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Lyimo BM, Bakari C, Popkin-Hall ZR, Giesbrecht DJ, Seth MD, Pereus D, Shabani ZI, Moshi R, Boniface R, Mandara CI, Madebe R, Juliano JJ, Bailey JA, Ishengoma DS. Genetic polymorphism and evidence of signatures of selection in the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein gene in Tanzanian regions with different malaria endemicity. Malar J 2024; 23:139. [PMID: 38720288 PMCID: PMC11080125 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04974-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2021 and 2023, the World Health Organization approved RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix M malaria vaccines, respectively, for routine immunization of children in African countries with moderate to high transmission. These vaccines are made of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP), but polymorphisms in the gene raise concerns regarding strain-specific responses and the long-term efficacy of these vaccines. This study assessed the Pfcsp genetic diversity, population structure and signatures of selection among parasites from areas of different malaria transmission intensities in Mainland Tanzania, to generate baseline data before the introduction of the malaria vaccines in the country. METHODS The analysis involved 589 whole genome sequences generated by and as part of the MalariaGEN Community Project. The samples were collected between 2013 and January 2015 from five regions of Mainland Tanzania: Morogoro and Tanga (Muheza) (moderate transmission areas), and Kagera (Muleba), Lindi (Nachingwea), and Kigoma (Ujiji) (high transmission areas). Wright's inbreeding coefficient (Fws), Wright's fixation index (FST), principal component analysis, nucleotide diversity, and Tajima's D were used to assess within-host parasite diversity, population structure and natural selection. RESULTS Based on Fws (< 0.95), there was high polyclonality (ranging from 69.23% in Nachingwea to 56.9% in Muheza). No population structure was detected in the Pfcsp gene in the five regions (mean FST = 0.0068). The average nucleotide diversity (π), nucleotide differentiation (K) and haplotype diversity (Hd) in the five regions were 4.19, 0.973 and 0.0035, respectively. The C-terminal region of Pfcsp showed high nucleotide diversity at Th2R and Th3R regions. Positive values for the Tajima's D were observed in the Th2R and Th3R regions consistent with balancing selection. The Pfcsp C-terminal sequences revealed 50 different haplotypes (H_1 to H_50), with only 2% of sequences matching the 3D7 strain haplotype (H_50). Conversely, with the NF54 strain, the Pfcsp C-terminal sequences revealed 49 different haplotypes (H_1 to H_49), with only 0.4% of the sequences matching the NF54 strain (Hap_49). CONCLUSIONS The findings demonstrate high diversity of the Pfcsp gene with limited population differentiation. The Pfcsp gene showed positive Tajima's D values, consistent with balancing selection for variants within Th2R and Th3R regions. The study observed differences between the intended haplotypes incorporated into the design of RTS,S and R21 vaccines and those present in natural parasite populations. Therefore, additional research is warranted, incorporating other regions and more recent data to comprehensively assess trends in genetic diversity within this important gene. Such insights will inform the choice of alleles to be included in the future vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatus M Lyimo
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania.
| | - Catherine Bakari
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Misago D Seth
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Dativa Pereus
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Zulfa I Shabani
- Dar Es Salaam University College of Education, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ramadhan Moshi
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ruth Boniface
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Celine I Mandara
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Rashid Madebe
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Deus S Ishengoma
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Lyimo BM, Bakari C, Popkin-Hall ZR, Giesbrecht DJ, Seth MD, Pereus D, Moshi R, Boniface R, Mandara CI, Madebe R, Juliano JJ, Bailey JA, Ishengoma DS. Genetic polymorphism and evidence of signatures of selection in the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein gene in Tanzanian regions with different malaria endemicity. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.01.23.24301587. [PMID: 38343796 PMCID: PMC10854334 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.23.24301587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Background In 2021 and 2023, the World Health Organization approved RTS, S/AS01 and R21/Matrix M malaria vaccines, respectively, for routine immunization of children in African countries with moderate to high transmission. These vaccines are made of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (Pfcsp) but polymorphisms in this gene raises concerns regarding strain-specific responses and the long-term efficacy of these vaccines. This study assessed the Pfcsp genetic diversity, population structure and signatures of selection among parasites from areas of different malaria transmission in mainland Tanzania, to generate baseline data before the introduction of the malaria vaccines in the country. Methods The analysis involved 589 whole genome sequences generated by and as part of the MalariaGEN Community Project. The samples were collected between 2013 and January 2015 from five regions of mainland Tanzania: Morogoro and Tanga (Muheza) (moderate transmission areas), and Kagera (Muleba), Lindi (Nachingwea), and Kigoma (Ujiji) (high transmission areas). Wright's inbreeding coefficient (Fws), Wright's fixation index (FST), principal component analysis, nucleotide diversity, and Tajima's D were used to assess within-host parasite diversity, population structure and natural selection. Results Based on Fws (< 0.95), there was high polyclonality (ranged from 69.23% in Nachingwea to 56.9% in Muheza). No population structure was detected in the Pfcsp gene in the five regions (mean FST= 0.0068). The average nucleotide diversity (π), nucleotide differentiation (K) and haplotype diversity (Hd) in the five regions were 4.19, 0.973 and 0.0035, respectively. The C-terminal region of Pfcsp showed high nucleotide diversity at Th2R and Th3R regions. Positive values for the Tajima's D were observed in the Th2R and Th3R regions consistent with balancing selection. The Pfcsp C-terminal sequences had 50 different haplotypes (H_1 to H_50) and only 2% of sequences matched the 3D7 strain haplotype (H_50). Conclusions The findings demonstrate high diversity of the Pfcsp gene with limited population differentiation. The Pfcsp gene showed positive Tajima's D values for parasite populations, consistent with balancing selection for variants within Th2R and Th3R regions. This data is consistent with other studies conducted across Africa and worldwide, which demonstrate low 3D7 haplotypes and little population structure. Therefore, additional research is warranted, incorporating other regions and more recent data to comprehensively assess trends in genetic diversity within this important gene. Such insights will inform the choice of alleles to be included in the future vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatus M. Lyimo
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Catherine Bakari
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Misago D. Seth
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Dativa Pereus
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ramadhan Moshi
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ruth Boniface
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Rashid Madebe
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Deus S. Ishengoma
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Võ TC, Lê HG, Kang JM, Naw H, Yoo WG, Myint MK, Quang HH, Na BK. Genetic polymorphism and natural selection of the erythrocyte binding antigen 175 region II in Plasmodium falciparum populations from Myanmar and Vietnam. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20025. [PMID: 37973970 PMCID: PMC10654615 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47275-6] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding antigen 175 (PfEBA-175) plays essential role in erythrocyte invasion by the parasite and is a leading vaccine candidate. However, its genetic diversity in global isolates is a concern in developing an universal vaccine incorporating this protein. This study aimed to investigate genetic polymorphisms and natural selection of pfeba-175 region II (RII) in Myanmar and Vietnam P. falciparum isolates. Vietnam pfeba-175 RII displayed a low genetic polymorphism, while Myanmar pfeba-175 RII showed high levels of genetic diversity across the region. Point mutations, deletion, and recombinations were main factors contributing to genetic diversities in P. falciparum populations. Global pfeba-175 RII revealed similar, but not identical, genetic polymorphisms and natural selection profiles. Despite profiles of amino acid substitutions differed among populations, five major amino acid changes (K279E, E403K, K481I, Q584K, and R664) were commonly detected in global pfeba-175 RII populations. Haplotype network and genetic differentiation analyses of global pfeba-175 RII populations demonstrated no geographical relationships. Non-neglectable level of genetic diversity was observed in global pfeba-175 RII populations, emphasizing the need to consider this when designing an effective vaccine based on this protein. This study underscores the importance of the continuous monitoring of genetic diversity of pfeba-175 RII in the global P. falciparum populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuấn Cường Võ
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Hương Giang Lê
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Mi Kang
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Haung Naw
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Gi Yoo
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Moe Kyaw Myint
- Department of Medical Research Pyin Oo Lwin Branch, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar
| | - Huynh Hong Quang
- Tropical Diseases Clinical and Treatment Research Department, Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology Quy Nhon, Quy Nhon, Vietnam
| | - Byoung-Kuk Na
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea.
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He ZQ, Zhang QQ, Wang D, Hu YB, Zhou RM, Qian D, Yang CY, Lu DL, Li SH, Liu Y, Zhang HW. Genetic polymorphism of circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum among Chinese migrant workers returning from Africa to Henan Province. Malar J 2022; 21:248. [PMID: 36030242 PMCID: PMC9419638 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04275-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum malaria is recognized as a major global public health problem. The malaria vaccine was important because the case fatality rate of falciparum malaria was high. Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) is one of the potential vaccine candidates, but the genetic polymorphism of PfCSP raises concerns regarding the efficacy of the vaccine. This study aimed to investigate the genetic polymorphism of PfCSP and provide data for the improvement of PfCSP-based vaccine (RTS,S malaria vaccine). METHODS Blood samples were collected from 287 Chinese migrant workers who were infected with P. falciparum and returning from Africa to Henan Province during 2016-2018. The Pfcsp genes were analysed to estimate the genetic diversity of this parasite. RESULTS The results showed that there were two mutations at the N-terminus of imported Pfcsp in Henan Province, including insertion amino acids (58.71%, 118/201) and A → G (38.81%, 78/201). The number of repeats of tetrapeptide motifs (NANP/NVDP/NPNP/NVDA) in the central repeat region ranged mainly from 39 to 42 (97.51%, 196/201). A total of 14 nonsynonymous amino acid changes were found at the C-terminus. The average nucleotide difference (K) of imported Pfcsp in Henan Province was 5.719, and the haplotype diversity (Hd) was 0.964 ± 0.004. The estimated value of dN-dS was 0.047, indicating that the region may be affected by positive natural selection. The minimum number of recombination events (Rm) of imported Pfcsp in Henan Province was close to that in Africa. The analysis of genetic differentiation showed that there may be moderate differentiation between East Africa and North Africa (Fst = 0.06484), and the levels of differentiation in the other regions were very small (Fst < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The N-terminus of Pfcsp was relatively conserved, and the central repeat region and the Th2R and Th3R regions of the C-terminus were highly polymorphic. The gene polymorphism pattern among Chinese migrant workers returning from Africa to Henan Province was consistent with that in Africa. The geographical pattern of population differentiation and the evidence of natural selection and gene recombination suggested that the effect of polymorphism on the efficacy of PfCSP-based vaccines should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Quan He
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganisms, No. 105 South Agricultural Road, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450016, China
| | - Qun-Qun Zhang
- Fengtai District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganisms, No. 105 South Agricultural Road, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450016, China
| | - Ya-Bo Hu
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Rui-Min Zhou
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganisms, No. 105 South Agricultural Road, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450016, China
| | - Dan Qian
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganisms, No. 105 South Agricultural Road, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450016, China
| | - Cheng-Yun Yang
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganisms, No. 105 South Agricultural Road, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450016, China
| | - De-Ling Lu
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganisms, No. 105 South Agricultural Road, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450016, China
| | - Su-Hua Li
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganisms, No. 105 South Agricultural Road, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450016, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, China. .,Henan Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganisms, No. 105 South Agricultural Road, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450016, China.
| | - Hong-Wei Zhang
- Department of Parasite Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, China. .,Henan Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganisms, No. 105 South Agricultural Road, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450016, China.
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Phang WK, Bukhari FDM, Zen LPY, Jaimin JJ, Dony JJF, Lau YL. Genetic polymorphism of circumsporozoite protein (CSP) in Plasmodium malariae isolates from Malaysia. Parasitol Int 2022; 87:102519. [PMID: 34800724 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Information about Plasmodium malariae is scanty worldwide due to its "benign" nature and low infection rates. Consequently, studies on the genetic polymorphisms of P. malariae are lacking. Here, we report genetic polymorphisms of 28 P. malariae circumsporozoite protein (Pmcsp) isolates from Malaysia which were compared with those in other regions in Asia as well as those from Africa. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most Malaysian P. malariae isolates clustered together but independently from other Asian isolates. Low nucleotide diversity was observed in Pmcsp non-repeat regions in contrast to high nucleotide diversity observed in non-repeat regions of Plasmodium knowlesi CSP gene, the current major cause of malaria in Malaysia. This study contributes to the characterisation of naturally occurring polymorphisms in the P. malariae CSP gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Kit Phang
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Lee Phone Youth Zen
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Joel Judson Jaimin
- Public Health Laboratory Kota Kinabalu (Ministry of Health Malaysia), 88850 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | | | - Yee Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Genetic Diversity, Repeat Motifs, and Natural Selection at the C-Terminal Knob-Associated Histidine Rich Protein (KAHRP) of Plasmodium falciparum Clinical Samples from Saudi Arabia. J Trop Med 2022; 2022:3740889. [PMID: 35387278 PMCID: PMC8979686 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3740889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria is still a public health problem in Saudi Arabia specifically in the Jazan region. Plasmodium falciparum knob-associated histidine-rich proteins (PfKAHRPs) play an important role in cerebral malaria pathophysiology as well as pathogenesis of P. falciparum infections. The repeat region of PfKAHRP C-terminal interaction domain has been found to bind to the infected red blood cells and the vascular endothelium. Thus, this study aimed to assess the allelic variations, genetic diversity, and natural selection acting at the C-terminal PfKAHRP between parasite isolates from Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods The PfKHARP C-terminal interaction domain was successfully PCR-amplified and sequence data from 441 clinical isolates from Saudi Arabia were obtained. The DnaSP v5.10 software was used to determine the genetic diversity, polymorphism, haplotype, and natural selection. Haplotype network analysis was constructed by using the median-joining method in the NETWORK version 5.0.0.1 software. Results Alignment and analysis of 441 C-terminal PfKAHRP-deduced amino acid sequences identified 5 genotypes (I–V) based on the decapeptide repeat arrangements (TKEASTSKEA, TKEASTSKGA, TKEASTTEGA, and TKEASTSKRA). Among the repeat types, Type I (49.43%, 218/441) was the most abundant in Saudi Arabia, followed by Type II (48.29%, 213/441). Overall, the nucleotide diversity in the PfKHARP C-terminal region was found to be low in Saudi Arabia (π = 0.00142); however, natural selection tests indicated positive selection (dN-dS = 1.64, P < 0.05) which was due to the variations within the repeat motifs. Genealogical relationship haplotype network of PfKAHRP from 4 different countries (i.e., Saudi Arabia, Iran, Burundi, and India) revealed 1 major shared haplotype cluster (H_1) with samples representative from all 4 countries (Saudi Arabia; n = 441, Burundi; n = 4, Iran; n = 13, and India; n = 1). Conclusion Since this is the first study to report on genetic diversity of C-terminal PfKAHRP interaction domain and the repeat motifs from clinical samples in Saudi Arabia, it will contribute towards the rational design of antiadhesion drug therapies for P. falciparum malaria.
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Kurtovic L, Drew DR, Dent AE, Kazura JW, Beeson JG. Antibody Targets and Properties for Complement-Fixation Against the Circumsporozoite Protein in Malaria Immunity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:775659. [PMID: 34925347 PMCID: PMC8671933 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.775659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP) forms the basis of leading subunit malaria vaccine candidates. However, the mechanisms and specific targets of immunity are poorly defined. Recent findings suggest that antibody-mediated complement-fixation and activation play an important role in immunity. Here, we investigated the regions of CSP targeted by functional complement-fixing antibodies and the antibody properties associated with this activity. We quantified IgG, IgM, and functional complement-fixing antibody responses to different regions of CSP among Kenyan adults naturally exposed to malaria (n=102) and using a series of rabbit vaccination studies. Individuals who acquired functional complement-fixing antibodies had higher IgG, IgM and IgG1 and IgG3 to CSP. Acquired complement-fixing antibodies targeted the N-terminal, central-repeat, and C-terminal regions of CSP, and positive responders had greater antibody breadth compared to those who were negative for complement-fixing antibodies (p<0.05). Using rabbit vaccinations as a model, we confirmed that IgG specific to the central-repeat and non-repeat regions of CSP could effectively fix complement. However, vaccination with near full length CSP in rabbits poorly induced antibodies to the N-terminal region compared to naturally-acquired immunity in humans. Poor induction of N-terminal antibodies was also observed in a vaccination study performed in mice. IgG and IgM to all three regions of CSP play a role in mediating complement-fixation, which has important implications for malaria vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liriye Kurtovic
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Damien R. Drew
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Arlene E. Dent
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - James W. Kazura
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - James G. Beeson
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Mohamed NS, AbdElbagi H, Elsadig AR, Ahmed AE, Mohammed YO, Elssir LT, Elnour MAB, Ali Y, Ali MS, Altahir O, Abubakr M, Siddig EE, Ahmed A, Omer RA. Assessment of genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein in Sudan: the RTS,S leading malaria vaccine candidate. Malar J 2021; 20:436. [PMID: 34758827 PMCID: PMC8579544 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03971-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The currently used malaria vaccine, RTS,S, is designed based on the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP). The pfcsp gene, besides having different polymorphic patterns, can vary between P. falciparum isolates due to geographical origin and host immune response. Such aspects are essential when considering the deployment of the RTS,S vaccine in a certain region. Therefore, this study assessed the genetic diversity of P. falciparum in Sudan based on the pfcsp gene by investigating the diversity at the N-terminal, central repeat, and the C-terminal regions. Methods A cross-sectional molecular study was conducted; P. falciparum isolates were collected from different health centres in Khartoum State between January and December 2019. During the study period, a total of 261 febrile patients were recruited. Malaria diagnosis was made by expert microscopists using Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films. DNA samples were examined by the semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Single clonal infection of the confirmed P. falciparum cases, were used to amplify the pfcsp gene. The amplified amplicons of pfcsp have been sequenced using the Sanger dideoxy method. The obtained sequences of pfcsp nucleotide diversity parameters including the numbers of haplotypes (Hap), haplotypes diversity (Hapd), the average number of nucleotide differences between two sequences (p), and the numbers of segregating sites (S) were obtained. The haplotype networks were constructed using the online tcsBU software. Natural selection theory was also tested on pfcsp using Fuand Li’s D, Fuand Li’s F statistics, and Tajima’s D test using DnaSP. Results In comparison with the different pfcsp reference strains, the Sudanese isolates showed high similarity with other African isolates. The results of the N-terminal region showed the presence of 2 different haplotypes with a Hapd of 0.425 ± 0.00727. The presence of the unique insertion of NNNGDNGREGKDEDKRDGNN was reported. The KLKQP motif was conserved in all the studied isolates. At the central repeat region, 11 haplotypes were seen with a Hapd of 0.779 ± 0.00097. The analysis of the genetic diversity in the C-terminal region showed the presence of 10 haplotypes with a Hapd of 0.457 ± 0.073. Several non-synonymous amino acids changes were also seen at the Th2R and the Th3R T-cell epitope regions including T317K, E317K, Q318E, K321N, I322K, T322K, R322K, K324Q, I327L, G352N, S354P, R355K, N356D, Q357E, and E361A. Conclusions In this study, the results indicated a high conservation at the pfcsp gene. This may further contribute in understanding the genetic polymorphisms of P. falciparum prior to the deployment of the RTS,S vaccine in Sudan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouh Saad Mohamed
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, National Centre for Research, Khartoum, Sudan. .,Molecular Biology Unit, Sirius Training and Research Centre, Khartoum, Sudan.
| | - Hanadi AbdElbagi
- Molecular Biology Unit, Sirius Training and Research Centre, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | | | - Yassir Osman Mohammed
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, National Centre for Research, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Lubna Taj Elssir
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, National Centre for Research, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mohammed-Ahmed B Elnour
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, National Centre for Research, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Yousif Ali
- Health Emergencies and Epidemics Control General Directorate, Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mohamed S Ali
- Faculty of Medicine, EL-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Omnia Altahir
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, National Centre for Research, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mustafa Abubakr
- Department of the Integrated Vector Management (IVM), Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | - Ayman Ahmed
- Molecular Biology Unit, Sirius Training and Research Centre, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Rihab Ali Omer
- Pediatric Epidemiology, Clinic and Polyclinic for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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9
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Almeida MEMD, Vasconcelos MGSD, Tarragô AM, Mariúba LAM. Circumsporozoite Surface Protein-based malaria vaccines: a review. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2021; 63:e11. [PMID: 33533814 PMCID: PMC7845937 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946202163011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria represents a serious public health problem, presenting with high rates of incidence, morbidity and mortality in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. According to the World Health Organization, in 2018 there were 228 million cases and 405 thousand deaths caused by this disease in the world, affecting mainly children and pregnant women in Africa. Despite the programs carried out to control this disease, drug resistance and invertebrate vector resistance to insecticides have generated difficulties. An efficient vaccine against malaria would be a strategy with a high impact on the eradication and control of this disease. Researches aimed at developing vaccines have focused on antigens of high importance for the survival of the parasite such as the Circumsporozoite Surface Protein, involved in the pre-erythrocytic cycle during parasites invasion in hepatocytes. Currently, RTS’S is the most promising vaccine for malaria and was constructed using CSP; its performance was evaluated using two types of adjuvants: AS01 and AS02. The purpose of this review was to provide a bibliographic survey of historical researches that led to the development of RTS’S and its performance analysis over the decade. The search for new adjuvants to be associated with this antigen seems to be a way to obtain higher percentages of protection for a future malaria vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Edilene Martins de Almeida
- Fiocruz Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Laboratório de Diagnóstico e Controle de Doenças Infecciosas na Amazônia, Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil.,Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Programa de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Gabriella Santos de Vasconcelos
- Fiocruz Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Laboratório de Diagnóstico e Controle de Doenças Infecciosas na Amazônia, Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil.,Centro Universitário Fametro, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Andréa Monteiro Tarragô
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.,Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Luís André Morais Mariúba
- Fiocruz Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Laboratório de Diagnóstico e Controle de Doenças Infecciosas na Amazônia, Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil.,Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Programa de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.,Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
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10
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Diversify and Conquer: The Vaccine Escapism of Plasmodium falciparum. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111748. [PMID: 33171746 PMCID: PMC7694999 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last century, a great deal of effort and resources have been poured into the development of vaccines to protect against malaria, particularly targeting the most widely spread and deadly species of the human-infecting parasites: Plasmodium falciparum. Many of the known proteins the parasite uses to invade human cells have been tested as vaccine candidates. However, precisely because of the importance and immune visibility of these proteins, they tend to be very diverse, and in many cases redundant, which limits their efficacy in vaccine development. With the advent of genomics and constantly improving sequencing technologies, an increasingly clear picture is emerging of the vast genomic diversity of parasites from different geographic areas. This diversity is distributed throughout the genome and includes most of the vaccine candidates tested so far, playing an important role in the low efficacy achieved. Genomics is a powerful tool to search for genes that comply with the most desirable attributes of vaccine targets, allowing us to evaluate function, immunogenicity and also diversity in the worldwide parasite populations. Even predicting how this diversity might evolve and spread in the future becomes possible, and can inform novel vaccine efforts.
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11
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Võ TC, Lê HG, Kang JM, Moe M, Naw H, Myint MK, Lee J, Sohn WM, Kim TS, Na BK. Genetic polymorphism and natural selection of circumsporozoite protein in Myanmar Plasmodium vivax. Malar J 2020; 19:303. [PMID: 32883283 PMCID: PMC7650223 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03366-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Circumsporozoite surface protein (CSP) of malaria parasites has been recognized as one of the leading vaccine candidates. Clinical trials of vaccines for vivax malaria incorporating Plasmodium vivax CSP (PvCSP) have demonstrated their effectiveness in preventing malaria, at least in part. However, genetic diversity of pvcsp in the natural population remains a major concern. Methods A total of 171 blood samples collected from patients infected with Plasmodium vivax in Myanmar were analysed in this study. The pvcsp was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, followed by cloning and sequencing. Polymorphic characteristics and natural selection of pvcsp population in Myanmar were analysed using DNASTAR, MEGA6 and DnaSP programs. The polymorphic pattern and natural selection of publicly accessible global pvcsp sequences were also comparatively analysed. Results Myanmar pvcsp sequences were divided into two subtypes VK210 and VK247 comprising 143 and 28 sequences, respectively. The VK210 subtypes showed higher levels of genetic diversity and polymorphism than the VK247 subtypes. The N-terminal non-repeat region of pvcsp displayed limited genetic variations in the global population. Different patterns of octapeptide insertion (ANKKAEDA in VK210 and ANKKAGDA in VK247) and tetrapeptide repeat motif (GGNA) were identified in the C-terminal region of global pvcsp population. Meanwhile, the central repeat region (CRR) of Myanmar and global pvcsp, both in VK210 and VK247 variants, was highly polymorphic. The high level of genetic diversity in the CRR has been attributed to the different numbers, types and combinations of peptide repeat motifs (PRMs). Interestingly, 27 and 5 novel PRMs were found in Myanmar VK210 and VK247 variants, respectively. Conclusion Comparative analysis of the global pvcsp population suggests a complex genetic profile of pvcsp in the global population. These results widen understanding of the genetic make-up of pvcsp in the global P. vivax population and provide valuable information for the development of a vaccine based on PvCSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuấn Cường Võ
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and 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
| | - Hương Giang Lê
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and 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, and 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
| | - Mya Moe
- Department of Medical Research Pyin Oo Lwin Branch, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar
| | - Haung Naw
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and 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
| | - Moe Kyaw Myint
- Department of Medical Research Pyin Oo Lwin Branch, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar
| | - Jinyoung Lee
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Woon-Mok Sohn
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Tong-Soo Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung-Kuk Na
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and 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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12
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Huang HY, Liang XY, Lin LY, Chen JT, Ehapo CS, Eyi UM, Li J, Jiang TT, Zheng YZ, Zha GC, Xie DD, He JQ, Chen WZ, Liu XZ, Mo HT, Chen XY, Lin M. Genetic polymorphism of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea and global comparative analysis. Malar J 2020; 19:245. [PMID: 32660484 PMCID: PMC7359586 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03315-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) is a potential malaria vaccine candidate, but various polymorphisms of the pfcsp gene among global P. falciparum population become the major barrier to the effectiveness of vaccines. This study aimed to investigate the genetic polymorphisms and natural selection of pfcsp in Bioko and the comparison among global P. falciparum population. METHODS From January 2011 to December 2018, 148 blood samples were collected from P. falciparum infected Bioko patients and 96 monoclonal sequences of them were successfully acquired and analysed with 2200 global pfcsp sequences mined from MalariaGEN Pf3k Database and NCBI. RESULTS In Bioko, the N-terminus of pfcsp showed limited genetic variations and the numbers of repetitive sequences (NANP/NVDP) were mainly found as 40 (35%) and 41 (34%) in central region. Most polymorphic characters were found in Th2R/Th3R region, where natural selection (p > 0.05) and recombination occurred. The overall pattern of Bioko pfcsp gene had no obvious deviation from African mainland pfcsp (Fst = 0.00878, p < 0.05). The comparative analysis of Bioko and global pfcsp displayed the various mutation patterns and obvious geographic differentiation among populations from four continents (p < 0.05). The global pfcsp C-terminal sequences were clustered into 138 different haplotypes (H_1 to H_138). Only 3.35% of sequences matched 3D7 strain haplotype (H_1). CONCLUSIONS The genetic polymorphism phenomena of pfcsp were found universal in Bioko and global isolates and the majority mutations located at T cell epitopes. Global genetic polymorphism and geographical characteristics were recommended to be considered for future improvement of malaria vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ying Huang
- School of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, People's Republic of China
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue-Yan Liang
- School of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, People's Republic of China
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Yun Lin
- School of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang-Tao Chen
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Huizhou Central Hospital, Huizhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
- The Chinese Medical Aid Team to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Carlos Salas Ehapo
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Malabo Regional Hospital, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
| | - Urbano Monsuy Eyi
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Malabo Regional Hospital, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Human Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting-Ting Jiang
- Department of Human Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Zhong Zheng
- School of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Cai Zha
- School of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-De Xie
- The Chinese Medical Aid Team to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Quan He
- The Chinese Medical Aid Team to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Zhong Chen
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Chaozhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Shantou University Medical College, Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Zhi Liu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Chaozhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Shantou University Medical College, Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan-Tong Mo
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Chaozhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Shantou University Medical College, Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Yao Chen
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Chaozhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Shantou University Medical College, Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Lin
- School of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Chaozhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Shantou University Medical College, Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Lê HG, Thái TL, Kang JM, Lee J, Moe M, Võ TC, Naw H, Myint MK, Htun ZT, Kim TS, Shin HJ, Na BK. Genetic polymorphism of merozoite surface protein-3 in Myanmar Plasmodium falciparum field isolates. Malar J 2020; 19:184. [PMID: 32429986 PMCID: PMC7235555 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03256-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-3 (PfMSP-3) is a target of naturally acquired immunity against P. falciparum infection and is a promising vaccine candidate because of its critical role in the erythrocyte invasion of the parasite. Understanding the genetic diversity of pfmsp-3 is important for recognizing genetic nature and evolutionary aspect of the gene in the natural P. falciparum population and for designing an effective vaccine based on the antigen. Methods Blood samples collected from P. falciparum-infected patients in Naung Cho and Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar, in 2015 were used in this study. The pfmsp-3 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, cloned, and sequenced. Genetic polymorphism and natural selection of Myanmar pfmsp-3 were analysed using the programs DNASTAR, MEGA6, and DnaSP 5.10.00. Genetic diversity and natural selection of the global pfmsp-3 were also comparatively analysed. Results Myanmar pfmsp-3 displayed 2 different alleles, 3D7 and K1. The 3D7 allelic type was predominant in the population, but genetic polymorphism was less diverse than for the K1 allelic type. Polymorphic characters in both allelic types were caused by amino acid substitutions, insertions, and deletions. Amino acid substitutions were mainly occurred at the alanine heptad repeat domains, whereas most insertions and deletions were found at the glutamate rich domain. Overall patterns of amino acid polymorphisms detected in Myanmar pfmsp-3 were similar in the global pfmsp-3 population, but novel amino acid changes were observed in Myanmar pfmsp-3 with low frequencies. Complicated patterns of natural selection and recombination events were predicted in the global pfmsp-3, which may act as major driving forces to maintain and generate genetic diversity of the global pfmsp-3 population. Conclusion Global pfmsp-3 revealed genetic polymorphisms, suggesting that the functional and structural consequences of the polymorphisms should be considered in designing a vaccine based on PfMSP-3. Further examination of genetic diversity of pfmsp-3 in the global P. falciparum population is necessary to gain in-depth insight for the population structure and evolutionary aspect of global pfmsp-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hương Giang Lê
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, 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
| | - Thị Lam Thái
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, 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, 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
| | - Jinyoung Lee
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Mya Moe
- Department of Medical Research Pyin Oo Lwin Branch, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar
| | - Tuấn Cường Võ
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, 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
| | - Haung Naw
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, 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
| | - Moe Kyaw Myint
- Department of Medical Research Pyin Oo Lwin Branch, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar
| | - Zaw Than Htun
- Department of Medical Research Pyin Oo Lwin Branch, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar
| | - Tong-Soo Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Joon Shin
- Department of Microbiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung-Kuk Na
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, 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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14
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Mathema VB, Nakeesathit S, Pagornrat W, Smithuis F, White NJ, Dondorp AM, Imwong M. Polymorphic markers for identification of parasite population in Plasmodium malariae. Malar J 2020; 19:48. [PMID: 31992308 PMCID: PMC6988369 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-3122-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Molecular genotyping in Plasmodium serves many aims including providing tools for studying parasite population genetics and distinguishing recrudescence from reinfection. Microsatellite typing, insertion-deletion (INDEL) and single nucleotide polymorphisms is used for genotyping, but only limited information is available for Plasmodium malariae, an important human malaria species. This study aimed to provide a set of genetic markers to facilitate the study of P. malariae population genetics. Methods Markers for microsatellite genotyping and pmmsp1 gene polymorphisms were developed and validated in symptomatic P. malariae field isolates from Myanmar (N = 37). Fragment analysis was used to determine allele sizes at each locus to calculate multiplicity of infections (MOI), linkage disequilibrium, heterozygosity and construct dendrograms. Nucleotide diversity (π), number of haplotypes, and genetic diversity (Hd) were assessed and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Genome-wide microsatellite maps with annotated regions of newly identified markers were constructed. Results Six microsatellite markers were developed and tested in 37 P. malariae isolates which showed sufficient heterozygosity (0.530–0.922), and absence of linkage disequilibrium (IAS=0.03, p value > 0.05) (N = 37). In addition, a tandem repeat (VNTR)-based pmmsp1 INDEL polymorphisms marker was developed and assessed in 27 P. malariae isolates showing a nucleotide diversity of 0.0976, haplotype gene diversity of 0.698 and identified 14 unique variants. The size of VNTR consensus repeat unit adopted as allele was 27 base pairs. The markers Pm12_426 and pmmsp1 showed greatest diversity with heterozygosity scores of 0.920 and 0.835, respectively. Using six microsatellites markers, the likelihood that any two parasite strains would have the same microsatellite genotypes was 8.46 × 10−4 and was further reduced to 1.66 × 10−4 when pmmsp1 polymorphisms were included. Conclusions Six novel microsatellites genotyping markers and a set of pmmsp1 VNTR-based INDEL polymorphisms markers for P. malariae were developed and validated. Each marker could be independently or in combination employed to access genotyping of the parasite. The newly developed markers may serve as a useful tool for investigating parasite diversity, population genetics, molecular epidemiology and for distinguishing recrudescence from reinfection in drug efficacy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Bhakta Mathema
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Supatchara Nakeesathit
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Watcharee Pagornrat
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Frank Smithuis
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Medical Action Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas J White
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Arjen M Dondorp
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mallika Imwong
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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16
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Mohamed NS, Ali Albsheer MM, Abdelbagi H, Siddig EE, Mohamed MA, Ahmed AE, Omer RA, Muneer MS, Ahmed A, Osman HA, Ali MS, Eisa IM, Elbasheir MM. Genetic polymorphism of the N-terminal region in circumsporozoite surface protein of Plasmodium falciparum field isolates from Sudan. Malar J 2019; 18:333. [PMID: 31570093 PMCID: PMC6771110 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2970-0] [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: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum parasite is still known to be one of the most significant public health problems in sub-Saharan Africa. Genetic diversity of the Sudanese P. falciparum based on the diversity in the circumsporozoite surface protein (PfCSP) has not been previously studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of the N-terminal region of the pfcsp gene. Methods A cross-sectional molecular study was conducted; 50 blood samples have been analysed from different regions in Sudan. Patients were recruited from the health facilities of Khartoum, New Halfa, Red Sea, White Nile, Al Qadarif, Gezira, River Nile, and Ad Damazin during malaria transmission seasons between June to October and December to February 2017–2018. Microscopic and nested PCR was performed for detection of P. falciparum. Merozoite surface protein-1 was performed to differentiate single and multiple clonal infections. The N-terminal of the pfcsp gene has been sequenced using PCR-Sanger dideoxy method and analysed to sequences polymorphism including the numbers of haplotypes (H), segregating sites (S), haplotypes diversity (Hd) and the average number of nucleotide differences between two sequences (Pi) were obtained using the software DnaSP v5.10. As well as neutrality testing, Tajima’s D test, Fu and Li’s D and F statistics. Results PCR amplification resulted in 1200 bp of the pfcsp gene. Only 21 PCR products were successfully sequenced while 29 were presenting multiple clonal P. falciparum parasite were not sequenced. The analysis of the N-terminal region of the PfCSP amino acids sequence compared to the reference strains showed five different haplotypes. H1 consisted of 3D7, NF54, HB3 and 13 isolates of the Sudanese pfcsp. H2 comprised of 7G8, Dd2, MAD20, RO33, Wellcome strain, and 5 isolates of the Sudanese pfcsp. H3, H4, and H5 were found in 3 distinct isolates. Hd was 0.594 ± 0.065, and S was 12. The most common polymorphic site was A98G; other sites were D82Y, N83H, N83M, K85L, L86F, R87L, R87F, and A98S. Fu and Li’s D* test value was − 2.70818, Fu and Li’s F* test value was − 2.83907, indicating a role of negative balancing selection in the pfcsp N-terminal region. Analysis with the global pfcsp N-terminal regions showed the presence of 13 haplotypes. Haplotypes frequencies were 79.4%, 17.0%, 1.6% and 1.0% for H1, H2, H3 and H4, respectively. Remaining haplotypes frequency was 0.1% for each. Hd was 0.340 ± 0.017 with a Pi of 0.00485, S was 18 sites, and Pi was 0.00030. Amino acid polymorphisms identified in the N-terminal region of global pfcsp were present at eight positions (D82Y, N83H/M, K85L/T/N, L86F, R87L/F, A98G/V/S, D99G, and G100D). Conclusions Sudanese pfcsp N-terminal region was well-conserved with only a few polymorphic sites. Geographical distribution of genetic diversity showed high similarity to the African isolates, and this will help and contribute in the deployment of RTS,S, a PfCSP-based vaccine, in Sudan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouh S Mohamed
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nile College, Khartoum, Sudan. .,Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Sinnar University, Sinnar, Sudan. .,Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Musab M Ali Albsheer
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Sinnar University, Sinnar, Sudan.,Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, East Nile College, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Hanadi Abdelbagi
- Biotechnology Research Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman, Sudan
| | - Emanuel E Siddig
- Unit of Applied Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.,Mycetoma Research Center, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mona A Mohamed
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nile College, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Abdallah E Ahmed
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nile College, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Rihab Ali Omer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.,Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mohamed S Muneer
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Ayman Ahmed
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.,World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hussam A Osman
- Biotechnology Research Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman, Sudan
| | - Mohamed S Ali
- Faculty of Medicine, Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Ibrahim M Eisa
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Alzaiem Alazhari University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mohamed M Elbasheir
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Alzaiem Alazhari University, Khartoum, Sudan
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17
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Lê HG, Kang JM, Jun H, Lee J, Thái TL, Myint MK, Aye KS, Sohn WM, Shin HJ, Kim TS, Na BK. Changing pattern of the genetic diversities of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 and merozoite surface protein-2 in Myanmar isolates. Malar J 2019; 18:241. [PMID: 31311565 PMCID: PMC6636015 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2879-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 (PfMSP-1) and -2 (PfMSP-2) are major blood-stage vaccine candidate antigens. Understanding the genetic diversity of the genes, pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2, is important for recognizing the genetic structure of P. falciparum, and the development of an effective vaccine based on the antigens. In this study, the genetic diversities of pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 in the Myanmar P. falciparum were analysed. METHODS The pfmsp-1 block 2 and pfmsp-2 block 3 regions were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from blood samples collected from Myanmar patients who were infected with P. falciparum in 2013-2015. The amplified gene fragments were cloned into a T&A vector, and sequenced. Sequence analysis of Myanmar pfmsp-1 block 2 and pfmsp-2 block 3 was performed to identify the genetic diversity of the regions. The temporal genetic changes of both pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 in the Myanmar P. falciparum population, as well as the polymorphic diversity in the publicly available global pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2, were also comparatively analysed. RESULTS High levels of genetic diversity of pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 were observed in the Myanmar P. falciparum isolates. Twenty-eight different alleles of pfmsp-1 (8 for K1 type, 14 for MAD20 type, and 6 for RO33 type) and 59 distinct alleles of pfmsp-2 (18 for FC27, and 41 for 3D7 type) were identified in the Myanmar P. falciparum population in amino acid level. Comparative analyses of the genetic diversity of the Myanmar pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 alleles in the recent (2013-2015) and past (2004-2006) Myanmar P. falciparum populations indicated the dynamic genetic expansion of the pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 in recent years, suggesting that a high level of genetic differentiation and recombination of the two genes may be maintained. Population genetic structure analysis of the global pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 also suggested that a high level of genetic diversity of the two genes was found in the global P. falciparum population. CONCLUSION Despite the recent remarkable decline of malaria cases, the Myanmar P. falciparum population still remains of sufficient size to allow the generation and maintenance of genetic diversity. The high level of genetic diversity of pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 in the global P. falciparum population emphasizes the necessity for continuous monitoring of the genetic diversity of the genes for better understanding of the genetic make-up and evolutionary aspect of the genes in the global P. falciparum population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hương Giang Lê
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and 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, and 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, and Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinyoung Lee
- Department of Tropical Medicine, and Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Thị Lam Thái
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and 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
| | - Moe Kyaw Myint
- Department of Medical Research Pyin Oo Lwin Branch, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar
| | - Khin Saw Aye
- Department of Medical Research Pyin Oo Lwin Branch, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar
| | - Woon-Mok Sohn
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Joon Shin
- Department of Microbiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Tong-Soo Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine, and 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, and 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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18
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Genetic dissociation of three antigenic genes in Plasmodium ovale curtisi and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217795. [PMID: 31170213 PMCID: PMC6553752 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium ovale curtisi and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri are two sympatric human malaria species prevalent in Africa, Asia and Oceania. The reported prevalence of both P. ovale spp. was relatively low compared to other malaria species, but more sensitive molecular detection techniques have shown that asymptomatic low-density infections are more common than previously thought. Whole genome sequencing of both P. ovale spp. revealed genetic dissociation between P. ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri suggesting a species barrier. In this study we further evaluate such a barrier by assessing polymorphisms in the genes of three vaccine candidate surface protein: circumsporozoite protein/ thrombospondin-related anonymous-related protein (ctrp), circumsporozoite surface protein (csp) and merozoite surface protein 1 (msp1). The complete coding sequence of ctrp and csp, and a partial fragment of msp1 were isolated from 25 P. ovale isolates and compared to previously reported reference sequences. A low level of nucleotide diversity (Pi = 0.02–0.10) was observed in all three genes. Various sizes of tandem repeats were observed in all ctrp, csp and msp1 genes. Both tandem repeat unit and nucleotide polymorphism in all three genes exhibited clear dimorphism between P. ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri, supporting evidence of non-recombination between these two species.
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