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McLean FE, Azasi Y, Sutherland C, Toboh E, Ansong D, Agbenyega T, Awandare G, Rowe JA. Detection of naturally acquired, strain-transcending antibodies against rosetting Plasmodium falciparum strains in humans. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0001524. [PMID: 38842304 PMCID: PMC11238554 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00015-24] [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: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Strain-transcending antibodies against virulence-associated subsets of P. falciparum-infected erythrocyte surface antigens could protect children from severe malaria. However, the evidence supporting the existence of such antibodies is incomplete and inconsistent. One subset of surface antigens associated with severe malaria, rosette-mediating Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein one (PfEMP1) variants, cause infected erythrocytes to bind to uninfected erythrocytes to form clusters of cells (rosettes) that contribute to microvascular obstruction and pathology. Here, we tested plasma from 80 individuals living in malaria-endemic regions for IgG recognition of the surface of four P. falciparum rosetting strains using flow cytometry. Broadly reactive plasma samples were then used in antibody elution experiments in which intact IgG was eluted from the surface of infected erythrocytes and transferred to heterologous rosetting strains to look for strain-transcending antibodies. We found that seroprevalence (percentage of positive plasma samples) against allopatric rosetting strains was high in adults (63%-93%) but lower in children (13%-48%). Strain-transcending antibodies were present in nine out of eleven eluted antibody experiments, with six of these recognizing multiple heterologous rosetting parasite strains. One eluate had rosette-disrupting activity against heterologous strains, suggesting PfEMP1 as the likely target of the strain-transcending antibodies. Naturally acquired strain-transcending antibodies to rosetting P. falciparum strains in humans have not been directly demonstrated previously. Their existence suggests that such antibodies could play a role in clinical protection and raises the possibility that conserved epitopes recognized by strain-transcending antibodies could be targeted therapeutically by monoclonal antibodies or vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence E. McLean
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Yvonne Azasi
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Cameron Sutherland
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Daniel Ansong
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, School of Medical Sciences, Kumasi, Ghana
- Departments of Child Health and Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Malaria Research Centre, Agogo, Ghana
| | - Tsiri Agbenyega
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, School of Medical Sciences, Kumasi, Ghana
- Departments of Child Health and Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Malaria Research Centre, Agogo, Ghana
| | - Gordon Awandare
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - J. Alexandra Rowe
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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2
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Larsen MD, Quintana MDP, Ditlev SB, Bayarri-Olmos R, Ofori MF, Hviid L, Garred P. Evasion of Classical Complement Pathway Activation on Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Erythrocytes Opsonized by PfEMP1-Specific IgG. Front Immunol 2019; 9:3088. [PMID: 30666256 PMCID: PMC6330326 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the PfEMP1 protein family are expressed on the surface of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IEs), where they contribute to the pathogenesis of malaria and are important targets of acquired immunity. Although the PfEMP1-specific antibody response is dominated by the opsonizing and complement-fixing subclasses IgG1 and IgG3, activation of the classical complement pathway by antibody-opsonized IEs does not appear to be a major immune effector mechanism. To study the molecular background for this, we used ELISA and flow cytometry to assess activation of the classical component pathway by recombinant and native PfEMP1 antigen opsonized by polyclonal and monoclonal PfEMP1-specific human IgG. Polyclonal IgG specific for VAR2CSA-type PfEMP1 purified from a pool of human immune plasma efficiently activated the classical complement pathway when bound to recombinant PfEMP1 in ELISA. In contrast, no activation of complement could be detected by flow cytometry when the same IgG preparation was used to opsonize IEs expressing the corresponding native PfEMP1 antigen. After engineering of a VAR2CSA-specific monoclonal antibody to facilitate its on-target hexamerization, complement activation was detectable in an ELISA optimized for uniform orientation of the immobilized antigen. In contrast, the antibody remained unable to activate complement when bound to native VAR2CSA on IEs. Our data suggest that the display of PfEMP1 proteins on IEs is optimized to prevent activation of the classical complement pathway, and thus represents a hitherto unappreciated parasite strategy to evade acquired immunity to malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mads Delbo Larsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Del Pilar Quintana
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sisse Bolm Ditlev
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rafael Bayarri-Olmos
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Fokuo Ofori
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Lars Hviid
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Garred
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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3
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Saavedra-Langer R, Marapara J, Valle-Campos A, Durand S, Vásquez-Chasnamote ME, Silva H, Pinedo-Cancino V. IgG subclass responses to excreted-secreted antigens of Plasmodium falciparum in a low-transmission malaria area of the Peruvian Amazon. Malar J 2018; 17:328. [PMID: 30200987 PMCID: PMC6131892 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2471-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria in Peru is concentrated in the Amazon region, especially in Loreto, and transmission is focused in rural and peri-urban communities. The government has approved a malaria elimination plan with a community approach and seeks to reduce the risk of transmission through preventive interventions, but asymptomatic and low-parasite-density infections are challenges for disease control and elimination. IgG antibodies play a critical role in combating infection through their ability to reduce parasitaemia and clinical symptoms. In particular, IgG subclasses have important roles in controlling malaria disease and may provide new insight into the development of malaria control strategies and understanding of malaria transmission. Through the use of excreted-secreted antigens from Plasmodium falciparum, were evaluated the responses of the four IgG subclasses in symptomatic and asymptomatic malarial infections. Results Higher levels of whole IgG were observed in asymptomatic carriers (P < 0.05). IgG3 and IgG1 were the most prevalent subclasses and did not show differences in their antibody levels in either type of carrier. All symptomatic carriers were positive for IgG4, and the presence of IgG3 and IgG2 were correlated with protection against parasitaemia. IgG2 showed lower prevalence and antibody titers in comparison to other subclasses. Conclusions This is the first study that characterizes the IgG subclass response in the Peruvian Amazon, and these results show that even in populations from regions with low malaria transmission, a certain degree of naturally acquired immunity can develop when the right antibody subclasses are produced. This provides important insight into the potential mechanisms regulating protective immunity. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-018-2471-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Saavedra-Langer
- Fundación para el Desarrollo Sostenible de la Amazonía Baja del Perú, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú.,Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía Peruana, Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales de la Amazonía, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
| | - Jorge Marapara
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía Peruana, Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales de la Amazonía, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
| | - Andree Valle-Campos
- Fundación para el Desarrollo Sostenible de la Amazonía Baja del Perú, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
| | - Salomón Durand
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales "Maxime Kuczynski", Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Perú
| | - Maria E Vásquez-Chasnamote
- Fundación para el Desarrollo Sostenible de la Amazonía Baja del Perú, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú.,Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía Peruana, Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales de la Amazonía, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
| | - Hermann Silva
- Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú
| | - Viviana Pinedo-Cancino
- Fundación para el Desarrollo Sostenible de la Amazonía Baja del Perú, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú. .,Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía Peruana, Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales de la Amazonía, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Perú.
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4
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Quintana MDP, Ch'ng JH, Moll K, Zandian A, Nilsson P, Idris ZM, Saiwaew S, Qundos U, Wahlgren M. Antibodies in children with malaria to PfEMP1, RIFIN and SURFIN expressed at the Plasmodium falciparum parasitized red blood cell surface. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3262. [PMID: 29459776 PMCID: PMC5818650 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21026-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Naturally acquired antibodies to proteins expressed on the Plasmodium falciparum parasitized red blood cell (pRBC) surface steer the course of a malaria infection by reducing sequestration and stimulating phagocytosis of pRBC. Here we have studied a selection of proteins representing three different parasite gene families employing a well-characterized parasite with a severe malaria phenotype (FCR3S1.2). The presence of naturally acquired antibodies, impact on rosetting rate, surface reactivity and opsonization for phagocytosis in relation to different blood groups of the ABO system were assessed in a set of sera from children with mild or complicated malaria from an endemic area. We show that the naturally acquired immune responses, developed during malaria natural infection, have limited access to the pRBCs inside a blood group A rosette. The data also indicate that SURFIN4.2 may have a function at the pRBC surface, particularly during rosette formation, this role however needs to be further validated. Our results also indicate epitopes differentially recognized by rosette-disrupting antibodies on a peptide array. Antibodies towards parasite-derived proteins such as PfEMP1, RIFIN and SURFIN in combination with host factors, essentially the ABO blood group of a malaria patient, are suggested to determine the outcome of a malaria infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Del Pilar Quintana
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Jun-Hong Ch'ng
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kirsten Moll
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arash Zandian
- Affinity Proteomics, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institutet of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Nilsson
- Affinity Proteomics, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institutet of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zulkarnain Md Idris
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Somporn Saiwaew
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ulrika Qundos
- Affinity Proteomics, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, KTH-Royal Institutet of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats Wahlgren
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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5
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Moles E, Moll K, Ch'ng JH, Parini P, Wahlgren M, Fernàndez-Busquets X. Development of drug-loaded immunoliposomes for the selective targeting and elimination of rosetting Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells. J Control Release 2016; 241:57-67. [PMID: 27620073 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Parasite proteins exported to the surface of Plasmodium falciparum-parasitized red blood cells (pRBCs) have a major role in severe malaria clinical manifestation, where pRBC cytoadhesion and rosetting processes have been strongly linked with microvascular sequestration while avoiding both spleen filtration and immune surveillance. The parasite-derived and pRBC surface-exposed PfEMP1 protein has been identified as one of the responsible elements for rosetting and, therefore, considered as a promising vaccine candidate for the generation of rosette-disrupting antibodies against severe malaria. However, the potential role of anti-rosetting antibodies as targeting molecules for the functionalization of antimalarial drug-loaded nanovectors has never been studied. Our manuscript presents a proof-of-concept study where the activity of an immunoliposomal vehicle with a dual performance capable of specifically recognizing and disrupting rosettes while simultaneously eliminating those pRBCs forming them has been assayed in vitro. A polyclonal antibody against the NTS-DBL1α N-terminal domain of a rosetting PfEMP1 variant has been selected as targeting molecule and lumefantrine as the antimalarial payload. After 30min incubation with 2μM encapsulated drug, a 70% growth inhibition for all parasitic forms in culture (IC50: 414nM) and a reduction in ca. 60% of those pRBCs with a rosetting phenotype (IC50: 747nM) were achieved. This immunoliposomal approach represents an innovative combination therapy for the improvement of severe malaria therapeutics having a broader spectrum of activity than either anti-rosetting antibodies or free drugs on their own.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Moles
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Baldiri Reixac 10-12, ES-08028 Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona Center for International Health Research (CRESIB, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Rosselló 149-153, ES-08036 Barcelona, Spain; Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, ES-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Kirsten Moll
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jun-Hong Ch'ng
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Microbiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Paolo Parini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine (LABMED), H5, Division of Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Mats Wahlgren
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xavier Fernàndez-Busquets
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Baldiri Reixac 10-12, ES-08028 Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona Center for International Health Research (CRESIB, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Rosselló 149-153, ES-08036 Barcelona, Spain; Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, ES-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
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6
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Guillotte M, Nato F, Juillerat A, Hessel A, Marchand F, Lewit-Bentley A, Bentley GA, Vigan-Womas I, Mercereau-Puijalon O. Functional analysis of monoclonal antibodies against the Plasmodium falciparum PfEMP1-VarO adhesin. Malar J 2016; 15:28. [PMID: 26772184 PMCID: PMC4715314 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-1016-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rosetting, namely the capacity of the Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells to bind uninfected RBCs, is commonly observed in African children with severe malaria. Rosetting results from specific interactions between a subset of variant P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) adhesins encoded by var genes, serum components and RBC receptors. Rosette formation is a redundant phenotype, as there exists more than one var gene encoding a rosette-mediating PfEMP1 in each genome and hence a diverse array of underlying interactions. Moreover, field diversity creates a large panel of rosetting-associated serotypes and studies with human immune sera indicate that surface-reacting antibodies are essentially variant-specific. To gain better insight into the interactions involved in rosetting and map surface epitopes, a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was investigated. Methods Monoclonal antibodies were isolated from mice immunized with PfEMP1-VarO recombinant domains. They were characterized using ELISA and reactivity with the native PfEMP1-VarO adhesin on immunoblots of reduced and unreduced extracts, as well as SDS-extracts of Palo Alto 89F5 VarO schizonts. Functionality was assessed using inhibition of Palo Alto 89F5 VarO rosette formation and disruption of Palo Alto 89F5 VarO rosettes. Competition ELISAs were performed with biotinylated antibodies against DBL1 to identify reactivity groups. Specificity of mAbs reacting with the DBL1 adhesion domain was explored using recombinant proteins carrying mutations abolishing RBC binding or binding to heparin, a potent inhibitor of rosette formation. Results Domain-specific, surface-reacting mAbs were obtained for four individual domains (DBL1, CIDR1, DBL2, DBL4). Monoclonal antibodies reacting with DBL1 potently inhibited the formation of rosettes and disrupted Palo Alto 89F5 VarO rosettes. Most surface-reactive mAbs and all mAbs interfering with rosetting reacted on parasite immunoblots with disulfide bond-dependent PfEMP1 epitopes. Based on competition ELISA and binding to mutant DBL1 domains, two distinct binding sites for rosette-disrupting mAbs were identified in close proximity to the RBC-binding site. Conclusions Rosette-inhibitory antibodies bind to conformation-dependent epitopes located close to the RBC-binding site and distant from the heparin-binding site. These results provide novel clues for a rational intervention strategy that targets rosetting. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-015-1016-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micheline Guillotte
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Moléculaire des Parasites, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France. .,URA CNRS 2581, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France.
| | - Farida Nato
- Institut Pasteur, Plate-forme de Production de Protéines recombinantes et d'Anticorps (PF5), 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France.
| | - Alexandre Juillerat
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Structurale, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France. .,CNRS URA 2185, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France.
| | - Audrey Hessel
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Moléculaire des Parasites, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France. .,Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Structurale, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France.
| | - Françoise Marchand
- Institut Pasteur, Plate-forme de Production de Protéines recombinantes et d'Anticorps (PF5), 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France.
| | - Anita Lewit-Bentley
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Structurale, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France. .,CNRS URA 2185, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France.
| | - Graham A Bentley
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Structurale, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France. .,CNRS URA 2185, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France.
| | - Inès Vigan-Womas
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Moléculaire des Parasites, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France. .,URA CNRS 2581, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France. .,Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Unité d'Immunologie des Maladies Infectieuses, BP 1274, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar.
| | - Odile Mercereau-Puijalon
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Moléculaire des Parasites, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France. .,URA CNRS 2581, 25-28 rue du Dr ROUX, 75015, Paris, France.
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7
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Guillotte M, Juillerat A, Igonet S, Hessel A, Petres S, Crublet E, Le Scanf C, Lewit-Bentley A, Bentley GA, Vigan-Womas I, Mercereau-Puijalon O. Immunogenicity of the Plasmodium falciparum PfEMP1-VarO Adhesin: Induction of Surface-Reactive and Rosette-Disrupting Antibodies to VarO Infected Erythrocytes. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26222304 PMCID: PMC4519321 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells (iRBC) to human erythrocytes (i.e. rosetting) is associated with severe malaria. Rosetting results from interactions between a subset of variant PfEMP1 (Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1) adhesins and specific erythrocyte receptors. Interfering with such interactions is considered a promising intervention against severe malaria. To evaluate the feasibility of a vaccine strategy targetting rosetting, we have used here the Palo Alto 89F5 VarO rosetting model. PfEMP1-VarO consists of five Duffy-Binding Like domains (DBL1-5) and one Cysteine-rich Interdomain Region (CIDR1). The binding domain has been mapped to DBL1 and the ABO blood group was identified as the erythrocyte receptor. Here, we study the immunogenicity of all six recombinant PfEMP1-VarO domains and the DBL1- CIDR1 Head domain in BALB/c and outbred OF1 mice. Five readouts of antibody responses are explored: ELISA titres on the recombinant antigen, VarO-iRBC immunoblot reactivity, VarO-iRBC surface-reactivity, capacity to disrupt VarO rosettes and the capacity to prevent VarO rosette formation. For three domains, we explore influence of the expression system on antigenicity and immunogenicity. We show that correctly folded PfEMP1 domains elicit high antibody titres and induce a homogeneous response in outbred and BALB/c mice after three injections. High levels of rosette-disrupting and rosette-preventing antibodies are induced by DBL1 and the Head domain. Reduced-alkylated or denatured proteins fail to induce surface-reacting and rosette-disrupting antibodies, indicating that surface epitopes are conformational. We also report limited cross-reactivity between some PfEMP1 VarO domains. These results highlight the high immunogenicity of the individual domains in outbred animals and provide a strong basis for a rational vaccination strategy targeting rosetting.
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MESH Headings
- Adhesins, Bacterial/chemistry
- Adhesins, Bacterial/genetics
- Adhesins, Bacterial/immunology
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan/blood
- Antigens, Protozoan/chemistry
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Cross Reactions
- Epitopes/chemistry
- Epitopes/genetics
- Erythrocytes/parasitology
- Female
- Humans
- Malaria Vaccines/chemistry
- Malaria Vaccines/genetics
- Malaria Vaccines/immunology
- Malaria, Falciparum/immunology
- Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology
- Malaria, Falciparum/prevention & control
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Plasmodium falciparum/genetics
- Plasmodium falciparum/immunology
- Plasmodium falciparum/pathogenicity
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Protozoan Proteins/chemistry
- Protozoan Proteins/genetics
- Protozoan Proteins/immunology
- Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Rosette Formation
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Affiliation(s)
- Micheline Guillotte
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Moléculaire des Parasites, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité de recherche associée 2581, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Juillerat
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Structurale, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité de recherche associée 2185, Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Igonet
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Structurale, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité de recherche associée 2185, Paris, France
| | - Audrey Hessel
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Moléculaire des Parasites, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Structurale, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Petres
- Institut Pasteur, Plate-forme de Protéines recombinantes (PFPR), Paris, France
| | - Elodie Crublet
- Institut Pasteur, Plate-forme de Protéines recombinantes (PFPR), Paris, France
| | - Cécile Le Scanf
- Bordeaux Biothèques Santé, Groupe hospitalier Pellegrin, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux - Bordeaux, France
| | - Anita Lewit-Bentley
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Structurale, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité de recherche associée 2185, Paris, France
| | - Graham A. Bentley
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Structurale, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité de recherche associée 2185, Paris, France
| | - Inès Vigan-Womas
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Moléculaire des Parasites, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité de recherche associée 2581, Paris, France
| | - Odile Mercereau-Puijalon
- Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Immunologie Moléculaire des Parasites, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité de recherche associée 2581, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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8
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IgG antibodies to endothelial protein C receptor-binding cysteine-rich interdomain region domains of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 are acquired early in life in individuals exposed to malaria. Infect Immun 2015; 83:3096-103. [PMID: 26015475 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00271-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe malaria syndromes are precipitated by Plasmodium falciparum parasites binding to endothelial receptors on the vascular lining. This binding is mediated by members of the highly variant P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) family. We have previously identified a subset of PfEMP1 proteins associated with severe malaria and found that the receptor for these PfEMP1 variants is endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR). The binding is mediated through the amino-terminal cysteine-rich interdomain region (CIDR) of the subtypes α1.1 and α1.4 to α1.8. In this study, we investigated the acquisition of anti-CIDR antibodies using plasma samples collected in four study villages with different malaria transmission intensities in northeastern Tanzania during a period with a decline in malaria transmission. We show that individuals exposed to high levels of malaria transmission acquire antibodies to EPCR-binding CIDR domains early in life and that these antibodies are acquired more rapidly than antibodies to other CIDR domains. The rate by which antibodies to EPCR-binding CIDR domains are acquired in populations in areas where malaria is endemic is determined by the malaria transmission intensity, and on a population level, the antibodies are rapidly lost if transmission is interrupted. This indicates that sustained exposure is required to maintain the production of the antibodies.
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Albrecht L, Angeletti D, Moll K, Blomqvist K, Valentini D, D'Alexandri FL, Maurer M, Wahlgren M. B-cell epitopes in NTS-DBL1α of PfEMP1 recognized by human antibodies in Rosetting Plasmodium falciparum. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113248. [PMID: 25438249 PMCID: PMC4249881 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal of the human malaria parasites. The virulence is associated with the capacity of the infected red blood cell (iRBC) to sequester inside the deep microvasculature where it may cause obstruction of the blood-flow when binding is excessive. Rosetting, the adherence of the iRBC to uninfected erythrocytes, has been found associated with severe malaria and found to be mediated by the NTS-DBL1α-domain of Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 (PfEMP1). Here we show that the reactivity of plasma of Cameroonian children with the surface of the FCR3S1.2-iRBC correlated with the capacity to disrupt rosettes and with the antibody reactivity with a recombinant PfEMP1 (NTS-DBL1α of IT4var60) expressed by parasite FCR3S1.2. The plasma-reactivity in a microarray, consisting of 96 overlapping 15-mer long peptides covering the NTS-DBL1α domain from IT4var60 sequence, was compared with their capacity to disrupt rosettes and we identified five peptides where the reactivity were correlated. Three of the peptides were localized in subdomain-1 and 2. The other two peptide-sequences were localized in the NTS-domain and in subdomain-3. Further, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least square analysis generated a model that supported these findings. In conclusion, human antibody reactivity with short linear-peptides of NTS-DBL1α of PfEMP1 suggests subdomains 1 and 2 to hold anti-rosetting epitopes recognized by anti-rosetting antibodies. The data suggest rosetting to be mediated by the variable areas of PfEMP1 but also to involve structurally relatively conserved areas of the molecule that may induce biologically active antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letusa Albrecht
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor- and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail: (MW); (LA)
| | - Davide Angeletti
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor- and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kirsten Moll
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor- and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Blomqvist
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor- and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Davide Valentini
- Therapeutic Immunology (TIM), Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- CAST, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | | | - Markus Maurer
- Therapeutic Immunology (TIM), Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- CAST, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Mats Wahlgren
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor- and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail: (MW); (LA)
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Analysis of antibody induction upon immunization with distinct NTS-DBL1α-domains of PfEMP1 from rosetting Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Malar J 2013; 12:32. [PMID: 23347690 PMCID: PMC3599323 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 01/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rosette-formation of Plasmodium falciparum parasitized erythrocytes is of importance in the development of severe malaria. The parasite-derived molecule PfEMP1 (Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1), central to rosetting, is suggested to be included in a multimeric vaccine targeting severe disease. Methods Three recombinant NTS-DBL1α-domains of PfEMP1 were generated in Escherichia coli, purified and used for immunization of rats and goats. Antibody titres were determined in ELISA assays and responses were compared in-between different individual animals and species. Reactivity with the parasites was tested in live pRBC using FACS. B-cell epitopes prediction was carried out in silico and compared to the results obtained by peptide microarray. Screening for serological cross-reactivity with heterologous NTS-DBL1α variants was carried out by ELISA, peptide array and FACS on pRBC of different laboratory strains and patient isolates. Results All three NTS-DBL1α-domains induced high titres of antibodies that were biologically active with no apparent difference between constructs covering slightly different parts of the DBL1α-sequence. The different animal species showed comparable titres of antibodies, while variations within individuals of the species could be observed. Mapping of the recognized epitopes revealed that most parts of the molecule were able to induce an antibody response with a tendency for the N and C terminal parts of the molecule for slightly higher recognition. Important differences to the epitopes predicted were found as some of the most conserved parts of the DBL1α-domain contained the main epitopes for antibody reactivity. ELISA assays and peptide microarray demonstrated substantial cross-reactivity to heterologous variants, while binding to native PfEMP1 was observed only in few combinations on the pRBC surface, underlining that mainly internal, conserved and not surface exposed parts of the DBL1α-domain are responsible for this observation. Conclusion Biologically active antibodies can be induced consistently, with high titres, in different animal species and the antibodies elicited by different constructs react with similar epitopes. Induced antibodies recognize epitopes localized in all subdomains of the DBL1α-sequence. Cross-reactivity between NTS-DBL1α-variants is common in ELISA, but rare with live pRBC emphasizing that also internal, conserved areas of PfEMP1 carry important highly immunogenic epitopes of the molecule.
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Guillotte-Blisnick M, Mercereau-Puijalon O, Vigan-Womas I. Plasmodium falciparum Rosette Disruption Assay. Bio Protoc 2013. [DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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Migot-Nabias F, Lokossou AG, Vigan-Womas I, Guitard E, Guillotte M, Noukpo JM, Mercereau-Puijalon O, Dugoujon JM, Garcia A. Combined effects of Gm or Km immunoglobulin allotypes and age on antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum VarO rosetting variant in Benin. Microbes Infect 2011; 13:771-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2011.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2011] [Revised: 03/14/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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