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Kuesap J, Suphakhonchuwong N, Rungsihirunrat K. Genetic polymorphisms of Plasmodium vivax ookinete (sexual stage) surface proteins (Pvs25 and Pvs28) from Thailand. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 118:105558. [PMID: 38244749 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is the most geographically widespread malaria parasite in human presently. The ookinete surface proteins of sexual stage of malaria parasites, Pvs25 and Pvs28, are candidates for the transmission blocking vaccine. The antigenic variation in population might be barrier for vaccine development. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of Pvs25 and Pvs28 in endemic areas of Thailand. P. vivax clinical isolates collected from Thai-neighboring border areas were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing method. Three and 14 amino acid substitutions were observed in 43 Pvs25 and 48 Pvs28 sequences, respectively. Three haplotypes in Pvs25 and 14 haplotypes with 5-7 GSGGE/D tandem repeats in Pvs28 were identified. The nucleotide diversity of pvs25 (π = 0.00059) had lower level than pvs28 (π = 0.00517). Tajima's D value for both pvs25 and pvs28 genes were negative while no significant difference was found (P > 0.10). Low genetic diversity was found in pvs25 and pvs28 genes in Thailand. The finding of the most frequent amino acid substitutions was consistent with global isolates. Therefore, the data could be helpful in developing of effective transmission blocking vaccine in malaria endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiraporn Kuesap
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
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Guled BA, Na-Bangchang K, Chaijaroenkul W. Exploring genetic polymorphisms among Plasmodium vivax isolates from the Thai-Myanmar borders using circumsporozoite protein (pvcsp) and ookinete surface protein (pvs25) encoding genes. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:91. [PMID: 38200222 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08104-x] [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: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax malaria cases remain high along the Thai-Myanmar and Thai-Cambodia borders. Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein (pvcsp) and Plasmodium vivax ookinete surface protein (pvs25) genes are promising molecular markers of the genetic diversity of P. vivax. This study investigated the genetic diversity of pvcsp and pvs25 in P. vivax isolates collected from the Thai-Myanmar border. The DNA samples were amplified, and the genotypes were analyzed by PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing. Pvcsp genotypes, VK210, VK247, and mixed types, were found in 203 (91.9%), 15 (6.8%), and 3 (1.3%) of the isolates, respectively. Twenty-four allelic variants were observed, of which a high prevalence of VK210E and VK247E were reported. Two pvcsp variants, VK210C and VK210M showed significantly higher parasite density (46,234 (1154-144,000) vs. 25,606 (1373-68,878), respectively). The genetic diversity of pvcsp along the Thai-Myanmar border during 2002-2015 showed dynamic changes with both positive and negative selection. The frequency and distribution of pvcsp pattern might be changed over time and might be other factors contributing to gene selection. Three amino acid substitutions of pvs25, i.e., E97Q, I130T, and Q131K, were investigated with frequencies of 10 (4.5%), 221 (100%), and 204 (92.3%) isolates, respectively. There was no association between parasite density and pvs25 polymorphisms. The frequency of pvs25 polymorphism was similar to that previously reported, with the absence of random mutation. In conclusion, the genetic variation of pvcsp was changed over times whereas the genetic diversity of pvs25 was limited; these variations would be helpful for further vaccine development against P. vivax malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashir Abdirahman Guled
- Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Klong Luang, 12120, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Kesara Na-Bangchang
- Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Klong Luang, 12120, Pathum Thani, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of Malaria and Cholangiocarcinoma, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Paholyothin Road, Klong Luang, 12120, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Wanna Chaijaroenkul
- Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Klong Luang, 12120, Pathum Thani, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of Malaria and Cholangiocarcinoma, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Paholyothin Road, Klong Luang, 12120, Pathum Thani, Thailand.
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Wang S, Tian P, Li S, Liu H, Guo X, Huang F. Genetic diversity of transmission-blocking vaccine candidate antigens Pvs25 and Pvs28 in Plasmodium vivax isolates from China. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:944. [PMID: 36527077 PMCID: PMC9755777 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07931-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) target the sexual stages of malaria parasites to reduce or interrupt the transmission cycle in human and mosquito populations. The genetic diversity of TBVs candidate antigens, Pvs25 and Pvs28, in Plasmodium vivax could provide evidence for the development of TBVs. METHODS Dry blood spots from P. vivax patients were collected from Dandong, Suining, Hainan, Nyingchi, Tengchong, and Yingjiang in China. The pvs25 and pvs28 genes were amplified and sequenced. The genetic diversity of pvs25 and pvs28 were analyzed using DNASTAR, MEGA6, and DnaSP 5.0 programs. RESULTS A total of 377 samples were collected, among which 324 and 272 samples were successfully amplified in the pvs25 and pvs28 genes, respectively. Eight haplotypes were identified in Pvs25, for which the predominant mutation was I130T with 100% prevalence. A variety of 22 haplotypes in Pvs28 were identified. The number of GSGGE/D repeats of Pvs28 was a range of 4-8, among which, high (7-8) and low (4-5) copy numbers of tandem repeats were found in haplotypes H2 and H17, respectively. The nucleotide diversity of pvs28 (π = 0.00305 ± 0.00061) was slightly higher than that of pvs25 (π = 0.00146 ± 0.00007), thus they were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The Tajima's D value of pvs25 was positive whereas pvs28 was negative, which indicated that both genes were affected by natural selection. CONCLUSION The genetic diversity of pvs25 and pvs28 genes in China was relatively limited, which provided valuable information for TBVs design and optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Wang
- grid.198530.60000 0000 8803 2373National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200025 China ,grid.508378.1Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai, 200025 China ,grid.508378.1NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200025 China ,grid.508378.1WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Peng Tian
- grid.464500.30000 0004 1758 1139Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Pu’er, 665000 China
| | - Shigang Li
- Yingjiang County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yingjiang, 679300 China
| | - Hui Liu
- grid.464500.30000 0004 1758 1139Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Pu’er, 665000 China
| | - Xiangrui Guo
- Yingjiang County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yingjiang, 679300 China
| | - Fang Huang
- grid.430328.eShanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200336 China
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Asali S, Raz A, Turki H, Mafakher L, Razmjou E, Solaymani-Mohammadi S. Restricted genetic heterogeneity of the Plasmodium vivax transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) candidate Pvs48/45 in a low transmission setting: Implications for the Plasmodium vivax malaria vaccine development. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 89:104710. [PMID: 33421653 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread malaria species parasitizing humans outside Africa, with approximately 100 million cases reported per year. Most human cases of P. vivax are asymptomatic with low parasitemia, making active case detection-based elimination programme challenging and less effective. Despite the widespread distribution of P. vivax, no effective vaccines are currently available. Transmission blocking vaccines have recently emerged as potential vaccine candidates to reduce transmission rates to below the essential levels required for the maintenance of the parasite life cycle. Here, we demonstrated that P. vivax was the predominant species found in a malaria-endemic area, although P. vivax/P. falciparum co-infections were also common. Through genomic sequence analysis and neighbor-joining algorithms, we demonstrated limited genetic heterogeneity in the P. vivax transmission-blocking vaccine candidate Pvs48/45 among clinical isolates of P. vivax. Restricted genetic polymorphism occurred at both nucleotide and amino acid levels. The most frequent mutation was A → G at nucleotide position 77 (46.7%), whereas the least frequent was C → T at nucleotide position 1230 (3.3%). The occurrence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distribution at 6/8 positions (75%) led to changes in amino acid sequences in the Pvs48/45 loci, whereas 2/8 (25%) of SNPs resulted in no amino acid sequence variations. Consistently, the nucleotide diversity in the Pvs48/45 locus among the P. vivax population studied was extremely low (π = 0.000525). Changes in amino acid sequences in the Pvs48/45 protein did not result in substantial conformational modifications in the tertiary structures of these proteins. Unveiling the population genetic structure and genetic heterogeneity of vaccine target antigens are necessary for rational design of transmission-blocking antibody vaccines and to monitor the vaccine efficacy in clinical trials in endemic areas for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Asali
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbasali Raz
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Habibollah Turki
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Ladan Mafakher
- Medicinal Plant Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Elham Razmjou
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Microbial Biotechnology Research Center (MBiRC), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Shahram Solaymani-Mohammadi
- Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, United States.
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Lê HG, Kang JM, Jun H, Lee J, Moe M, Thái TL, Lin K, Myint MK, Yoo WG, Sohn WM, Kim TS, Na BK. Genetic diversity and natural selection of transmission-blocking vaccine candidate antigens Pvs25 and Pvs28 in Plasmodium vivax Myanmar isolates. Acta Trop 2019; 198:105104. [PMID: 31336059 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) target the sexual stages of malarial parasites to interrupt or reduce the transmission cycle have been one of approaches to control malaria. Pvs25 and Pvs28 are the leading candidate antigens of TBVs against vivax malaria. In this study, genetic diversity and natural selection of the two TBV candidate genes in Plasmodium vivax Myanmar isolates were analyzed. The 62 Myanmar P. vivax isolates showed 9 and 19 different haplotypes for Pvs25 and Pvs28, respectively. The nucleotide diversity of Pvs28 was slightly higher than Pvs25, but not significant. Most amino acid substitutions observed in Myanmar Pvs25 and Pvs28 were concentrated at the EGF-2 and EGF-3 like domains. Major amino acid changes found in Myanmar Pvs25 and Pvs28 were similar to those reported in the global population, but novel amino acid substitutions were also identified. Negative selection was predicted in Myanmar Pvs25, whereas Pvs28 was under positive selection. Comparative analysis of global Pvs25 and Pvs28 suggests a substantial geographical difference between the Asian and American/African Pvs25 and Pvs28. The geographical genetic differentiation and the evidence for natural selection in global Pvs25 and Pvs28 suggest that the functional consequences of the observed polymorphism need to be considered for the development of effective TBVs based on the antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hương Giang Lê
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea; BK21Plus Team for Anti-aging Biotechnology and Industry, Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jung-Mi Kang
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea; BK21Plus Team for Anti-aging Biotechnology and Industry, Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hojong Jun
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jinyoung Lee
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea.
| | - Mya Moe
- Department of Medical Research Pyin Oo Lwin Branch, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar.
| | - Thị Lam Thái
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea; BK21Plus Team for Anti-aging Biotechnology and Industry, Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea.
| | - Khin Lin
- Department of Medical Research Pyin Oo Lwin Branch, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar.
| | - Moe Kyaw Myint
- Department of Medical Research Pyin Oo Lwin Branch, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar.
| | - Won Gi Yoo
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
| | - Woon-Mok Sohn
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea.
| | - Tong-Soo Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byoung-Kuk Na
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea; BK21Plus Team for Anti-aging Biotechnology and Industry, Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea.
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Kaur H, Sehgal R, Kumar A, Sehgal A, Bharti PK, Bansal D, Mohapatra PK, Mahanta J, Sultan AA. Exploration of genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein (Pvcsp) and Plasmodium vivax sexual stage antigen (Pvs25) among North Indian isolates. Malar J 2019; 18:308. [PMID: 31492135 PMCID: PMC6731556 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2939-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria is one of the important vector-borne diseases with high fatality rates in tropical countries. The pattern of emergence and spread of novel antigenic variants, leading to escape of vaccine-induced immunity might be factors responsible for severe malaria. A high level of polymorphism has been reported among malarial antigens which are under selection pressure imposed by host immunity. There are limited reports available on comparative stage-specific genetic diversity among Plasmodium vivax candidate genes in complicated vivax malaria. The present study was planned to study genetic diversity (Pvcsp and Pvs25) among complicated and uncomplicated P. vivax isolates. METHODS Pvcsp and Pvs2-specific PCRs and DNA sequencing were performed on P. vivax PCR positive samples. Genetic diversity was analysed using appropriate software. RESULTS The present study was carried out on 143 P. vivax clinical isolates, collected from Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh. Among the classic and variant types of Pvcsp, the VK210 (99%; 115/116) was found to be predominant in both complicated and uncomplicated group isolates. Out of the various peptide repeat motifs (PRMs) observed, GDRADGQPA (PRM1) and GDRAAGQPA (PRM2) was the most widely distributed among the P. vivax isolates. Whereas among the Pvs25 isolates, 100% of double mutants (E97Q/I130T) in both the complicated (45/45) as well as in the uncomplicated (81/81) group was observed. CONCLUSION An analysis of genetic variability enables an understanding of the role of genetic variants in severe vivax malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hargobinder Kaur
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | - Rakesh Sehgal
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
| | - Archit Kumar
- Department of Virology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Alka Sehgal
- Department of Obstt. & Gynae, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
| | - Praveen K Bharti
- National Institute for Research in Tribal Health, Indian Council of Medical Research, Nagpur Road, Garha, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Devendra Bansal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha, Qatar.,Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - Pradyumna K Mohapatra
- Regional Medical Research Centre, NE, Indian Council of Medical Research, Post Box no.105, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Jagadish Mahanta
- Regional Medical Research Centre, NE, Indian Council of Medical Research, Post Box no.105, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Ali A Sultan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha, Qatar
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Lempereur L, Larcombe SD, Durrani Z, Karagenc T, Bilgic HB, Bakirci S, Hacilarlioglu S, Kinnaird J, Thompson J, Weir W, Shiels B. Identification of candidate transmission-blocking antigen genes in Theileria annulata and related vector-borne apicomplexan parasites. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:438. [PMID: 28583072 PMCID: PMC5460460 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3788-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Vector-borne apicomplexan parasites are a major cause of mortality and morbidity to humans and livestock globally. The most important disease syndromes caused by these parasites are malaria, babesiosis and theileriosis. Strategies for control often target parasite stages in the mammalian host that cause disease, but this can result in reservoir infections that promote pathogen transmission and generate economic loss. Optimal control strategies should protect against clinical disease, block transmission and be applicable across related genera of parasites. We have used bioinformatics and transcriptomics to screen for transmission-blocking candidate antigens in the tick-borne apicomplexan parasite, Theileria annulata. Results A number of candidate antigen genes were identified which encoded amino acid domains that are conserved across vector-borne Apicomplexa (Babesia, Plasmodium and Theileria), including the Pfs48/45 6-cys domain and a novel cysteine-rich domain. Expression profiling confirmed that selected candidate genes are expressed by life cycle stages within infected ticks. Additionally, putative B cell epitopes were identified in the T. annulata gene sequences encoding the 6-cys and cysteine rich domains, in a gene encoding a putative papain-family cysteine peptidase, with similarity to the Plasmodium SERA family, and the gene encoding the T. annulata major merozoite/piroplasm surface antigen, Tams1. Conclusions Candidate genes were identified that encode proteins with similarity to known transmission blocking candidates in related parasites, while one is a novel candidate conserved across vector-borne apicomplexans and has a potential role in the sexual phase of the life cycle. The results indicate that a ‘One Health’ approach could be utilised to develop a transmission-blocking strategy effective against vector-borne apicomplexan parasites of animals and humans. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-017-3788-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Lempereur
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland, UK.,Present address: Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Stephen D Larcombe
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland, UK
| | - Zeeshan Durrani
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland, UK.,Present address: School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE,, UK
| | - Tulin Karagenc
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Adnan Menderes University, Batı Kampus, Işıklı, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Huseyin Bilgin Bilgic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Adnan Menderes University, Batı Kampus, Işıklı, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Serkan Bakirci
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Adnan Menderes University, Batı Kampus, Işıklı, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Selin Hacilarlioglu
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Adnan Menderes University, Batı Kampus, Işıklı, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Jane Kinnaird
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland, UK
| | - Joanne Thompson
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - William Weir
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland, UK
| | - Brian Shiels
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland, UK.
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Chaurio RA, Pacheco MA, Cornejo OE, Durrego E, Stanley CE, Castillo AI, Herrera S, Escalante AA. Evolution of the Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Candidates Pvs28 and Pvs25 in Plasmodium vivax: Geographic Differentiation and Evidence of Positive Selection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004786. [PMID: 27347876 PMCID: PMC4922550 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission-blocking (TB) vaccines are considered an important tool for malaria control and elimination. Among all the antigens characterized as TB vaccines against Plasmodium vivax, the ookinete surface proteins Pvs28 and Pvs25 are leading candidates. These proteins likely originated by a gene duplication event that took place before the radiation of the known Plasmodium species to primates. We report an evolutionary genetic analysis of a worldwide sample of pvs28 and pvs25 alleles. Our results show that both genes display low levels of genetic polymorphism when compared to the merozoite surface antigens AMA-1 and MSP-1; however, both ookinete antigens can be as polymorphic as other merozoite antigens such as MSP-8 and MSP-10. We found that parasite populations in Asia and the Americas are geographically differentiated with comparable levels of genetic diversity and specific amino acid replacements found only in the Americas. Furthermore, the observed variation was mainly accumulated in the EGF2- and EGF3-like domains for P. vivax in both proteins. This pattern was shared by other closely related non-human primate parasites such as Plasmodium cynomolgi, suggesting that it could be functionally important. In addition, examination with a suite of evolutionary genetic analyses indicated that the observed patterns are consistent with positive natural selection acting on Pvs28 and Pvs25 polymorphisms. The geographic pattern of genetic differentiation and the evidence for positive selection strongly suggest that the functional consequences of the observed polymorphism should be evaluated during development of TBVs that include Pvs25 and Pvs28. Plasmodium vivax is the most prevalent human malarial parasite outside Africa. The fact that patients can relapse due to the parasite dormant liver stages, among other biologic and epidemiologic characteristics of vivax malaria, facilitates the persistence of the disease in many endemic areas. These challenges have fueled the search for new control tools, including transmission blocking (TB) vaccines targeting the parasite sexual stages. Here we study the genetic diversity of two major TB vaccine antigens, Pvs25 and Pvs28. We show that these genes are relatively conserved worldwide but still harbor diversity that is not evenly distributed across the genes. These patterns are shared by the same proteins in closely related parasite species suggesting their functional importance. We also identify strong geographic differentiation between the circulating variants found in Asia and the Americas. Finally, evolutionary genetic analyses indicate that the observed variation in both genes could be maintained by natural selection. Thus, these polymorphisms may confer an adaptive advantage to the parasite. These results indicate that the genetic variation found in these genes and their geographic distribution should be considered by vaccine developers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A Chaurio
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - M Andreína Pacheco
- Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Omar E Cornejo
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Ester Durrego
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Craig E Stanley
- Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Andreína I Castillo
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | | | - Ananias A Escalante
- Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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9
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Mehrizi AA, Dodangeh F, Zakeri S, Djadid ND. Worldwide population genetic analysis and natural selection in the Plasmodium vivax Generative Cell Specific 1 (PvGCS1) as a transmission-blocking vaccine candidate. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 43:50-7. [PMID: 27180894 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
GENERATIVE CELL SPECIFIC 1 (GCS1) is one of the Transmission Blocking Vaccine (TBV) candidate antigens, which is expressed on the surface of male gametocytes and gametes of Plasmodium species. Since antigenic diversity could inhibit the successful development of a malaria vaccine, it is crucial to determine the diversity of gcs1 gene in global malaria-endemic areas. Therefore, gene diversity and selection of gcs1 gene were analyzed in Iranian Plasmodium vivax isolates (n=52) and compared with the corresponding sequences from worldwide clinical P. vivax isolates available in PlasmoDB database. Totally 12 SNPs were detected in the pvgcs1 sequences as compared to Sal-1 sequence. Five out of 12 SNPs including three synonymous (T797C, G1559A, and G1667T) and two amino acid replacements (Y133S and Q634P) were detected in Iranian pvgcs1 sequences. According to four amino acid replacements (Y133S, N575S, Q634P and D637N) observed in all world PvGCS1 sequences, totally 5 PvGCS1 haplotypes were detected in the world, that three of them observed in Iranian isolates including the PvGCS-A (133S/634Q, 92.3%), PvGCS-B (133Y/634Q, 5.8%), and PvGCS-C (133S/634P, 1.9%). The overall nucleotide diversity (π) for all 52 sequences of Iranian pvgcs1 gene was 0.00018±0.00006, and the value of dN-dS (-0.00031) were negative, however, it was not statistically significant. In comparison with global isolates, Iranian and PNG pvgcs1 sequences had the lowest nucleotide and haplotype diversity, while the highest nucleotide and haplotype diversity was observed in China population. Moreover, epitope prediction in this antigen showed that all B-cell epitopes were located in conserved regions. However, Q634P (in one Iranian isolate) and D637N (observed in Thailand, China, Vietnam and North Korea) mutations are involved in predicted IURs. The obtained results in this study could be used in development of PvGCS1 based malaria vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akram Abouie Mehrizi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fatemeh Dodangeh
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Tehran Medical Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Zakeri
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Dinparast Djadid
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
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Vallejo AF, Martinez NL, Tobon A, Alger J, Lacerda MV, Kajava AV, Arévalo-Herrera M, Herrera S. Global genetic diversity of the Plasmodium vivax transmission-blocking vaccine candidate Pvs48/45. Malar J 2016; 15:202. [PMID: 27067024 PMCID: PMC4828788 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1263-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium vivax 48/45 protein is expressed on the surface of gametocytes/gametes and plays a key role in gamete fusion during fertilization. This protein was recently expressed in Escherichia coli host as a recombinant product that was highly immunogenic in mice and monkeys and induced antibodies with high transmission-blocking activity, suggesting its potential as a P. vivax transmission-blocking vaccine candidate. To determine sequence polymorphism of natural parasite isolates and its potential influence on the protein structure, all pvs48/45 sequences reported in databases from around the world as well as those from low-transmission settings of Latin America were compared. Methods Plasmodium vivax parasite isolates from malaria-endemic regions of Colombia, Brazil and Honduras (n = 60) were used to sequence the Pvs48/45 gene, and compared to those previously reported to GenBank and PlasmoDB (n = 222). Pvs48/45 gene haplotypes were analysed to determine the functional significance of genetic variation in protein structure and vaccine potential. Results Nine non-synonymous substitutions (E35K, Y196H, H211N, K250N, D335Y, E353Q, A376T, K390T, K418R) and three synonymous substitutions (I73, T149, C156) that define seven different haplotypes were found among the 282 isolates from nine countries when compared with the Sal I reference sequence. Nucleotide diversity (π) was 0.00173 for worldwide samples (range 0.00033–0.00216), resulting in relatively high diversity in Myanmar and Colombia, and low diversity in Mexico, Peru and South Korea. The two most frequent substitutions (E353Q: 41.9 %, K250N: 39.5 %) were predicted to be located in antigenic regions without affecting putative B cell epitopes or the tertiary protein structure. Conclusions There is limited sequence polymorphism in pvs48/45 with noted geographical clustering among Asian and American isolates. The low genetic diversity of the protein does not influence the predicted antigenicity or protein structure and, therefore, supports its further development as transmission-blocking vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jackeline Alger
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Hospital Escuela Universitario, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | - Marcus V Lacerda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Andrey V Kajava
- Centre de Recherches Biochimie Macromoléculaire (CRBM), Institut de Biologie Computationnelle (IBC), CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Institute of Bioengineering, University ITMO, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Myriam Arévalo-Herrera
- Caucaseco Scientific Research Center, Cali, Colombia.,School of Health, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
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Gunawardena S, Karunaweera ND. Advances in genetics and genomics: use and limitations in achieving malaria elimination goals. Pathog Glob Health 2016; 109:123-41. [PMID: 25943157 DOI: 10.1179/2047773215y.0000000015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Success of the global research agenda towards eradication of malaria will depend on the development of new tools, including drugs, vaccines, insecticides and diagnostics. Genetic and genomic information now available for the malaria parasites, their mosquito vectors and human host, can be harnessed to both develop these tools and monitor their effectiveness. Here we review and provide specific examples of current technological advances and how these genetic and genomic tools have increased our knowledge of host, parasite and vector biology in relation to malaria elimination and in turn enhanced the potential to reach that goal. We then discuss limitations of these tools and future prospects for the successful achievement of global malaria elimination goals.
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12
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Feng H, Gupta B, Wang M, Zheng W, Zheng L, Zhu X, Yang Y, Fang Q, Luo E, Fan Q, Tsuboi T, Cao Y, Cui L. Genetic diversity of transmission-blocking vaccine candidate Pvs48/45 in Plasmodium vivax populations in China. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:615. [PMID: 26627683 PMCID: PMC4665908 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1232-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The male gamete fertilization factor P48/45 in malaria parasites is a prime transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) candidate. Efforts to develop antimalarial vaccines are often thwarted by genetic diversity of the target antigens. Here we evaluated the genetic diversity of Pvs48/45 gene in global Plasmodium vivax populations. Methods We determined 200 Pvs48/45 sequences collected from temperate and subtropical parasite populations in China. Population genetic and evolutionary analyses were performed to determine the levels of genetic diversity, potential signature of selection, and population differentiation. Results Analysis of the Pvs48/45 sequences from 200 P. vivax parasites collected in a temperate and a tropical region revealed a low level of genetic diversity (π = 0.0012) with 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms, of which 11 were nonsynonymous. Analysis of 344 Pvs48/45 sequences from nine worldwide P. vivax populations detected a total of 38 haplotypes, of which 13 haplotypes were present only once. Multiple tests for selection confirmed a signature of positive selection on Pvs48/45 with selection skewed to the second cysteine domain. Haplotype network analysis and Wright’s fixation index showed large geographical differentiation with the presence of continent-or region-specific mutations in this gene. Conclusions Pvs48/45 displays low levels of genetic diversity with the presence of region-specific mutations. Some of the mutations may be potential epitope targets based on their positions in the predicted structure, highlighting the need for future evaluation of these mutations in designing Pvs48/45-based TBV. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1232-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Feng
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Bhavna Gupta
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Meilian Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Wenqi Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Li Zheng
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Xiaotong Zhu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Yimei Yang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dali Medical College, Dali, Yunnan, China.
| | - Qiang Fang
- Department of Parasitology, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui, China.
| | - Enjie Luo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Qi Fan
- Dalian Institute of Biotechnology, Dalian, Liaoning, China.
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Cell-free Science and Technology Research Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8577, Japan.
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China. .,Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
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Tachibana M, Suwanabun N, Kaneko O, Iriko H, Otsuki H, Sattabongkot J, Kaneko A, Herrera S, Torii M, Tsuboi T. Plasmodium vivax gametocyte proteins, Pvs48/45 and Pvs47, induce transmission-reducing antibodies by DNA immunization. Vaccine 2015; 33:1901-8. [PMID: 25765968 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV) aim to interfere with the development of the malaria parasite in the mosquito vector, and thus prevent spread of transmission in a community. To date three TBV candidates have been identified in Plasmodium vivax; namely, the gametocyte/gamete protein Pvs230, and the ookinete surface proteins Pvs25 and Pvs28. The Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte/gamete stage proteins Pfs48/45 and Pfs47 have been studied as TBV candidates, and Pfs48/45 shown to induce transmission-blocking antibodies, but the candidacy of their orthologs in P. vivax, Pvs48/45 (PVX_083235) and Pvs47 (PVX_083240), for vivax TBV have not been tested. Herein we investigated whether targeting Pvs48/45 and Pvs47 can inhibit parasite transmission to mosquitoes, using P. vivax isolates obtained in Thailand. Mouse antisera directed against the products from plasmids expressing Pvs48/45 and Pvs47 detected proteins of approximately 45- and 40-kDa, respectively, in the P. vivax gametocyte lysate, by Western blot analysis under non-reducing conditions. In immunofluorescence assays Pvs48/45 was detected predominantly on the surface and Pvs47 was detected in the cytoplasm of gametocytes. Membrane feeding transmission assays demonstrated that anti-Pvs48/45 and -Pvs47 mouse sera significantly reduced the number of P. vivax oocysts developing in the mosquito midgut. Limited amino acid polymorphism of these proteins was observed among 27 P. vivax isolates obtained from Thailand, Vanuatu, and Colombia; suggesting that polymorphism may not be an impediment for the utilization of Pvs48/45 and Pvs47 as TBV antigens. In one Thai isolate we found that the fourth cysteine residue in the Pvs47 cysteine-rich domain (CRD) III (amino acid position 337) is substituted to phenylalanine. However, antibodies targeting Pvs47 CRDI-III showed a significant transmission-reducing activity against this isolate, suggesting that this substitution in Pvs47 was not critical for recognition by the generated antibodies. In conclusion, our results indicate that Pvs48/45 and Pvs47 are potential transmission-blocking vaccine candidates of P. vivax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Tachibana
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan
| | - Nantavadee Suwanabun
- Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Osamu Kaneko
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Iriko
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe 654-0142, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Otsuki
- Division of Medical Zoology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Akira Kaneko
- Department of Parasitology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 545-8585, Japan; Island Malaria Group, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Socrates Herrera
- Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali AA 25574, Colombia
| | - Motomi Torii
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
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