID: 30400896 PMCID: PMC6219197 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2560-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria is a major mosquito transmitted, blood-borne parasitic disease that afflicts humans. The disease causes anaemia and other clinical complications, which can lead to death. Plasmodium vivax is known for its reticulocyte host cell specificity, but many gaps in disease details remain. Much less is known about the closely related species, Plasmodium cynomolgi, although it is naturally acquired and causes zoonotic malaria. Here, a computational model is developed based on longitudinal analyses of P. cynomolgi infections in nonhuman primates to investigate the erythrocyte dynamics that is pertinent to understanding both P. cynomolgi and P. vivax malaria in humans. METHODS A cohort of five P. cynomolgi infected Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) is studied, with individuals exhibiting a plethora of clinical outcomes, including varying levels of anaemia. A discrete recursive model with age structure is developed to replicate the dynamics of P. cynomolgi blood-stage infections. The model allows for parasitic reticulocyte preference and assumes an age preference among the mature RBCs. RBC senescence is modelled using a hazard function, according to which RBCs have a mean lifespan of 98 ± 21 days. RESULTS Based on in vivo data from three cohorts of macaques, the computational model is used to characterize the reticulocyte lifespan in circulation as 24 ± 5 h (n = 15) and the rate of RBC production as 2727 ± 209 cells/h/µL (n = 15). Analysis of the host responses reveals a pre-patency increase in the number of reticulocytes. It also allows the quantification of RBC removal through the bystander effect. CONCLUSIONS The evident pre-patency increase in reticulocytes is due to a shift towards the release of younger reticulocytes, which could result from a parasite-induced factor meant to increase reticulocyte availability and satisfy the parasite's tropism, which has an average value of 32:1 in this cohort. The number of RBCs lost due to the bystander effect relative to infection-induced RBC losses is 62% for P. cynomolgi infections, which is substantially lower than the value of 95% previously determined for another simian species, Plasmodium coatneyi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis L Fonseca
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332-2000, USA.
- Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center, Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| | - Chester J Joyner
- Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center, Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Celia L Saney
- Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center, Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Alberto Moreno
- Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center, Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - John W Barnwell
- Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center, Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Mary R Galinski
- Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center, Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Eberhard O Voit
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332-2000, USA
- Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center, Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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32
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Adaptation of the Plasmodium falciparum FCB strain for in vitro and in vivo analysis in squirrel monkeys ( Saimiri sciureus ). Parasitol Int 2018; 67:601-604. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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33
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Genetic analysis of cerebral malaria in the mouse model infected with Plasmodium berghei. Mamm Genome 2018; 29:488-506. [DOI: 10.1007/s00335-018-9752-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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34
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Protection from experimental cerebral malaria with a single intravenous or subcutaneous whole-parasite immunization. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3085. [PMID: 29449638 PMCID: PMC5814423 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21551-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria is a life-threatening complication of Plasmodia infection and a major cause of child mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. We report that protection from experimental cerebral malaria in the rodent model is obtained by a single intravenous or subcutaneous whole-parasite immunization. Whole-parasite immunization with radiation-attenuated sporozoites was equally protective as immunization with non-attenuated sporozoites under chemoprophylaxis. Both immunization regimens delayed the development of blood-stage parasites, but differences in cellular and humoral immune mechanisms were observed. Single-dose whole-parasite vaccination might serve as a relatively simple and feasible immunization approach to prevent life-threatening cerebral malaria.
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35
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J Joyner C, Consortium TM, Wood JS, Moreno A, Garcia A, Galinski MR. Case Report: Severe and Complicated Cynomolgi Malaria in a Rhesus Macaque Resulted in Similar Histopathological Changes as Those Seen in Human Malaria. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017; 97:548-555. [PMID: 28829738 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Histopathological data collected from patients with severe malaria have been instrumental for studying malaria pathogenesis. Animal models of malaria are critical to complement such studies. Here, the histopathological changes observed in a rhesus macaque with severe and complicated Plasmodium cynomolgi malaria are reported. The animal presented with thrombocytopenia, severe anemia, and hyperparasitemia during the acute infection. The macaque was given subcurative antimalarial treatment, fluid support, and a blood transfusion to treat the clinical complications, but at the time of transfusion, kidney function was compromised. These interventions did not restore kidney function, and the animal was euthanized due to irreversible renal failure. Gross pathological and histological examinations revealed that the lungs, kidneys, liver, spleen, and bone marrow exhibited abnormalities similar to those described in patients with malaria. Overall, this case report illustrates the similarities in the pathophysiological complications that can occur in human malaria and cynomolgi malaria in rhesus macaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chester J Joyner
- Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center, Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - The MaHPIC Consortium
- Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center, Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jennifer S Wood
- Division of Animal Resources, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Alberto Moreno
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center, Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Anapatricia Garcia
- Division of Pathology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mary R Galinski
- Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center, Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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36
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Anderson DC, Lapp SA, Barnwell JW, Galinski MR. A large scale Plasmodium vivax- Saimiri boliviensis trophozoite-schizont transition proteome. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182561. [PMID: 28829774 PMCID: PMC5567661 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is a complex protozoan parasite with over 6,500 genes and stage-specific differential expression. Much of the unique biology of this pathogen remains unknown, including how it modifies and restructures the host reticulocyte. Using a recently published P. vivax reference genome, we report the proteome from two biological replicates of infected Saimiri boliviensis host reticulocytes undergoing transition from the late trophozoite to early schizont stages. Using five database search engines, we identified a total of 2000 P. vivax and 3487 S. boliviensis proteins, making this the most comprehensive P. vivax proteome to date. PlasmoDB GO-term enrichment analysis of proteins identified at least twice by a search engine highlighted core metabolic processes and molecular functions such as glycolysis, translation and protein folding, cell components such as ribosomes, proteasomes and the Golgi apparatus, and a number of vesicle and trafficking related clusters. Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) v6.8 enriched functional annotation clusters of S. boliviensis proteins highlighted vesicle and trafficking-related clusters, elements of the cytoskeleton, oxidative processes and response to oxidative stress, macromolecular complexes such as the proteasome and ribosome, metabolism, translation, and cell death. Host and parasite proteins potentially involved in cell adhesion were also identified. Over 25% of the P. vivax proteins have no functional annotation; this group includes 45 VIR members of the large PIR family. A number of host and pathogen proteins contained highly oxidized or nitrated residues, extending prior trophozoite-enriched stage observations from S. boliviensis infections, and supporting the possibility of oxidative stress in relation to the disease. This proteome significantly expands the size and complexity of the known P. vivax and Saimiri host iRBC proteomes, and provides in-depth data that will be valuable for ongoing research on this parasite’s biology and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. C. Anderson
- Bioscience Division, SRI International, Harrisonburg, VA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Stacey A. Lapp
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - John W. Barnwell
- Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Mary R. Galinski
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
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Keita Alassane S, Nicolau-Travers ML, Menard S, Andreoletti O, Cambus JP, Gaudre N, Wlodarczyk M, Blanchard N, Berry A, Abbes S, Colongo D, Faye B, Augereau JM, Lacroux C, Iriart X, Benoit-Vical F. Young Sprague Dawley rats infected by Plasmodium berghei: A relevant experimental model to study cerebral malaria. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181300. [PMID: 28742109 PMCID: PMC5524346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is the most severe manifestation of human malaria yet is still poorly understood. Mouse models have been developed to address the subject. However, their relevance to mimic human pathogenesis is largely debated. Here we study an alternative cerebral malaria model with an experimental Plasmodium berghei Keyberg 173 (K173) infection in Sprague Dawley rats. As in Human, not all infected subjects showed cerebral malaria, with 45% of the rats exhibiting Experimental Cerebral Malaria (ECM) symptoms while the majority (55%) of the remaining rats developed severe anemia and hyperparasitemia (NoECM). These results allow, within the same population, a comparison of the noxious effects of the infection between ECM and severe malaria without ECM. Among the ECM rats, 77.8% died between day 5 and day 12 post-infection, while the remaining rats were spontaneously cured of neurological signs within 24-48 hours. The clinical ECM signs observed were paresis quickly evolving to limb paralysis, global paralysis associated with respiratory distress, and coma. The red blood cell (RBC) count remained normal but a drastic decrease of platelet count and an increase of white blood cell numbers were noted. ECM rats also showed a decrease of glucose and total CO2 levels and an increase of creatinine levels compared to control rats or rats with no ECM. Assessment of the blood-brain barrier revealed loss of integrity, and interestingly histopathological analysis highlighted cyto-adherence and sequestration of infected RBCs in brain vessels from ECM rats only. Overall, this ECM rat model showed numerous clinical and histopathological features similar to Human CM and appears to be a promising model to achieve further understanding the CM pathophysiology in Humans and to evaluate the activity of specific antimalarial drugs in avoiding/limiting cerebral damages from malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sokhna Keita Alassane
- CNRS, LCC (Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination), 205 route de Narbonne, Toulouse, France
- Université de Toulouse, UPS, INPT, Toulouse, France
- UFR Sciences de la Santé, Université Gaston Berger, St Louis, Sénégal
| | - Marie-Laure Nicolau-Travers
- CNRS, LCC (Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination), 205 route de Narbonne, Toulouse, France
- Université de Toulouse, UPS, INPT, Toulouse, France
| | - Sandie Menard
- CPTP (Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan), INSERM U1043, CNRS UMR5282, Université de Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Olivier Andreoletti
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225, Interactions Hôte Agent Pathogène, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 Chemin des Capelles, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Cambus
- Laboratoire Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Toulouse, France
| | - Noémie Gaudre
- CPTP (Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan), INSERM U1043, CNRS UMR5282, Université de Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Myriam Wlodarczyk
- CPTP (Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan), INSERM U1043, CNRS UMR5282, Université de Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Nicolas Blanchard
- CPTP (Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan), INSERM U1043, CNRS UMR5282, Université de Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Antoine Berry
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Toulouse, France
| | - Sarah Abbes
- CNRS, LCC (Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination), 205 route de Narbonne, Toulouse, France
- Université de Toulouse, UPS, INPT, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Babacar Faye
- UFR Sciences de la Santé, Université Gaston Berger, St Louis, Sénégal
| | - Jean-Michel Augereau
- CNRS, LCC (Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination), 205 route de Narbonne, Toulouse, France
- Université de Toulouse, UPS, INPT, Toulouse, France
| | - Caroline Lacroux
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225, Interactions Hôte Agent Pathogène, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 Chemin des Capelles, Toulouse, France
| | - Xavier Iriart
- CPTP (Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan), INSERM U1043, CNRS UMR5282, Université de Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Toulouse, France
| | - Françoise Benoit-Vical
- CNRS, LCC (Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination), 205 route de Narbonne, Toulouse, France
- Université de Toulouse, UPS, INPT, Toulouse, France
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Ehret T, Torelli F, Klotz C, Pedersen AB, Seeber F. Translational Rodent Models for Research on Parasitic Protozoa-A Review of Confounders and Possibilities. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017. [PMID: 28638807 PMCID: PMC5461347 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Rodents, in particular Mus musculus, have a long and invaluable history as models for human diseases in biomedical research, although their translational value has been challenged in a number of cases. We provide some examples in which rodents have been suboptimal as models for human biology and discuss confounders which influence experiments and may explain some of the misleading results. Infections of rodents with protozoan parasites are no exception in requiring close consideration upon model choice. We focus on the significant differences between inbred, outbred and wild animals, and the importance of factors such as microbiota, which are gaining attention as crucial variables in infection experiments. Frequently, mouse or rat models are chosen for convenience, e.g., availability in the institution rather than on an unbiased evaluation of whether they provide the answer to a given question. Apart from a general discussion on translational success or failure, we provide examples where infections with single-celled parasites in a chosen lab rodent gave contradictory or misleading results, and when possible discuss the reason for this. We present emerging alternatives to traditional rodent models, such as humanized mice and organoid primary cell cultures. So-called recombinant inbred strains such as the Collaborative Cross collection are also a potential solution for certain challenges. In addition, we emphasize the advantages of using wild rodents for certain immunological, ecological, and/or behavioral questions. The experimental challenges (e.g., availability of species-specific reagents) that come with the use of such non-model systems are also discussed. Our intention is to foster critical judgment of both traditional and newly available translational rodent models for research on parasitic protozoa that can complement the existing mouse and rat models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Totta Ehret
- FG16 - Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch InstituteBerlin, Germany.,Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinBerlin, Germany
| | - Francesca Torelli
- FG16 - Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch InstituteBerlin, Germany
| | - Christian Klotz
- FG16 - Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch InstituteBerlin, Germany
| | - Amy B Pedersen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of EdinburghEdinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Seeber
- FG16 - Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch InstituteBerlin, Germany
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IL-33 receptor ST2 regulates the cognitive impairments associated with experimental cerebral malaria. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006322. [PMID: 28448579 PMCID: PMC5407765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is associated with a high mortality rate and long-term neurocognitive impairment in survivors. The murine model of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA)-infection reproduces several of these features. We reported recently increased levels of IL-33 protein in brain undergoing ECM and the involvement of IL-33/ST2 pathway in ECM development. Here we show that PbA-infection induced early short term and spatial memory defects, prior to blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption, in wild-type mice, while ST2-deficient mice did not develop cognitive defects. PbA-induced neuroinflammation was reduced in ST2-deficient mice with low Ifng, Tnfa, Il1b, Il6, CXCL9, CXCL10 and Cd8a expression, associated with an absence of neurogenesis defects in hippocampus. PbA-infection triggered a dramatic increase of IL-33 expression by oligodendrocytes, through ST2 pathway. In vitro, IL-33/ST2 pathway induced microglia expression of IL-1β which in turn stimulated IL-33 expression by oligodendrocytes. These results highlight the IL-33/ST2 pathway ability to orchestrate microglia and oligodendrocytes responses at an early stage of PbA-infection, with an amplification loop between IL-1β and IL-33, responsible for an exacerbated neuroinflammation context and associated neurological and cognitive defects. The cerebral complication of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection, is associated with long-term neurological sequelae in survivors. The mechanisms involved in neurocognitive impairments during cerebral malaria development are still unknown. We reported recently the essential role of IL-33/ST2 pathway in experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) development. In this study we investigated the capacity of IL-33, highly expressed in oligodendrocytes, to promote ECM-associated neurological and cognitive damages. We found that IL-33/ST2 pathway through glial cells is involved in neurocognitive impairments, associated with exacerbated neuroinflammation, and altered neurogenesis. Interestingly, the implication of glial cells with a high level of IL-33 production in neurocognitive disorders, occurs at an early stage of ECM development, prior to blood brain barrier permeabilization. We propose the link between microglial IL-1β and oligodendrocytes IL-33 production in neurological symptoms associated with ECM.
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Sherrard-Smith E, Churcher TS, Upton LM, Sala KA, Zakutansky SE, Slater HC, Blagborough AM, Betancourt M. A novel model fitted to multiple life stages of malaria for assessing efficacy of transmission-blocking interventions. Malar J 2017; 16:137. [PMID: 28376897 PMCID: PMC5379616 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1782-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transmission-blocking interventions (TBIs) aim to eliminate malaria by reducing transmission of the parasite between the host and the invertebrate vector. TBIs include transmission-blocking drugs and vaccines that, when given to humans, are taken up by mosquitoes and inhibit parasitic development within the vector. Accurate methodologies are key to assess TBI efficacy to ensure that only the most potent candidates progress to expensive and time-consuming clinical trials. Measuring intervention efficacy can be problematic because there is substantial variation in the number of parasites in both the host and vector populations, which can impact transmission even in laboratory settings. Methods A statistically robust empirical method is introduced for estimating intervention efficacy from standardised population assay experiments. This method will be more reliable than simple summary statistics as it captures changes in parasite density in different life-stages. It also allows efficacy estimates at a finer resolution than previous methods enabling the impact of the intervention over successive generations to be tracked. A major advantage of the new methodology is that it makes no assumptions on the population dynamics of infection. This enables both host-to-vector and vector-to-host transmission to be density-dependent (or other) processes and generates easy-to-understand estimates of intervention efficacy. Results This method increases the precision of intervention efficacy estimates and demonstrates that relying on changes in infection prevalence (the proportion of infected hosts) alone may be insufficient to capture the impact of TBIs, which also suppress parasite density in secondarily infected hosts. Conclusions The method indicates that potentially useful, partially effective TBIs may require multiple infection cycles before substantial reductions in prevalence are observed, despite more rapidly suppressing parasite density. Accurate models to quantify efficacy will have important implications for understanding how TBI candidates might perform in field situations and how they should be evaluated in clinical trials. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-017-1782-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie Sherrard-Smith
- MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK.
| | - Thomas S Churcher
- MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Leanna M Upton
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Katarzyna A Sala
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Sara E Zakutansky
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Hannah C Slater
- MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Andrew M Blagborough
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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Strangward P, Haley MJ, Shaw TN, Schwartz JM, Greig R, Mironov A, de Souza JB, Cruickshank SM, Craig AG, Milner DA, Allan SM, Couper KN. A quantitative brain map of experimental cerebral malaria pathology. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006267. [PMID: 28273147 PMCID: PMC5358898 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The murine model of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) has been utilised extensively in recent years to study the pathogenesis of human cerebral malaria (HCM). However, it has been proposed that the aetiologies of ECM and HCM are distinct, and, consequently, no useful mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of HCM can be obtained from studying the ECM model. Therefore, in order to determine the similarities and differences in the pathology of ECM and HCM, we have performed the first spatial and quantitative histopathological assessment of the ECM syndrome. We demonstrate that the accumulation of parasitised red blood cells (pRBCs) in brain capillaries is a specific feature of ECM that is not observed during mild murine malaria infections. Critically, we show that individual pRBCs appear to occlude murine brain capillaries during ECM. As pRBC-mediated congestion of brain microvessels is a hallmark of HCM, this suggests that the impact of parasite accumulation on cerebral blood flow may ultimately be similar in mice and humans during ECM and HCM, respectively. Additionally, we demonstrate that cerebrovascular CD8+ T-cells appear to co-localise with accumulated pRBCs, an event that corresponds with development of widespread vascular leakage. As in HCM, we show that vascular leakage is not dependent on extensive vascular destruction. Instead, we show that vascular leakage is associated with alterations in transcellular and paracellular transport mechanisms. Finally, as in HCM, we observed axonal injury and demyelination in ECM adjacent to diverse vasculopathies. Collectively, our data therefore shows that, despite very different presentation, and apparently distinct mechanisms, of parasite accumulation, there appear to be a number of comparable features of cerebral pathology in mice and in humans during ECM and HCM, respectively. Thus, when used appropriately, the ECM model may be useful for studying specific pathological features of HCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Strangward
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Haley
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Tovah N. Shaw
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Marc Schwartz
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Greig
- Immunology Unit, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aleksandr Mironov
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - J. Brian de Souza
- Immunology Unit, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sheena M. Cruickshank
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alister G. Craig
- Department of Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Danny A. Milner
- Department of Pathology, The Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stuart M. Allan
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin N. Couper
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
The primate malaria Plasmodium knowlesi has a long-standing history as an experimental malaria model. Studies using this model parasite in combination with its various natural and experimental non-human primate hosts have led to important advances in vaccine development and in our understanding of malaria invasion, immunology and parasite-host interactions. The adaptation to long-term in vitro continuous blood stage culture in rhesus monkey, Macaca fascicularis and human red blood cells, as well as the development of various transfection methodologies has resulted in a highly versatile experimental malaria model, further increasing the potential of what was already a very powerful model. The growing evidence that P. knowlesi is an important human zoonosis in South-East Asia has added relevance to former and future studies of this parasite species.
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Steel RW, Kappe SH, Sack BK. An expanding toolkit for preclinical pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine development: bridging traditional mouse malaria models and human trials. Future Microbiol 2016; 11:1563-1579. [PMID: 27855488 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2016-0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a significant public health burden with 214 million new infections and over 400,000 deaths in 2015. Elucidating relevant Plasmodium parasite biology can lead to the identification of novel ways to control and ultimately eliminate the parasite within geographic areas. Particularly, the development of an effective vaccine that targets the clinically silent pre-erythrocytic stages of infection would significantly augment existing malaria elimination tools by preventing both the onset of blood-stage infection/disease as well as spread of the parasite through mosquito transmission. In this Perspective, we discuss the role of small animal models in pre-erythrocytic stage vaccine development, highlighting how human liver-chimeric and human immune system mice are emerging as valuable components of these efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Wj Steel
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Stefan Hi Kappe
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Brandon K Sack
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Formerly Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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The Aotus nancymaae erythrocyte proteome and its importance for biomedical research. J Proteomics 2016; 152:131-137. [PMID: 27989940 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2016.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Aotus nancymaae species has been of great importance in researching the biology and pathogenesis of malaria, particularly for studying Plasmodium molecules for including them in effective vaccines against such microorganism. In spite of the forgoing, there has been no report to date describing the biology of parasite target cells in primates or their biomedical importance. This study was thus designed to analyse A. nancymaae erythrocyte protein composition using MS data collected during a previous study aimed at characterising the Plasmodium vivax proteome and published in the pertinent literature. Most peptides identified were similar to those belonging to 1189 Homo sapiens molecules; >95% of them had orthologues in New World primates. GO terms revealed a correlation between categories having the greatest amount of proteins and vital cell function. Integral membrane molecules were also identified which could be possible receptors facilitating interaction with Plasmodium species. The A. nancymaae erythrocyte proteome is described here for the first time, as a starting point for more in-depth/extensive studies. The data reported represents a source of invaluable information for laboratories interested in carrying out basic and applied biomedical investigation studies which involve using this primate. SIGNIFICANCE An understanding of the proteomics characteristics of A. nancymaae erythrocytes represents a fascinating area for research regarding the study of the pathogenesis of malaria since these are the main target for Plasmodium invasion. However, and even though Aotus is one of the non-human primate models considered most appropriate for biomedical research, knowledge of its proteome, particularly its erythrocytes, remains unknown. According to the above and bearing in mind the lack of information about the A. nancymaae species genome and transcriptome, this study involved a search for primate proteins for comparing their MS/MS spectra with the available information for Homo sapiens. The great similarity found between the primate's molecules and those for humans supported the use of the monkeys or their cells for continuing assays involved in studying malaria. Integral membrane receptors used by Plasmodium for invading cells were also found; this required timely characterisation for evaluating their therapeutic role. The list of erythrocyte protein composition reported here represents a useful source of basic knowledge for advancing biomedical investigation in this field.
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Musyoka TM, Kanzi AM, Lobb KA, Bishop ÖT. Analysis of non-peptidic compounds as potential malarial inhibitors against Plasmodial cysteine proteases via integrated virtual screening workflow. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2016; 34:2084-101. [PMID: 26471975 PMCID: PMC5035544 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2015.1108231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Falcipain-2 (FP-2) and falcipain-3 (FP-3), haemoglobin-degrading enzymes in Plasmodium falciparum, are validated drug targets for the development of effective inhibitors against malaria. However, no commercial drug-targeting falcipains has been developed despite their central role in the life cycle of the parasites. In this work, in silico approaches are used to identify key structural elements that control the binding and selectivity of a diverse set of non-peptidic compounds onto FP-2, FP-3 and homologues from other Plasmodium species as well as human cathepsins. Hotspot residues and the underlying non-covalent interactions, important for the binding of ligands, are identified by interaction fingerprint analysis between the proteases and 2-cyanopyridine derivatives (best hits). It is observed that the size and chemical type of substituent groups within 2-cyanopyridine derivatives determine the strength of protein-ligand interactions. This research presents novel results that can further be exploited in the structure-based molecular-guided design of more potent antimalarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thommas M. Musyoka
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Aquillah M. Kanzi
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Kevin A. Lobb
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
- Department of Chemistry, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Özlem Tastan Bishop
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
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Venkatesh A, Patel SK, Ray S, Shastri J, Chatterjee G, Kochar SK, Patankar S, Srivastava S. Proteomics ofPlasmodium vivaxmalaria: new insights, progress and potential. Expert Rev Proteomics 2016; 13:771-82. [DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2016.1210515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Raphemot R, Posfai D, Derbyshire ER. Current therapies and future possibilities for drug development against liver-stage malaria. J Clin Invest 2016; 126:2013-20. [PMID: 27249674 DOI: 10.1172/jci82981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a global public health threat, with half of the world's population at risk. Despite numerous efforts in the past decade to develop new antimalarial drugs to surmount increasing resistance to common therapies, challenges remain in the expansion of the current antimalarial arsenal for the elimination of this disease. The requirement of prophylactic and radical cure activities for the next generation of antimalarial drugs demands that new research models be developed to support the investigation of the elusive liver stage of the malaria parasite. In this Review, we revisit current antimalarial therapies and discuss recent advances for in vitro and in vivo malaria research models of the liver stage and their importance in probing parasite biology and the discovery of novel drug candidates.
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Linking Murine and Human Plasmodium falciparum Challenge Models in a Translational Path for Antimalarial Drug Development. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:3669-75. [PMID: 27044554 PMCID: PMC4879391 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02883-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective progression of candidate antimalarials is dependent on optimal dosing in clinical studies, which is determined by a sound understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD). Recently, two important translational models for antimalarials have been developed: the NOD/SCID/IL2Rγ−/− (NSG) model, whereby mice are engrafted with noninfected and Plasmodium falciparum-infected human erythrocytes, and the induced blood-stage malaria (IBSM) model in human volunteers. The antimalarial mefloquine was used to directly measure the PK/PD in both models, which were compared to previously published trial data for malaria patients. The clinical part was a single-center, controlled study using a blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum challenge inoculum in volunteers to characterize the effectiveness of mefloquine against early malaria. The study was conducted in three cohorts (n = 8 each) using different doses of mefloquine. The characteristic delay in onset of action of about 24 h was seen in both NSG and IBSM systems. In vivo 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) were estimated at 2.0 μg/ml and 1.8 μg/ml in the NSG and IBSM models, respectively, aligning with 1.8 μg/ml reported previously for patients. In the IBSM model, the parasite reduction ratios were 157 and 195 for the 10- and 15-mg/kg doses, within the range of previously reported clinical data for patients but significantly lower than observed in the mouse model. Linking mouse and human challenge models to clinical trial data can accelerate the accrual of critical data on antimalarial drug activity. Such data can guide large clinical trials required for development of urgently needed novel antimalarial combinations. (This trial was registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry [http://anzctr.org.au] under registration number ACTRN12612000323820.)
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Ghosh S, Sengupta A, Sharma S, Sonawat HM. Early prediction of cerebral malaria by (1)H NMR based metabolomics. Malar J 2016; 15:198. [PMID: 27066781 PMCID: PMC4828763 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1256-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral malaria (CM) is a life-threatening disease, caused mainly by Plasmodium falciparum in humans. In adults only 1-2% of P. falciparum-infected hosts transit to the cerebral form of the disease while most exhibit non-cerebral malaria (NCM). The perturbed metabolic pathways of CM and NCM have been reported. Early marker(s) of CM is(are) not known and by the time a patient exhibits the pathological symptoms of CM, the disease has progressed. Murine CM, like the human disease, is difficult to assign to specific animals at early stage and hence the challenge to treat CM at pre-clinical stage of the disease. This is the first report of prediction of CM in mice using a novel strategy based on (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics. METHODS Mice were infected with malarial parasites, and serum was collected from all the animals (CM/NCM) before CM symptoms were apparent. The assignment of mice as NCM/CM at an early time point is based on their symptoms at days 8-9 post-infection (pi). The serum samples were subjected to (1)H NMR-based metabolomics. (1)H NMR spectra of the serum samples, collected at various time points (pi) in multiple sets of experiments, were subjected to multivariate analyses. RESULTS The results from orthogonal partial least square discriminant analyses (OPLS-DA) suggest that the animals with CM start to diverge out in metabolic profile and were distinct on day 4 pi, although by physical observation they were indistinguishable from the NCM. The metabolites that appeared to contribute to this distinction were serum lipids and lipoproteins, and 14-19% enhancement was observed in mice afflicted with CM. A cut-off of 14% change of total lipoproteins in serum predicts 54-71% CM in different experiments at day 4 pi. CONCLUSION This study clearly demonstrates the possibility of differentiating and identifying animals with CM at an early, pre-clinical stage. The strategy, based on metabolite profile of serum, tested with different batches of animals in both the sex and across different times of the year, is found to be robust. This is the first such study of pre-clinical prognosis of CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumita Ghosh
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 1-Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai, 400 005, India
| | - Arjun Sengupta
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 1-Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai, 400 005, India
| | - Shobhona Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 1-Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai, 400 005, India.
| | - Haripalsingh M Sonawat
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 1-Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai, 400 005, India.
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Bijker EM, Schats R, Visser LG, Sauerwein RW, Scholzen A. Ex vivo lymphocyte phenotyping during Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite immunization in humans. Parasite Immunol 2016; 37:590-8. [PMID: 26363409 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Immunization of malaria-naïve volunteers under chemoprophylaxis with Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites (CPS) efficiently and reproducibly induces sterile protection and thus constitutes an excellent model to study protective immune responses against malaria. Here, we performed the first longitudinal assessment of lymphocyte activation and differentiation kinetics during sporozoite immunization in 15 volunteers by ex vivo lymphocyte flow cytometry analysis. Both CD4 and CD8 T cells as well as γδT cells, NK cells and CD3+ CD56+ cells showed increased activation and proliferation following immunization. Transient induction of the transcription factor T-bet and the cytotoxic molecule granzyme B indicated a role of Th1 responses and cytotoxic T cells in CPS-induced immunity. The absolute number of γδT cells as well as the proportion of granzyme B-containing γδT cells showed a significant and sustained increase. Regulatory T-cell (Treg) proliferation was significantly higher after the second immunization in subjects subsequently not protected against challenge infection. These findings indicate an important role for γδT cells, Th1 and cytotoxic responses in whole sporozoite immunization with a possibly suppressive role of Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Bijker
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - R Schats
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - L G Visser
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A Scholzen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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