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Björnsson KH, Bassi MR, Knudsen AS, Aves KL, Morella Roig È, Sander AF, Barfod L. Leveraging Immunofocusing and Virus-like Particle Display to Enhance Antibody Responses to the Malaria Blood-Stage Invasion Complex Antigen PfCyRPA. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:859. [PMID: 39203985 PMCID: PMC11359962 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12080859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
A vaccine protecting against malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is urgently needed. The blood-stage invasion complex PCRCR consists of the five malarial proteins PfPTRAMP, PfCSS, PfRipr, PfCyRPA, and PfRH5. As each subcomponent represents an essential and highly conserved antigen, PCRCR is considered a promising vaccine target. Furthermore, antibodies targeting the complex can block red blood cell invasion by the malaria parasite. However, extremely high titers of neutralizing antibodies are needed for this invasion-blocking effect, and a vaccine based on soluble PfRH5 protein has proven insufficient in inducing a protective response in a clinical trial. Here, we present the results of two approaches to increase the neutralizing antibody titers: (A) immunofocusing and (B) increasing the immunogenicity of the antigen via multivalent display on capsid virus-like particles (cVLPs). The immunofocusing strategies included vaccinating with peptides capable of binding the invasion-blocking anti-PfCyRPA monoclonal antibody CyP1.9, as well as removing non-neutralizing epitopes of PfCyRPA through truncation. Vaccination with PfCyRPA coupled to the AP205 cVLP induced nearly two-fold higher IgG responses compared to vaccinating with soluble PfCyRPA protein. Immunofocusing using a linear peptide greatly increased the neutralizing capacity of the anti-PfCyRPA antibodies. However, significantly lower total anti-PfCyRPA titers were achieved using this strategy. Our results underline the potential of a cVLP-based malaria vaccine including full-length PfCyRPA, which could be combined with other leading malaria vaccine antigens presented on cVLPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper H. Björnsson
- Centre for translational Medicine and Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.H.B.); (M.R.B.); (A.F.S.)
| | - Maria R. Bassi
- Centre for translational Medicine and Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.H.B.); (M.R.B.); (A.F.S.)
| | - Anne S. Knudsen
- Centre for translational Medicine and Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.H.B.); (M.R.B.); (A.F.S.)
| | - Kara-Lee Aves
- Centre for translational Medicine and Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.H.B.); (M.R.B.); (A.F.S.)
| | - Èlia Morella Roig
- Centre for translational Medicine and Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.H.B.); (M.R.B.); (A.F.S.)
| | - Adam F. Sander
- Centre for translational Medicine and Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.H.B.); (M.R.B.); (A.F.S.)
- AdaptVac, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lea Barfod
- Centre for translational Medicine and Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.H.B.); (M.R.B.); (A.F.S.)
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2
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Miura K, Flores-Garcia Y, Long CA, Zavala F. Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies: new tools for malaria control. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0007123. [PMID: 38656211 PMCID: PMC11237600 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00071-23] [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] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYMalaria remains one of the biggest health problems in the world. While significant reductions in malaria morbidity and mortality had been achieved from 2000 to 2015, the favorable trend has stalled, rather significant increases in malaria cases are seen in multiple areas. In 2022, there were 249 million estimated cases, and 608,000 malaria-related deaths, mostly in infants and children aged under 5 years, globally. Therefore, in addition to the expansion of existing anti-malarial control measures, it is critical to develop new tools, such as vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), to fight malaria. In the last 2 years, the first and second malaria vaccines, both targeting Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite proteins (PfCSP), have been recommended by the World Health Organization to prevent P. falciparum malaria in children living in moderate to high transmission areas. While the approval of the two malaria vaccines is a considerable milestone in vaccine development, they have much room for improvement in efficacy and durability. In addition to the two approved vaccines, recent clinical trials with mAbs against PfCSP, blood-stage vaccines against P. falciparum or P. vivax, and transmission-blocking vaccine or mAb against P. falciparum have shown promising results. This review summarizes the development of the anti-PfCSP vaccines and mAbs, and recent topics in the blood- and transmission-blocking-stage vaccine candidates and mAbs. We further discuss issues of the current vaccines and the directions for the development of next-generation vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Yevel Flores-Garcia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Fidel Zavala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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3
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Williams BG, King LDW, Pulido D, Quinkert D, Lias AM, Silk SE, Ragotte RJ, Davies H, Barrett JR, McHugh K, Rigby CA, Alanine DGW, Barfod L, Shea MW, Cowley LA, Dabbs RA, Pattinson DJ, Douglas AD, Lyth OR, Illingworth JJ, Jin J, Carnrot C, Kotraiah V, Christen JM, Noe AR, MacGill RS, King CR, Birkett AJ, Soisson LA, Skinner K, Miura K, Long CA, Higgins MK, Draper SJ. Development of an improved blood-stage malaria vaccine targeting the essential RH5-CyRPA-RIPR invasion complex. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4857. [PMID: 38849365 PMCID: PMC11161584 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48721-3] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Reticulocyte-binding protein homologue 5 (RH5), a leading blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum malaria vaccine target, interacts with cysteine-rich protective antigen (CyRPA) and RH5-interacting protein (RIPR) to form an essential heterotrimeric "RCR-complex". We investigate whether RCR-complex vaccination can improve upon RH5 alone. Using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) we show that parasite growth-inhibitory epitopes on each antigen are surface-exposed on the RCR-complex and that mAb pairs targeting different antigens can function additively or synergistically. However, immunisation of female rats with the RCR-complex fails to outperform RH5 alone due to immuno-dominance of RIPR coupled with inferior potency of anti-RIPR polyclonal IgG. We identify that all growth-inhibitory antibody epitopes of RIPR cluster within the C-terminal EGF-like domains and that a fusion of these domains to CyRPA, called "R78C", combined with RH5, improves the level of in vitro parasite growth inhibition compared to RH5 alone. These preclinical data justify the advancement of the RH5.1 + R78C/Matrix-M™ vaccine candidate to Phase 1 clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnabas G Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Lloyd D W King
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - David Pulido
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Doris Quinkert
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Amelia M Lias
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah E Silk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert J Ragotte
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Hannah Davies
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Jordan R Barrett
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Kirsty McHugh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Cassandra A Rigby
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Daniel G W Alanine
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Lea Barfod
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael W Shea
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Li An Cowley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Rebecca A Dabbs
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - David J Pattinson
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Alexander D Douglas
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Oliver R Lyth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Joseph J Illingworth
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Jing Jin
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | - Amy R Noe
- Leidos Life Sciences, Frederick, MD, USA
- Latham BioPharm Group, Elkridge, MD, USA
| | | | - C Richter King
- Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, PATH, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ashley J Birkett
- Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, PATH, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Katherine Skinner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Matthew K Higgins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon J Draper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK.
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK.
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK.
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4
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Ogwang R, Murugu L, Nkumama IN, Nyamako L, Kai O, Mwai K, Murungi L, Idro R, Bejon P, Tuju J, Kinyanjui SM, Osier FHA. Bi-isotype immunoglobulins enhance antibody-mediated neutrophil activity against Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1360220. [PMID: 38650925 PMCID: PMC11033408 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1360220] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria remains a major global health priority, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are emerging as potential new tools to support efforts to control the disease. Recent data suggest that Fc-dependent mechanisms of immunity are important mediators of protection against the blood stages of the infection, but few studies have investigated this in the context of mAbs. We aimed to isolate mAbs agnostic to cognate antigens that target whole merozoites and simultaneously induce potent neutrophil activity measured by the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production using an antibody-dependent respiratory burst (ADRB) assay. Methods We used samples from semi-immune adults living in coastal Kenya to isolate mAbs that induce merozoite-specific ADRB activity. We then tested whether modifying the expressed IgG1 isotype to an IgG-IgA Fc region chimera would enhance the level of ADRB activity. Results We isolated a panel of nine mAbs with specificity to whole merozoites. mAb J31 induced ADRB activity in a dose-dependent fashion. Compared to IgG1, our modified antibody IgG-IgA bi-isotype induced higher ADRB activity across all concentrations tested. Further, we observed a negative hook effect at high IgG1 mAb concentrations (i.e., >200 µg/mL), but this was reversed by Fc modification. We identified MSP3.5 as the potential cognate target of mAb J31. Conclusions We demonstrate an approach to engineer mAbs with enhanced ADRB potency against blood-stage parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodney Ogwang
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lewis Murugu
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Irene N. Nkumama
- Centre of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lydia Nyamako
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Oscar Kai
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Kennedy Mwai
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Linda Murungi
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Richard Idro
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Bejon
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - James Tuju
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Sam Muchina Kinyanjui
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Faith H. A. Osier
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Björnsson KH, Barfod L. A complex equation - adding to Plasmodium falciparum invasion. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:160-162. [PMID: 36682939 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.01.004] [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: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum invasion complex - consisting of the prime blood-stage vaccine candidates PfRH5, PfCyRPA and PfRipr - is essential and conserved. New data from Scally et al. reveal that the complex consists of two additional proteins, adding important knowledge to the current understanding of the biology behind the invasion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper H Björnsson
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lea Barfod
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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6
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Somanathan A, Mian SY, Chaddha K, Uchoi S, Bharti PK, Tandon R, Gaur D, Chauhan VS. Process development and preclinical evaluation of a major Plasmodium falciparum blood stage vaccine candidate, Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (CyRPA). Front Immunol 2022; 13:1005332. [PMID: 36211427 PMCID: PMC9535676 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1005332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (CyRPA) is an essential, highly conserved merozoite antigen that forms an important multi-protein complex (RH5/Ripr/CyRPA) necessary for erythrocyte invasion. CyRPA is a promising blood-stage vaccine target that has been shown to elicit potent strain-transcending parasite neutralizing antibodies. Recently, we demonstrated that naturally acquired immune anti-CyRPA antibodies are invasion-inhibitory and therefore a correlate of protection against malaria. Here, we describe a process for the large-scale production of tag-free CyRPA vaccine in E. coli and demonstrate its parasite neutralizing efficacy with commonly used adjuvants. CyRPA was purified from inclusion bodies using a one-step purification method with high purity (>90%). Biochemical and biophysical characterization showed that the purified tag-free CyRPA interacted with RH5, readily detected by a conformation-specific CyRPA monoclonal antibody and recognized by sera from malaria infected individuals thus indicating that the recombinant antigen was correctly folded and retained its native conformation. Tag-free CyRPA formulated with Freund’s adjuvant elicited highly potent parasite neutralizing antibodies achieving inhibition of >90% across diverse parasite strains. Importantly, we identified tag-free CyRPA/Alhydrogel formulation as most effective in inducing a highly immunogenic antibody response that exhibited efficacious, cross-strain in vitro parasite neutralization achieving ~80% at 10 mg/ml. Further, CyRPA/Alhydrogel vaccine induced anti-parasite cytokine response in mice. In summary, our study provides a simple, scalable, cost-effective process for the production of tag-free CyRPA that in combination with human-compatible adjuvant induces efficacious humoral and cell-mediated immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Somanathan
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Syed Yusuf Mian
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Kritika Chaddha
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Seemalata Uchoi
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Praveen K. Bharti
- ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, India
| | - Ravi Tandon
- Laboratory of AIDS Research and Immunology, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepak Gaur
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Virander Singh Chauhan
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Virander Singh Chauhan,
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7
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Thiam LG, Mangou K, Ba A, Mbengue A, Bei AK. Leveraging genome editing to functionally evaluate Plasmodium diversity. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:558-571. [PMID: 35469746 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The ambitious goal of malaria elimination requires an in-depth understanding of the parasite's biology to counter the growing threat of antimalarial resistance and immune evasion. Timely assessment of the functional impact of antigenic diversity in the early stages of vaccine development will be critical for achieving the goal of malaria control, elimination, and ultimately eradication. Recent advances in targeted genome editing enabled the functional validation of resistance-associated markers in Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria-causing pathogen and strain-specific immune neutralization. This review explores recent advances made in leveraging genome editing to aid the functional evaluation of Plasmodium diversity and highlights how these techniques can assist in prioritizing both therapeutic and vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laty Gaye Thiam
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Khadidiatou Mangou
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Aboubacar Ba
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Alassane Mbengue
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Amy K Bei
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal; Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
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8
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Nacer A, Kivi G, Pert R, Juronen E, Holenya P, Aliprandini E, Amino R, Silvie O, Quinkert D, Le Duff Y, Hurley M, Reimer U, Tover A, Draper SJ, Gilbert S, Ho MM, Bowyer PW. Expanding the Malaria Antibody Toolkit: Development and Characterisation of Plasmodium falciparum RH5, CyRPA, and CSP Recombinant Human Monoclonal Antibodies. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:901253. [PMID: 35782147 PMCID: PMC9243361 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.901253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria, an infection caused by apicomplexan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, continues to exact a significant toll on public health with over 200 million cases world-wide, and annual deaths in excess of 600,000. Considerable progress has been made to reduce malaria burden in endemic countries in the last two decades. However, parasite and mosquito resistance to frontline chemotherapies and insecticides, respectively, highlights the continuing need for the development of safe and effective vaccines. Here we describe the development of recombinant human antibodies to three target proteins from Plasmodium falciparum: reticulocyte binding protein homologue 5 (PfRH5), cysteine-rich protective antigen (PfCyRPA), and circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP). All three proteins are key targets in the development of vaccines for blood-stage or pre-erythrocytic stage infections. We have developed potent anti-PfRH5, PfCyRPA and PfCSP monoclonal antibodies that will prove useful tools for the standardisation of assays in preclinical research and the assessment of these antigens in clinical trials. We have generated some very potent anti-PfRH5 and anti-PfCyRPA antibodies with some clones >200 times more potent than the polyclonal anti-AMA-1 antibodies used for the evaluation of blood stage antigens. While the monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies are not directly comparable, the data provide evidence that these new antibodies are very good at blocking invasion. These antibodies will therefore provide a valuable resource and have potential as biological standards to help harmonise pre-clinical malaria research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adéla Nacer
- Division of Bacteriology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Potters Bar, United Kingdom
| | - Gaily Kivi
- Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ, Tartumaa, Estonia
| | - Raini Pert
- Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ, Tartumaa, Estonia
| | | | - Pavlo Holenya
- Research and Development, JPT Peptide Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Rogerio Amino
- Malaria Infection & Immunity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Silvie
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, CIMI-Paris, Paris, France
| | - Doris Quinkert
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yann Le Duff
- Centre for Aids Reagents, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Potters Bar, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Hurley
- Centre for Aids Reagents, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Potters Bar, United Kingdom
| | - Ulf Reimer
- Research and Development, JPT Peptide Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Simon J. Draper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Gilbert
- Centre for Aids Reagents, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Potters Bar, United Kingdom
| | - Mei Mei Ho
- Division of Bacteriology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Potters Bar, United Kingdom
| | - Paul W. Bowyer
- Division of Bacteriology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Potters Bar, United Kingdom
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Knudsen AS, Walker MR, Agullet JP, Björnsson KH, Bassi MR, Barfod L. Enhancing neutralization of Plasmodium falciparum using a novel monoclonal antibody against the rhoptry-associated membrane antigen. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3040. [PMID: 35197516 PMCID: PMC8866459 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06921-1] [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: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of malaria is associated with blood-stage infection and there is strong evidence that antibodies specific to parasite blood-stage antigens can control parasitemia. This provides a strong rational for applying blood-stage antigen components in a multivalent vaccine, as the induced antibodies in combination can enhance protection. The Plasmodium falciparum rhoptry-associated membrane antigen (PfRAMA) is a promising vaccine target, due to its fundamental role in merozoite invasion and low level of polymorphism. Polyclonal antibodies against PfRAMA are able to inhibit P. falciparum growth and interact synergistically when combined with antibodies against P. falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein 5 (PfRh5) or cysteine-rich protective antigen (PfCyRPA). In this study, we identified a novel PfRAMA-specific mAb with neutralizing activity, which in combination with PfRh5- or PfCyRPA-specific mAbs potentiated the neutralizing effect. By applying phage display technology, we mapped the protective epitope to be in the C-terminal region of PfRAMA. Our results confirmed previous finding of synergy between PfRAMA-, PfRh5- and PfCyRPA-specific antibodies, thereby paving the way of testing these antigens (or fragments of these antigens) in combination to improve the efficacy of blood-stage malaria vaccines. The results emphasize the importance of directing antibody responses towards protective epitopes, as the majority of anti-PfRAMA mAbs were unable to inhibit merozoite invasion of erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne S Knudsen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Melanie R Walker
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Judit P Agullet
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper H Björnsson
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria R Bassi
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lea Barfod
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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