1
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Ramakrishnan C, Fort C, Marques SR, Ferguson DJP, Gransagne M, Baum J, Chaouch S, Mouray E, Kohl L, Wheeler RJ, Sinden RE. Radial spoke protein 9 is necessary for axoneme assembly in Plasmodium but not in trypanosomatid parasites. J Cell Sci 2023:310503. [PMID: 37199084 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Flagella are important for eukaryote cell motility, including in sperm, and are vital for life cycle progression of many unicellular eukaryotic pathogens. The "9+2" axoneme in most motile flagella comprises nine outer doublet and two central-pair singlet microtubules. T-shaped radial spokes protrude from the outer doublets towards the central pair and are necessary for effective beating. We asked if there were radial spoke adaptations associated with parasite lineage-specific properties in apicomplexans and trypanosomatids. Following an orthologue search for experimentally uncharacterised radial spoke proteins (RSPs), we identified and analysed RSP9. Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania mexicana, have an extensive RSP complement including two divergent RSP9 orthologs, necessary for flagellar beating and swimming. Detailed structural analysis showed that neither ortholog is needed for axoneme assembly in Leishmania. In contrast, Plasmodium has a reduced set of RSPs including a single RSP9 ortholog. deletion of which in Plasmodium berghei leads to failure of axoneme formation, failed male gamete release, greatly reduced fertilisation and inefficient life cycle progression in the mosquito. This indicates contrasting selection pressures on axoneme complexity, likely linked with the different mode of assembly of trypanosomatid versus Plasmodium flagella.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cécile Fort
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - David J P Ferguson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department Biological & Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Marion Gransagne
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of London, London, UK
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of London, London, UK
| | - Soraya Chaouch
- UMR7245 MCAM, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Team PPL, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Elisabeth Mouray
- UMR7245 MCAM, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Team PPL, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Linda Kohl
- UMR7245 MCAM, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Team PPL, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Richard J Wheeler
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of London, London, UK
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2
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Smith NC, Sinden RE, Ramakrishnan C. Editorial: Get Over the Gut: Apicomplexan Parasite Interaction, Survival and Stage Progression in Vertebrate and Invertebrate Digestive Tracts. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:680555. [PMID: 33996642 PMCID: PMC8113612 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.680555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Smith
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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3
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Haltalli MLR, Watcham S, Wilson NK, Eilers K, Lipien A, Ang H, Birch F, Anton SG, Pirillo C, Ruivo N, Vainieri ML, Pospori C, Sinden RE, Luis TC, Langhorne J, Duffy KR, Göttgens B, Blagborough AM, Lo Celso C. Manipulating niche composition limits damage to haematopoietic stem cells during Plasmodium infection. Nat Cell Biol 2020; 22:1399-1410. [PMID: 33230302 PMCID: PMC7611033 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-020-00601-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Severe infections are a major stress on haematopoiesis, where the consequences for haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have only recently started to emerge. HSC function critically depends on the integrity of complex bone marrow (BM) niches; however, what role the BM microenvironment plays in mediating the effects of infection on HSCs remains an open question. Here, using a murine model of malaria and combining single-cell RNA sequencing, mathematical modelling, transplantation assays and intravital microscopy, we show that haematopoiesis is reprogrammed upon infection, whereby the HSC compartment turns over substantially faster than at steady-state and HSC function is drastically affected. Interferon is found to affect both haematopoietic and mesenchymal BM cells and we specifically identify a dramatic loss of osteoblasts and alterations in endothelial cell function. Osteo-active parathyroid hormone treatment abolishes infection-triggered HSC proliferation and-coupled with reactive oxygen species quenching-enables partial rescuing of HSC function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam L R Haltalli
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge, UK
| | - Samuel Watcham
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nicola K Wilson
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kira Eilers
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alexander Lipien
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Heather Ang
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Flora Birch
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Sara Gonzalez Anton
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Chiara Pirillo
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Nicola Ruivo
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Maria L Vainieri
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- AO Research Institute, Davos Platz, Switzerland
| | - Constandina Pospori
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tiago C Luis
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Ken R Duffy
- Hamilton Institute, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Berthold Göttgens
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Cristina Lo Celso
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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4
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Depoix D, Marques SR, Ferguson DJP, Chaouch S, Duguet T, Sinden RE, Grellier P, Kohl L. Vital role for
Plasmodium berghei
Kinesin8B in axoneme assembly during male gamete formation and mosquito transmission. Cell Microbiol 2019; 22:e13121. [DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Depoix
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
| | | | - David JP Ferguson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Soraya Chaouch
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
| | - Thomas Duguet
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
- Institute of Parasitology, Macdonald Campus McGill University 21, 111 Lakeshore road Sainte‐Anne‐de‐Bellevue QC Canada
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences Imperial College of London London UK
| | - Philippe Grellier
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
| | - Linda Kohl
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
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5
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Rampling T, Ewer KJ, Bowyer G, Edwards NJ, Wright D, Sridhar S, Payne R, Powlson J, Bliss C, Venkatraman N, Poulton ID, de Graaf H, Gbesemete D, Grobbelaar A, Davies H, Roberts R, Angus B, Ivinson K, Weltzin R, Rajkumar BY, Wille-Reece U, Lee C, Ockenhouse C, Sinden RE, Gerry SC, Lawrie AM, Vekemans J, Morelle D, Lievens M, Ballou RW, Lewis DJM, Cooke GS, Faust SN, Gilbert S, Hill AVS. Safety and efficacy of novel malaria vaccine regimens of RTS,S/AS01B alone, or with concomitant ChAd63-MVA-vectored vaccines expressing ME-TRAP. NPJ Vaccines 2018; 3:49. [PMID: 30323956 PMCID: PMC6177476 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-018-0084-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed a combination multi-stage malaria vaccine schedule in which RTS,S/AS01B was given concomitantly with viral vectors expressing multiple-epitope thrombospondin-related adhesion protein (ME-TRAP) in a 0-month, 1-month, and 2-month schedule. RTS,S/AS01B was given as either three full doses or with a fractional (1/5th) third dose. Efficacy was assessed by controlled human malaria infection (CHMI). Safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine regimen was also assessed. Forty-one malaria-naive adults received RTS,S/AS01B at 0, 4 and 8 weeks, either alone (Groups 1 and 2) or with ChAd63 ME-TRAP at week 0, and modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) ME-TRAP at weeks 4 and 8 (Groups 3 and 4). Groups 2 and 4 received a fractional (1/5th) dose of RTS,S/AS01B at week 8. CHMI was delivered by mosquito bite 11 weeks after first vaccination. Vaccine efficacy was 6/8 (75%), 8/9 (88.9%), 6/10 (60%), and 5/9 (55.6%) of subjects in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Immunological analysis indicated significant reductions in anti-circumsporozoite protein antibodies and TRAP-specific T cells at CHMI in the combination vaccine groups. This reduced immunogenicity was only observed after concomitant administration of the third dose of RTS,S/AS01B with the second dose of MVA ME-TRAP. The second dose of the MVA vector with a four-week interval caused significantly higher anti-vector immunity than the first and may have been the cause of immunological interference. Co-administration of ChAd63/MVA ME-TRAP with RTS,S/AS01B led to reduced immunogenicity and efficacy, indicating the need for evaluation of alternative schedules or immunization sites in attempts to generate optimal efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy Rampling
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Katie J. Ewer
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Georgina Bowyer
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Nick J. Edwards
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Danny Wright
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Saranya Sridhar
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Ruth Payne
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | | | - Carly Bliss
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | | | - Ian D. Poulton
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Hans de Graaf
- NIHR Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Diane Gbesemete
- NIHR Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Amy Grobbelaar
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Huw Davies
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
| | - Rachel Roberts
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Brian Angus
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | | | - Rich Weltzin
- PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Washington, DC USA
| | | | | | - Cynthia Lee
- PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Washington, DC USA
| | | | - Robert E. Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Stephen C. Gerry
- Centre for Statistics in Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - David J. M. Lewis
- Clinical Research Centre, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XP UK
| | - Graham S. Cooke
- Infectious Diseases Section, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Saul N. Faust
- NIHR Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Sarah Gilbert
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
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6
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Delves MJ, Miguel-Blanco C, Matthews H, Molina I, Ruecker A, Yahiya S, Straschil U, Abraham M, León ML, Fischer OJ, Rueda-Zubiaurre A, Brandt JR, Cortés Á, Barnard A, Fuchter MJ, Calderón F, Winzeler EA, Sinden RE, Herreros E, Gamo FJ, Baum J. A high throughput screen for next-generation leads targeting malaria parasite transmission. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3805. [PMID: 30228275 PMCID: PMC6143625 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05777-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Spread of parasite resistance to artemisinin threatens current frontline antimalarial therapies, highlighting the need for new drugs with alternative modes of action. Since only 0.2–1% of asexual parasites differentiate into sexual, transmission-competent forms, targeting this natural bottleneck provides a tangible route to interrupt disease transmission and mitigate resistance selection. Here we present a high-throughput screen of gametogenesis against a ~70,000 compound diversity library, identifying seventeen drug-like molecules that target transmission. Hit molecules possess varied activity profiles including male-specific, dual acting male–female and dual-asexual-sexual, with one promising N-((4-hydroxychroman-4-yl)methyl)-sulphonamide scaffold found to have sub-micromolar activity in vitro and in vivo efficacy. Development of leads with modes of action focussed on the sexual stages of malaria parasite development provide a previously unexplored base from which future therapeutics can be developed, capable of preventing parasite transmission through the population. Sexual forms of malaria parasites are responsible for transmission to the mosquito. Anti-malarial drug resistance remains a serious problem and requires advent of new drug therapies. Here, the authors present a high-throughput screen of potential antimalarial compounds, identifying seventeen drug-like molecules specifically targeting transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Delves
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Celia Miguel-Blanco
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.,Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), GlaxoSmithKline, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Holly Matthews
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Irene Molina
- Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), GlaxoSmithKline, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Ruecker
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Sabrina Yahiya
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Ursula Straschil
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Matthew Abraham
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive 0760, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - María Luisa León
- Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), GlaxoSmithKline, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Oliver J Fischer
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Ainoa Rueda-Zubiaurre
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Jochen R Brandt
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Álvaro Cortés
- Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), GlaxoSmithKline, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Barnard
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Matthew J Fuchter
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Félix Calderón
- Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), GlaxoSmithKline, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive 0760, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Esperanza Herreros
- Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), GlaxoSmithKline, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J Gamo
- Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), GlaxoSmithKline, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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7
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Vanaerschot M, Lucantoni L, Li T, Combrinck JM, Ruecker A, Kumar TRS, Rubiano K, Ferreira PE, Siciliano G, Gulati S, Henrich PP, Ng CL, Murithi JM, Corey VC, Duffy S, Lieberman OJ, Veiga MI, Sinden RE, Alano P, Delves MJ, Lee Sim K, Winzeler EA, Egan TJ, Hoffman SL, Avery VM, Fidock DA. Hexahydroquinolines are antimalarial candidates with potent blood-stage and transmission-blocking activity. Nat Microbiol 2017. [PMID: 28808258 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-017-0007–4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Antimalarial compounds with dual therapeutic and transmission-blocking activity are desired as high-value partners for combination therapies. Here, we report the identification and characterization of hexahydroquinolines (HHQs) that show low nanomolar potency against both pathogenic and transmissible intra-erythrocytic forms of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This activity translates into potent transmission-blocking potential, as shown by in vitro male gamete formation assays and reduced oocyst infection and prevalence in Anopheles mosquitoes. In vivo studies illustrated the ability of lead HHQs to suppress Plasmodium berghei blood-stage parasite proliferation. Resistance selection studies, confirmed by CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing, identified the digestive vacuole membrane-spanning transporter PfMDR1 (P. falciparum multidrug resistance gene-1) as a determinant of parasite resistance to HHQs. Haemoglobin and haem fractionation assays suggest a mode of action that results in reduced haemozoin levels and might involve inhibition of host haemoglobin uptake into intra-erythrocytic parasites. Furthermore, parasites resistant to HHQs displayed increased susceptibility to several first-line antimalarial drugs, including lumefantrine, confirming that HHQs have a different mode of action to other antimalarials drugs for which PfMDR1 is known to confer resistance. This work evokes therapeutic strategies that combine opposing selective pressures on this parasite transporter as an approach to countering the emergence and transmission of multidrug-resistant P. falciparum malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu Vanaerschot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Leonardo Lucantoni
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tao Li
- Sanaria Inc., Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Jill M Combrinck
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - Andrea Ruecker
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.,Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - T R Santha Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Kelly Rubiano
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Pedro E Ferreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Giulia Siciliano
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Gulati
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Philipp P Henrich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Caroline L Ng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - James M Murithi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Victoria C Corey
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Sandra Duffy
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ori J Lieberman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - M Isabel Veiga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Pietro Alano
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Michael J Delves
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Timothy J Egan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
| | | | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, Queensland, Australia
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA. .,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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8
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Vanaerschot M, Lucantoni L, Li T, Combrinck JM, Ruecker A, Kumar TRS, Rubiano K, Ferreira PE, Siciliano G, Gulati S, Henrich PP, Ng CL, Murithi JM, Corey VC, Duffy S, Lieberman OJ, Veiga MI, Sinden RE, Alano P, Delves MJ, Lee Sim K, Winzeler EA, Egan TJ, Hoffman SL, Avery VM, Fidock DA. Hexahydroquinolines are antimalarial candidates with potent blood-stage and transmission-blocking activity. Nat Microbiol 2017; 2:1403-1414. [PMID: 28808258 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-017-0007-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Antimalarial compounds with dual therapeutic and transmission-blocking activity are desired as high-value partners for combination therapies. Here, we report the identification and characterization of hexahydroquinolines (HHQs) that show low nanomolar potency against both pathogenic and transmissible intra-erythrocytic forms of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This activity translates into potent transmission-blocking potential, as shown by in vitro male gamete formation assays and reduced oocyst infection and prevalence in Anopheles mosquitoes. In vivo studies illustrated the ability of lead HHQs to suppress Plasmodium berghei blood-stage parasite proliferation. Resistance selection studies, confirmed by CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing, identified the digestive vacuole membrane-spanning transporter PfMDR1 (P. falciparum multidrug resistance gene-1) as a determinant of parasite resistance to HHQs. Haemoglobin and haem fractionation assays suggest a mode of action that results in reduced haemozoin levels and might involve inhibition of host haemoglobin uptake into intra-erythrocytic parasites. Furthermore, parasites resistant to HHQs displayed increased susceptibility to several first-line antimalarial drugs, including lumefantrine, confirming that HHQs have a different mode of action to other antimalarials drugs for which PfMDR1 is known to confer resistance. This work evokes therapeutic strategies that combine opposing selective pressures on this parasite transporter as an approach to countering the emergence and transmission of multidrug-resistant P. falciparum malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu Vanaerschot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Leonardo Lucantoni
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tao Li
- Sanaria Inc., Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Jill M Combrinck
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - Andrea Ruecker
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.,Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - T R Santha Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Kelly Rubiano
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Pedro E Ferreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Giulia Siciliano
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Gulati
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Philipp P Henrich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Caroline L Ng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - James M Murithi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Victoria C Corey
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Sandra Duffy
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ori J Lieberman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - M Isabel Veiga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Pietro Alano
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Michael J Delves
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Timothy J Egan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
| | | | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, Queensland, Australia
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA. .,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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9
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E. Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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10
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Churcher TS, Sinden RE, Edwards NJ, Poulton ID, Rampling TW, Brock PM, Griffin JT, Upton LM, Zakutansky SE, Sala KA, Angrisano F, Hill AVS, Blagborough AM. Probability of Transmission of Malaria from Mosquito to Human Is Regulated by Mosquito Parasite Density in Naïve and Vaccinated Hosts. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006108. [PMID: 28081253 PMCID: PMC5230737 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over a century since Ronald Ross discovered that malaria is caused by the bite of an infectious mosquito it is still unclear how the number of parasites injected influences disease transmission. Currently it is assumed that all mosquitoes with salivary gland sporozoites are equally infectious irrespective of the number of parasites they harbour, though this has never been rigorously tested. Here we analyse >1000 experimental infections of humans and mice and demonstrate a dose-dependency for probability of infection and the length of the host pre-patent period. Mosquitoes with a higher numbers of sporozoites in their salivary glands following blood-feeding are more likely to have caused infection (and have done so quicker) than mosquitoes with fewer parasites. A similar dose response for the probability of infection was seen for humans given a pre-erythrocytic vaccine candidate targeting circumsporozoite protein (CSP), and in mice with and without transfusion of anti-CSP antibodies. These interventions prevented infection more efficiently from bites made by mosquitoes with fewer parasites. The importance of parasite number has widespread implications across malariology, ranging from our basic understanding of the parasite, how vaccines are evaluated and the way in which transmission should be measured in the field. It also provides direct evidence for why the only registered malaria vaccine RTS,S was partially effective in recent clinical trials. Malaria is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infectious mosquito though it is unclear whether a mosquito with a high number of parasites is more infectious than one with only a few. Here we show that the greater the number of parasites within the salivary gland of the mosquito following blood-feeding the more likely it is to have transmitted the disease. A clear dose-response is seen with highly infected mosquitoes being more likely to have caused infection (and to have done so quicker) than lightly infected mosquitoes. This suggesting that mosquito-based methods for measuring transmission in the field need to be refined as they currently only consider whether a mosquito is infected or not (and not how heavily infected the mosquito is). Novel transmission reducing drugs and vaccines are tested by experimentally infecting people using infectious mosquitoes. This work indicates that it is important to further standardise infectious dose in malaria experimental infections to enable the efficacy of new interventions to be accurately compared. The work also provides direct evidence to suggest that the world’s first licenced malaria vaccine may be partially effective because it fails to provide protection against highly infected mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S. Churcher
- MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Robert E. Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nick J. Edwards
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ian D. Poulton
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas W. Rampling
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick M. Brock
- MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie T. Griffin
- MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Leanna M. Upton
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sara E. Zakutansky
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna A. Sala
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Angrisano
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian V. S. Hill
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M. Blagborough
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
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11
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Abstract
This article attempts to draw together current knowledge on the biology of Plasmodium and experience gained from past control campaigns to interpret and guide current efforts to discover and develop exciting new strategies targeting the parasite with the objective of interrupting transmission. Particular note is made of the advantages of targeting often unappreciated small, yet vital, bottleneck populations to enhance both the impact and the useful lifetime of hard-won interventions. A case is made for the standardization of methods to measure transmission blockade to permit the rational comparison of how diverse interventions (drugs, vaccines, insecticides, Genetically Modified technologies) targeting disparate aspects of parasite biology may impact upon the commonly used parameter of parasite prevalence in the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Sinden
- The Jenner Institute, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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12
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Marques J, Valle-Delgado JJ, Urbán P, Baró E, Prohens R, Mayor A, Cisteró P, Delves M, Sinden RE, Grandfils C, de Paz JL, García-Salcedo JA, Fernàndez-Busquets X. Adaptation of targeted nanocarriers to changing requirements in antimalarial drug delivery. Nanomedicine 2016; 13:515-525. [PMID: 27720930 PMCID: PMC5332526 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2016.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The adaptation of existing antimalarial nanocarriers to new Plasmodium stages, drugs, targeting molecules, or encapsulating structures is a strategy that can provide new nanotechnology-based, cost-efficient therapies against malaria. We have explored the modification of different liposome prototypes that had been developed in our group for the targeted delivery of antimalarial drugs to Plasmodium-infected red blood cells (pRBCs). These new models include: (i) immunoliposome-mediated release of new lipid-based antimalarials; (ii) liposomes targeted to pRBCs with covalently linked heparin to reduce anticoagulation risks; (iii) adaptation of heparin to pRBC targeting of chitosan nanoparticles; (iv) use of heparin for the targeting of Plasmodium stages in the mosquito vector; and (v) use of the non-anticoagulant glycosaminoglycan chondroitin 4-sulfate as a heparin surrogate for pRBC targeting. The results presented indicate that the tuning of existing nanovessels to new malaria-related targets is a valid low-cost alternative to the de novo development of targeted nanosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Marques
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona Center for International Health Research (CRESIB, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain; Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan José Valle-Delgado
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona Center for International Health Research (CRESIB, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain; Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Urbán
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona Center for International Health Research (CRESIB, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain; Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabet Baró
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona Center for International Health Research (CRESIB, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain; Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafel Prohens
- Unitat de Polimorfisme i Calorimetria, Centres Científics i Tecnològics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfredo Mayor
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona Center for International Health Research (CRESIB, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pau Cisteró
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona Center for International Health Research (CRESIB, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael Delves
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, South Kensington, London, UK
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, South Kensington, London, UK
| | - Christian Grandfils
- Interfacultary Research Center of Biomaterials (CEIB), University of Liège, Chemistry Institute, Liège (Sart-Tilman), Belgium
| | - José L de Paz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas (IIQ) CSIC-US, Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Isla de La Cartuja, Sevilla, Spain
| | - José A García-Salcedo
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. Granada, Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Xavier Fernàndez-Busquets
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona Center for International Health Research (CRESIB, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain; Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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13
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Baragaña B, Norcross NR, Wilson C, Porzelle A, Hallyburton I, Grimaldi R, Osuna-Cabello M, Norval S, Riley J, Stojanovski L, Simeons FRC, Wyatt PG, Delves MJ, Meister S, Duffy S, Avery VM, Winzeler EA, Sinden RE, Wittlin S, Frearson JA, Gray DW, Fairlamb AH, Waterson D, Campbell SF, Willis P, Read KD, Gilbert IH. Discovery of a Quinoline-4-carboxamide Derivative with a Novel Mechanism of Action, Multistage Antimalarial Activity, and Potent in Vivo Efficacy. J Med Chem 2016; 59:9672-9685. [PMID: 27631715 PMCID: PMC5108032 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
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The antiplasmodial activity, DMPK
properties, and efficacy of a series of quinoline-4-carboxamides are
described. This series was identified from a phenotypic screen against
the blood stage of Plasmodium falciparum (3D7) and
displayed moderate potency but with suboptimal physicochemical properties
and poor microsomal stability. The screening hit (1,
EC50 = 120 nM) was optimized to lead molecules with low
nanomolar in vitro potency. Improvement of the pharmacokinetic profile
led to several compounds showing excellent oral efficacy in the P. berghei malaria mouse model with ED90 values
below 1 mg/kg when dosed orally for 4 days. The favorable potency,
selectivity, DMPK properties, and efficacy coupled with a novel mechanism
of action, inhibition of translation elongation factor 2 (PfEF2), led to progression of 2 (DDD107498)
to preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Baragaña
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Neil R Norcross
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Caroline Wilson
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Achim Porzelle
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Irene Hallyburton
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Raffaella Grimaldi
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Maria Osuna-Cabello
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Suzanne Norval
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Jennifer Riley
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Laste Stojanovski
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Frederick R C Simeons
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Paul G Wyatt
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Michael J Delves
- Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College , London, SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - Stephan Meister
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Sandra Duffy
- Eskitis Institute, Griffith University , Brisbane Innovation Park, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Eskitis Institute, Griffith University , Brisbane Innovation Park, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College , London, SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Swiss TPH, Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel , CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julie A Frearson
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - David W Gray
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Alan H Fairlamb
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - David Waterson
- Medicines for Malaria Venture , International Centre Cointrin, Entrance G, 3rd Floor, Route de Pré-Bois 20, P.O. Box 1826, CH-1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Simon F Campbell
- Medicines for Malaria Venture , International Centre Cointrin, Entrance G, 3rd Floor, Route de Pré-Bois 20, P.O. Box 1826, CH-1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Paul Willis
- Medicines for Malaria Venture , International Centre Cointrin, Entrance G, 3rd Floor, Route de Pré-Bois 20, P.O. Box 1826, CH-1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Kevin D Read
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Ian H Gilbert
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
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14
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Rampling T, Ewer KJ, Bowyer G, Bliss CM, Edwards NJ, Wright D, Payne RO, Venkatraman N, de Barra E, Snudden CM, Poulton ID, de Graaf H, Sukhtankar P, Roberts R, Ivinson K, Weltzin R, Rajkumar BY, Wille-Reece U, Lee CK, Ockenhouse CF, Sinden RE, Gerry S, Lawrie AM, Vekemans J, Morelle D, Lievens M, Ballou RW, Cooke GS, Faust SN, Gilbert S, Hill AVS. Safety and High Level Efficacy of the Combination Malaria Vaccine Regimen of RTS,S/AS01B With Chimpanzee Adenovirus 63 and Modified Vaccinia Ankara Vectored Vaccines Expressing ME-TRAP. J Infect Dis 2016; 214:772-81. [PMID: 27307573 PMCID: PMC4978377 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiw244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The need for a highly efficacious vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum remains pressing. In this controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) study, we assessed the safety, efficacy and immunogenicity of a schedule combining 2 distinct vaccine types in a staggered immunization regimen: one inducing high-titer antibodies to circumsporozoite protein (RTS,S/AS01B) and the other inducing potent T-cell responses to thrombospondin-related adhesion protein (TRAP) by using a viral vector. METHOD Thirty-seven healthy malaria-naive adults were vaccinated with either a chimpanzee adenovirus 63 and modified vaccinia virus Ankara-vectored vaccine expressing a multiepitope string fused to TRAP and 3 doses of RTS,S/AS01B (group 1; n = 20) or 3 doses of RTS,S/AS01B alone (group 2; n = 17). CHMI was delivered by mosquito bites to 33 vaccinated subjects at week 12 after the first vaccination and to 6 unvaccinated controls. RESULTS No suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions or severe adverse events related to vaccination were reported. Protective vaccine efficacy was observed in 14 of 17 subjects (82.4%) in group 1 and 12 of 16 subjects (75%) in group 2. All control subjects received a diagnosis of blood-stage malaria parasite infection. Both vaccination regimens were immunogenic. Fourteen protected subjects underwent repeat CHMI 6 months after initial CHMI; 7 of 8 (87.5%) in group 1 and 5 of 6 (83.3%) in group 2 remained protected. CONCLUSIONS The high level of sterile efficacy observed in this trial is encouraging for further evaluation of combination approaches using these vaccine types. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT01883609.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hans de Graaf
- NIHR Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Priya Sukhtankar
- NIHR Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | | | - Karen Ivinson
- PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Seattle, Washington
| | - Rich Weltzin
- PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Seattle, Washington
| | | | | | - Cynthia K Lee
- PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Seattle, Washington
| | | | | | - Stephen Gerry
- Centre for Statistics in Medicine, University of Oxford
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Graham S Cooke
- Infectious Diseases Section, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London
| | - Saul N Faust
- NIHR Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
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15
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Blagborough AM, Musiychuk K, Bi H, Jones RM, Chichester JA, Streatfield S, Sala KA, Zakutansky SE, Upton LM, Sinden RE, Brian I, Biswas S, Sattabonkot J, Yusibov V. Transmission blocking potency and immunogenicity of a plant-produced Pvs25-based subunit vaccine against Plasmodium vivax. Vaccine 2016; 34:3252-9. [PMID: 27177945 PMCID: PMC4915602 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Malaria transmission blocking (TB) vaccines (TBVs) directed against proteins expressed on the sexual stages of Plasmodium parasites are a potentially effective means to reduce transmission. Antibodies induced by TBVs block parasite development in the mosquito, and thus inhibit transmission to further human hosts. The ookinete surface protein P25 is a primary target for TBV development. Recently, transient expression in plants using hybrid viral vectors has demonstrated potential as a strategy for cost-effective and scalable production of recombinant vaccines. Using a plant virus-based expression system, we produced recombinant P25 protein of Plasmodium vivax (Pvs25) in Nicotiana benthamiana fused to a modified lichenase carrier protein. This candidate vaccine, Pvs25-FhCMB, was purified, characterized and evaluated for immunogenicity and efficacy using multiple adjuvants in a transgenic rodent model. An in vivo TB effect of up to a 65% reduction in intensity and 54% reduction in prevalence was observed using Abisco-100 adjuvant. The ability of this immunogen to induce a TB response was additionally combined with heterologous prime-boost vaccination with viral vectors expressing Pvs25. Significant blockade was observed when combining both platforms, achieving a 74% and 68% reduction in intensity and prevalence, respectively. This observation was confirmed by direct membrane feeding on field P. vivax samples, resulting in reductions in intensity/prevalence of 85.3% and 25.5%. These data demonstrate the potential of this vaccine candidate and support the feasibility of expressing Plasmodium antigens in a plant-based system for the production of TBVs, while demonstrating the potential advantages of combining multiple vaccine delivery systems to maximize efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Blagborough
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - K Musiychuk
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
| | - H Bi
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
| | - R M Jones
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
| | - J A Chichester
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
| | - S Streatfield
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
| | - K A Sala
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - S E Zakutansky
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - L M Upton
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - R E Sinden
- Jenner Institute, The University of Oxford, Roosevelt Road, Oxford OX9 2PP, UK
| | - I Brian
- Jenner Institute, The University of Oxford, Roosevelt Road, Oxford OX9 2PP, UK
| | - S Biswas
- Jenner Institute, The University of Oxford, Roosevelt Road, Oxford OX9 2PP, UK
| | - J Sattabonkot
- Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - V Yusibov
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
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16
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Vainieri ML, Blagborough AM, MacLean AL, Haltalli MLR, Ruivo N, Fletcher HA, Stumpf MPH, Sinden RE, Celso CL. Systematic tracking of altered haematopoiesis during sporozoite-mediated malaria development reveals multiple response points. Open Biol 2016; 6:160038. [PMID: 27335321 PMCID: PMC4929935 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.160038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Haematopoiesis is the complex developmental process that maintains the turnover of all blood cell lineages. It critically depends on the correct functioning of rare, quiescent haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and more numerous, HSC-derived, highly proliferative and differentiating haematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). Infection is known to affect HSCs, with severe and chronic inflammatory stimuli leading to stem cell pool depletion, while acute, non-lethal infections exert transient and even potentiating effects. Both whether this paradigm applies to all infections and whether the HSC response is the dominant driver of the changes observed during stressed haematopoiesis remain open questions. We use a mouse model of malaria, based on natural, sporozoite-driven Plasmodium berghei infection, as an experimental platform to gain a global view of haematopoietic perturbations during infection progression. We observe coordinated responses by the most primitive HSCs and multiple HPCs, some starting before blood parasitaemia is detected. We show that, despite highly variable inter-host responses, primitive HSCs become highly proliferative, but mathematical modelling suggests that this alone is not sufficient to significantly impact the whole haematopoietic cascade. We observe that the dramatic expansion of Sca-1(+) progenitors results from combined proliferation of direct HSC progeny and phenotypic changes in downstream populations. We observe that the simultaneous perturbation of HSC/HPC population dynamics is coupled with early signs of anaemia onset. Our data uncover a complex relationship between Plasmodium and its host's haematopoiesis and raise the question whether the variable responses observed may affect the outcome of the infection itself and its long-term consequences on the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Vainieri
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Andrew M Blagborough
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Adam L MacLean
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Myriam L R Haltalli
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Nicola Ruivo
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | - Michael P H Stumpf
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK Jenner Institute, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Cristina Lo Celso
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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17
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Wu Y, Sinden RE, Churcher TS, Tsuboi T, Yusibov V. Development of malaria transmission-blocking vaccines: from concept to product. Adv Parasitol 2015; 89:109-52. [PMID: 26003037 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2015.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of effort battling against malaria, the disease is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) that target sexual stage parasite development could be an integral part of measures for malaria elimination. In the 1950s, Huff et al. first demonstrated the induction of transmission-blocking immunity in chickens by repeated immunizations with Plasmodium gallinaceum-infected red blood cells. Since then, significant progress has been made in identification of parasite antigens responsible for transmission-blocking activity. Recombinant technologies accelerated evaluation of these antigens as vaccine candidates, and it is possible to induce effective transmission-blocking immunity in humans both by natural infection and now by immunization with recombinant vaccines. This chapter reviews the efforts to produce TBVs, summarizes the current status and advances and discusses the remaining challenges and approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Wu
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | - Thomas S Churcher
- MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Vidadi Yusibov
- Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, Newark, DE, USA
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18
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Sinden RE. The cell biology of malaria infection of mosquito: advances and opportunities. Cell Microbiol 2015; 17:451-66. [PMID: 25557077 PMCID: PMC4409862 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Recent reviews (Feachem et al.; Alonso et al.) have concluded that in order to have a sustainable impact on the global burden of malaria, it is essential that we knowingly reduce the global incidence of infected persons. To achieve this we must reduce the basic reproductive rate of the parasites to < 1 in diverse epidemiological settings. This can be achieved by impacting combinations of the following parameters: the number of mosquitoes relative to the number of persons, the mosquito/human biting rate, the proportion of mosquitoes carrying infectious sporozoites, the daily survival rate of the infectious mosquito and the ability of malaria-infected persons to infect mosquito vectors. This paper focuses on our understanding of parasite biology underpinning the last of these terms: infection of the mosquito. The article attempts to highlight central issues that require further study to assist in the discovery of useful transmission-blocking measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London and the Jenner Institute, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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19
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Da DF, Churcher TS, Yerbanga RS, Yaméogo B, Sangaré I, Ouedraogo JB, Sinden RE, Blagborough AM, Cohuet A. Experimental study of the relationship between Plasmodium gametocyte density and infection success in mosquitoes; implications for the evaluation of malaria transmission-reducing interventions. Exp Parasitol 2014; 149:74-83. [PMID: 25541384 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The evaluation of transmission reducing interventions (TRI) to control malaria widely uses membrane feeding assays. In such assays, the intensity of Plasmodium infection in the vector might affect the measured efficacy of the candidates to block transmission. Gametocyte density in the host blood is a determinant of the infection success in the mosquito, however, uncertain estimates of parasite densities and intrinsic characteristics of the infected blood can induce variability. To reduce this variation, a feasible method is to dilute infectious blood samples. We describe the effect of diluting samples of Plasmodium-containing blood samples to allow accurate relative measures of gametocyte densities and their impact on mosquito infectivity and TRI efficacy. Natural Plasmodium falciparum samples were diluted to generate a wide range of parasite densities, and fed to Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes. This was compared with parallel dilutions conducted on Plasmodium berghei infections. We examined how blood dilution influences the observed blocking activity of anti-Pbs28 monoclonal antibody using the P. berghei/Anopheles stephensi system. In the natural species combination P. falciparum/An. coluzzii, blood dilution using heat-inactivated, infected blood as diluents, revealed positive near linear relationships, between gametocyte densities and oocyst loads in the range tested. A similar relationship was observed in the P. berghei/An. stephensi system when using a similar dilution method. In contrast, diluting infected mice blood with fresh uninfected blood dramatically increases the infectiousness. This suggests that highly infected mice blood contains inhibitory factors or reduced blood moieties, which impede infection and may in turn, lead to misinterpretation when comparing individual TRI evaluation assays. In the lab system, the transmission blocking activity of an antibody specific for Pbs28 was confirmed to be density-dependent. This highlights the need to carefully interpret evaluations of TRI candidates, regarding gametocyte densities in the P. berghei/An. stephensi system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dari F Da
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale, 399 avenue de la liberté, Bobo Dioulasso 01 01 BP 545, Burkina Faso; Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, unité MIVEGEC (UM1-UM2-CNRS 5290-IRD 224), 911 avenue Agropolis, Montpellier Cedex 5 34394, France
| | - Thomas S Churcher
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rakiswendé S Yerbanga
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale, 399 avenue de la liberté, Bobo Dioulasso 01 01 BP 545, Burkina Faso
| | - Bienvenue Yaméogo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale, 399 avenue de la liberté, Bobo Dioulasso 01 01 BP 545, Burkina Faso
| | - Ibrahim Sangaré
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale, 399 avenue de la liberté, Bobo Dioulasso 01 01 BP 545, Burkina Faso; Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, unité MIVEGEC (UM1-UM2-CNRS 5290-IRD 224), 911 avenue Agropolis, Montpellier Cedex 5 34394, France
| | - Jean Bosco Ouedraogo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale, 399 avenue de la liberté, Bobo Dioulasso 01 01 BP 545, Burkina Faso
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M Blagborough
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Cohuet
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale, 399 avenue de la liberté, Bobo Dioulasso 01 01 BP 545, Burkina Faso; Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, unité MIVEGEC (UM1-UM2-CNRS 5290-IRD 224), 911 avenue Agropolis, Montpellier Cedex 5 34394, France.
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20
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Sala KA, Nishiura H, Upton LM, Zakutansky SE, Delves MJ, Iyori M, Mizutani M, Sinden RE, Yoshida S, Blagborough AM. The Plasmodium berghei sexual stage antigen PSOP12 induces anti-malarial transmission blocking immunity both in vivo and in vitro. Vaccine 2014; 33:437-45. [PMID: 25454088 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Anti-malarial transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) aim to inhibit the transmission of Plasmodium from humans to mosquitoes by targeting the sexual/ookinete stages of the parasite. Successful use of such interventions will subsequently result in reduced cases of malarial infection within a human population, leading to local elimination. There are currently only five lead TBV candidates under examination. There is a consequent need to identify novel antigens to allow the formulation of new potent TBVs. Here we describe the design and evaluation of a potential TBV (BDES-PbPSOP12) targeting Plasmodium berghei PSOP12 based on the baculovirus dual expression system (BDES), enabling expression of antigens on the surface of viral particles and within infected mammalian cells. In silico studies have previously suggested that PSOP12 (Putative Secreted Ookinete Protein 12) is expressed within the sexual stages of the parasite (gametocytes, gametes and ookinetes), and is a member of the previously characterized 6-Cys family of plasmodial proteins. We demonstrate that PSOP12 is expressed within the sexual/ookinete forms of the parasite, and that sera obtained from mice immunized with BDES-PbPSOP12 can recognize the surface of the male and female gametes, and the ookinete stages of the parasite. Immunization of mice with BDES-PbPSOP12 confers modest but significant transmission-blocking activity in vivo by active immunization (53.1% reduction in oocyst intensity, 10.9% reduction in oocyst prevalence). Further assessment of transmission-blocking potency ex vivo shows a dose-dependent response, with up to a 76.4% reduction in intensity and a 47.2% reduction in prevalence observed. Our data indicates that PSOP12 in Plasmodium spp. could be a potential new TBV target candidate, and that further experimentation to examine the protein within human malaria parasites would be logical.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Sala
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - H Nishiura
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - L M Upton
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - S E Zakutansky
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - M J Delves
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - M Iyori
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - M Mizutani
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - R E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Jenner Institute, The University of Oxford, Roosevelt Road, Oxford OX9 2PP, UK
| | - S Yoshida
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - A M Blagborough
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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21
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Hodgson SH, Ewer KJ, Bliss CM, Edwards NJ, Rampling T, Anagnostou NA, de Barra E, Havelock T, Bowyer G, Poulton ID, de Cassan S, Longley R, Illingworth JJ, Douglas AD, Mange PB, Collins KA, Roberts R, Gerry S, Berrie E, Moyle S, Colloca S, Cortese R, Sinden RE, Gilbert SC, Bejon P, Lawrie AM, Nicosia A, Faust SN, Hill AVS. Evaluation of the efficacy of ChAd63-MVA vectored vaccines expressing circumsporozoite protein and ME-TRAP against controlled human malaria infection in malaria-naive individuals. J Infect Dis 2014; 211:1076-86. [PMID: 25336730 PMCID: PMC4354983 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Circumsporozoite protein (CS) is the antigenic target for RTS,S, the most advanced malaria vaccine to date. Heterologous prime-boost with the viral vectors simian adenovirus 63 (ChAd63)-modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is the most potent inducer of T-cells in humans, demonstrating significant efficacy when expressing the preerythrocytic antigen insert multiple epitope–thrombospondin-related adhesion protein (ME-TRAP). We hypothesized that ChAd63-MVA containing CS may result in a significant clinical protective efficacy. Methods. We conducted an open-label, 2-site, partially randomized Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) study to compare the clinical efficacy of ChAd63-MVA CS with ChAd63-MVA ME-TRAP. Results. One of 15 vaccinees (7%) receiving ChAd63-MVA CS and 2 of 15 (13%) receiving ChAd63-MVA ME-TRAP achieved sterile protection after CHMI. Three of 15 vaccinees (20%) receiving ChAd63-MVA CS and 5 of 15 (33%) receiving ChAd63-MVA ME-TRAP demonstrated a delay in time to treatment, compared with unvaccinated controls. In quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses, ChAd63-MVA CS was estimated to reduce the liver parasite burden by 69%–79%, compared with 79%–84% for ChAd63-MVA ME-TRAP. Conclusions. ChAd63-MVA CS does reduce the liver parasite burden, but ChAd63-MVA ME-TRAP remains the most promising antigenic insert for a vectored liver-stage vaccine. Detailed analyses of parasite kinetics may allow detection of smaller but biologically important differences in vaccine efficacy that can influence future vaccine development. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT01623557.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Eoghan de Barra
- Jenner Institute Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tom Havelock
- NIHR Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Eleanor Berrie
- Clinical Biomanufacturing Facility, University of Oxford
| | - Sarah Moyle
- Clinical Biomanufacturing Facility, University of Oxford
| | | | | | - Robert E Sinden
- Jenner Institute Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Philip Bejon
- Centre for Geographical Medical Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust, Kilifi
| | | | - Alfredo Nicosia
- Okairos, Rome CEINGE Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - Saul N Faust
- NIHR Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
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22
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Marques SR, Ramakrishnan C, Carzaniga R, Blagborough AM, Delves MJ, Talman AM, Sinden RE. An essential role of the basal body protein SAS-6 in Plasmodium male gamete development and malaria transmission. Cell Microbiol 2014; 17:191-206. [PMID: 25154861 PMCID: PMC4441282 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2014] [Revised: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Gametocytes are the sole Plasmodium parasite stages that infect mosquitoes; therefore development of functional gametes is required for malaria transmission. Flagellum assembly of the Plasmodium male gamete differs from that of most other eukaryotes in that it is intracytoplasmic but retains a key conserved feature: axonemes assemble from basal bodies. The centriole/basal body protein SAS-6 normally regulates assembly and duplication of these organelles and its depletion causes severe flagellar/ciliary abnormalities in a diverse array of eukaryotes. Since basal body and flagellum assembly are intimately coupled to male gamete development in Plasmodium, we hypothesized that SAS-6 disruption may cause gametogenesis defects and perturb transmission. We show that Plasmodium berghei sas6 knockouts display severely abnormal male gametogenesis presenting reduced basal body numbers, axonemal assembly defects and abnormal nuclear allocation. The defects in gametogenesis reduce fertilization and render Pbsas6 knockouts less infectious to mosquitoes. Additionally, we show that lack of Pbsas6 blocks transmission from mosquito to vertebrate host, revealing an additional yet undefined role in ookinete to sporulating oocysts transition. These findings underscore the vulnerability of the basal body/SAS-6 to malaria transmission blocking interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Marques
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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23
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Talman AM, Prieto JH, Marques S, Ubaida-Mohien C, Lawniczak M, Wass MN, Xu T, Frank R, Ecker A, Stanway RS, Krishna S, Sternberg MJE, Christophides GK, Graham DR, Dinglasan RR, Yates JR, Sinden RE. Proteomic analysis of the Plasmodium male gamete reveals the key role for glycolysis in flagellar motility. Malar J 2014; 13:315. [PMID: 25124718 PMCID: PMC4150949 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gametogenesis and fertilization play crucial roles in malaria transmission. While male gametes are thought to be amongst the simplest eukaryotic cells and are proven targets of transmission blocking immunity, little is known about their molecular organization. For example, the pathway of energy metabolism that power motility, a feature that facilitates gamete encounter and fertilization, is unknown. Methods Plasmodium berghei microgametes were purified and analysed by whole-cell proteomic analysis for the first time. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001163. Results 615 proteins were recovered, they included all male gamete proteins described thus far. Amongst them were the 11 enzymes of the glycolytic pathway. The hexose transporter was localized to the gamete plasma membrane and it was shown that microgamete motility can be suppressed effectively by inhibitors of this transporter and of the glycolytic pathway. Conclusions This study describes the first whole-cell proteomic analysis of the malaria male gamete. It identifies glycolysis as the likely exclusive source of energy for flagellar beat, and provides new insights in original features of Plasmodium flagellar organization. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1475-2875-13-315) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur M Talman
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College, London, UK.
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24
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Kan A, Tan YH, Angrisano F, Hanssen E, Rogers KL, Whitehead L, Mollard VP, Cozijnsen A, Delves MJ, Crawford S, Sinden RE, McFadden GI, Leckie C, Bailey J, Baum J. Quantitative analysis of Plasmodium ookinete motion in three dimensions suggests a critical role for cell shape in the biomechanics of malaria parasite gliding motility. Cell Microbiol 2014; 16:734-50. [PMID: 24612056 PMCID: PMC4286792 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Motility is a fundamental part of cellular life and survival, including for Plasmodium parasites--single-celled protozoan pathogens responsible for human malaria. The motile life cycle forms achieve motility, called gliding, via the activity of an internal actomyosin motor. Although gliding is based on the well-studied system of actin and myosin, its core biomechanics are not completely understood. Currently accepted models suggest it results from a specifically organized cellular motor that produces a rearward directional force. When linked to surface-bound adhesins, this force is passaged to the cell posterior, propelling the parasite forwards. Gliding motility is observed in all three life cycle stages of Plasmodium: sporozoites, merozoites and ookinetes. However, it is only the ookinetes--formed inside the midgut of infected mosquitoes--that display continuous gliding without the necessity of host cell entry. This makes them ideal candidates for invasion-free biomechanical analysis. Here we apply a plate-based imaging approach to study ookinete motion in three-dimensional (3D) space to understand Plasmodium cell motility and how movement facilitates midgut colonization. Using single-cell tracking and numerical analysis of parasite motion in 3D, our analysis demonstrates that ookinetes move with a conserved left-handed helical trajectory. Investigation of cell morphology suggests this trajectory may be based on the ookinete subpellicular cytoskeleton, with complementary whole and subcellular electron microscopy showing that, like their motion paths, ookinetes share a conserved left-handed corkscrew shape and underlying twisted microtubular architecture. Through comparisons of 3D movement between wild-type ookinetes and a cytoskeleton-knockout mutant we demonstrate that perturbation of cell shape changes motion from helical to broadly linear. Therefore, while the precise linkages between cellular architecture and actomyosin motor organization remain unknown, our analysis suggests that the molecular basis of cell shape may, in addition to motor force, be a key adaptive strategy for malaria parasite dissemination and, as such, transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Kan
- Victoria Research Laboratory, National ICT Australia (NICTA), Department of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., 3010, Australia
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25
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Nilsen A, LaCrue AN, White KL, Forquer IP, Cross RM, Marfurt J, Mather MW, Delves MJ, Shackleford DM, Saenz FE, Morrisey JM, Steuten J, Mutka T, Li Y, Wirjanata G, Ryan E, Duffy S, Kelly JX, Sebayang BF, Zeeman AM, Noviyanti R, Sinden RE, Kocken CHM, Price RN, Avery VM, Angulo-Barturen I, Jiménez-Díaz MB, Ferrer S, Herreros E, Sanz LM, Gamo FJ, Bathurst I, Burrows JN, Siegl P, Guy RK, Winter RW, Vaidya AB, Charman SA, Kyle DE, Manetsch R, Riscoe MK. Quinolone-3-diarylethers: a new class of antimalarial drug. Sci Transl Med 2013; 5:177ra37. [PMID: 23515079 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3005029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The goal for developing new antimalarial drugs is to find a molecule that can target multiple stages of the parasite's life cycle, thus impacting prevention, treatment, and transmission of the disease. The 4(1H)-quinolone-3-diarylethers are selective potent inhibitors of the parasite's mitochondrial cytochrome bc1 complex. These compounds are highly active against the human malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. They target both the liver and blood stages of the parasite as well as the forms that are crucial for disease transmission, that is, the gametocytes, the zygote, the ookinete, and the oocyst. Selected as a preclinical candidate, ELQ-300 has good oral bioavailability at efficacious doses in mice, is metabolically stable, and is highly active in blocking transmission in rodent models of malaria. Given its predicted low dose in patients and its predicted long half-life, ELQ-300 has potential as a new drug for the treatment, prevention, and, ultimately, eradication of human malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Nilsen
- VA Medical Center, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | - Alexis N LaCrue
- Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, 3720 Spectrum Blvd. (Ste 304), Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Karen L White
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Isaac P Forquer
- VA Medical Center, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | - Richard M Cross
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620-5250, USA
| | - Jutta Marfurt
- Global Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Michael W Mather
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Michael J Delves
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - David M Shackleford
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Fabian E Saenz
- Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, 3720 Spectrum Blvd. (Ste 304), Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Joanne M Morrisey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Jessica Steuten
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Tina Mutka
- Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, 3720 Spectrum Blvd. (Ste 304), Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Yuexin Li
- VA Medical Center, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | - Grennady Wirjanata
- Global Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Eileen Ryan
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Sandra Duffy
- Eskitis Institute for Cell & Molecular Therapies, Brisbane Innovation Park, Nathan campus, Griffith University, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Jane Xu Kelly
- VA Medical Center, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | - Boni F Sebayang
- Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jl. Diponegoro 69, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Anne-Marie Zeeman
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, P.O. Box 3306, 2280 GH Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Rintis Noviyanti
- Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jl. Diponegoro 69, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Clemens H M Kocken
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, P.O. Box 3306, 2280 GH Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Ric N Price
- Global Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.,Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Eskitis Institute for Cell & Molecular Therapies, Brisbane Innovation Park, Nathan campus, Griffith University, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Iñigo Angulo-Barturen
- GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Development Campus, Diseases of the Developing World, Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Belén Jiménez-Díaz
- GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Development Campus, Diseases of the Developing World, Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Ferrer
- GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Development Campus, Diseases of the Developing World, Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esperanza Herreros
- GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Development Campus, Diseases of the Developing World, Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura M Sanz
- GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Development Campus, Diseases of the Developing World, Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco-Javier Gamo
- GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Development Campus, Diseases of the Developing World, Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ian Bathurst
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, 20, route de Pré-Bois, PO Box 1826, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy N Burrows
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, 20, route de Pré-Bois, PO Box 1826, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Peter Siegl
- Siegl Pharma Consulting LLC, Blue Bell, PA, USA
| | - R Kiplin Guy
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678 USA
| | - Rolf W Winter
- VA Medical Center, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | - Akhil B Vaidya
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Susan A Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Dennis E Kyle
- Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, 3720 Spectrum Blvd. (Ste 304), Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Roman Manetsch
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620-5250, USA
| | - Michael K Riscoe
- VA Medical Center, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, 3181 Sam Jackson Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
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Williams AR, Zakutansky SE, Miura K, Dicks MDJ, Churcher TS, Jewell KE, Vaughan AM, Turner AV, Kapulu MC, Michel K, Long CA, Sinden RE, Hill AVS, Draper SJ, Biswas S. Immunisation against a serine protease inhibitor reduces intensity of Plasmodium berghei infection in mosquitoes. Int J Parasitol 2013; 43:869-74. [PMID: 23872520 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2013] [Revised: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The mosquito innate immune response is able to clear the majority of Plasmodium parasites. This immune clearance is controlled by a number of regulatory molecules including serine protease inhibitors (serpins). To determine whether such molecules could represent a novel target for a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine, we vaccinated mice with Anopheles gambiae serpin-2. Antibodies against Anopheles gambiae serpin-2 significantly reduced the infection of a heterologous Anopheles species (Anopheles stephensi) by Plasmodium berghei, however this effect was not observed with Plasmodium falciparum. Therefore, this approach of targeting regulatory molecules of the mosquito immune system may represent a novel approach to transmission-blocking malaria vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Williams
- Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK.
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Abstract
We provide a series of protocols that have been used for the cyclic transmission of rodent malaria parasites in the laboratory. This is now possible both in vivo and in vitro. We focus on the least "resource intensive" and generic methods that we find applicable to any parasite-host combination. Nonetheless, we recognize that the ability to construct transgenic "reporter" parasites/hosts now permits the use of elegant analytical and imaging technologies both in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo in specific instances. The descriptions given illustrate methods routinely used for the maintenance of P. berghei; where critical, we note important differences when transmitting other parasite species.
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Sinden RE, Blagborough AM, Churcher T, Ramakrishnan C, Biswas S, Delves MJ. The design and interpretation of laboratory assays measuring mosquito transmission of Plasmodium. Trends Parasitol 2012; 28:457-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2012.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2012] [Revised: 07/20/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Guttery DS, Poulin B, Ferguson DJP, Szöőr B, Wickstead B, Carroll PL, Ramakrishnan C, Brady D, Patzewitz EM, Straschil U, Solyakov L, Green JL, Sinden RE, Tobin AB, Holder AA, Tewari R. A unique protein phosphatase with kelch-like domains (PPKL) in Plasmodium modulates ookinete differentiation, motility and invasion. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8:e1002948. [PMID: 23028336 PMCID: PMC3447748 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2012] [Accepted: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation (catalysed by kinases and phosphatases, respectively) are post-translational modifications that play key roles in many eukaryotic signalling pathways, and are often deregulated in a number of pathological conditions in humans. In the malaria parasite Plasmodium, functional insights into its kinome have only recently been achieved, with over half being essential for blood stage development and another 14 kinases being essential for sexual development and mosquito transmission. However, functions for any of the plasmodial protein phosphatases are unknown. Here, we use reverse genetics in the rodent malaria model, Plasmodium berghei, to examine the role of a unique protein phosphatase containing kelch-like domains (termed PPKL) from a family related to Arabidopsis BSU1. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the family of BSU1-like proteins including PPKL is encoded in the genomes of land plants, green algae and alveolates, but not in other eukaryotic lineages. Furthermore, PPKL was observed in a distinct family, separate to the most closely-related phosphatase family, PP1. In our genetic approach, C-terminal GFP fusion with PPKL showed an active protein phosphatase preferentially expressed in female gametocytes and ookinetes. Deletion of the endogenous ppkl gene caused abnormal ookinete development and differentiation, and dissociated apical microtubules from the inner-membrane complex, generating an immotile phenotype and failure to invade the mosquito mid-gut epithelium. These observations were substantiated by changes in localisation of cytoskeletal tubulin and actin, and the micronemal protein CTRP in the knockout mutant as assessed by indirect immunofluorescence. Finally, increased mRNA expression of dozi, a RNA helicase vital to zygote development was observed in ppkl− mutants, with global phosphorylation studies of ookinete differentiation from 1.5–24 h post-fertilisation indicating major changes in the first hours of zygote development. Our work demonstrates a stage-specific essentiality of the unique PPKL enzyme, which modulates parasite differentiation, motility and transmission. Malaria parasites are single-celled organisms, which alternate their life-cycle between vertebrate and mosquito hosts. In the mosquito, the malaria parasite undergoes sexual development, whereby a male and female gamete fuse to form a zygote. This zygote then elongates into an invasive stage, termed an ookinete, which can glide to and penetrate the mosquito's gut wall in order to form a cyst (called an oocyst). Protein phosphorylation is known to play a vital role during this process; however, the role of Plasmodium kinases (which phosphorylate proteins) during zygote/ookinete maturation is better understood than the completely uncharacterised plasmodial phosphatases (which dephosphorylate proteins). Using a malaria parasite which infects mice, Plasmodium berghei, we show that a unique protein phosphatase containing kelch-like domains (called PPKL) plays a vital role in ookinete maturation and motility. Deleting this gene produces ookinetes whose shape is grossly abnormal, resulting in non-motile parasites that cannot penetrate the lining of the mosquito gut wall. Overall, PPKL is an essential phosphatase that is critical to ookinete development, motility and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Guttery
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics, School of Biology, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Benoit Poulin
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics, School of Biology, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - David J. P. Ferguson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Balázs Szöőr
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Bill Wickstead
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics, School of Biology, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paula L. Carroll
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics, School of Biology, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Chandra Ramakrishnan
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Declan Brady
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics, School of Biology, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Eva-Maria Patzewitz
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics, School of Biology, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ursula Straschil
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lev Solyakov
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Judith L. Green
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert E. Sinden
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew B. Tobin
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony A. Holder
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rita Tewari
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics, School of Biology, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Sinden RE, Carter R, Drakeley C, Leroy D. The biology of sexual development of Plasmodium: the design and implementation of transmission-blocking strategies. Malar J 2012; 11:70. [PMID: 22424474 PMCID: PMC3315749 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A meeting to discuss the latest developments in the biology of sexual development of Plasmodium and transmission-control was held April 5-6, 2011, in Bethesda, MD. The meeting was sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH/NIAID) in response to the challenge issued at the Malaria Forum in October 2007 that the malaria community should re-engage with the objective of global eradication. The consequent rebalancing of research priorities has brought to the forefront of the research agenda the essential need to reduce parasite transmission. A key component of any transmission reduction strategy must be methods to attack the parasite as it passes from man to the mosquito (and vice versa). Such methods must be rationally based on a secure understanding of transmission from the molecular-, cellular-, population- to the evolutionary-levels. The meeting represented a first attempt to draw together scientists with expertise in these multiple layers of understanding to discuss the scientific foundations and resources that will be required to provide secure progress toward the design and successful implementation of effective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Sinden
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK.
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Angrisano F, Riglar DT, Sturm A, Volz JC, Delves MJ, Zuccala ES, Turnbull L, Dekiwadia C, Olshina MA, Marapana DS, Wong W, Mollard V, Bradin CH, Tonkin CJ, Gunning PW, Ralph SA, Whitchurch CB, Sinden RE, Cowman AF, McFadden GI, Baum J. Spatial localisation of actin filaments across developmental stages of the malaria parasite. PLoS One 2012; 7:e32188. [PMID: 22389687 PMCID: PMC3289632 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Actin dynamics have been implicated in a variety of developmental processes during the malaria parasite lifecycle. Parasite motility, in particular, is thought to critically depend on an actomyosin motor located in the outer pellicle of the parasite cell. Efforts to understand the diverse roles actin plays have, however, been hampered by an inability to detect microfilaments under native conditions. To visualise the spatial dynamics of actin we generated a parasite-specific actin antibody that shows preferential recognition of filamentous actin and applied this tool to different lifecycle stages (merozoites, sporozoites and ookinetes) of the human and mouse malaria parasite species Plasmodium falciparum and P. berghei along with tachyzoites from the related apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Actin filament distribution was found associated with three core compartments: the nuclear periphery, pellicular membranes of motile or invasive parasite forms and in a ring-like distribution at the tight junction during merozoite invasion of erythrocytes in both human and mouse malaria parasites. Localisation at the nuclear periphery is consistent with an emerging role of actin in facilitating parasite gene regulation. During invasion, we show that the actin ring at the parasite-host cell tight junction is dependent on dynamic filament turnover. Super-resolution imaging places this ring posterior to, and not concentric with, the junction marker rhoptry neck protein 4. This implies motor force relies on the engagement of dynamic microfilaments at zones of traction, though not necessarily directly through receptor-ligand interactions at sites of adhesion during invasion. Combined, these observations extend current understanding of the diverse roles actin plays in malaria parasite development and apicomplexan cell motility, in particular refining understanding on the linkage of the internal parasite gliding motor with the extra-cellular milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Angrisano
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David T. Riglar
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Angelika Sturm
- School of Botany University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer C. Volz
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael J. Delves
- Department of Biological Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth S. Zuccala
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lynne Turnbull
- The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chaitali Dekiwadia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maya A. Olshina
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danushka S. Marapana
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wilson Wong
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vanessa Mollard
- Department of Biological Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Clare H. Bradin
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher J. Tonkin
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter W. Gunning
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stuart A. Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cynthia B. Whitchurch
- The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert E. Sinden
- School of Botany University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alan F. Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Geoffrey I. McFadden
- Department of Biological Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jake Baum
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Delves M, Plouffe D, Scheurer C, Meister S, Wittlin S, Winzeler EA, Sinden RE, Leroy D. The activities of current antimalarial drugs on the life cycle stages of Plasmodium: a comparative study with human and rodent parasites. PLoS Med 2012; 9:e1001169. [PMID: 22363211 PMCID: PMC3283556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 12/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria remains a disease of devastating global impact, killing more than 800,000 people every year-the vast majority being children under the age of 5. While effective therapies are available, if malaria is to be eradicated a broader range of small molecule therapeutics that are able to target the liver and the transmissible sexual stages are required. These new medicines are needed both to meet the challenge of malaria eradication and to circumvent resistance. METHODS AND FINDINGS Little is known about the wider stage-specific activities of current antimalarials that were primarily designed to alleviate symptoms of malaria in the blood stage. To overcome this critical gap, we developed assays to measure activity of antimalarials against all life stages of malaria parasites, using a diverse set of human and nonhuman parasite species, including male gamete production (exflagellation) in Plasmodium falciparum, ookinete development in P. berghei, oocyst development in P. berghei and P. falciparum, and the liver stage of P. yoelii. We then compared 50 current and experimental antimalarials in these assays. We show that endoperoxides such as OZ439, a stable synthetic molecule currently in clinical phase IIa trials, are strong inhibitors of gametocyte maturation/gamete formation and impact sporogony; lumefantrine impairs development in the vector; and NPC-1161B, a new 8-aminoquinoline, inhibits sporogony. CONCLUSIONS These data enable objective comparisons of the strengths and weaknesses of each chemical class at targeting each stage of the lifecycle. Noting that the activities of many compounds lie within achievable blood concentrations, these results offer an invaluable guide to decisions regarding which drugs to combine in the next-generation of antimalarial drugs. This study might reveal the potential of life-cycle-wide analyses of drugs for other pathogens with complex life cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Delves
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Plouffe
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Christian Scheurer
- Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute Swiss TPH, Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Meister
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute Swiss TPH, Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elizabeth A. Winzeler
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, California, United States of America
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Robert E. Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Didier Leroy
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
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Goodman AL, Blagborough AM, Biswas S, Wu Y, Hill AV, Sinden RE, Draper SJ. A viral vectored prime-boost immunization regime targeting the malaria Pfs25 antigen induces transmission-blocking activity. PLoS One 2011; 6:e29428. [PMID: 22216279 PMCID: PMC3247263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2011] [Accepted: 11/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ookinete surface protein Pfs25 is a macrogamete-to-ookinete/ookinete stage antigen of Plasmodium falciparum, capable of exerting high-level anti-malarial transmission-blocking activity following immunization with recombinant protein-in-adjuvant formulations. Here, this antigen was expressed in recombinant chimpanzee adenovirus 63 (ChAd63), human adenovirus serotype 5 (AdHu5) and modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) viral vectored vaccines. Two immunizations were administered to mice in a heterologous prime-boost regime. Immunization of mice with AdHu5 Pfs25 at week 0 and MVA Pfs25 at week 10 (Ad-MVA Pfs25) resulted in high anti-Pfs25 IgG titers, consisting of predominantly isotypes IgG1 and IgG2a. A single priming immunization with ChAd63 Pfs25 was as effective as AdHu5 Pfs25 with respect to ELISA titers at 8 weeks post-immunization. Sera from Ad-MVA Pfs25 immunized mice inhibited the transmission of P. falciparum to the mosquito both ex vivo and in vivo. In a standard membrane-feeding assay using NF54 strain P. falciparum, oocyst intensity in Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes was significantly reduced in an IgG concentration-dependent manner when compared to control feeds (96% reduction of intensity, 78% reduction in prevalence at a 1 in 5 dilution of sera). In addition, an in vivo transmission-blocking effect was also demonstrated by direct feeding of immunized mice infected with Pfs25DR3, a chimeric P. berghei line expressing Pfs25 in place of endogenous Pbs25. In this assay the density of Pfs25DR3 oocysts was significantly reduced when mosquitoes were fed on vaccinated as compared to control mice (67% reduction of intensity, 28% reduction in prevalence) and specific IgG titer correlated with efficacy. These data confirm the utility of the adenovirus-MVA vaccine platform for the induction of antibodies with transmission-blocking activity, and support the continued development of this alternative approach to transmission-blocking malaria subunit vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Goodman
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Angrisano F, Delves MJ, Sturm A, Mollard V, McFadden GI, Sinden RE, Baum J. A GFP-actin reporter line to explore microfilament dynamics across the malaria parasite lifecycle. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2011; 182:93-6. [PMID: 22138565 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2011] [Revised: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 11/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Malaria parasite motility relies on an internal parasite actomyosin motor that, when linked to the host cell substrate, propels motile zoites forward. Despite their key role in this process, attempts to visualize actin microfilaments (F-actin) during motility and under native microscopy conditions have not to date been successful. Towards facilitating their visualization we present here a Plasmodium berghei transgenic line in which a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-actin fusion is constitutively expressed through the lifecycle. Focused investigation of the largest motile form, the insect stage ookinete, demonstrates a large cytosolic pool of actin with no obvious F-actin structures. However, following treatment with the actin filament-stabilizing drug Jasplakinolide, we show evidence for concentration of F-actin dynamics in the parasite pellicle and at polar apices. These observations support current models for gliding motility and establish a cellular tool for further exploration of the diverse roles actin is thought to play throughout parasite development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Angrisano
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
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37
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Talman AM, Lacroix C, Marques SR, Blagborough AM, Carzaniga R, Ménard R, Sinden RE. PbGEST mediates malaria transmission to both mosquito and vertebrate host. Mol Microbiol 2011; 82:462-74. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2011.07823.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Siden-Kiamos I, Ganter M, Kunze A, Hliscs M, Steinbüchel M, Mendoza J, Sinden RE, Louis C, Matuschewski K. Stage-specific depletion of myosin A supports an essential role in motility of malarial ookinetes. Cell Microbiol 2011; 13:1996-2006. [PMID: 21899701 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2011.01686.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Functional analysis of Plasmodium genes by classical reverse genetics is currently limited to mutants that are viable during erythrocytic schizogony, the pathogenic phase of the malaria parasite where transfection is performed. Here, we describe a conceptually simple experimental approach to study the function of genes essential to the asexual blood stages in a subsequent life cycle stage by a promoter-swap approach. As a proof of concept we targeted the unconventional class XIV myosin MyoA, which is known to be required for Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite locomotion and host cell invasion. By placing the corresponding Plasmodium berghei gene, PbMyoA, under the control of the apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) promoter, expression in blood stages is maintained but switched off during transmission to the insect vector, i.e. ookinetes. In those mutant ookinetes gliding motility is entirely abolished resulting in a complete block of life cycle progression in Anopheles mosquitoes. Similar approaches should permit the analysis of gene function in the mosquito forms that are shared with the erythrocytic stages of the malaria parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Siden-Kiamos
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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Ramakrishnan C, Dessens JT, Armson R, Pinto SB, Talman AM, Blagborough AM, Sinden RE. Vital functions of the malarial ookinete protein, CTRP, reside in the A domains. Int J Parasitol 2011; 41:1029-39. [PMID: 21729699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2011.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2011] [Revised: 05/04/2011] [Accepted: 05/06/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The transformation of malaria ookinetes into oocysts occurs in the mosquito midgut and is a major bottleneck for parasite transmission. The secreted ookinete surface protein, circumsporozoite- and thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (TRAP)-related protein (CTRP), is essential for this transition and hence constitutes a potential target for malaria transmission blockade. CTRP is a modular multidomain protein containing six tandem von Willebrand factor A-like (A) domains and seven tandem thrombospondin type I repeat-like (TS) domains. Here we present, to our knowledge, the first structure-function analysis of CTRP using genetically modified Plasmodium berghei parasites expressing mutant versions of the ctrp gene. Our data show that the A domains of CTRP are critical for ookinete gliding motility and oocyst formation whilst, unexpectedly, its TS domains are fully redundant. These results may have important implications for the design of CTRP-based transmission blocking strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Ramakrishnan
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW72AZ, UK.
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Porter DW, Thompson FM, Berthoud TK, Hutchings CL, Andrews L, Biswas S, Poulton I, Prieur E, Correa S, Rowland R, Lang T, Williams J, Gilbert SC, Sinden RE, Todryk S, Hill AVS. A human Phase I/IIa malaria challenge trial of a polyprotein malaria vaccine. Vaccine 2011; 29:7514-22. [PMID: 21501642 PMCID: PMC3195259 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.03.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2010] [Revised: 02/12/2011] [Accepted: 03/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We examined the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of a prime-boost vaccination regime involving two poxvirus malaria subunit vaccines, FP9-PP and MVA-PP, expressing the same polyprotein consisting of six pre-erythrocytic antigens from Plasmodium falciparum. Following safety assessment of single doses, 15 volunteers received a heterologous prime-boost vaccination regime and underwent malaria sporozoite challenge. The vaccines were safe but interferon-γ ELISPOT responses were low compared to other poxvirus vectors, despite targeting multiple antigens. There was no vaccine efficacy as measured by delay in time to parasitaemia. A number of possible explanations are discussed, including the very large insert size of the polyprotein transgene.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Porter
- Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK.
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41
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Churcher TS, Dawes EJ, Sinden RE, Christophides GK, Koella JC, Basáñez MG. Population biology of malaria within the mosquito: density-dependent processes and potential implications for transmission-blocking interventions. Malar J 2010; 9:311. [PMID: 21050427 PMCID: PMC2988043 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-9-311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2010] [Accepted: 11/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The combined effects of multiple density-dependent, regulatory processes may have an important impact on the growth and stability of a population. In a malaria model system, it has been shown that the progression of Plasmodium berghei through Anopheles stephensi and the survival of the mosquito both depend non-linearly on parasite density. These processes regulating the development of the malaria parasite within the mosquito may influence the success of transmission-blocking interventions (TBIs) currently under development. Methods An individual-based stochastic mathematical model is used to investigate the combined impact of these multiple regulatory processes and examine how TBIs, which target different parasite life-stages within the mosquito, may influence overall parasite transmission. Results The best parasite molecular targets will vary between different epidemiological settings. Interventions that reduce ookinete density beneath a threshold level are likely to have auxiliary benefits, as transmission would be further reduced by density-dependent processes that restrict sporogonic development at low parasite densities. TBIs which reduce parasite density but fail to clear the parasite could cause a modest increase in transmission by increasing the number of infectious bites made by a mosquito during its lifetime whilst failing to sufficiently reduce its infectivity. Interventions with a higher variance in efficacy will therefore tend to cause a greater reduction in overall transmission than a TBI with a more uniform effectiveness. Care should be taken when interpreting these results as parasite intensity values in natural parasite-vector combinations of human malaria are likely to be significantly lower than those in this model system. Conclusions A greater understanding of the development of the malaria parasite within the mosquito is required to fully evaluate the impact of TBIs. If parasite-induced vector mortality influenced the population dynamics of Plasmodium species infecting humans in malaria endemic regions, it would be important to quantify the variability and duration of TBI efficacy to ensure that community benefits of control measures are not overestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S Churcher
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK.
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42
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Kapulu MC, Biswas S, Blagborough A, Gilbert SC, Sinden RE, Hill AVS. Viral vectored transmission blocking vaccines against Plasmodium falciparum. Malar J 2010. [PMCID: PMC2963230 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-9-s2-o22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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43
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Straschil U, Talman AM, Ferguson DJP, Bunting KA, Xu Z, Bailes E, Sinden RE, Holder AA, Smith EF, Coates JC. The Armadillo repeat protein PF16 is essential for flagellar structure and function in Plasmodium male gametes. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12901. [PMID: 20886115 PMCID: PMC2944832 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2010] [Accepted: 08/20/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria, caused by the apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium, threatens 40% of the world's population. Transmission between vertebrate and insect hosts depends on the sexual stages of the life-cycle. The male gamete of Plasmodium parasite is the only developmental stage that possesses a flagellum. Very little is known about the identity or function of proteins in the parasite's flagellar biology. Here, we characterise a Plasmodium PF16 homologue using reverse genetics in the mouse malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. PF16 is a conserved Armadillo-repeat protein that regulates flagellar structure and motility in organisms as diverse as green algae and mice. We show that P. berghei PF16 is expressed in the male gamete flagellum, where it plays a crucial role maintaining the correct microtubule structure in the central apparatus of the axoneme as studied by electron microscopy. Disruption of the PF16 gene results in abnormal flagellar movement and reduced fertility, but does not lead to complete sterility, unlike pf16 mutations in other organisms. Using homology modelling, bioinformatics analysis and complementation studies in Chlamydomonas, we show that some regions of the PF16 protein are highly conserved across all eukaryotes, whereas other regions may have species-specific functions. PF16 is the first ARM-repeat protein characterised in the malaria parasite genus Plasmodium and this study opens up a novel model for analysis of Plasmodium flagellar biology that may provide unique insights into an ancient organelle and suggest novel intervention strategies to control the malaria parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Straschil
- Institute of Genetics, School of Biology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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44
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Blagborough AM, Yoshida S, Sattabongkot J, Tsuboi T, Sinden RE. Intranasal and intramuscular immunization with Baculovirus Dual Expression System-based Pvs25 vaccine substantially blocks Plasmodium vivax transmission. Vaccine 2010; 28:6014-20. [PMID: 20637303 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.06.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2010] [Revised: 06/28/2010] [Accepted: 06/29/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We have recently developed a new experimental vaccine vector system based on Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) termed the "Baculovirus Dual Expression System", which drives expression of vaccine candidate antigens by a dual promoter that consists of tandemly arranged baculovirus-derived polyhedrin and mammalian-derived CMV promoters. The present study used this system to generate a Plasmodium vivax transmission-blocking immunogen (AcNPV-Dual-Pvs25). AcNPV-Dual-Pvs25 not only displayed Pvs25 on the AcNPV envelope, exhibiting aspects of its native three-dimensional structure, but also expressed appropriately immunogenic protein upon transduction of mammalian cells. Both intranasal and intramuscular immunization of mice with AcNPV-Dual-Pvs25 induced high Pvs25-specific antibody titres, notably of IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b isotypes, indicating a mixed Th1/Th2 response. Importantly, sera obtained from subcutaneously immunized rabbits exhibited a significant transmission-blocking effect (96% reduction in infection intensity, 24% reduction in prevalence) when challenged with human blood infected with P. vivax gametocytes using the standard membrane feeding assay. Additionally, active immunization (both intranasal and intramuscular routes) of mice followed by challenge using a transgenic P. berghei line expressing Pvs25 in place of native Pbs25 and Pbs28 (clone Pvs25DR3) demonstrates a strong transmission-blocking response, with a 92.1% (intranasal) and 83.8% (intramuscular) reduction in oocyst intensity. Corresponding reductions in prevalence of infection were observed (88.4% and 75.5% respectively). This study offers a novel tool for the development of malarial transmission-blocking vaccines against the sexual stages of the parasite, using the Baculovirus Dual Expression System that functions as both a subunit, and DNA based vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Blagborough
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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45
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Sinden RE, Talman A, Marques SR, Wass MN, Sternberg MJE. The flagellum in malarial parasites. Curr Opin Microbiol 2010; 13:491-500. [PMID: 20566299 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2010.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2010] [Revised: 05/26/2010] [Accepted: 05/27/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The malarial parasites assemble flagella exclusively during the formation of the male gamete in the midgut of the female mosquito vector. The observation of gamete formation ex vivo reported by Laveran (Laveran MA: De la nature parasitaire des accidents de l'impaludisme. Comptes Rendues De La Societe de Biologie. Paris 1881, 93:627-630) was seminal to the discovery of the parasite itself. Following ingestion of malaria-infected blood by the mosquito, microgamete formation from the terminally arrested gametocytes is exceptionally rapid, completing three mitotic divisions in just a few minutes, and is precisely regulated. This review attempts to draw together the diverse original observations with subsequent electron microscopic studies, and recent work on the signalling pathways regulating sexual development, together with transcriptomic and proteomic studies that are paving the way to new understandings of the molecular mechanisms involved and the potential they offer for effective interventions to block the transmission of the parasites in natural communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Sinden
- The Malaria Centre, The Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
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Abstract
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for the majority of malaria-related deaths. Tools allowing the study of the basic biology of P. falciparum throughout the life cycle are critical to the development of new strategies to target the parasite within both human and mosquito hosts. We here present 3D7HT-GFP, a strain of P. falciparum constitutively expressing the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) throughout the life cycle, which has retained its capacity to complete sporogonic development. The GFP expressing cassette was inserted in the Pf47 locus. Using this transgenic strain, parasite tracking and population dynamics studies in mosquito stages and exo-erythrocytic schizogony is greatly facilitated. The development of 3D7HT-GFP will permit a deeper understanding of the biology of parasite-host vector interactions, and facilitate the development of high-throughput malaria transmission assays and thus aid development of new intervention strategies against both parasite and mosquito.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur M. Talman
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Andrew M. Blagborough
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert E. Sinden
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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47
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Delves MJ, Sinden RE. A semi-automated method for counting fluorescent malaria oocysts increases the throughput of transmission blocking studies. Malar J 2010; 9:35. [PMID: 20113492 PMCID: PMC2824803 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-9-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2009] [Accepted: 01/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria transmission is now recognized as a key target for intervention. Evaluation of the Plasmodium oocyst burden in the midguts of Anopheles spp. is important for many of assays investigating transmission. However, current assays are very time-consuming, manually demanding and patently subject to observer-observer variation. Methods This report presents the development of a method to rapidly, accurately and consistently determine oocyst burdens on mosquito midguts using GFP-expressing Plasmodium berghei and a custom-written macro for ImageJ. The counting macro was optimized and found to be fit-for-purpose by performing gametocyte membrane feeds with parasite infected blood. Dissected midguts were counted both manually and using the automated macro, then compared. The optimized settings for the macro were then validated by using it to determine the transmission blocking efficacies of two anti-malarial compounds - dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and lumefantrine, in comparison to manually determined analysis of the same experiment. Results Concurrence of manual and macro counts was very high (R2 = 0.973) and reproducible. Estimated transmission blocking efficacies between manual and automated analysis were highly concordant, indicating that dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate has little or no transmission blocking potential, whilst lumefantrine strongly inhibits sporogony. Conclusion Recognizing a potential five-fold increase in throughput, the resulting reduction in personnel costs, and the absence of inter-operator/laboratory variation possible with this approach, this counting macro may be a benefit to the malaria community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Delves
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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Abstract
A vaccine to reduce human suffering caused by malarial parasites has been the holy grail of malaria research. Early studies in the 1940s indicated that attenuated parasites could induce useful immunity. Since that time the genomic revolution led inevitably to the idea of cheap production of safe recombinant vaccines using either expressed protein or DNA vector technologies. It has been difficult to reflect with these 'simple' formulations the efficacies observed with intact parasite immunogens. With the new-found ability to attenuate the parasites by genetic manipulation, ideas have come full circle. Some of the highs and lows of this journey are described from the specific viewpoint of our growing understanding of parasite biology. The objective of many current vaccine initiatives targeting morbidity and mortality is questioned in the light of renewed calls to consider eradication as an objective. The biological rational for approaches to limit parasite transmission are highlighted and their place in future efforts to improve the lives of the 40% of the world's population at risk of the disease is discussed.
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Lal K, Bromley E, Oakes R, Prieto JH, Sanderson SJ, Kurian D, Hunt L, Yates JR, Wastling JM, Sinden RE, Tomley FM. Proteomic comparison of four Eimeria tenella life-cycle stages: unsporulated oocyst, sporulated oocyst, sporozoite and second-generation merozoite. Proteomics 2009; 9:4566-76. [PMID: 19795439 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200900305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We report the proteomes of four life-cycle stages of the Apicomplexan parasite Eimeria tenella. A total of 1868 proteins were identified, with 630, 699, 845 and 1532 found in early oocysts (unsporulated), late oocysts (sporulated), sporozoites and second-generation merozoites, respectively. A multidimensional protein identification technology shotgun approach identified 812 sporozoites, 1528 merozoites and all of the oocyst proteins, whereas 2-D gel proteomics identified 230 sporozoites and 98 merozoite proteins. Comparing the invasive stages, we find moving junction components RON2 in both, whereas AMA-1 and RON4 are found only in merozoites and AMA-2 and RON5 are only found in sporozoites, suggesting stage-specific moving junction proteins. During early oocyst to sporozoite development, refractile body and most "glideosome" proteins are found throughout, whereas microneme and most rhoptry proteins are only found after sporulation. Quantitative analysis indicates glycolysis and gluconeogenesis are the most abundant metabolic groups detected in all stages. The mannitol cycle "off shoot" of glycolysis was not detected in merozoites but was well represented in the other stages. However, in merozoites we find more protein associated with oxidative phosphorylation, suggesting a metabolic shift mobilising greater energy production. We find a greater abundance of protein linked to transcription, protein synthesis and cell cycle in merozoites than in sporozoites, which may be residual protein from the preceding massive replication during schizogony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalpana Lal
- The Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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50
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Dawes EJ, Churcher TS, Zhuang S, Sinden RE, Basáñez MG. Anopheles mortality is both age- and Plasmodium-density dependent: implications for malaria transmission. Malar J 2009; 8:228. [PMID: 19822012 PMCID: PMC2770541 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-8-228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2009] [Accepted: 10/12/2009] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Daily mortality is an important determinant of a vector's ability to transmit pathogens. Original simplifying assumptions in malaria transmission models presume vector mortality is independent of age, infection status and parasite load. Previous studies illustrate conflicting evidence as to the importance of Plasmodium-induced vector mortality, but very few studies to date have considered the effect of infection density on mosquito survival. Methods A series of three experiments were conducted, each consisting of four cages of 400-1,000 Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes fed on blood infected with different Plasmodium berghei ookinete densities per microlitre of blood. Twice daily the numbers of dead mosquitoes in each group were recorded, and on alternate days a sample of live mosquitoes from each group were dissected to determine parasite density in both midgut and salivary glands. Results Survival analyses indicate that mosquito mortality is both age- and infection intensity-dependent. Mosquitoes experienced an initially high, partly feeding-associated, mortality rate, which declined to a minimum before increasing with mosquito age and parasite intake. As a result, the life expectancy of a mosquito is shown to be dependent on both insect age and the density of Plasmodium infection. Conclusion These results contribute to understanding in greater detail the processes that influence sporogony in the mosquito, indicate the impact that parasite density could have on malaria transmission dynamics, and have implications for the design, development, and evaluation of transmission-blocking strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Dawes
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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