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Hernández-Zambrano LJ, Alfonso-González H, Buitrago SP, Castro-Cavadía CJ, Garzón-Ospina D. Exploring the genetic diversity pattern of PvEBP/DBP2: A promising candidate for an effective Plasmodium vivax vaccine. Acta Trop 2024; 255:107231. [PMID: 38685340 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107231] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Malaria remains a public health challenge. Since many control strategies have proven ineffective in eradicating this disease, new strategies are required, among which the design of a multivalent vaccine stands out. However, the effectiveness of this strategy has been hindered, among other reasons, by the genetic diversity observed in parasite antigens. In Plasmodium vivax, the Erythrocyte Binding Protein (PvEBP, also known as DBP2) is an alternate ligand to Duffy Binding Protein (DBP); given its structural resemblance to DBP, EBP/DBP2 is proposed as a promising antigen for inclusion in vaccine design. However, the extent of genetic diversity within the locus encoding this protein has not been comprehensively assessed. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity of the locus encoding the P. vivax EBP/DBP2 protein and to determine the evolutionary mechanisms modulating this diversity. Several intrapopulation genetic variation parameters were estimated using 36 gene sequences of PvEBP/DBP2 from Colombian P. vivax clinical isolates and 186 sequences available in databases. The study then evaluated the worldwide genetic structure and the evolutionary forces that may influence the observed patterns of genetic variation. It was found that the PvEBP/DBP2 gene exhibits one of the lowest levels of genetic diversity compared to other vaccine-candidate antigens. Four major haplotypes were shared worldwide. Analysis of the protein's 3D structure and epitope prediction identified five regions with potential antigenic properties. The results suggest that the PvEBP/DBP2 protein possesses ideal characteristics to be considered when designing a multivalent effective antimalarial vaccine against P. vivax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Hernández-Zambrano
- Grupo de Estudios en Genética y Biología Molecular (GEBIMOL), School of Biological Sciences, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia - UPTC, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia; Population Genetics And Molecular Evolution (PGAME), Fundación Scient, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Heliairis Alfonso-González
- Grupo de Estudios en Genética y Biología Molecular (GEBIMOL), School of Biological Sciences, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia - UPTC, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia; Population Genetics And Molecular Evolution (PGAME), Fundación Scient, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Sindy P Buitrago
- Grupo de Estudios en Genética y Biología Molecular (GEBIMOL), School of Biological Sciences, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia - UPTC, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia; Population Genetics And Molecular Evolution (PGAME), Fundación Scient, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Carlos J Castro-Cavadía
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas y Biomédicas de Córdoba (GIMBIC), School of Health Sciences, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Diego Garzón-Ospina
- Grupo de Estudios en Genética y Biología Molecular (GEBIMOL), School of Biological Sciences, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia - UPTC, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia; Population Genetics And Molecular Evolution (PGAME), Fundación Scient, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia.
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Won JY, Louis JM, Roh ES, Cha SH, Han JH. Functional characterization of Clonorchis sinensis choline transporter. PARASITES, HOSTS AND DISEASES 2023; 61:428-438. [PMID: 38043538 PMCID: PMC10693965 DOI: 10.3347/phd.23082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Clonorchis sinensis is commonly found in East Asian countries. Clonorchiasis is prevalent in these countries and can lead to various clinical symptoms. In this study, we used overlap extension polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system to isolate a cDNA encoding the choline transporter of C. sinensis (CsChT). We subsequently characterized recombinant CsChT. Expression of CsChT in X. laevis oocytes enabled efficient transport of radiolabeled choline, with no detectable uptake of arginine, α-ketoglutarate, p-aminohippurate, taurocholate, and estrone sulfate. Influx and efflux experiments showed that CsChT-mediated choline uptake was time- and sodium-dependent, with no exchange properties. Concentration-dependent analyses of revealed saturable kinetics consistent with the Michaelis-Menten equation, while nonlinear regression analyses revealed a Km value of 8.3 μM and a Vmax of 61.0 pmol/oocyte/h. These findings contribute to widen our understanding of CsChT transport properties and the cascade of choline metabolisms within C. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Yeon Won
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Johnsy Mary Louis
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
| | - Eui Sun Roh
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Seok Ho Cha
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Jin-Hee Han
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
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Ren Z, Shi Q, Xu S, Xu J, Yin Y, Lin Z, Xu S, Ma X, Liu Y, Zhu G, He X, Lu J, Li Y, Zhang W, Liu J, Yang Y, Han ET, Cao J, Lu F. Elicitation of T-cell-derived IFN-γ-dependent immunity by highly conserved Plasmodium ovale curtisi Duffy binding protein domain region II (PocDBP-RII). Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:269. [PMID: 37553591 PMCID: PMC10410920 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05897-9] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infections with Plasmodium ovale are widely distributed but rarely investigated, and the resulting burden of disease has been underestimated. Plasmodium ovale curtisi Duffy binding protein domain region II (PocDBP-RII) is an essential ligand for reticulocyte recognition and host cell invasion by P. ovale curtisi. However, the genomic variation, antigenicity and immunogenicity of PocDBP-RII remain major knowledge gaps. METHODS A total of 93 P. ovale curtisi samples were collected from migrant workers who returned to China from 17 countries in Africa between 2012 and 2016. The genetic polymorphism, natural selection and copy number variation (CNV) were investigated by sequencing and real-time PCR. The antigenicity and immunogenicity of the recombinant PocDBP-RII (rPocDBP-RII) protein were further examined, and the humoral and cellular responses of immunized mice were assessed using protein microarrays and flow cytometry. RESULTS Efficiently expressed and purified rPocDBP-RII (39 kDa) was successfully used as an antigen for immunization in mice. The haplotype diversity (Hd) of PocDBP-RII gene was 0.105, and the nucleotide diversity index (π) was 0.00011. No increased copy number was found among the collected isolates of P. ovale curtisi. Furthermore, rPocDBP-RII induced persistent antigen-specific antibody production with a serum IgG antibody titer of 1: 16,000. IFN-γ-producing T cells, rather than IL-10-producing cells, were activated in response to the stimulation of rPocDBP-RII. Compared to PBS-immunized mice (negative control), there was a higher percentage of CD4+CD44highCD62L- T cells (effector memory T cells) and CD8+CD44highCD62L+ T cells (central memory T cells) in rPocDBP-RII‑immunized mice. CONCLUSIONS PocDBP-RII sequences were highly conserved in clinical isolates of P. ovale curtisi. rPocDBP-RII protein could mediate protective blood-stage immunity through IFN-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and memory T cells, in addition to inducing specific antibodies. Our results suggested that rPocDBP-RII protein has potential as a vaccine candidate to provide assessment and guidance for malaria control and elimination activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Ren
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiyang Shi
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory On Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, People's Republic of China
| | - Simin Xu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Changshu Second People's Hospital, Suzhou, 215500, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahui Xu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Yin
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhijie Lin
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Sui Xu
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory On Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqin Ma
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory On Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaobao Liu
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory On Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoding Zhu
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory On Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinlong He
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyuan Lu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinyue Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenwen Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiali Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Yang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Eun-Taek Han
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Cao
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory On Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, People's Republic of China.
| | - Feng Lu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.
- Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.
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