1
|
Cao Y, Hayashi CTH, Kumar N. A Novel Ex Vivo Assay to Evaluate Functional Effectiveness of Plasmodium vivax Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Using Pvs25 Transgenic Plasmodium berghei. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:1894-1903. [PMID: 38408353 PMCID: PMC11175679 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae102] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax account for >90% global malaria burden. Transmission intervention strategies encompassing transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV) and drugs represent ideal public health tools to eliminate malaria at the population level. The availability of mature P. falciparum gametocytes through in vitro culture has facilitated development of a standard membrane feeding assay to assess efficacy of transmission interventions against P. falciparum. The lack of in vitro culture for P. vivax has significantly hampered similar progress on P. vivax and limited studies have been possible using blood from infected patients in endemic areas. The ethical and logistical limitations of on-time access to blood from patients have impeded the development of P. vivax TBVs. METHODS Transgenic murine malaria parasites (Plasmodium berghei) expressing TBV candidates offer a promising alternative for evaluation of P. vivax TBVs through in vivo studies in mice, and ex vivo membrane feeding assay (MFA). RESULTS We describe the development of transmission-competent transgenic TgPbvs25 parasites and optimization of parameters to establish an ex vivo MFA to evaluate P. vivax TBV based on Pvs25 antigen. CONCLUSIONS The MFA is expected to expedite Pvs25-based TBV development without dependence on blood from P. vivax-infected patients in endemic areas for evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Cao
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Clifford T H Hayashi
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Nirbhay Kumar
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cha SJ, Vega-Rodriguez J, Tao D, Kudyba HM, Hanner K, Jacobs-Lorena M. Plasmodium female gamete surface HSP90 is a key determinant for fertilization. mBio 2024; 15:e0314223. [PMID: 38131664 PMCID: PMC10865824 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03142-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium fertilization, an essential step for the development of the malaria parasite in the mosquito, is a prime target for blocking pathogen transmission. Using phage peptide display screening, we identified MG1, a peptide that binds to male gametes and inhibits fertilization, presumably by competing with a female gamete ligand. Anti-MG1 antibodies bind to the female gamete surface and, by doing so, also inhibit fertilization. We determined that this antibody recognizes HSP90 on the surface of Plasmodium female gametes. Our findings establish Plasmodium HSP90 as a prime target for the development of a transmission-blocking vaccine.IMPORTANCEMalaria kills over half a million people every year and this number has not decreased in recent years. The development of new tools to combat this disease is urgently needed. In this article, we report the identification of a key molecule-HSP90-on the surface of the parasite's female gamete that is required for fertilization to occur and for the completion of the parasite cycle in the mosquito. HSP90 is a promising candidate for the development of a transmission-blocking vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Jae Cha
- Department of Medical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia, USA
| | - Joel Vega-Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Dingyin Tao
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Heather M. Kudyba
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Kelly Hanner
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Klug D, Blandin SA. Activation of complement-like antiparasitic responses in Anopheles mosquitoes. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 72:102280. [PMID: 36841199 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102280] [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: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
During their development in mosquitoes, malaria parasites undergo massive losses that are in part due to a potent antiparasitic response mounted by the vector. The most efficient and best-characterized response relies on a complement-like system particularly effective against parasites as they cross the mosquito midgut epithelium. While our vision of the molecular and cellular events that lead to parasite elimination is still partial, our understanding of the steps triggering complement activation at the surface of invading parasites has considerably progressed, not only through the identification of novel contributing genes, but also with the recent in-depth characterization of the different mosquito blood cell types, and the ability to track them in live mosquitoes. Here, we propose a simple model based on the time of invasion to explain how parasites may escape complement-like responses during midgut infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Klug
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Inserm, UPR9022/U1257, Mosquito Immune Responses (MIR), F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Stephanie A Blandin
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Inserm, UPR9022/U1257, Mosquito Immune Responses (MIR), F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Molina-Cruz A, Barillas-Mury C. Pfs47 as a Malaria Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Target. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:tpmd211325. [PMID: 35895390 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs), pioneered by Richard Carter and others, aim to prevent parasite development in the mosquito vector and are a promising new tool for malaria elimination. Pfs47, recently identified as a TBV target, is a three-domain 6-cysteine protein on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum sexual stages. Pfs47 allows the parasite to evade mosquito immunity and is key for P. falciparum infection of the dominant malaria vectors Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles dirus, and Anopheles albimanus. Antibodies against Pfs47 domain 2 (D2) have significant transmission-blocking activity that prevents Plasmodium ookinete development and is independent of human complement. Strong transmission-blocking activity has been mapped to a region of 52 amino acids in Pfs47 D2. Efforts to optimize the immunogenicity of the Pfs47 D2 antigen with a viral-like particle have been successful, and the efficacy of a P47-based TBV was confirmed in vivo with Pbs47, the orthologue of Pfs47 in the mouse malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. The current evidence warrants further development and clinical testing of a Pfs47-based TBV.
Collapse
|
5
|
Lyons FMT, Gabriela M, Tham WH, Dietrich MH. Plasmodium 6-Cysteine Proteins: Functional Diversity, Transmission-Blocking Antibodies and Structural Scaffolds. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:945924. [PMID: 35899047 PMCID: PMC9309271 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.945924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The 6-cysteine protein family is one of the most abundant surface antigens that are expressed throughout the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle. Many members of the 6-cysteine family have critical roles in parasite development across the life cycle in parasite transmission, evasion of the host immune response and host cell invasion. The common feature of the family is the 6-cysteine domain, also referred to as s48/45 domain, which is conserved across Aconoidasida. This review summarizes the current approaches for recombinant expression for 6-cysteine proteins, monoclonal antibodies against 6-cysteine proteins that block transmission and the growing collection of crystal structures that provide insights into the functional domains of this protein family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frankie M. T. Lyons
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mikha Gabriela
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Wai-Hong Tham
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Melanie H. Dietrich
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang PP, Jiang X, Bai J, Yang F, Yu X, Wu Y, Zheng W, Zhang Y, Cui L, Liu F, Zhu X, Cao Y. Characterization of PSOP26 as an ookinete surface antigen with improved transmission-blocking activity when fused with PSOP25. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:175. [PMID: 35606790 PMCID: PMC9125894 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05294-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Plasmodium zygote-to-ookinete developmental transition is an essential step for establishing an infection in the mosquito vector, and antigens expressed during this stage are potential targets for transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs). The secreted ookinete protein 26 (PSOP26) is a newly identified ookinete surface protein. The anti-PSOP26 serum has moderate transmission-blocking activity, indicating the benefit of further investigating this protein as a target for TBVs. Methods The function of psop26 was analyzed by targeted gene disruption. A chimeric PSOP25-PSOP26 protein was expressed in the Escherichia coli system. The PSOP25-PSOP26 fusion protein, along with mixed (PSOP25 + PSOP26) or single proteins (PSOP26 or PSOP25), were used for the immunization of mice. The antibody titers and immunogenicity of individual sera were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and Western blot. The transmission-blocking activity of sera from different immunization schemes was assessed using in vitro and in vivo assays. Results PSOP26 is a surface protein expressed in Plasmodium gametes and ookinetes. The protein is dispensable for asexual blood-stage development, gametogenesis, and zygote formation, but is essential for the zygote-to-ookinete developmental transition. Specifically, both the prevalence of infections and oocyst densities were decreased in mosquitoes fed on psop26-null mutants. Mixtures of individual PSOP25 and PSOP26 fragments (PSOP25 + PSOP26), as well as chimeras (PSOP25-PSOP26), elicited high antibody levels in mice, with no immunological interference. Antisera against the mixed and fusion proteins elicited higher transmission-reducing activity (TRA) than antisera against the single PSOP26 antigen, but comparable to antisera against PSOP25 antigen alone. Conclusions PSOP26 plays a critical role in the zygote-to-ookinete developmental transition. PSOP25 is a promising TBV candidate that could be used alone to target the ookinete stage. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05294-8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Peng Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Xuefeng Jiang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Jie Bai
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinxin Yu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Yudi Wu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Wenqi Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolian Medical University, Inner Mongolia, Huhhot, 150000, China
| | - Yongzhe Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China.,Department of Nephrology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Boulevard, Suite 304, Tampa, FL, 33612-9415, USA
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China.
| | - Xiaotong Zhu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China.
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Keleta Y, Ramelow J, Cui L, Li J. Molecular interactions between parasite and mosquito during midgut invasion as targets to block malaria transmission. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:140. [PMID: 34845210 PMCID: PMC8630063 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00401-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable effort, malaria remains a major public health burden. Malaria is caused by five Plasmodium species and is transmitted to humans via the female Anopheles mosquito. The development of malaria vaccines against the liver and blood stages has been challenging. Therefore, malaria elimination strategies advocate integrated measures, including transmission-blocking approaches. Designing an effective transmission-blocking strategy relies on a sophisticated understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the interactions between the mosquito midgut molecules and the malaria parasite. Here we review recent advances in the biology of malaria transmission, focusing on molecular interactions between Plasmodium and Anopheles mosquito midgut proteins. We provide an overview of parasite and mosquito proteins that are either targets for drugs currently in clinical trials or candidates of promising transmission-blocking vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yacob Keleta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Julian Ramelow
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Liwang Cui
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
- Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yenkoidiok-Douti L, Barillas-Mury C, Jewell CM. Design of Dissolvable Microneedles for Delivery of a Pfs47-Based Malaria Transmission-Blocking Vaccine. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:1854-1862. [PMID: 33616392 PMCID: PMC8113916 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The development of effective malaria vaccines remains a global health priority. In addition to an effective vaccine, there is urgent demand for effective delivery technologies that can be easily deployed. The need for effective vaccine delivery tools is particularly pertinent in resource-poor settings where access to healthcare is limited. Microneedles are micron-scale structures that offer distinct advantages for vaccine delivery by efficiently targeting skin-resident immune cells, eliminating injection-associated pain, and improving patient compliance. Here, we developed and characterized a candidate malaria vaccine loaded and deployed using dissolvable microneedle arrays. Of note, a newly indicated human-relevant antigen was employed, Plasmodium falciparum surface protein P47. P47 and a potent toll-like receptor (TLR9) agonist vaccine adjuvant, CpG, were fabricated into microneedles using a gelatin polymer. Protein binding, ELISA, and fluorescence analysis confirmed the molecular structure, and the function of the P47 antigen and CpG was maintained after fabrication, storage, and release from microneedles. In cell culture, the cargo released from the microneedle arrays triggered TLR9 signaling and activated primary dendritic cells at levels similar to native, unincorporated vaccine components. Together, these studies demonstrate the potential of microneedles as an easily deployable strategy for a P47-based malaria vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lampouguin Yenkoidiok-Douti
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, 8278 Paint Branch Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, United States
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, United States
| | - Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, United States
| | - Christopher M. Jewell
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, 8278 Paint Branch Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Maryland Health Care System 10. N Green Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices, 8278 Paint Branch Drive, College Park, MD 20742, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland Medical School, 685 West Baltimore Street, HSF-I Suite 380, Baltimore, MD, 21201, United States
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, 22 S. Greene Street, Suite N9E17, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
| |
Collapse
|