1
|
Obaldía N, Da Silva Filho JL, Núñez M, Glass KA, Oulton T, Achcar F, Wirjanata G, Duraisingh M, Felgner P, Tetteh KK, Bozdech Z, Otto TD, Marti M. Sterile protection against P. vivax malaria by repeated blood stage infection in the Aotus monkey model. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302524. [PMID: 38158220 PMCID: PMC10756917 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax remains a major global public health challenge, and no vaccine is approved for use in humans. Here, we assessed whether P. vivax strain-transcendent immunity can be achieved by repeated infection in Aotus monkeys. Sterile immunity was achieved after two homologous infections, whereas subsequent heterologous challenge provided only partial protection. IgG levels based on P. vivax lysate ELISA and protein microarray increased with repeated infections and correlated with the level of homologous protection. Parasite transcriptional profiles provided no evidence of major antigenic switching upon homologous or heterologous challenge. However, we observed significant sequence diversity and transcriptional differences in the P. vivax core gene repertoire between the two strains used in the study, suggesting that partial protection upon heterologous challenge is due to molecular differences between strains rather than immune evasion by antigenic switching. Our study demonstrates that sterile immunity against P. vivax can be achieved by repeated homologous blood stage infection in Aotus monkeys, thus providing a benchmark to test the efficacy of candidate blood stage P. vivax malaria vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicanor Obaldía
- Departamento de Investigaciones en Parasitologia, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panamá City, Republic of Panamá
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- https://ror.org/00vtgdb53 Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Joao Luiz Da Silva Filho
- https://ror.org/00vtgdb53 Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- https://ror.org/02crff812 Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse and Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marlon Núñez
- Departamento de Investigaciones en Parasitologia, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panamá City, Republic of Panamá
| | - Katherine A Glass
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Tate Oulton
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Fiona Achcar
- https://ror.org/00vtgdb53 Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- https://ror.org/02crff812 Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse and Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Grennady Wirjanata
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Manoj Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Philip Felgner
- Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Ka Tetteh
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Zbynek Bozdech
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thomas D Otto
- https://ror.org/00vtgdb53 Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Matthias Marti
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- https://ror.org/00vtgdb53 Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- https://ror.org/02crff812 Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse and Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kang SA, Yu HS. Anti-obesity effects by parasitic nematode ( Trichinella spiralis) total lysates. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1285584. [PMID: 38259965 PMCID: PMC10800963 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1285584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Obesity is an inducible factor for the cause of chronic diseases and is described by an increase in the size and number of adipocytes that differentiate from precursor cells (preadipocytes). Parasitic helminths are the strongest natural trigger of type 2 immune system, and several studies have showed that helminth infections are inversely correlated with metabolic syndromes. Methodology/Principal findings To investigate whether helminth-derived molecules have therapeutic effects on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, we isolated total lysates from Trichinella spiralis muscle larvae. We then checked the anti-obesity effect after intraperitoneal administration and intraoral administration of total lysate from T. spiralis muscle larvae in a diet-induced obesity model. T. spiralis total lysates protect against obesity by inhibiting the proinflammatory response and/or enhancing M2 macrophages. In addition, we determined the effects of total lysates from T. spiralis muscle larvae on anti-obesity activities in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by investigating the expression levels of key adipogenic regulators, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) and adipocyte protein 2 (aP2). Oil Red O staining showed that the total lysates from T. spiralis muscle larvae decreased the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by decreasing the number of lipid droplets. In addition, the production levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). T. spiralis total lysates decreased intracellular lipid accumulation and suppressed the expression levels of PPARγ, C/EBPα and aP2. Conclusion/Significance These results show that T. spiralis total lysate significantly suppresses the symptoms of obesity in a diet- induced obesity model and 3T3-L1 cell differentiation and suggest that it has potential for novel anti-obesity therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shin Ae Kang
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hak Sun Yu
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Martens-Koop A, Thakur A. Intracellular Pathogens: Infection, Immunity, and Intervention. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2813:1-17. [PMID: 38888767 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3890-3_1] [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] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens comprise a diverse group of pathogens that all share a required location in a host cell to infect, survive, and replicate. Intracellular location allows pathogens to hide from host immune responses, avoid competition with other pathogens, mediate host cellular functions, replicate safely, and cause infection that is difficult to target with therapeutics. All intracellular pathogens have varying routes of infiltration into host cells and different host cell preferences. For example, bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis chooses to invade antigen-presenting cells, which allows them to moderate host antigen presentation to memory cells, whereas rabies virus prefers to invade neurons because they have pre-existing innate immunity protection systems. Regardless of the pathway that each intracellular pathogen follows, all share the capacity to cause disease if they succeed in entering host cells. Here, we give an overview of selected intracellular pathogens and infections they cause, immune responses they induce, and intervention strategies used to treat and control them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Martens-Koop
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Aneesh Thakur
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kelly TR, Cannon AL, Stansberry KR, Kimball MG, Lattin CR. Changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, immunity, and glucose during acute Plasmodium relictum infection in house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 345:114388. [PMID: 37802425 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Hosts of the same species vary in physiological responses to the same parasite, and some groups of individuals can disproportionately affect disease dynamics; however, the underlying pathophysiology of host-parasite interactions is poorly understood in wildlife. We tested the hypothesis that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis mediates host resistance and tolerance to avian malaria during the acute phase of infection by evaluating whether individual variation in circulating glucocorticoids predicted resistance to avian malaria in a songbird. We experimentally inoculated wild-caught house sparrows (Passer domesticus) with naturally sourced Plasmodium relictum and quantified baseline and restraint-induced circulating corticosterone, negative feedback ability, cellular and humoral immune function, and baseline and restraint-induced glycemia, prior to and during acute malaria infection. During peak parasitemia, we also evaluated the expression of several liver cytokines that are established pathological hallmarks of malaria in mammals: two pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ and TNF-α) and two anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and TGF-β). Although most of the host metrics we evaluated were not correlated with host resistance or tolerance to avian malaria, this experiment revealed novel relationships between malarial parasites and the avian immune system that further our understanding of the pathology of malaria infection in birds. Specifically, we found that: (1) TNF-α liver expression was positively correlated with parasitemia; (2) sparrows exhibited an anti-inflammatory profile during malaria infection; and (3) IFN-γ and circulating glucose were associated with several immune parameters, but only in infected sparrows. We also found that, during the acute phase of infection, sparrows increased the strength of corticosterone negative feedback at the level of the pituitary. In the context of our results, we discuss future methodological considerations and aspects of host physiology that may confer resistance to avian malaria, which can help inform conservation and rehabilitation strategies for avifauna at risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T R Kelly
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
| | - A L Cannon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - K R Stansberry
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - M G Kimball
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - C R Lattin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Moita D, Nunes-Cabaço H, Rôla C, Franke-Fayard B, Janse CJ, Mendes AM, Prudêncio M. Variable long-term protection by radiation-, chemo-, and genetically-attenuated Plasmodium berghei sporozoite vaccines. Vaccine 2023; 41:7618-7625. [PMID: 38007342 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.11.023] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Long-term protection against malaria remains one of the greatest challenges of vaccination against this deadly parasitic disease. Whole-sporozoite (WSp) malaria vaccine formulations, which target the Plasmodium parasite's pre-erythrocytic stages, include radiation-attenuated sporozoites (RAS), early- and late-arresting genetically-attenuated parasites (EA-GAP and LA-GAP, respectively), and chemoprophylaxis with sporozoites (CPS). Although all these four vaccine formulations induce protective immune responses in the clinic, data on the longevity of the antimalarial protection they afford remain scarce. We employed a mouse model of malaria to assess protection conferred by immunization with P. berghei (Pb)-based surrogates of these four WSp formulations over a 36-week period. We show that EA-GAP WSp provide the lowest overall protection against an infectious Pb challenge, and that while immunization with RAS and LA-GAP WSp elicits the most durable protection, the protective efficacy of CPS WSp wanes rapidly over the 36-week period, most notably at higher immunization dosages. Analyses of liver immune cells show that CD44hi CD8+ T cells in CPS WSp-immunized mice express increased levels of the co-inhibitory PD-1 and LAG-3 markers compared to mice immunized with the other WSp formulations. This indicates that memory CD8+ T cells elicited by CPS WSp immunization display a more exhausted phenotype, which may explain the rapid waning of protection conferred by the former. These results emphasize the need for a detailed comparison of the duration of protection of different WSp formulations in humans and suggest a more beneficial effect of RAS and LA-GAP WSp compared to EA-GAP or CSP WSp.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Moita
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Helena Nunes-Cabaço
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina Rôla
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Chris J Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - António M Mendes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Palmateer NC, Munro JB, Nagaraj S, Crabtree J, Pelle R, Tallon L, Nene V, Bishop R, Silva JC. The Hypervariable Tpr Multigene Family of Theileria Parasites, Defined by a Conserved, Membrane-Associated, C-Terminal Domain, Includes Several Copies with Defined Orthology Between Species. J Mol Evol 2023; 91:897-911. [PMID: 38017120 PMCID: PMC10730637 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-023-10142-z] [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: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Multigene families often play an important role in host-parasite interactions. One of the largest multigene families in Theileria parva, the causative agent of East Coast fever, is the T. parva repeat (Tpr) gene family. The function of the putative Tpr proteins remains unknown. The initial publication of the T. parva reference genome identified 39 Tpr family open reading frames (ORFs) sharing a conserved C-terminal domain. Twenty-eight of these are clustered in a central region of chromosome 3, termed the "Tpr locus", while others are dispersed throughout all four nuclear chromosomes. The Tpr locus contains three of the four assembly gaps remaining in the genome, suggesting the presence of additional, as yet uncharacterized, Tpr gene copies. Here, we describe the use of long-read sequencing to attempt to close the gaps in the reference assembly of T. parva (located among multigene families clusters), characterize the full complement of Tpr family ORFs in the T. parva reference genome, and evaluate their evolutionary relationship with Tpr homologs in other Theileria species. We identify three new Tpr family genes in the T. parva reference genome and show that sequence similarity among paralogs in the Tpr locus is significantly higher than between genes outside the Tpr locus. We also identify sequences homologous to the conserved C-terminal domain in five additional Theileria species. Using these sequences, we show that the evolution of this gene family involves conservation of a few orthologs across species, combined with gene gains/losses, and species-specific expansions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Palmateer
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - James B Munro
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sushma Nagaraj
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan Crabtree
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Roger Pelle
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Luke Tallon
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vish Nene
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Richard Bishop
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Joana C Silva
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jonsdottir TK, Elsworth B, Cobbold S, Gabriela M, Ploeger E, Parkyn Schneider M, Charnaud SC, Dans MG, McConville M, Bullen HE, Crabb BS, Gilson PR. PTEX helps efficiently traffic haemoglobinases to the food vacuole in Plasmodium falciparum. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011006. [PMID: 37523385 PMCID: PMC10414648 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A key element of Plasmodium biology and pathogenesis is the trafficking of ~10% of the parasite proteome into the host red blood cell (RBC) it infects. To cross the parasite-encasing parasitophorous vacuole membrane, exported proteins utilise a channel-forming protein complex termed the Plasmodium translocon of exported proteins (PTEX). PTEX is obligatory for parasite survival, both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that at least some exported proteins have essential metabolic functions. However, to date only one essential PTEX-dependent process, the new permeability pathways, has been described. To identify other essential PTEX-dependant proteins/processes, we conditionally knocked down the expression of one of its core components, PTEX150, and examined which pathways were affected. Surprisingly, the food vacuole mediated process of haemoglobin (Hb) digestion was substantially perturbed by PTEX150 knockdown. Using a range of transgenic parasite lines and approaches, we show that two major Hb proteases; falcipain 2a and plasmepsin II, interact with PTEX core components, implicating the translocon in the trafficking of Hb proteases. We propose a model where these proteases are translocated into the PV via PTEX in order to reach the cytostome, located at the parasite periphery, prior to food vacuole entry. This work offers a second mechanistic explanation for why PTEX function is essential for growth of the parasite within its host RBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thorey K. Jonsdottir
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Brendan Elsworth
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Simon Cobbold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mikha Gabriela
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Ellen Ploeger
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Sarah C. Charnaud
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Madeline G. Dans
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Malcolm McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Hayley E. Bullen
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Brendan S. Crabb
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul R. Gilson
- Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hazrati A, Mirsanei Z, Heidari N, Malekpour K, Rahmani-Kukia N, Abbasi A, Soudi S. The potential application of encapsulated exosomes: A new approach to increase exosomes therapeutic efficacy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114615. [PMID: 37011484 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy is one of the methods that have shown promising results in treating diseases in recent decades. However, the use of different types of cells comes with limitations. The application of immune cells in cell therapy can lead to cytokine storms and inappropriate responses to self-antigens. Also, the use of stem cells has the potential to create tumors. Also, cells may not migrate to the injury site after intravenous injection. Therefore, using exosomes from different cells as therapeutic candidates were proposed. Due to their small size and favorable characteristics, such as biocompatibility and immunocompatibility, the easy storage and isolation, exosomes have attracted much attention. They are used in treating many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, orthopedic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. However, the results of various studies have shown that the therapeutic efficiency of exosomes (Exo) can be increased by loading different drugs and microRNAs inside them (encapsulated exosomes). Therefore, analyzing studies investigating encapsulated exosomes' therapeutic ability is critical. In this study, we have examined the studies related to the use of encapsulated exosomes in treating diseases such as cancer and infectious diseases and their use in regenerative medicine. Compared to intact exosomes, the results show that the application of encapsulated exosomes has a higher therapeutic ability. Therefore it is suggested to use this method depending on the treatment type to increase the treatment's efficiency.
Collapse
|
9
|
Ezema CA, Okagu IU, Ezeorba TPC. Escaping the enemy's bullets: an update on how malaria parasites evade host immune response. Parasitol Res 2023:10.1007/s00436-023-07868-6. [PMID: 37219610 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07868-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Malaria continues to cause untold hardship to inhabitants of malaria-endemic regions, causing significant morbidity and mortality that severely impact global health and the economy. Considering the complex life cycle of malaria parasites (MPs) and malaria biology, continued research efforts are ongoing to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of the diseases. Female Anopheles mosquito injects MPs into its hosts during a blood meal, and MPs invade the host skin and the hepatocytes without causing any serious symptoms. Symptomatic infections occur only during the erythrocytic stage. In most cases, the host's innate immunity (for malaria-naïve individuals) and adaptive immunity (for pre-exposed individuals) mount severe attacks and destroy most MPs. It is increasingly understood that MPs have developed several mechanisms to escape from the host's immune destruction. This review presents recent knowledge on how the host's immune system destroys invading MPs as well as MPs survival or host immune evasion mechanisms. On the invasion of host cells, MPs release molecules that bind to cell surface receptors to reprogram the host in a way to lose the capacity to destroy them. MPs also hide from the host immune cells by inducing the clustering of both infected and uninfected erythrocytes (rosettes), as well as inducing endothelial activation. We hope this review will inspire more research to provide a complete understanding of malaria biology and promote interventions to eradicate the notorious disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chinonso Anthony Ezema
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu State, 410001, Nigeria
- Division of Soft Matter, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan
| | - Innocent Uzochukwu Okagu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu State, 410001, Nigeria
| | - Timothy Prince Chidike Ezeorba
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu State, 410001, Nigeria.
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu State, 410001, Nigeria.
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Bhattacharjee S, Ghosh D, Saha R, Sarkar R, Kumar S, Khokhar M, Pandey RK. Mechanism of Immune Evasion in Mosquito-Borne Diseases. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050635. [PMID: 37242305 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, mosquito-borne illnesses have emerged as a major health burden in many tropical regions. These diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika virus infection, Rift Valley fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile virus infection, are transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. These pathogens have been shown to interfere with the host's immune system through adaptive and innate immune mechanisms, as well as the human circulatory system. Crucial immune checkpoints such as antigen presentation, T cell activation, differentiation, and proinflammatory response play a vital role in the host cell's response to pathogenic infection. Furthermore, these immune evasions have the potential to stimulate the human immune system, resulting in other associated non-communicable diseases. This review aims to advance our understanding of mosquito-borne diseases and the immune evasion mechanisms by associated pathogens. Moreover, it highlights the adverse outcomes of mosquito-borne disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Debanjan Ghosh
- Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India
| | - Rounak Saha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India
| | - Rima Sarkar
- DBT Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, India
| | - Saurav Kumar
- DBT Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, India
| | - Manoj Khokhar
- Department of Biochemistry, AIIMS, Jodhpur 342005, India
| | - Rajan Kumar Pandey
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Solna, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
van Dijk N, Carter J, Omondi W, Mens P, Schallig H. Clinical features, immunological interactions and household determinants of visceral leishmaniasis and malaria coinfections in West Pokot, Kenya: protocol for an observational study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e068679. [PMID: 37068901 PMCID: PMC10111886 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and malaria are two deadly parasitic diseases that coexist in West Pokot County, Kenya. The local population is at considerable risk of coinfection with VL and malaria; however, few studies have described the clinical implications of this comorbidity. Questions remain regarding the immune responses responsible for possible predisposing or protective effects. Moreover, characterisation of environmental and household risk factors for co-acquiring VL and malaria is warranted to increase awareness and guide implementation of targeted control strategies. This protocol intends to address these knowledge gaps concerning VL-malaria coinfections. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This observational research project will have a multimethod approach, starting with a cross-sectional study at Kacheliba Sub-County Hospital in West Pokot, Kenya. Patients with laboratory confirmation of a VL and/or malaria infection will be clinically assessed and symptomatology of monoinfections and coinfections will be compared. Second, a questionnaire will be addressed to all included patients and to healthy controls in local communities. This case-control study will aim to describe household and environmental determinants associated with VL-malaria coinfection. Lastly, blood samples will be collected from a small cohort of VL and malaria monoinfected and coinfected patients during treatment of their infection(s), and from healthy controls and asymptomatic VL and malaria cases recruited in local communities. These specimens will be used for serum cytokine measurements and molecular quantitation of Plasmodium and Leishmania. In this way, the immune response and parasite dynamics during VL-malaria coinfection will be characterised longitudinally and compared with those observed in clinical and asymptomatic monoinfections. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Scientific Research Committee of Amref Health Africa. The study findings will be presented at international conferences and published in open-access, peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN Registry (ISRCTN15023306).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Norbert van Dijk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Academic Medical Centre at the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Infectious Diseases Programme, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jane Carter
- Clinical and Diagnostics Programme, Amref Health Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Wyckliff Omondi
- Division of Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Petra Mens
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Academic Medical Centre at the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Infectious Diseases Programme, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Schallig
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Academic Medical Centre at the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Infectious Diseases Programme, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chandley P, Ranjan R, Kumar S, Rohatgi S. Host-parasite interactions during Plasmodium infection: Implications for immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1091961. [PMID: 36685595 PMCID: PMC9845897 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1091961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a global infectious disease that remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world. Multiple environmental and host and parasite factors govern the clinical outcomes of malaria. The host immune response against the Plasmodium parasite is heterogenous and stage-specific both in the human host and mosquito vector. The Plasmodium parasite virulence is predominantly associated with its ability to evade the host's immune response. Despite the availability of drug-based therapies, Plasmodium parasites can acquire drug resistance due to high antigenic variations and allelic polymorphisms. The lack of licensed vaccines against Plasmodium infection necessitates the development of effective, safe and successful therapeutics. To design an effective vaccine, it is important to study the immune evasion strategies and stage-specific Plasmodium proteins, which are targets of the host immune response. This review provides an overview of the host immune defense mechanisms and parasite immune evasion strategies during Plasmodium infection. Furthermore, we also summarize and discuss the current progress in various anti-malarial vaccine approaches, along with antibody-based therapy involving monoclonal antibodies, and research advancements in host-directed therapy, which can together open new avenues for developing novel immunotherapies against malaria infection and transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Chandley
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India
| | - Ravikant Ranjan
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India
| | - Sudhir Kumar
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Soma Rohatgi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India,*Correspondence: Soma Rohatgi,
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kaczanowski S. Detection of positive selection acting on protein surfaces at the whole-genome scale in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 107:105397. [PMID: 36572055 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The host-parasite evolutionary arms race is a fundamental process with medical implications. During this process, the host develops parasite resistance, and the parasite develops host immune evasion strategies. Thus, this process accelerates relevant protein evolution. This study test hypothesizes that proteins subject to sequence evolution structural constraints play a crucial role and that these constraints hinder the modification of such proteins in this process. These hypotheses were tested using Plasmodium falciparum model and evaluated protein structures predicted for the entire proteome by the AlphaFold method. Based on dN/dS test results and P. falciparum and P. reichenowi comparisons, the presented approach identified proteins subject to purifying selection acting on the whole sequence and buried residues (dN < dS) and positive selection on nonburied residues. Of the 26 proteins, some known antigens (ring-exported protein 3, RAP protein, erythrocyte binding antigen-140, and protein P47) targeted by the host immune system are promising vaccine candidates. The set also contained 11 enzymes, including FIKK kinase, which modifies host proteins. This set was compared with genes for which the dN/dS test suggested that positive selection acts on the whole gene (i.e., dN > dS). The present study found that such genes encode enzymes and antigenic vaccine candidates less frequently than genes for which evolution is not subject to selection constraints and positive selection acts on only exposed residues. The analysis was repeated comparing P. falciparum with P. alderi, which is more distantly related. The study discusses the potential implications of the presented methodology for rational vaccine design and the parasitology and evolutionary biology fields.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Szymon Kaczanowski
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Tangi LN, Ajonina MU, Moyeh MN, Chi HF, Ntui VN, Kwi PN, Toussi ECT, Fung MPS, Fah F, Mayaba JM, Formilack FT, Ntasin VN, Nji TM, Yenshu EV, Achidi EA, Amambua-Ngwa A, Apinjoh TO. Knowledge, attitude, and adherence to malaria control guidelines and the prevalence of Plasmodium species infection in localities across transmission and ecological zones in Cameroon. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1060479. [PMID: 37181692 PMCID: PMC10173414 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1060479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite a scale up of control interventions over the years, malaria remains a major public health and economic concern in Cameroon, contributing considerably to hospitalization and deaths. The effectiveness of control strategies depends on the extent of adherence by the population to national guidelines. This study assessed the influence of human knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to malaria and its control on the prevalence of malaria parasite infection, with implications for the elimination of the disease. Methodology This is a cross-sectional community and hospital-based study, covering the five ecological and three malaria transmission zones in Cameroon. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to document socio-demographic and clinical parameters as well as knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward malaria control and management. Consenting participants were screened for malaria parasite with rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) of the peripheral blood. Association between qualitative variables was determined using the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 3,360 participants were enrolled, 45.0% (1,513) of whom were mRDT positive, with 14.0% (451/3,216) and 29.6% (951/3,216) having asymptomatic parasitaemia and malaria, respectively. Although most participants knew the cause, symptoms, and control strategies, with 53.6% (1,000/1,867) expertly knowledgeable about malaria overall, only 0.1% (2/1,763) individuals were fully adherent to malaria control measures. Conclusion The risk of malaria in Cameroon remains high, with the population considerably knowledgeable about the disease but poorly adherent to national malaria control guidelines. Concerted and more effective strategies aimed at improving knowledge about malaria and adherences to control interventions are necessary to ultimately eliminate the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Livinus N. Tangi
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Marcelus U. Ajonina
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Marcel N. Moyeh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon
| | - Hanesh F. Chi
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Vincent N. Ntui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Pilate N. Kwi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Eric C. T. Toussi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | | | - FohTella Fah
- Department of Accounting, The University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon
| | - Joel M. Mayaba
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Franklin T. Formilack
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Veronica N. Ntasin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Theobald M. Nji
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Emmanuel V. Yenshu
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Eric A. Achidi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Alfred Amambua-Ngwa
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, Gambia
| | - Tobias O. Apinjoh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon
- *Correspondence: Tobias O. Apinjoh
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wyse AP, Dos Santos AJB, Azevedo JDS, Meneses ACD, Santos VMDC. Mathematical modeling of the performance of wild and transgenic mosquitoes in malaria transmission. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285000. [PMID: 37115773 PMCID: PMC10146568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A mathematical model that simulates malaria transmission under the influence of transgenic mosquitoes refractory to malaria is presented in this paper. The zygosity of transgenic mosquitoes is taken into account and, consequently, the total population of mosquitoes is comprised of wild type and heterozygous and homozygous transgenic mosquitoes. These three mosquito varieties interact by mating and competition, and the genetic characteristics of their resulting offspring are in accordance with Mendelian genetics or the mutagenic chain reaction (MCR) technique. Although the incorporation of transgenic mosquitoes into the ecosystem reduces the incidence of malaria, the model also takes into account the importance of completing treatment in individuals with confirmed infection and the imminent risk of increased environmental temperature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Wyse
- Department of Scientific Computing, Informatics Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | - Juarez Dos Santos Azevedo
- Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation, Federal University of Bahia, Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Aline Costa de Meneses
- Graduate Program in Mathematical and Computational Modeling, Informatics Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Victor Matheus Da Cunha Santos
- Graduate Program in Mathematical and Computational Modeling, Informatics Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Coulibaly A, Diop MF, Kone A, Dara A, Ouattara A, Mulder N, Miotto O, Diakite M, Djimde A, Amambua-Ngwa A. Genome-wide SNP analysis of Plasmodium falciparum shows differentiation at drug-resistance-associated loci among malaria transmission settings in southern Mali. Front Genet 2022; 13:943445. [PMID: 36267403 PMCID: PMC9576839 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.943445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases in Africa represent over 90% of the global burden with Mali being amongst the 11 highest burden countries that account for 70% of this annual incidence. The persistence of P. falciparum despite massive global interventions is because of its genetic diversity that drives its ability to adapt to environmental changes, develop resistance to drugs, and evade the host immune system. Knowledge on P. falciparum genetic diversity across populations and intervention landscape is thus critical for the implementation of new strategies to eliminate malaria. This study assessed genetic variation with 12,177 high-quality SNPs from 830 Malian P. falciparum isolates collected between 2007 and 2017 from seven locations. The complexity of infections remained high, varied between sites, and showed a trend toward overall decreasing complexity over the decade. Though there was no significant substructure, allele frequencies varied geographically, partly driven by temporal variance in sampling, particularly for drug resistance and antigen loci. Thirty-two mutations in known drug resistance markers (pfcrt, pfdhps, pfdhfr, pfmdr1, pfmdr2, and pfk13) attained a frequency of at least 2% in the populations. SNPs within and around the major markers of resistance to quinolines (pfmdr1 and pfcrt) and antifolates (pfdhfr and pfdhps) varied temporally and geographically, with strong linkage disequilibrium and signatures of directional selection in the genome. These geo-temporal populations also differentiated at alleles in immune-related loci, including, protein E140, pfsurfin8, pfclag8, and pfceltos, as well as pftrap, which showed signatures of haplotype differentiation between populations. Several regions across the genomes, including five known drug resistance loci, showed signatures of differential positive selection. These results suggest that drugs and immune pressure are dominant selective forces against P. falciparum in Mali, but their effect on the parasite genome varies temporally and spatially. Interventions interacting with these genomic variants need to be routinely evaluated as malaria elimination strategies are implemented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aoua Coulibaly
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Science, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
- Computational Biology Division, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mouhamadou Fadel Diop
- Disease Control and Elimination, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Aminatou Kone
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Science, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Antoine Dara
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Science, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Amed Ouattara
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Science, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
- University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nicola Mulder
- Computational Biology Division, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Olivo Miotto
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mahamadou Diakite
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Science, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Abdoulaye Djimde
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Science, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Alfred Amambua-Ngwa
- Disease Control and Elimination, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, Banjul, Gambia
- *Correspondence: Alfred Amambua-Ngwa,
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yeda R, Okudo C, Owiti E, Biwot G, Momanyi C, Korir W, Mitsanze T, Tegerei C, Juma D, Opot B, Mwakio E, Chemwor G, Okoth R, Ochora DO, Cheruiyot AC, Roth A, Akala HM, Andagalu B. Burden of malaria infection among individuals of varied blood groups in Kenya. Malar J 2022; 21:251. [PMID: 36050680 PMCID: PMC9438094 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04251-1] [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: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ABO blood groups consist of A, B, and H carbohydrate antigens, which regulate protein activities during malaria infection in humans. Understanding the interplay between the malaria parasite and blood group antigens is essential in understanding new interventions to reduce the global burden of malaria. This study assessed the burden of malaria infection among individuals with varying blood groups seeking treatment at selected hospitals in Kenya. Methods A total of 366 samples from an ongoing malaria surveillance study were diagnosed for malaria by microscopy and further typed for blood group using ABO blood grouping. Age and sex were recorded in a data sheet, and analysed using R software version 4. Groups’ proportions (blood group, malaria infection, age and sex) were compared using Pearson’s Chi-square and Fischer exact tests. Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed and P-value < 0.05 was considered significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. To understand the effect of each blood group on parasitaemia, multivariate logistic regression was used to model ABO blood group in relation to parasitaemia. Results Of the 366 samples analysed, 312 were malaria positive, mean age was 9.83 years (< 5 years n = 152 (48.41%), 6 to 17 years n = 101 (32.16%) and > 18 years n = 61 (19.43%)). Malaria prevalence was higher among females than males, 54.46% and 45.54%, respectively. Kisumu enrolled the highest number 109 (35%)) of malaria cases, Kombewa 108 (35%), Malindi 32 (10%), Kisii 28 (9%), Marigat 23 (7%), and Kericho 12 (4%). Blood group O+ was the most prevalent among the enrolled individuals (46.50%), A+ (27.71%), B+ (21.02%) and AB+ (4.78%) respectively. Compared to blood group O+, blood group B+ individuals were (14%) were more likely to habour Plasmodium falciparum infection as opposed to A+ and AB+ individuals, that were 7% and 20%, respectively,. Those living in malaria-endemic zones presented with higher parasite densities compared to those living in malaria-epidemic (p = 0.0061). Individuals bearing B + blood group are more likely to habour high parasitaemia compared to O + blood group bearers (OR = 4.47, CI = 1.53–13.05, p = 0.006). Conclusion Individuals of blood group B harbour high parasitaemia compared with the blood group O, Additionally, blood group A and B present with symptoms at lower parasitaemia than blood group O. Regardles of malaria transmission zones, individuals from endemic zones showed up with high parasitaemia and among them were more individuals of blood groups A and B than individuals of blood group O. Implying that these individuals were more at risk and require additional attention and effective case management. Garphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04251-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Redemptah Yeda
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - Charles Okudo
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Eunice Owiti
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Gladys Biwot
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Cliff Momanyi
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Winnie Korir
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Thoya Mitsanze
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Caroline Tegerei
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Dennis Juma
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Benjamin Opot
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Edwin Mwakio
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Gladys Chemwor
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Raphael Okoth
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Douglas O Ochora
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya.,Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology & Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Agnes C Cheruiyot
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Amanda Roth
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, USA
| | - Hoseah M Akala
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Ben Andagalu
- Malaria Drug Resistance Laboratory, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Chew M, Ye W, Omelianczyk RI, Pasaje CF, Hoo R, Chen Q, Niles JC, Chen J, Preiser P. Selective expression of variant surface antigens enables Plasmodium falciparum to evade immune clearance in vivo. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4067. [PMID: 35831417 PMCID: PMC9279368 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31741-2] [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: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum has developed extensive mechanisms to evade host immune clearance. Currently, most of our understanding is based on in vitro studies of individual parasite variant surface antigens and how this relates to the processes in vivo is not well-understood. Here, we have used a humanized mouse model to identify parasite factors important for in vivo growth. We show that upregulation of the specific PfEMP1, VAR2CSA, provides the parasite with protection from macrophage phagocytosis and clearance in the humanized mice. Furthermore, parasites adapted to thrive in the humanized mice show reduced NK cell-mediated killing through interaction with the immune inhibitory receptor, LILRB1. Taken together, these findings reveal new insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms that the parasite utilizes to coordinate immune escape in vivo. Identification and targeting of these specific parasite variant surface antigens crucial for immune evasion provides a unique approach for therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Chew
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Weijian Ye
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Charisse Flerida Pasaje
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Regina Hoo
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB101SA, UK
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- Humanized Mouse Unit, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency of Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jacquin C Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jianzhu Chen
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore, Singapore. .,Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Peter Preiser
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore. .,Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Implications of critical node-dependent unidirectional cross-talk of Plasmodium SUMO pathway proteins. Biophys J 2022; 121:1367-1380. [PMID: 35331687 PMCID: PMC9072691 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The endoparasitic pathogen, Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), modulates protein-protein interactions to employ post-translational modifications like SUMOylation to establish successful infections. The interaction between E1 and E2 (Ubc9) enzymes governs species specificity in the Plasmodium SUMOylation pathway. Here, we demonstrate that a unidirectional cross-species interaction exists between Pf-SUMO and human E2, whereas Hs-SUMO1 failed to interact with Pf-E2. Biochemical and biophysical analyses revealed that surface-accessible aspartates of Pf-SUMO determine the efficacy and specificity of SUMO-Ubc9 interactions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that critical residues of the Pf-Ubc9 N terminus are responsible for diminished Hs-SUMO1 and Pf-Ubc9 interaction. Mutating these residues to corresponding Hs-Ubc9 residues restores electrostatic, π-π, and hydrophobic interactions and allows efficient cross-species interactions. We suggest that, in comparison with human counterparts, Plasmodium SUMO and Ubc9 proteins have acquired critical changes on their surfaces as nodes, which Plasmodium can use to exploit the host SUMOylation machinery.
Collapse
|
20
|
Moehrle JJ. Development of New Strategies for Malaria Chemoprophylaxis: From Monoclonal Antibodies to Long-Acting Injectable Drugs. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7040058. [PMID: 35448833 PMCID: PMC9024890 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7040058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug discovery for malaria has traditionally focused on orally available drugs that kill the abundant, parasitic blood stage. Recently, there has also been an interest in injectable medicines, in the form of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with long-lasting plasma half-lives or long-lasting depot formulations of small molecules. These could act as prophylactic drugs, targeting the sporozoites and other earlier parasitic stages in the liver, when the parasites are less numerous, or as another intervention strategy targeting the formation of infectious gametocytes. Generally speaking, the development of mAbs is less risky (costly) than small-molecule drugs, and they have an excellent safety profile with few or no off-target effects. Therefore, populations who are the most vulnerable to malaria, i.e., pregnant women and young children would have access to such new treatments much faster than is presently the case for new antimalarials. An analysis of mAbs that were successfully developed for oncology illustrates some of the feasibility aspects, and their potential as affordable drugs in low- and middle-income countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joerg J Moehrle
- Integrated Sciences, R&D, Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, CH-1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Arias CF, Acosta FJ, Fernandez-Arias C. Killing the competition: a theoretical framework for liver-stage malaria. Open Biol 2022; 12:210341. [PMID: 35350863 PMCID: PMC8965401 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210341] [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] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The first stage of malaria infections takes place inside the host's hepatocytes. Remarkably, Plasmodium parasites do not infect hepatocytes immediately after reaching the liver. Instead, they migrate through several hepatocytes before infecting their definitive host cells, thus increasing their chances of immune destruction. Considering that malaria can proceed normally without cell traversal, this is indeed a puzzling behaviour. In fact, the role of hepatocyte traversal remains unknown to date, implying that the current understanding of malaria is incomplete. In this work, we hypothesize that the parasites traverse hepatocytes to actively trigger an immune response in the host. This behaviour would be part of a strategy of superinfection exclusion aimed to reduce intraspecific competition during the blood stage of the infection. Based on this hypothesis, we formulate a comprehensive theory of liver-stage malaria that integrates all the available knowledge about the infection. The interest of this new paradigm is not merely theoretical. It highlights major issues in the current empirical approach to the study of Plasmodium and suggests new strategies to fight malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clemente F. Arias
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain,Grupo Interdisciplinar de Sistemas Complejos de Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Cristina Fernandez-Arias
- Departamento de Inmunología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain,Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Band G, Leffler EM, Jallow M, Sisay-Joof F, Ndila CM, Macharia AW, Hubbart C, Jeffreys AE, Rowlands K, Nguyen T, Gonçalves S, Ariani CV, Stalker J, Pearson RD, Amato R, Drury E, Sirugo G, d'Alessandro U, Bojang KA, Marsh K, Peshu N, Saelens JW, Diakité M, Taylor SM, Conway DJ, Williams TN, Rockett KA, Kwiatkowski DP. Malaria protection due to sickle haemoglobin depends on parasite genotype. Nature 2021; 602:106-111. [PMID: 34883497 PMCID: PMC8810385 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04288-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Host genetic factors can confer resistance against malaria1, raising the question of whether this has led to evolutionary adaptation of parasite populations. Here we searched for association between candidate host and parasite genetic variants in 3,346 Gambian and Kenyan children with severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. We identified a strong association between sickle haemoglobin (HbS) in the host and three regions of the parasite genome, which is not explained by population structure or other covariates, and which is replicated in additional samples. The HbS-associated alleles include nonsynonymous variants in the gene for the acyl-CoA synthetase family member2–4PfACS8 on chromosome 2, in a second region of chromosome 2, and in a region containing structural variation on chromosome 11. The alleles are in strong linkage disequilibrium and have frequencies that covary with the frequency of HbS across populations, in particular being much more common in Africa than other parts of the world. The estimated protective effect of HbS against severe malaria, as determined by comparison of cases with population controls, varies greatly according to the parasite genotype at these three loci. These findings open up a new avenue of enquiry into the biological and epidemiological significance of the HbS-associated polymorphisms in the parasite genome and the evolutionary forces that have led to their high frequency and strong linkage disequilibrium in African P. falciparum populations. A strong association has been found between three regions of the Plasmodium falciparum genome and sickle haemoglobin in children with severe malaria, suggesting parasites have adapted to overcome natural host immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Band
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK. .,Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK. .,Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health and Information Discovery, Old Road Campus, Oxford, USA.
| | - Ellen M Leffler
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Muminatou Jallow
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia.,Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (formerly Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital), Independence Drive, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Fatoumatta Sisay-Joof
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Carolyne M Ndila
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Christina Hubbart
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Anna E Jeffreys
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Kate Rowlands
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Thuy Nguyen
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Jim Stalker
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard D Pearson
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.,Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health and Information Discovery, Old Road Campus, Oxford, USA
| | | | | | - Giorgio Sirugo
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia.,Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Umberto d'Alessandro
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Kalifa A Bojang
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Kevin Marsh
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, NDM Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Norbert Peshu
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Joseph W Saelens
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mahamadou Diakité
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Steve M Taylor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David J Conway
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia.,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - Thomas N Williams
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya.,Institute for Global Health Innovation, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, London, UK
| | - Kirk A Rockett
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK. .,Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Dominic P Kwiatkowski
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK. .,Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK. .,Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health and Information Discovery, Old Road Campus, Oxford, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Wu J, Zhu Y, Zhou L, Lu Y, Feng T, Dai M, Liu J, Xu W, Cheng W, Sun F, Liu H, Pan W, Yang X. Parasite-Derived Excretory-Secretory Products Alleviate Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Improve Cognitive Impairment Induced by a High-Fat Diet. Front Immunol 2021; 12:710513. [PMID: 34745091 PMCID: PMC8564115 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.710513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
High-fat (HF) diet-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive decline in humans and animals have been associated with microbiota dysbiosis via the gut-brain axis. Our previous studies revealed that excretory-secretory products (ESPs) derived from the larval Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus) function as immunomodulators to reduce the inflammatory response, while the parasitic infection alleviates metabolic disorders in the host. However, whether ESPs can improve cognitive impairment under obese conditions remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of E. granulosus-derived ESPs on cognitive function and the microbiota-gut-brain axis in obese mice. We demonstrated that ESPs supplementation prevented HF diet-induced cognitive impairment, which was assessed behaviorally by nest building, object location, novel object recognition, temporal order memory, and Y-maze memory tests. In the hippocampus (HIP) and prefrontal cortex (PFC), ESPs suppressed neuroinflammation and HF diet-induced activation of the microglia and astrocytes. Moreover, ESPs supplementation improved the synaptic ultrastructural impairments and increased both pre- and postsynaptic protein levels in the HIP and PFC compared to the HF diet-treated group. In the colon, ESPs reversed the HF diet-induced gut barrier dysfunction, increased the thickness of colonic mucus, upregulated the expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), attenuated the translocation of bacterial endotoxins, and decreased the colon inflammation. Notably, ESPs supplementation alleviated the HF diet-induced microbiota dysbiosis. After clarifying the role of antibiotics in obese mice, we found that broad-spectrum antibiotic intervention abrogated the effects of ESPs on improving the gut microbiota dysbiosis and cognitive decline. Overall, the present study revealed for the first time that the parasite-derived ESPs alleviate gut microbiota dysbiosis and improve cognitive impairment induced by a high-fat diet. This finding suggests that parasite-derived molecules may be used to explore novel drug candidates against obesity-associated neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,The First School of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Limian Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yang Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,The First School of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Tingting Feng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Mengyu Dai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jiaxue Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Wen Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,The School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Wanpeng Cheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Fenfen Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Hua Liu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Pan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoying Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Science Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bonam SR, Rénia L, Tadepalli G, Bayry J, Kumar HMS. Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Vaccines and Vaccine Adjuvants. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:1072. [PMID: 34696180 PMCID: PMC8541031 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria-a parasite vector-borne disease-is a global health problem, and Plasmodium falciparum has proven to be the deadliest among Plasmodium spp., which causes malaria in humans. Symptoms of the disease range from mild fever and shivering to hemolytic anemia and neurological dysfunctions. The spread of drug resistance and the absence of effective vaccines has made malaria disease an ever-emerging problem. Although progress has been made in understanding the host response to the parasite, various aspects of its biology in its mammalian host are still unclear. In this context, there is a pressing demand for the development of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies, including new drugs and novel adjuvanted vaccines that elicit protective immunity. The present article provides an overview of the current knowledge of anti-malarial immunity against P. falciparum and different options of vaccine candidates in development. A special emphasis has been made on the mechanism of action of clinically used vaccine adjuvants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasa Reddy Bonam
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe-Immunopathologie et Immunointervention Thérapeutique, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, F-75006 Paris, France;
| | - Laurent Rénia
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore 138648, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Ganesh Tadepalli
- Vaccine Immunology Laboratory, Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India;
| | - Jagadeesh Bayry
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe-Immunopathologie et Immunointervention Thérapeutique, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, F-75006 Paris, France;
- Biological Sciences & Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad, Palakkad 678623, India
| | - Halmuthur Mahabalarao Sampath Kumar
- Vaccine Immunology Laboratory, Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India;
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
He L, Bastos RG, Sun Y, Hua G, Guan G, Zhao J, Suarez CE. Babesiosis as a potential threat for bovine production in China. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:460. [PMID: 34493328 PMCID: PMC8425137 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04948-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease with global impact caused by parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa, genus Babesia. Typically, acute bovine babesiosis (BB) is characterized by fever, anemia, hemoglobinuria, and high mortality. Surviving animals remain persistently infected and become reservoirs for parasite transmission. Bovids in China can be infected by one or more Babesia species endemic to the country, including B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. orientalis, B. ovata, B. major, B. motasi, B. U sp. Kashi and B. venatorum. The latter may pose a zoonotic risk. Occurrence of this wide diversity of Babesia species in China may be due to a combination of favorable ecological factors, such as the presence of multiple tick vectors, including Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma, the coexistence of susceptible bovid species, such as domestic cattle, yaks, and water buffalo, and the lack of efficient measures of tick control. BB is currently widespread in several regions of the country and a limiting factor for cattle production. While some areas appear to have enzootic stability, others have considerable cattle mortality. Research is needed to devise solutions to the challenges posed by uncontrolled BB. Critical research gaps include risk assessment for cattle residing in endemic areas, understanding factors involved in endemic stability, evaluation of parasite diversity and pathogenicity of regional Babesia species, and estimation of whether and how BB should be controlled in China. Research should allow the design of comprehensive interventions to improve cattle production, diminish the risk of human infections, and increase the availability of affordable animal protein for human consumption in China and worldwide. In this review, we describe the current state of BB with reference to the diversity of hosts, vectors, and parasite species in China. We also discuss the unique risks and knowledge gaps that should be taken into consideration for future Babesia research and control strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lan He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 Hubei China
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Reginaldo G. Bastos
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Yali Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, 810016 People’s Republic of China
| | - Guohua Hua
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Centre for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science & Technology, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, Hubei China
| | - Guiquan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping, Lanzhou, 730046 China
| | - Junlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 Hubei China
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
- Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural - Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Xie Y, Li X, Chai Y, Song H, Qi J, Gao GF. Structural basis of malarial parasite RIFIN-mediated immune escape against LAIR1. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109600. [PMID: 34433057 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria infection by Plasmodium falciparum continues to pose a global threat to the human population. P. falciparum expresses variable erythrocyte surface antigens such as RIFINs. Public antibodies with LAIR1 insertion have been identified from malarial patients against a subset of RIFINs. In this study, we solve a LAIR1-binding RIFIN structure: the complex structures of two RIFINs bound to mutated or wild-type LAIR1 in two distinct patterns. Notably, the two RIFINs engage similar binding sites on LAIR1 with different angles, and the RIFIN-binding sites overlap with the collagen-binding site. Surprisingly, RIFINs use completely different binding sites to bind to LAIR1 or LILRB1, indicating the kaleidoscopic change of RIFINs. We then verify that RIFIN could induce LAIR1-mediated cell signaling, and LAIR1-containing antibodies could block the pathway. The findings of this study provide structural insights into the mechanism of the immune escape of P. falciparum and the endless arms race between parasite and host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yijia Xie
- Research Network of Immunity and Health (RNIH), Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xin Li
- Research Network of Immunity and Health (RNIH), Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan Chai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hao Song
- Research Network of Immunity and Health (RNIH), Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Jianxun Qi
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - George F Gao
- Research Network of Immunity and Health (RNIH), Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Influenza Research and Early Warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Sahu T, Gehrke EJ, Flores-Garcia Y, Mlambo G, Romano JD, Coppens I. Chemoprophylaxis vaccination with a Plasmodium liver stage autophagy mutant affords enhanced and long-lasting protection. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:98. [PMID: 34376691 PMCID: PMC8355287 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00360-1] [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: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically attenuated sporozoite vaccines can elicit long-lasting protection against malaria but pose risks of breakthrough infection. Chemoprophylaxis vaccination (CVac) has proven to be the most effective vaccine strategy against malaria. Here, we demonstrate that a liver stage-specific autophagy mutant of Plasmodium berghei (ATG8 overexpressor), when used as a live vaccine under a CVac regimen, provides superior long-lasting protection, in both inbred and outbred mice, as compared to WT-CVac. Uniquely, the protection elicited by this mutant is predominantly dependent on a CD8+ T-cell response through an IFN-γ-independent mechanism and is associated with a stable population of antigen-experienced CD8+ T cells. Jointly, our findings support the exploitation of liver-stage mutants as vaccines under a CVac protocol. This vaccination strategy is also a powerful model to study the mechanisms of protective immunity and discover new protective antigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tejram Sahu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Ella J Gehrke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yevel Flores-Garcia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Godfree Mlambo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Julia D Romano
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Silva Pereira S, Jackson AP, Figueiredo LM. Evolution of the variant surface glycoprotein family in African trypanosomes. Trends Parasitol 2021; 38:23-36. [PMID: 34376326 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
An intriguing and remarkable feature of African trypanosomes is their antigenic variation system, mediated by the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) family and fundamental to both immune evasion and disease epidemiology within host populations. Recent studies have revealed that the VSG repertoire has a complex evolutionary history. Sequence diversity, genomic organization, and expression patterns are species-specific, which may explain other variations in parasite virulence and disease pathology. Evidence also shows that we may be underestimating the extent to what VSGs are repurposed beyond their roles as variant antigens, establishing a need to examine VSG functionality more deeply. Here, we review sequence variation within the VSG gene family, and highlight the many opportunities to explore their likely diverse contributions to parasite survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Silva Pereira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular - João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andrew P Jackson
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK
| | - Luísa M Figueiredo
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular - João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Chulanetra M, Chaicumpa W. Revisiting the Mechanisms of Immune Evasion Employed by Human Parasites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:702125. [PMID: 34395313 PMCID: PMC8358743 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.702125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
For the establishment of a successful infection, i.e., long-term parasitism and a complete life cycle, parasites use various diverse mechanisms and factors, which they may be inherently bestowed with, or may acquire from the natural vector biting the host at the infection prelude, or may take over from the infecting host, to outmaneuver, evade, overcome, and/or suppress the host immunity, both innately and adaptively. This narrative review summarizes the up-to-date strategies exploited by a number of representative human parasites (protozoa and helminths) to counteract the target host immune defense. The revisited information should be useful for designing diagnostics and therapeutics as well as vaccines against the respective parasitic infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monrat Chulanetra
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wanpen Chaicumpa
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Pandey RP, Mukherjee R, Priyadarshini A, Gupta A, Vibhuti A, Leal E, Sengupta U, Katoch VM, Sharma P, Moore CE, Raj VS, Lyu X. Potential of nanoparticles encapsulated drugs for possible inhibition of the antimicrobial resistance development. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111943. [PMID: 34328105 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system is a dynamic network of cells and cytokines are the major mediators of immune responses which combat pathogens. Based on the cytokine production, effector T cells differentiate into subsets known as Th1, Th2, Th17, or Treg. This system serves as a barrier to intracellular pathogens, bacterial infections and stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen intermediates, and nitric oxide, which diffuses across membranes and engulfs intracellular pathogens. Oxidative stress occurs when ROS, reactive nitrogen species (RNS) production, and antioxidant defences become imbalanced. Oxidative stress generated by infected cells produces a substantial amount of free radicals which enables the killing of intracellular pathogens. Intracellular pathogens are exposed to endogenous ROS as part of normal aerobic respiration, also exogenous ROS and RNS are generated by the host immune system in response to infection. Nanoparticles which are designed for drug delivery are capable of trapping the desired drug in the particles which protect the drug from enzymatic degradation in a biological system. The subcellular size of nanoparticles enables higher intracellular uptake of the drug which results in the reduction of the concentration of free drugs reducing their toxic effect. Research on the modulation of immune response and oxidative stress using nanoparticles used to encapsulate drugs has yet to be explored fully. In this review, we illustrate the immune activation and generation of oxidative stress properties which are mediated by nanoparticle encapsulated drug delivery systems which can make the therapy more effective in case of diseases caused by intracellular pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramendra Pati Pandey
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat 131029, Haryana, India.
| | - Riya Mukherjee
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat 131029, Haryana, India.
| | - Anjali Priyadarshini
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat 131029, Haryana, India.
| | - Archana Gupta
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat 131029, Haryana, India.
| | - Arpana Vibhuti
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat 131029, Haryana, India.
| | - Elcio Leal
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Para 66075-000, Brazil.
| | - Utpal Sengupta
- Stanley Browne Research Laboratory, The Leprosy Mission, Nand Nagari, Sahadra, New Delhi 110093, India.
| | - Vishwa Mohan Katoch
- Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS), Jaipur, India; JIPMER, Puducherry, India.
| | - Pawan Sharma
- ICGEB (International Centre For Genetic Engineering And Biotechnology), New Delhi 110067, India.
| | - Catrin E Moore
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom.
| | - V Samuel Raj
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat 131029, Haryana, India.
| | - Xiaoming Lyu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, No.183 West Zhongshan Avenue, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Quarleri J, Cevallos C, Delpino MV. Apoptosis in infectious diseases as a mechanism of immune evasion and survival. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2021; 125:1-24. [PMID: 33931136 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In pluricellular organisms, apoptosis is indispensable for the development and homeostasis. During infection, apoptosis plays the main role in the elimination of infected cells. Infectious diseases control apoptosis, and this contributes to disease pathogenesis. Increased apoptosis may participate in two different ways. It can assist the dissemination of intracellular pathogens or induce immunosuppression to favor pathogen dissemination. In other conditions, apoptosis can benefit eradicate infectious agents from the host. Accordingly, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites have developed strategies to inhibit host cell death by apoptosis to allow intracellular survival and persistence of the pathogen. The clarification of the intracellular signaling pathways, the receptors involved and the pathogen factors that interfere with apoptosis could disclose new therapeutic targets for blocking microbial actions on apoptotic pathways. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on pathogen anti-apoptotic and apoptotic approaches and the mechanisms involving in disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Quarleri
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida (INBIRS), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cintia Cevallos
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida (INBIRS), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Victoria Delpino
- Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo (INIGEM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Krishnan A, Soldati-Favre D. Amino Acid Metabolism in Apicomplexan Parasites. Metabolites 2021; 11:61. [PMID: 33498308 PMCID: PMC7909243 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11020061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Obligate intracellular pathogens have coevolved with their host, leading to clever strategies to access nutrients, to combat the host's immune response, and to establish a safe niche for intracellular replication. The host, on the other hand, has also developed ways to restrict the replication of invaders by limiting access to nutrients required for pathogen survival. In this review, we describe the recent advancements in both computational methods and high-throughput -omics techniques that have been used to study and interrogate metabolic functions in the context of intracellular parasitism. Specifically, we cover the current knowledge on the presence of amino acid biosynthesis and uptake within the Apicomplexa phylum, focusing on human-infecting pathogens: Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum. Given the complex multi-host lifecycle of these pathogens, we hypothesize that amino acids are made, rather than acquired, depending on the host niche. We summarize the stage specificities of enzymes revealed through transcriptomics data, the relevance of amino acids for parasite pathogenesis in vivo, and the role of their transporters. Targeting one or more of these pathways may lead to a deeper understanding of the specific contributions of biosynthesis versus acquisition of amino acids and to design better intervention strategies against the apicomplexan parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, CMU, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Antibody Dynamics for Plasmodium vivax Malaria: A Mathematical Model. Bull Math Biol 2021; 83:6. [PMID: 33387082 DOI: 10.1007/s11538-020-00837-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that, despite intensive control and mitigation initiatives, continues to pose an enormous public health burden. Plasmodium vivax is one of the principal causes of malaria in humans. Antibodies, which play a fundamental role in the host response to P. vivax, are acquired through exposure to the parasite. Here, we introduce a stochastic, within-host model of antibody responses to P. vivax for an individual in a general transmission setting. We begin by developing an epidemiological framework accounting for P. vivax infections resulting from new mosquito bites (primary infections), as well as the activation of dormant-liver stages known as hypnozoites (relapses). By constructing an infinite server queue, we obtain analytic results for the distribution of relapses in a general transmission setting. We then consider a simple model of antibody kinetics, whereby antibodies are boosted with each infection, but are subject to decay over time. By embedding this model for antibody kinetics in the epidemiological framework using a generalised shot noise process, we derive analytic expressions governing the distribution of antibody levels for a single individual in a general transmission setting. Our work provides a means to explore exposure-dependent antibody dynamics for P. vivax, with the potential to address key questions in the context of serological surveillance and acquired immunity.
Collapse
|
34
|
Lu Y, Liu H, Yang XY, Liu JX, Dai MY, Wu JC, Guo YX, Luo TC, Sun FF, Pan W. Microarray Analysis of lncRNA and mRNA Reveals Enhanced Lipolysis Along With Metabolic Remodeling in Mice Infected With Larval Echinococcus granulosus. Front Physiol 2020; 11:1078. [PMID: 32973568 PMCID: PMC7472464 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.01078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic infection improves metabolic homeostasis in “western diet”-induced obesity through the regulation of adipogenesis. However, the underlying mechanism is not yet fully understood. Using microarray analysis, this study investigated the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) profiles of subcutaneous adipose tissues from mice infected with Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces. A total of 1052 mRNA (541 upregulated, 511 downregulated) and 220 lncRNA (126 upregulated, 94 downregulated) transcripts were differentially expressed (fold change ≥2, P < 0.05) in the infected subcutaneous adipose tissues. When compared with the control group, the infected mice showed a decrease in adipose tissue mass and a reduction in adipocyte size. Indirect calorimetry revealed the change in the energy metabolism after infection, characterized by a lower CO2 production and O2 consumption, a sharp decline in carbohydrate oxidation, and a slight increase in fat oxidation. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses showed that the parasitic infection reprogrammed a complex metabolic network. Notably, “lipoxygenase” and “arginine and proline metabolism” pathways were significantly upregulated while “glycolysis,” “tricarboxylic acid cycle,” “de novo lipogenesis,” and “lipid droplet” pathways were dramatically downregulated. In addition, several key lncRNAs were associated with insulin resistance and adipocyte differentiation. Overall, the present study suggested that E. granulosus infection could enhance lipolysis. Thus, our findings provide novel insights into parasite-mediated metabolic homeostasis, and into the mechanism of hypertrophic adipocytes in obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Hua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jia-Xue Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Meng-Yu Dai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jia-Cheng Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yu-Xin Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Tian-Cheng Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Fen-Fen Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Wei Pan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Liu T, Yang Q, Wei W, Wang K, Wang E. Toll/IL-1 receptor-containing proteins STIR-1, STIR-2 and STIR-3 synergistically assist Yersinia ruckeri SC09 immune escape. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 103:357-365. [PMID: 32461169 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Immune escape is a common feature of bacteria, viruses, parasites and even cancer cells. Our earlier work on an integrative and conjugative element (ICEr2) of Yersinia ruckeri SC09 demonstrated contributory roles of stir-1, stir-2 and stir-3 in bacterial toxicity and ability to code for immune evasion. Here, we further examined the ability of stir-4 in ICE (r2) and its encoded STIR-4 protein to mediate immune evasion using comparative genomic analysis. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying the synergistic activities of STIR-1, STIR-2, STIR-3 and STIR-4 in immune evasion were examined. Our results showed that STIR-4 did not contribute to bacterial toxicity, either in vivo nor in vitro, or show the ability to assist in bacterial immune escape. STIR-1, STIR-2, and STIR-3 formed heterotrimers in bacteria while facilitating immune evasion, which we speculate may be essential to maintain their stability. This discovery also partially explains the previous finding that a single gene can mediate immune evasion. Our data provide further knowledge on the distribution of ICE (r2)-like elements in bacteria, validating the prevalence of large-scale gene transfer in pathogens and its potential for enhancing virulence levels. Further studies are necessary to establish the biological significance of the ICE (r2) component.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Liu
- Department of Basic Veterinary, Veterinary Medicine College, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Basic Veterinary, Veterinary Medicine College, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wenyan Wei
- Institute of Fisheries of Chengdu Agriculture and Forestry Academy, Chengdu, China
| | - Kaiyu Wang
- Department of Basic Veterinary, Veterinary Medicine College, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Erlong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Clausen TM, Kumar G, Ibsen EK, Ørum-Madsen MS, Hurtado-Coll A, Gustavsson T, Agerbæk MØ, Gatto F, Todenhöfer T, Basso U, Knowles MA, Sanchez-Carbayo M, Salanti A, Black PC, Daugaard M. A simple method for detecting oncofetal chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans in bladder cancer urine. Cell Death Discov 2020; 6:65. [PMID: 32793395 PMCID: PMC7385127 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-020-00304-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteoglycans in bladder tumors are modified with a distinct oncofetal chondroitin sulfate (ofCS) glycosaminoglycan that is normally restricted to placental trophoblast cells. This ofCS-modification can be detected in bladder tumors by the malarial VAR2CSA protein, which in malaria pathogenesis mediates adherence of parasite-infected erythrocytes within the placenta. In bladder cancer, proteoglycans are constantly shed into the urine, and therefore have the potential to be used for detection of disease. In this study we investigated whether recombinant VAR2CSA (rVAR2) protein could be used to detect ofCS-modified proteoglycans (ofCSPGs) in the urine of bladder cancer patients as an indication of disease presence. We show that ofCSPGs in bladder cancer urine can be immobilized on cationic nitrocellulose membranes and subsequently probed for ofCS content by rVAR2 protein in a custom-made dot-blot assay. Patients with high-grade bladder tumors displayed a marked increase in urinary ofCSPGs as compared to healthy individuals. Urine ofCSPGs decreased significantly after complete tumor resection compared to matched urine collected preoperatively from patients with bladder cancer. Moreover, ofCSPGs in urine correlated with tumor size of bladder cancer patients. These findings demonstrate that rVAR2 can be utilized in a simple biochemical assay to detect cancer-specific ofCS-modifications in the urine of bladder cancer patients, which may be further developed as a noninvasive approach to detect and monitor the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Mandel Clausen
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department for Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Disease, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gunjan Kumar
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Emilie K. Ibsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department for Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Disease, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maj S. Ørum-Madsen
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Antonio Hurtado-Coll
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Tobias Gustavsson
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department for Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Disease, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Ø. Agerbæk
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department for Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Disease, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- VarCT Diagnostics ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Francesco Gatto
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden
- Present Address: Elypta AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tilman Todenhöfer
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Tübingen, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Studienpraxis Urologie, Clinical Trial Unit, Steinengrabenstr. 17, Nürtingen, Germany
| | - Umberto Basso
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV – IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Margaret A. Knowles
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James’s, St James’s University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Ali Salanti
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department for Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Disease, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter C. Black
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Mads Daugaard
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC Canada
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Variations in killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor and human leukocyte antigen genes and immunity to malaria. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 17:799-806. [PMID: 32541835 PMCID: PMC7294524 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-0482-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world. Immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum malaria vary among individuals and between populations. Human genetic variation in immune system genes is likely to play a role in this heterogeneity. Natural killer (NK) cells produce inflammatory cytokines in response to malaria infection, kill intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum parasites by cytolysis, and participate in the initiation and development of adaptive immune responses to plasmodial infection. These functions are modulated by interactions between killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). Therefore, variations in KIR and HLA genes can have a direct impact on NK cell functions. Understanding the role of KIRs and HLAs in immunity to malaria can help to better characterize antimalarial immune responses. In this review, we summarize the different KIRs and HLAs associated with immunity to malaria thus far.
Collapse
|
38
|
Kenthirapalan S, Tran PN, Kooij TWA, Ridgway MC, Rauch M, Brown SHJ, Mitchell TW, Matuschewski K, Maier AG. Distinct adaptations of a gametocyte ABC transporter to murine and human Plasmodium parasites and its incompatibility in cross-species complementation. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:511-522. [PMID: 32445722 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Plasmodium infect a wide range of mammalian hosts including humans, primates, bats and arboreal rodents. A hallmark of Plasmodium spp. is the very narrow host range, indicative of matching parasite-host coevolution. Accordingly, their respective genomes harbour many unique genes and gene families that typically encode proteins involved in host cell recognition and remodelling. Whether and to what extent conserved proteins that are shared across Plasmodium spp. also exert distinct species-specific roles remains largely untested. Here, we present detailed functional profiling of the female gametocyte-specific ATP-binding cassette transporter gABCG2 in the murine parasite Plasmodium berghei and compare our findings with data from the orthologous gene in the human parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We show that P. berghei gABCG2 is female-specific and continues to be expressed in zygotes and ookinetes. In contrast to a distinct localization to Iipid-rich gametocyte-specific spots as observed in P. falciparum, the murine malaria parasite homolog is found at the parasite plasma membrane. Plasmodium berghei lacking gABCG2 displays fast asexual blood-stage replication and increased proportions of female gametocytes, consistent with the corresponding P. falciparum knock-out phenotype. Strikingly, cross-species replacement of gABCG2 in either the murine or the human parasite did not restore normal growth rates. The lack of successful complementation despite high conservation across Plasmodium spp. is an indicator of distinct adaptations and tight parasite-host coevolution. Hence, incompatibility of conserved genes in closely related Plasmodium spp. might be more common than previously anticipated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Phuong N Tran
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Taco W A Kooij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Melanie C Ridgway
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Manuel Rauch
- Parasitology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Dept. of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon H J Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Todd W Mitchell
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Kai Matuschewski
- Parasitology Unit, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Dept. of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Alexander G Maier
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Pritam M, Singh G, Swaroop S, Singh AK, Pandey B, Singh SP. A cutting-edge immunoinformatics approach for design of multi-epitope oral vaccine against dreadful human malaria. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 158:159-179. [PMID: 32360460 PMCID: PMC7189201 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.04.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human malaria is a pathogenic disease mainly caused by Plasmodium falciparum, which was responsible for about 405,000 deaths globally in the year 2018. To date, several vaccine candidates have been evaluated for prevention, which failed to produce optimal output at various preclinical/clinical stages. This study is based on designing of polypeptide vaccines (PVs) against human malaria that cover almost all stages of life-cycle of Plasmodium and for the same 5 genome derived predicted antigenic proteins (GDPAP) have been used. For the development of a multi-immune inducer, 15 PVs were initially designed using T-cell epitope ensemble, which covered >99% human population as well as linear B-cell epitopes with or without adjuvants. The immune simulation of PVs showed higher levels of T-cell and B-cell activities compared to positive and negative vaccine controls. Furthermore, in silico cloning of PVs and codon optimization followed by enhanced expression within Lactococcus lactis host system was also explored. Although, the study has sound theoretical and in silico findings, the in vitro/in vivo evaluation seems imperative to warrant the immunogenicity and safety of PVs towards management of P. falciparum infection in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Pritam
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Lucknow 226028, India
| | - Garima Singh
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Lucknow 226028, India
| | - Suchit Swaroop
- Experimental & Public Health Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226007, India
| | - Akhilesh Kumar Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Bihar 845401, India
| | - Brijesh Pandey
- Department of Biotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Bihar 845401, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Antibody response of a particle-inducing, liposome vaccine adjuvant admixed with a Pfs230 fragment. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:23. [PMID: 32218995 PMCID: PMC7080793 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0173-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pfs230 is a malaria transmission-blocking antigen candidate, expressed on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. A recombinant, his-tagged Pfs230 fragment (Pfs230C1; amino acids 443–731) formed serum-stable particles upon incubation with liposomes containing cobalt-porphyrin-phospholipid (CoPoP). In mice, immunization with Pfs230C1, admixed with the adjuvants Alum, Montanide ISA720 or CoPoP liposomes (also containing synthetic monophosphoryl lipid A; PHAD), resulted in elicitation of IgG antibodies, but only those induced with CoPoP/PHAD or ISA720 strongly reduced parasite transmission. Immunization with micrograms of Pfs230C1 adjuvanted with identical liposomes lacking cobalt (that did not induce particle formation) or Alum was less effective than immunization with nanograms of Pfs230C1 with CoPoP/PHAD. CoPoP/PHAD and ISA720 adjuvants induced antibodies with similar Pfs230C1 avidity but higher IgG2-to-IgG1 ratios than Alum, which likely contributed to enhanced functional activity. Unlike prior work with another transmission-blocking antigen (Pfs25), Pfs230C1 was found to be effectively taken up by antigen-presenting cells without particle formation. The anti-Pfs230C1 IgG response was durable in mice for 250 days following immunization with CoPoP/PHAD, as were antibody avidity and elevated IgG2-to-IgG1 ratios. Immunization of rabbits with 20 µg Pfs230C1 admixed with CoPoP/PHAD elicited antibodies that inhibited parasite transmission. Taken together, these results show that liposomes containing CoPoP and PHAD are an effective vaccine adjuvant platform for recombinant malaria transmission blocking antigens.
Collapse
|
41
|
Junaid OQ, Vythilingam I, Khaw LT, Sivanandam S, Mahmud R. Effect of Brugia pahangi co-infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1301-1315. [PMID: 32179986 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06632-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Malaria and lymphatic filariasis (LF) are two leading and common mosquito-borne parasitic diseases worldwide. These two diseases are co-endemic in many tropical and sub-tropical regions and are known to share vectors. The interactions between malaria and filarial parasites are poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed at establishing the interactions that occur between Brugia pahangi and Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) co-infection in gerbils. Briefly, the gerbils were matched according to age, sex, and weight and grouped into filarial-only infection, PbA-only infection, co-infection, and control group. The parasitemia, survival and clinical assessment of the gerbils were monitored for a period of 30 days post Plasmodium infection. The immune responses of gerbils to both mono and co-infection were monitored. Findings show that co-infected gerbils have higher survival rate than PbA-infected gerbils. Food and water consumption were significantly reduced in both PbA-infected and co-infected gerbils, although loss of body weight, hypothermia, and anemia were less severe in co-infected gerbils. Plasmodium-infected gerbils also suffered hypoglycemia, which was not observed in co-infected gerbils. Furthermore, gerbil cytokine responses to co-infection were significantly higher than PbA-only-infected gerbils, which is being suggested as a factor for their increased longevity. Co-infected gerbils had significantly elicited interleukin-4, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrotic factor at early stage of infection than PbA-infected gerbils. Findings from this study suggest that B. pahangi infection protect against severe anemia and hypoglycemia, which are manifestations of PbA infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olawale Quazim Junaid
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Federal University of Kashere, PMB 0182, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria.
| | - Indra Vythilingam
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Loke Tim Khaw
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sinnadurai Sivanandam
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rohela Mahmud
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Siddiqui AJ, Bhardwaj J, Goyal M, Prakash K, Adnan M, Alreshidi MM, Patel M, Soni A, Redman W. Immune responses in liver and spleen against Plasmodium yoelii pre-erythrocytic stages in Swiss mice model. J Adv Res 2020; 24:29-41. [PMID: 32181014 PMCID: PMC7063113 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2020.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Though the immunity to malaria has been associated with cellular immune responses, the exact function of the phenotypic cell population is still unclear. This study investigated the host immune responses elicited during the pre-erythrocytic stage, post-Plasmodium yoelii sporozoite infection in Swiss mice model. For this purpose, we analyzed the dynamics of different subsets of immune cells population and cytokine levels in the hepatic mononuclear and splenic cells population during pre-erythrocytic liver-stage infection. We observed a significant reduction in the effectors immune cells population including CD8+ T cell, F4/80+ macrophage and in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (CD11c+ B220+). Interestingly, substantial down-regulation was also noted in pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e. IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-12, IL-2, IL-17 and iNOS), while, up-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines (i.e. IL-10, IL-4 and TGF-β) during asymptomatic pre-erythrocytic liver-stage infection. Collectively, this study demonstrated that during pre-erythrocytic development, Plasmodium yoelii sporozoite impaired the host activators of innate and adaptive immune responses by regulating the immune effector cells, gene expression and cytokines levels for the establishment of infection and subsequent development in the liver and spleen. The results in this study provided a better understanding of the events leading to malarial infection and will be helpful in supportive treatment and vaccine development strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arif Jamal Siddiqui
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, Saudi Arabia.,Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Jyoti Bhardwaj
- Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Manish Goyal
- Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Kirtika Prakash
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, VT, United States
| | - Mohd Adnan
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mousa M Alreshidi
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mitesh Patel
- Bapalal Vaidya Botanical Research Centre, Department of Biosciences, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat, Gujarat, India
| | - Awakash Soni
- Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Whitni Redman
- Surgery Department, Division of Biomedical Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Patarroyo MA, Arévalo-Pinzón G, Moreno-Pérez DA. From a basic to a functional approach for developing a blood stage vaccine against Plasmodium vivax. Expert Rev Vaccines 2020; 19:195-207. [PMID: 32077349 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2020.1733421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Numerous challenges have hampered developing an anti-malarial vaccine against the most widespread malarial parasite worldwide: Plasmodium vivax. Despite the progress achieved in studying proteins in short-term in vitro culture or in experimental models, there is still no clear method for defining which antigens or their regions should be prioritized for including them in a vaccine.Areas covered: The methods used by research groups so far which have focused on the functional analysis of P. vivax blood stage antigens have been reviewed here. A logical strategy orientated toward resolving two of the most commonly occurring problems in designing vaccines against this species has thus been proposed (i.e. the search for candidates and evaluating/ascertaining their functional role in the invasion of such molecules).Expert commentary: Advances in knowledge regarding P. vivax biology have been extremely slow. Only two key receptor-ligand interactions concerning merozoite entry to reticulocytes have been reported during the last 20 years: PvDBP1-DARC and PvRBP2b-CD71. Despite increasing knowledge about the parasite's intimate preference for its host cells, it has yet to be determined which regions of the merozoite molecules characterized to date meet the requirement of inducing protective immune responses effectively blocking heterologous parasite entry to human cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá D.C., Colombia.,School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Gabriela Arévalo-Pinzón
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.,Receptor-Ligand Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Darwin A Moreno-Pérez
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá D.C., Colombia.,School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.,Livestock Sciences Faculty, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas Y Ambientales (U.D.C.A), Bogotá DC, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Mishra A, Behura A, Mawatwal S, Kumar A, Naik L, Mohanty SS, Manna D, Dokania P, Mishra A, Patra SK, Dhiman R. Structure-function and application of plant lectins in disease biology and immunity. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 134:110827. [PMID: 31542433 PMCID: PMC7115788 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.110827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Lectins are proteins with a high degree of stereospecificity to recognize various sugar structures and form reversible linkages upon interaction with glyco-conjugate complexes. These are abundantly found in plants, animals and many other species and are known to agglutinate various blood groups of erythrocytes. Further, due to the unique carbohydrate recognition property, lectins have been extensively used in many biological functions that make use of protein-carbohydrate recognition like detection, isolation and characterization of glycoconjugates, histochemistry of cells and tissues, tumor cell recognition and many more. In this review, we have summarized the immunomodulatory effects of plant lectins and their effects against diseases, including antimicrobial action. We found that many plant lectins mediate its microbicidal activity by triggering host immune responses that result in the release of several cytokines followed by activation of effector mechanism. Moreover, certain lectins also enhance the phagocytic activity of macrophages during microbial infections. Lectins along with heat killed microbes can act as vaccine to provide long term protection from deadly microbes. Hence, lectin based therapy can be used as a better substitute to fight microbial diseases efficiently in future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abtar Mishra
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Assirbad Behura
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Shradha Mawatwal
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Lincoln Naik
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Subhashree Subhasmita Mohanty
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Debraj Manna
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Puja Dokania
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342011, India
| | - Samir K Patra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India.
| | - Rohan Dhiman
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Edagha IA, Ekpo AJ, Edagha EI, Bassey JV, Nyong TP, Akpan AS, Obeten RF, Okon AS, Ating BA. Investigating the Comparative Effects of Six Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies on Plasmodium-induced Hepatorenal Toxicity. Niger Med J 2019; 60:211-218. [PMID: 31831942 PMCID: PMC6892336 DOI: 10.4103/nmj.nmj_152_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Revised: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Too many artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are available, thus creating a dilemma on the most preferred for the treatment of malaria. Aim We compared the effect of six ACTs in mitigating Plasmodium-induced hepatorenal toxicity in experimental malaria. Materials and Methods Forty adult male Swiss mice allotted into eight groups: Group 1 (normal control [NC] uninfected and untreated), Group 2 (parasitized nontreated - [PNT]), and Groups 3-8 received Plasmodium berghei inoculum. After 72 h, the initial parasitemia was established. Groups 3-8 were administered oral therapeutic doses of artesunate-amodiaquine (AA), artesunate-mefloquine (AM), artesunate-sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (ASP), artemisinin-piperaquine (AP), dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP), and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) per kg bodyweight, respectively, as standard regimen, and final parasitemia determined. Animals were euthanized via chloroform inhalation and blood collected for hepatorenal analysis. Liver and kidney were dissected out for histology. Results Parasitemia was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in tests compared to PNT, except in ASP group. Liver enzymes were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in PNT compared to tests and NC. Hyperplastic cells and portal tract inflammation were prominent in ASP group, but mild to moderate in other treated groups. Urea-creatinine were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in PNT compared to treated groups. The Na+ and Cl- were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in PNT, with significantly (P < 0.05) increased K+ compared to NC and treated groups. Glomerulonephritis and glomerulus splitting was observed in PNT, while moderate distortions were observed in treated groups. The AA and AM groups had good kidney histoarchitecture. Conclusion Parasitemia decreased in all the treatment groups except in PNT and ASP groups which had severe hepatorenal distortions. Hepatorenal histoarchitecture were mildly distorted in the AA, AM and AL-administered groups with lower hepatorenal indices comparable to NC. The least elevated liver enzymes were in AA and AM. In decreasing order ASP > DP > AL > AP > AM > AA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Innocent A Edagha
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
| | - Arit J Ekpo
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
| | - Edelungudi I Edagha
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria
| | - Joy V Bassey
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
| | - Titus P Nyong
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
| | - Anthony S Akpan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
| | - Rose F Obeten
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
| | - Anthony S Okon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
| | - Blessing A Ating
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
Intensified treatment and control efforts since the early 2000s have dramatically reduced the burden of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. However, drug resistance threatens to derail this progress. In this review, we present four antimalarial resistance case studies that differ in timeline, technical approaches, mechanisms of action, and categories of resistance: chloroquine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, artemisinin, and piperaquine. Lessons learned from prior losses of treatment efficacy, drug combinations, and control strategies will help advance mechanistic research into how P. falciparum parasites acquire resistance to current first-line artemisinin-based combination therapies. Understanding resistance in the clinic and laboratory is essential to prolong the effectiveness of current antimalarial drugs and to optimize the pipeline of future medicines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leila S Ross
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Zhang Y, Jiang N, Zhang T, Chen R, Feng Y, Sang X, Yang N, Chen Q. Tim-3 signaling blockade with α-lactose induces compensatory TIGIT expression in Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected mice. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:534. [PMID: 31711531 PMCID: PMC6849286 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3788-x] [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: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria, one of the largest health burdens worldwide, is caused by Plasmodium spp. infection. Upon infection, the host's immune system begins to clear the parasites. However, Plasmodium species have evolved to escape the host's immune clearance. T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3), a surface molecule on most immune cells, is often referred to as an exhaustion marker. Galectin (Gal)-9 is a Tim-3 ligand and the T helper (Th) 1 cell response is inhibited when Gal-9 binds to Tim-3. In the present study, dynamic expression of Tim-3 on key populations of lymphocytes during infection periods of Plasmodium berghei and its significance in disease resistance and pathogenesis were explored. METHODS Tim-3 expression on critical lymphocyte populations and the proportion of these cells, as well as the levels of cytokines in the sera of infected mice, were detected by flow cytometry. Further, in vitro anti-Tim-3 assay using an anti-Tim-3 antibody and in vivo Tim-3-Gal-9 signaling blockade assays using α-lactose (an antagonist of Gal-9) were conducted. An Annexin V Apoptosis Detection Kit with propidium iodide was used to detect apoptosis. In addition, proteins associated with apoptosis in lung and spleen tissues were confirmed by Western blotting assays. RESULTS Increased Tim-3 expression on splenic CD8+ and splenic CD4+, and circulatory CD4+ T cells was associated with a reduction in the proportion of these cells. Furthermore, the levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-22, and interferon (IFN)-γ, but not that of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-10, and IL-9, increased to their highest levels at day 4 post-infection and decreased thereafter. Blocking Tim-3 signaling in vitro inhibited lymphocyte apoptosis. Tim-3-Gal-9 signaling blockade in vivo did not protect the mice, but induced the expression of the immunosuppressive molecule, T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), in Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected mice. CONCLUSIONS Tim-3 on lymphocytes negatively regulates cell-mediated immunity against Plasmodium infection, and blocking Tim-3-galectin 9 signaling using α-lactose did not significantly protect the mice; however, it induced the compensatory expression of TIGIT. Further investigations are required to identify whether combined blockade of Tim-3 and TIGIT signaling could achieve a better protective effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.,The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.,The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Ran Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.,The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Ying Feng
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.,The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.,The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Na Yang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.,The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Qijun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China. .,The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Sanasam BD, Kumar S. In-silico structural modeling and epitope prediction of highly conserved Plasmodium falciparum protein AMR1. Mol Immunol 2019; 116:131-139. [PMID: 31648168 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is the most deadly and a major health issue worldwide. In spite of several control programs, there hasn't been much improvement in keeping the disease under control. The appearance of drug resistant strains of Plasmodium in addition to insecticide resistance of the Anopheles vector has been a hurdle. Therefore, it is highly desirable to identify new potential candidates that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention. The present study identifies AMR1, a highly conserved essential protein of Plasmodium falciparum, as a potential candidate for vaccine development. AMR1 is an exposed surface protein with high antigenic property and conservancy among other species of the parasite. Reverse vaccinology approach (RV) is adopted to determine the best epitopes of AMR1 protein. The protein was further evaluated for several important physiochemical parameters. The study revealed the 3D structure of AMR1, as well as the best B cell and helper T-cell epitopes of the protein. These resulted epitopes might be of great importance in the development of an effective vaccine to combat the deadly disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bijara Devi Sanasam
- Department of Life science & Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar, 788011, India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar
- Department of Life science & Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar, 788011, India.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Wichers JS, Scholz JAM, Strauss J, Witt S, Lill A, Ehnold LI, Neupert N, Liffner B, Lühken R, Petter M, Lorenzen S, Wilson DW, Löw C, Lavazec C, Bruchhaus I, Tannich E, Gilberger TW, Bachmann A. Dissecting the Gene Expression, Localization, Membrane Topology, and Function of the Plasmodium falciparum STEVOR Protein Family. mBio 2019; 10:e01500-19. [PMID: 31363031 PMCID: PMC6667621 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01500-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
During its intraerythrocytic development, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum exposes variant surface antigens (VSAs) on infected erythrocytes to establish and maintain an infection. One family of small VSAs is the polymorphic STEVOR proteins, which are marked for export to the host cell surface through their PEXEL signal peptide. Interestingly, some STEVORs have also been reported to localize to the parasite plasma membrane and apical organelles, pointing toward a putative function in host cell egress or invasion. Using deep RNA sequencing analysis, we characterized P. falciparumstevor gene expression across the intraerythrocytic development cycle, including free merozoites, in detail and used the resulting stevor expression profiles for hierarchical clustering. We found that most stevor genes show biphasic expression oscillation, with maximum expression during trophozoite stages and a second peak in late schizonts. We selected four STEVOR variants, confirmed the expected export of these proteins to the host cell membrane, and tracked them to a secondary location, either to the parasite plasma membrane or the secretory organelles of merozoites in late schizont stages. We investigated the function of a particular STEVOR that showed rhoptry localization and demonstrated its role at the parasite-host interface during host cell invasion by specific antisera and targeted gene disruption. Experimentally determined membrane topology of this STEVOR revealed a single transmembrane domain exposing the semiconserved as well as variable protein regions to the cell surface.IMPORTANCE Malaria claims about half a million lives each year. Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most severe form of the disease, uses proteins that are translocated to the surface of infected erythrocytes for immune evasion. To circumvent the detection of these gene products by the immune system, the parasite evolved a complex strategy that includes gene duplications and elaborate sequence polymorphism. STEVORs are one family of these variant surface antigens and are encoded by about 40 genes. Using deep RNA sequencing of blood-stage parasites, including free merozoites, we first established stevor expression of the cultured isolate and compared it with published transcriptomes. We reveal a biphasic expression of most stevor genes and confirm this for individual STEVORs at the protein level. The membrane topology of a rhoptry-associated variant was experimentally elucidated and linked to host cell invasion, underlining the importance of this multifunctional protein family for parasite proliferation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Stephan Wichers
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Jan Strauss
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), DESY, and European Molecular Biology Laboratory Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Witt
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrés Lill
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Benjamin Liffner
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Petter
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephan Lorenzen
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Danny W Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christian Löw
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), DESY, and European Molecular Biology Laboratory Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Iris Bruchhaus
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Egbert Tannich
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tim W Gilberger
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Bachmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Lee WC, Russell B, Rénia L. Sticking for a Cause: The Falciparum Malaria Parasites Cytoadherence Paradigm. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1444. [PMID: 31316507 PMCID: PMC6610498 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
After a successful invasion, malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum extensively remodels the infected erythrocyte cellular architecture, conferring cytoadhesive properties to the infected erythrocytes. Cytoadherence plays a central role in the parasite's immune-escape mechanism, at the same time contributing to the pathogenesis of severe falciparum malaria. In this review, we discuss the cytoadhesive interactions between P. falciparum infected erythrocytes and various host cell types, and how these events are linked to malaria pathogenesis. We also highlight the limitations faced by studies attempting to correlate diversity in parasite ligands and host receptors with the development of severe malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenn-Chyau Lee
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bruce Russell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Laurent Rénia
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|