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Majeau A, Dumonteil E, Herrera C. Identification of highly conserved Trypanosoma cruzi antigens for the development of a universal serological diagnostic assay. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2315964. [PMID: 38381980 PMCID: PMC10883094 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2315964] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Chagas Disease is an important neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. There is no gold standard for diagnosis and commercial serological tests perform poorly in certain locations. By aligning T. cruzi genomes covering parasite genetic and geographic diversity, we identified highly conserved proteins that could serve as universal antigens for improved diagnosis. Their antigenicity was tested in high-density peptide microarrays using well-characterized plasma samples, including samples presenting true infections but discordant serology. Individual and combination of epitopes were also evaluated in peptide-ELISAs. We identified >1400 highly conserved T. cruzi proteins evaluated in microarrays. Remarkably, T. cruzi positive controls had a different epitope recognition profile compared to serologically discordant samples. In particular, multiple T. cruzi antigens used in current tests and their strain-variants, and novel epitopes thought to be broadly antigenic failed to be recognized by discordant samples. Nonetheless, >2000 epitopes specifically recognized by IgGs from both positive controls and discordant samples were identified. Evaluation of selected peptides in ELISA further illustrated the extensive variation in antibody profiles among subjects and a peptide combination could outperform a commercial ELISA, increasing assay sensitivity from 52.3% to 72.7%. Individual variation in antibody profiles rather than T. cruzi diversity appears to be the main factor driving differences in serological diagnostic performance according to geography, which will be important to further elucidate. ELISA with a combination of peptides recognized by a greater number of individuals could better capture infections, and further development may lead to an optimal antigen mixture for a universal diagnostic assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Majeau
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and Vector-Borne and Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Eric Dumonteil
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and Vector-Borne and Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Claudia Herrera
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and Vector-Borne and Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Bamogo P, Tiendrébéogo F, Brugidou C, Sérémé D, Djigma FW, Simporé J, Lacombe S. Rice yellow mottle virus is a suitable amplicon vector for an efficient production of an anti-leishmianiasis vaccine in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. BMC Biotechnol 2024; 24:21. [PMID: 38658899 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-024-00851-8] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the 2000's, plants have been used as bioreactors for the transient production of molecules of interest such as vaccines. To improve protein yield, "amplicon" vectors based on plant viruses are used. These viral constructs, engineered to carry the gene of interest replicate strongly once introduced into the plant cell, allowing significant accumulation of the protein. Here, we evaluated the suitability of the monocot-infecting RNA virus Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) as an amplicon vector. The promastigote surface antigen (PSA) of the protozoan Leishmania was considered as a protein of interest due to its vaccine properties against canine leishmaniasis. RESULTS Since P1 (ORF1) and CP (ORF3) proteins are not strictly necessary for viral replication, ORF1 was deleted and the PSA gene was substituted to ORF3 in the RYMV-based vector. We evaluated its expression in the best described plant bioreactor system, Nicotiana benthamiana which, unlike rice, allows transient transformation by Agrobacterium. Despite not being its natural host, we demonstrated a low level of RYMV-based vector replication in N. benthamiana leaves. Under optimized ratio, we showed that the P19 silencing suppressor in combination with the missing viral CP ORF significantly enhanced RYMV amplicon replication in N. benthamiana. Under these optimized CP/P19 conditions, we showed that the RYMV amplicon replicated autonomously in the infiltrated N. benthamiana cells, but was unable to move out of the infiltrated zones. Finally, we showed that when the RYMV amplicon was expressed under the optimized conditions we set up, it allowed enhanced PSA protein accumulation in N. benthamiana compared to the PSA coding sequence driven by the 35S promoter without amplicon background. CONCLUSION This work demonstrates that a non-dicot-infecting virus can be used as an amplicon vector for the efficient production of proteins of interest such as PSA in N. benthamiana leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pka Bamogo
- Institut de L'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), LMI Patho-Bios Laboratoire de Virologie et de Biotechnologies Végétales, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
- Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Laboratoire de biologie moléculaire et de Génétique (LABIOGENE), Ecole Doctorale Sciences et Technologie, Centre de recherche biomoléculaire Piétro Annigoni (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
- PHIM Plant Health Institute Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, Montpellier, France.
| | - F Tiendrébéogo
- Institut de L'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), LMI Patho-Bios Laboratoire de Virologie et de Biotechnologies Végétales, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - C Brugidou
- Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Laboratoire de biologie moléculaire et de Génétique (LABIOGENE), Ecole Doctorale Sciences et Technologie, Centre de recherche biomoléculaire Piétro Annigoni (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- PHIM Plant Health Institute Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, Montpellier, France
| | - D Sérémé
- Institut de L'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), LMI Patho-Bios Laboratoire de Virologie et de Biotechnologies Végétales, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - F W Djigma
- Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Laboratoire de biologie moléculaire et de Génétique (LABIOGENE), Ecole Doctorale Sciences et Technologie, Centre de recherche biomoléculaire Piétro Annigoni (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - J Simporé
- Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Laboratoire de biologie moléculaire et de Génétique (LABIOGENE), Ecole Doctorale Sciences et Technologie, Centre de recherche biomoléculaire Piétro Annigoni (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - S Lacombe
- Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Laboratoire de biologie moléculaire et de Génétique (LABIOGENE), Ecole Doctorale Sciences et Technologie, Centre de recherche biomoléculaire Piétro Annigoni (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- PHIM Plant Health Institute Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, Montpellier, France
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Mekonen B, Dugassa S, Feleke SM, Dufera B, Gidisa B, Adamu A, Mandefro A, Tasew G, Golassa L. Widespread pfhrp2/3 deletions and HRP2-based false-negative results in southern Ethiopia. Malar J 2024; 23:108. [PMID: 38632640 PMCID: PMC11025231 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04904-3] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) play a significant role in expanding case management in peripheral healthcare systems. Histidine-rich protein-2 (HRP2) antigen detection RDTs are predominantly used to diagnose Plasmodium falciparum infection. However, the evolution and spread of P. falciparum parasite strains with deleted hrp2/3 genes, causing false-negative results, have been reported. This study assessed the diagnostic performance of HRP2-detecting RDTs for P. falciparum cases and the prevalence of pfhrp2/3 deletions among symptomatic patients seeking malaria diagnosis at selected health facilities in southern Ethiopia. METHODS A multi-health facilities-based cross-sectional study was conducted on self-presenting febrile patients seeking treatment in southern Ethiopia from July to September 2022. A purposive sampling strategy was used to enroll patients with microscopically confirmed P. falciparum infections. A capillary blood sample was obtained to prepare a blood film for microscopy and a RDT using the SD Bioline™ Malaria Pf/Pv Test. Dried blood spot samples were collected for further molecular analysis. DNA was extracted using gene aid kits and amplification was performed using nested PCR assay. Exon 2 of hrp2 and hrp3, which are the main protein-coding regions, was used to confirm its deletion. The diagnostic performance of RDT was evaluated using PCR as the gold standard test for P. falciparum infections. RESULTS Of 279 P. falciparum PCR-confirmed samples, 249 (89.2%) had successful msp-2 amplification, which was then genotyped for hrp2/3 gene deletions. The study revealed that pfhrp2/3 deletions were common in all health centres, and it was estimated that 144 patients (57.8%) across all health facilities had pfhrp2/3 deletions, leading to false-negative PfHRP2 RDT results. Deletions spanning exon 2 of hrp2, exon 2 of hrp3, and double deletions (hrp2/3) accounted for 68 (27.3%), 76 (30.5%), and 33 (13.2%) of cases, respectively. The study findings revealed the prevalence of P. falciparum parasites lacking a single pfhrp2-/3-gene and that both genes varied across the study sites. This study also showed that the sensitivity of the SD Bioline PfHRP2-RDT test was 76.5% when PCR was used as the reference test. CONCLUSION This study confirmed the existence of widespread pfhrp2/3- gene deletions, and their magnitude exceeded the WHO-recommended threshold (> 5%). False-negative RDT results resulting from deletions in Pfhrp2/3- affect a country's attempts at malaria control and elimination. Therefore, the adoption of non-HRP2-based RDTs as an alternative measure is required to avoid the consequences associated with the continued use of HRP-2-based RDTs, in the study area in particular and in Ethiopia in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bacha Mekonen
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Malaria and NTDs Research Team, Bacterial, Parasitic, and Zoonotic Diseases Research Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Sisay Dugassa
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Sindew Mekasha Feleke
- Malaria and NTDs Research Team, Bacterial, Parasitic, and Zoonotic Diseases Research Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Boja Dufera
- Malaria and NTDs Research Team, Bacterial, Parasitic, and Zoonotic Diseases Research Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Bedasa Gidisa
- Malaria and NTDs Research Team, Armeur Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Aderaw Adamu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Aynalem Mandefro
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Geremew Tasew
- Malaria and NTDs Research Team, Bacterial, Parasitic, and Zoonotic Diseases Research Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Lemu Golassa
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Rogier E, Battle N, Bakari C, Seth MD, Nace D, Herman C, Barakoti A, Madebe RA, Mandara CI, Lyimo BM, Giesbrecht DJ, Popkin-Hall ZR, Francis F, Mbwambo D, Garimo I, Aaron S, Lusasi A, Molteni F, Njau R, Cunningham JA, Lazaro S, Mohamed A, Juliano JJ, Bailey JA, Udhayakumar V, Ishengoma DS. Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions among patients enrolled at 100 health facilities throughout Tanzania: February to July 2021. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8158. [PMID: 38589477 PMCID: PMC11001933 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58455-3] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum with the histidine rich protein 2 gene (pfhrp2) deleted from its genome can escape diagnosis by HRP2-based rapid diagnostic tests (HRP2-RDTs). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends switching to a non-HRP2 RDT for P. falciparum clinical case diagnosis when pfhrp2 deletion prevalence causes ≥ 5% of RDTs to return false negative results. Tanzania is a country of heterogenous P. falciparum transmission, with some regions approaching elimination and others at varying levels of control. In concordance with the current recommended WHO pfhrp2 deletion surveillance strategy, 100 health facilities encompassing 10 regions of Tanzania enrolled malaria-suspected patients between February and July 2021. Of 7863 persons of all ages enrolled and providing RDT result and blood sample, 3777 (48.0%) were positive by the national RDT testing for Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) and/or HRP2. A second RDT testing specifically for the P. falciparum LDH (Pf-pLDH) antigen found 95 persons (2.5% of all RDT positives) were positive, though negative by the national RDT for HRP2, and were selected for pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 (pfhrp2/3) genotyping. Multiplex antigen detection by laboratory bead assay found 135/7847 (1.7%) of all blood samples positive for Plasmodium antigens but very low or no HRP2, and these were selected for genotyping as well. Of the samples selected for genotyping based on RDT or laboratory multiplex result, 158 were P. falciparum DNA positive, and 140 had sufficient DNA to be genotyped for pfhrp2/3. Most of these (125/140) were found to be pfhrp2+/pfhrp3+, with smaller numbers deleted for only pfhrp2 (n = 9) or only pfhrp3 (n = 6). No dual pfhrp2/3 deleted parasites were observed. This survey found that parasites with these gene deletions are rare in Tanzania, and estimated that 0.24% (95% confidence interval: 0.08% to 0.39%) of false-negative HRP2-RDTs for symptomatic persons were due to pfhrp2 deletions in this 2021 Tanzania survey. These data provide evidence for HRP2-based diagnostics as currently accurate for P. falciparum diagnosis in Tanzania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Rogier
- Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Catherine Bakari
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Misago D Seth
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Douglas Nace
- Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Camelia Herman
- Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Achut Barakoti
- Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- CDC Foundation, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rashid A Madebe
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Celine I Mandara
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Beatus M Lyimo
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | | | - Issa Garimo
- National Malaria Control Programme, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | - Ritha Njau
- World Health Organization, Country Office, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Samwel Lazaro
- National Malaria Control Programme, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Ally Mohamed
- National Malaria Control Programme, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | - Deus S Ishengoma
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
- Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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Mwesigwa A, Ocan M, Musinguzi B, Nante RW, Nankabirwa JI, Kiwuwa SM, Kinengyere AA, Castelnuovo B, Karamagi C, Obuku EA, Nsobya SL, Mbulaiteye SM, Byakika-Kibwika P. Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection based on msp-1, msp-2, glurp and microsatellite genetic markers in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Malar J 2024; 23:97. [PMID: 38589874 PMCID: PMC11000358 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04925-y] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Plasmodium falciparum causes most of the malaria cases. Despite its crucial roles in disease severity and drug resistance, comprehensive data on Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection (MOI) are sparse in SSA. This study summarizes available information on genetic diversity and MOI, focusing on key markers (msp-1, msp-2, glurp, and microsatellites). The systematic review aimed to evaluate their influence on malaria transmission dynamics and offer insights for enhancing malaria control measures in SSA. METHODS The review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Two reviewers conducted article screening, assessed the risk of bias (RoB), and performed data abstraction. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model in STATA version 17. RESULTS The review included 52 articles: 39 cross-sectional studies and 13 Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)/cohort studies, involving 11,640 genotyped parasite isolates from 23 SSA countries. The overall pooled mean expected heterozygosity was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.51-0.78). Regionally, values varied: East (0.58), Central (0.84), Southern (0.74), and West Africa (0.69). Overall pooled allele frequencies of msp-1 alleles K1, MAD20, and RO33 were 61%, 44%, and 40%, respectively, while msp-2 I/C 3D7 and FC27 alleles were 61% and 55%. Central Africa reported higher frequencies (K1: 74%, MAD20: 51%, RO33: 48%) than East Africa (K1: 46%, MAD20: 42%, RO33: 31%). For msp-2, East Africa had 60% and 55% for I/C 3D7 and FC27 alleles, while West Africa had 62% and 50%, respectively. The pooled allele frequency for glurp was 66%. The overall pooled mean MOI was 2.09 (95% CI: 1.88-2.30), with regional variations: East (2.05), Central (2.37), Southern (2.16), and West Africa (1.96). The overall prevalence of polyclonal Plasmodium falciparum infections was 63% (95% CI: 56-70), with regional prevalences as follows: East (62%), West (61%), Central (65%), and South Africa (71%). CONCLUSION The study shows substantial regional variation in Plasmodium falciparum parasite genetic diversity and MOI in SSA. These findings suggest a need for malaria control strategies and surveillance efforts considering regional-specific factors underlying Plasmodium falciparum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Mwesigwa
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Kabale University, P. O Box 314, Kabale, Uganda.
| | - Moses Ocan
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
- African Center for Systematic Reviews and Knowledge Translation, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Benson Musinguzi
- Departent of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Muni University, P.O Box 725, Arua, Uganda
| | - Rachel Wangi Nante
- African Center for Systematic Reviews and Knowledge Translation, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joaniter I Nankabirwa
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Steven M Kiwuwa
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere, University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Alison Annet Kinengyere
- Albert Cook Library, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Barbara Castelnuovo
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Charles Karamagi
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ekwaro A Obuku
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
- African Center for Systematic Reviews and Knowledge Translation, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Samuel L Nsobya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sam M Mbulaiteye
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Dr, 6E-118, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Pauline Byakika-Kibwika
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
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Zhang ZW, Wang M, Sun LX, Elsheikha HM, Lei CL, Wang JL, Fu BQ, Luo JX, Zhu XQ, Li TT. Trx4, a novel thioredoxin protein, is important for Toxoplasma gondii fitness. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:178. [PMID: 38576040 PMCID: PMC10996207 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06259-9] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To successfully replicate within the host cell, Toxoplasma gondii employs several mechanisms to overcome the host cell defenses and mitigate the harmful effects of the free radicals resulting from its own metabolic processes using effectors such as thioredoxin proteins. In this study, we characterize the location and functions of a newly identified thioredoxin in T. gondii, which was named Trx4. METHODS We characterized the functional role of Trx4 in T. gondii Type I RH and Type II Pru strains by gene knockout and studied its subcellular localization by endogenous protein HA tagging using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. The enzyme-catalyzed proximity labeling technique, the TurboID system, was employed to identify the proteins in proximity to Trx4. RESULTS Trx4 was identified as a dense granule protein of T. gondii predominantly expressed in the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) and was partially co-localized with GRA1 and GRA5. Functional analysis showed that deletion of trx4 markedly influenced the parasite lytic cycle, resulting in impaired host cell invasion capacity in both RH and Pru strains. Mutation of Trx domains in Trx4 in RH strain revealed that two Trx domains were important for the parasite invasion. By utilizing the TurboID system to biotinylate proteins in proximity to Trx4, we identified a substantial number of proteins, some of which are novel, and others are previously characterized, predominantly distributed in the dense granules. In addition, we uncovered three novel proteins co-localized with Trx4. Intriguingly, deletion of trx4 did not affect the localization of these three proteins. Finally, a virulence assay demonstrated that knockout of trx4 resulted in a significant attenuation of virulence and a significant reduction in brain cyst loads in mice. CONCLUSIONS Trx4 plays an important role in T. gondii invasion and virulence in Type I RH strain and Type II Pru strain. Combining the TurboID system with CRISPR-Cas9 technique revealed many PV-localized proximity proteins associated with Trx4. These findings suggest a versatile role of Trx4 in mediating the processes that occur in this distinctive intracellular membrane-bound vacuolar compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Xiu Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Cheng-Lin Lei
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610213, People's Republic of China
| | - Bao-Quan Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610213, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Xun Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China.
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610213, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Mancino C, Pollet J, Zinger A, Jones KM, Villar MJ, Leao AC, Adhikari R, Versteeg L, Tyagi Kundu R, Strych U, Giordano F, Hotez PJ, Bottazzi ME, Taraballi F, Poveda C. Harnessing RNA Technology to Advance Therapeutic Vaccine Antigens against Chagas Disease. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:15832-15846. [PMID: 38518375 PMCID: PMC10996878 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c18830] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) (American trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi) is a parasitic disease endemic in 21 countries in South America, with increasing global spread. When administered late in the infection, the current antiparasitic drugs do not prevent the onset of cardiac illness leading to chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy. Therefore, new therapeutic vaccines or immunotherapies are under development using multiple platforms. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of developing an mRNA-based therapeutic CD vaccine targeting two known T. cruzi vaccine antigens (Tc24─a flagellar antigen and ASP-2─an amastigote antigen). We present the mRNA engineering steps, preparation, and stability of the lipid nanoparticles and evaluation of their uptake by dendritic cells, as well as their biodistribution in c57BL/J mice. Furthermore, we assessed the immunogenicity and efficacy of two mRNA-based candidates as monovalent and bivalent vaccine strategies using an in vivo chronic mouse model of CD. Our results show several therapeutic benefits, including reductions in parasite burdens and cardiac inflammation, with each mRNA antigen, especially with the mRNA encoding Tc24, and Tc24 in combination with ASP-2. Therefore, our findings demonstrate the potential of mRNA-based vaccines as a therapeutic option for CD and highlight the opportunities for developing multivalent vaccines using this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Mancino
- Center
for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston
Methodist Academic Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Jeroen Pollet
- Department
of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Texas
Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Assaf Zinger
- Center
for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston
Methodist Academic Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Laboratory
for Bioinspired Nano Engineering and Translational Therapeutics, Department
of Chemical Engineering, Technion−Israel
Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
- Cardiovascular
Sciences Department, Houston Methodist Academic
Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Neurosurgery
Department, Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Kathryn M. Jones
- Department
of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Texas
Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Department
of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Maria José Villar
- Department
of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Texas
Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Ana Carolina Leao
- Department
of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Texas
Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Rakesh Adhikari
- Department
of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Texas
Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Leroy Versteeg
- Department
of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Texas
Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Cell Biology
and Immunology Group, Wageningen University
& Research, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Rakhi Tyagi Kundu
- Department
of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Texas
Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Ulrich Strych
- Department
of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Texas
Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Federica Giordano
- Center
for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston
Methodist Academic Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Department
of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Texas
Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Department
of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Department
of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, United States
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Department
of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Texas
Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Department
of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Department
of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, United States
| | - Francesca Taraballi
- Center
for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston
Methodist Academic Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Orthopedics
and Sports Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Cristina Poveda
- Department
of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Texas
Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
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8
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Ktenas S, Roeber F, Meggiolaro MN, Ktenas A, Ward MP, Šlapeta J. Comparison of Giardia duodenalis point-of-care antigen faecal tests to reference laboratory assays in non-symptomatic dogs. Vet Parasitol 2024; 327:110139. [PMID: 38295676 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110139] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Giardia duodenalis is one of the most prevalent enteric parasites of dogs. Point-of-care antigen tests (POC) are rapid and do not require additional equipment, or a specialised diagnostic laboratory. The aim of this study was to compare diagnostic tests available in veterinary practices and in a diagnostic laboratory for the detection of G. duodenalis on a cohort of group-housed dogs from New South Wales, Australia. Two different POC tests were used for the detection of G. duodenalis. Laboratory tests used were the multiplexed-tandem PCR panel (MT-PCR) that includes detection of G. duodenalis DNA, and two reference tests (an in-house TaqMan real-time PCR and a direct immunofluorescence assay, DFA). Canine faecal samples (n = 40) were tested simultaneously for the detection of G. duodenalis. Using either DFA or TaqMan real-time PCR as reference tests, 77.5% (31/40) and 82.5% (33/40) of dogs tested positive, respectively. Agreement (Kappa) between the DFA and TaqMan real-time PCR was 0.84 (95% CI 0.64 to 1.00). There was substantial G. duodenalis test outcome agreement between the two POC tests, Kappa = 0.75. Combining the two POC tests yielded 77% sensitivity and 100% specificity with DFA as reference, and for TaqMan real-time PCR it was 73% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The MT-PCR was in excellent agreement with each reference test, DFA or TaqMan real-time PCR. Due to the high specificity of both POC tests, they can be confidently used as rule-in diagnostics. Confirmatory testing that detects different biological parameters such as DNA, e.g. PCR (inc. MT-PCR), should be implemented before concluding that a dog is negative for the presence of G. duodenalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Ktenas
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Florian Roeber
- Wongaburra Research Centre, Invetus Pty Ltd., NSW 2470, Australia
| | - Maira N Meggiolaro
- Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Athena Ktenas
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Michael P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia; The University of Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
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9
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Palacpac NMQ, Ishii KJ, Arisue N, Tougan T, Horii T. Immune tolerance caused by repeated P. falciparum infection against SE36 malaria vaccine candidate antigen and the resulting limited polymorphism. Parasitol Int 2024; 99:102845. [PMID: 38101534 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2023.102845] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The call for second generation malaria vaccines needs not only the identification of novel candidate antigens or adjuvants but also a better understanding of immune responses and the underlying protective processes. Plasmodium parasites have evolved a range of strategies to manipulate the host immune system to guarantee survival and establish parasitism. These immune evasion strategies hamper efforts to develop effective malaria vaccines. In the case of a malaria vaccine targeting the N-terminal domain of P. falciparum serine repeat antigen 5 (SE36), now in clinical trials, we observed reduced responsiveness (lowered immunogenicity) which may be attributed to immune tolerance/immune suppression. Here, immunogenicity data and insights into the immune responses to SE36 antigen from epidemiological studies and clinical trials are summarized. Documenting these observations is important to help identify gaps for SE36 continued development and engender hope that highly effective blood-stage/multi-stage vaccines can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirianne Marie Q Palacpac
- Department of Malaria Vaccine Development, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Ken J Ishii
- Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan; Laboratory of Vaccine Science, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Division of Vaccine Science, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.
| | - Nobuko Arisue
- Department of Molecular Protozoology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Tougan
- Department of Molecular Protozoology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Toshihiro Horii
- Department of Malaria Vaccine Development, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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10
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Ishengoma DS, Mandara CI, Madebe RA, Warsame M, Ngasala B, Kabanywanyi AM, Mahende MK, Kamugisha E, Kavishe RA, Muro F, Mandike R, Mkude S, Chacky F, Njau R, Martin T, Mohamed A, Bailey JA, Fola AA. Microsatellites reveal high polymorphism and high potential for use in anti-malarial efficacy studies in areas with different transmission intensities in mainland Tanzania. Malar J 2024; 23:79. [PMID: 38491359 PMCID: PMC10943981 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04901-6] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tanzania is currently implementing therapeutic efficacy studies (TES) in areas of varying malaria transmission intensities as per the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. In TES, distinguishing reinfection from recrudescence is critical for the determination of anti-malarial efficacy. Recently, the WHO recommended genotyping polymorphic coding genes, merozoite surface proteins 1 and 2 (msp1 and msp2), and replacing the glutamate-rich protein (glurp) gene with one of the highly polymorphic microsatellites in Plasmodium falciparum to adjust the efficacy of antimalarials in TES. This study assessed the polymorphisms of six neutral microsatellite markers and their potential use in TES, which is routinely performed in Tanzania. METHODS Plasmodium falciparum samples were obtained from four TES sentinel sites, Kibaha (Pwani), Mkuzi (Tanga), Mlimba (Morogoro) and Ujiji (Kigoma), between April and September 2016. Parasite genomic DNA was extracted from dried blood spots on filter papers using commercial kits. Genotyping was done using six microsatellites (Poly-α, PfPK2, TA1, C3M69, C2M34 and M2490) by capillary method, and the data were analysed to determine the extent of their polymorphisms and genetic diversity at the four sites. RESULTS Overall, 83 (88.3%) of the 94 samples were successfully genotyped (with positive results for ≥ 50.0% of the markers), and > 50.0% of the samples (range = 47.6-59.1%) were polyclonal, with a mean multiplicity of infection (MOI) ranging from 1.68 to 1.88 among the four sites. There was high genetic diversity but limited variability among the four sites based on mean allelic richness (RS = 7.48, range = 7.27-8.03, for an adjusted minimum sample size of 18 per site) and mean expected heterozygosity (He = 0.83, range = 0.80-0.85). Cluster analysis of haplotypes using STRUCTURE, principal component analysis, and pairwise genetic differentiation (FST) did not reveal population structure or clustering of parasites according to geographic origin. Of the six markers, Poly-α was the most polymorphic, followed by C2M34, TA1 and C3M69, while M2490 was the least polymorphic. CONCLUSION Microsatellite genotyping revealed high polyclonality and genetic diversity but no significant population structure. Poly-α, C2M34, TA1 and C3M69 were the most polymorphic markers, and Poly-α alone or with any of the other three markers could be adopted for use in TES in Tanzania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deus S Ishengoma
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Celine I Mandara
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Rashid A Madebe
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Billy Ngasala
- Department of Parasitology, School of Public Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Erasmus Kamugisha
- Bugando Medical Centre, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Reginald A Kavishe
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Florida Muro
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Renata Mandike
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Sigsbert Mkude
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Frank Chacky
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Ritha Njau
- Malariologist and Public Health Specialist, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Troy Martin
- HIV Vaccine Trials Network, Fred Hutch Cancer Research Centre, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ally Mohamed
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Jeffrey A Bailey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Abebe A Fola
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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11
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Bansal GP, Araujo MDS, Cao Y, Shaffer E, Araujo JE, Medeiros JF, Hayashi C, Vinetz J, Kumar N. Transmission-reducing and -enhancing monoclonal antibodies against Plasmodium vivax gamete surface protein Pvs48/45. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0037423. [PMID: 38289124 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00374-23] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Gamete surface protein P48/45 has been shown to be important for male gamete fertility and a strong candidate for the development of a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV). However, TBV development for Plasmodium vivax homolog Pvs48/45 has been slow because of a number of challenges: availability of conformationally suitable recombinant protein; the lack of an in vivo challenge model; and the inability to produce P. vivax gametocytes in culture to test transmission-blocking activity of antibodies. To support ongoing efforts to develop Pvs48/45 as a potential vaccine candidate, we initiated efforts to develop much needed reagents to move the field forward. We generated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against Pvs48/45 and characterized putative functional domains in Pvs48/45 using recombinant fragments corresponding to domains D1-D3 and their biological functionality through ex vivo direct membrane feeding assays (DMFAs) using P. vivax parasites from patients in a field setting in Brazil. While some mAbs partially blocked oocyst development in the DMFA, one mAb caused a significant enhancement of the infectivity of gametocytes in the mosquitoes. Individual mAbs exhibiting blocking and enhancing activities recognized non-overlapping epitopes in Pvs48/45. Further characterization of precise epitopes recognized by transmission-reducing and -enhancing antibodies will be crucial to design an effective immunogen with optimum transmission-reducing potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetha P Bansal
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Maisa da Silva Araujo
- Plataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária, Laboratório de Entomologia - Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Yi Cao
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Department of Global Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Emily Shaffer
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Jessica Evangelista Araujo
- Plataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária, Laboratório de Entomologia - Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Jansen Fernandes Medeiros
- Plataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária, Laboratório de Entomologia - Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Clifford Hayashi
- Department of Global Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Joseph Vinetz
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nirbhay Kumar
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Department of Global Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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12
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Faber BW, Yeoh LM, Kurtovic L, Mol WEM, Poelert M, Smits E, Rodriguez Garcia R, Mandalawi-Van der Eijk M, van der Werff N, Voorberg-van der Wel A, Remarque EJ, Beeson JG, Kocken CHM. A Diversity Covering (DiCo) Plasmodium vivax apical membrane antigen-1 vaccine adjuvanted with RFASE/RSL10 yields high levels of growth-inhibitory antibodies. Vaccine 2024; 42:1785-1792. [PMID: 38365484 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax malaria is increasingly recognized as a major global health problem and the socio-economic impact of P.vivax-induced burden is huge. Vaccine development against P. vivax malaria has been hampered by the lack of an in vitro culture system and poor access to P. vivax sporozoites. The recent generation of Plasmodium falciparum parasites that express a functional P. vivax AMA1 molecule has provided a platform for in vitro evaluation of PvAMA1 as a potential blood stage vaccine. Three so-called PvAMA1 Diversity Covering (DiCo) proteins were designed to assess their potential to induce a functional and broad humoral immune response to the polymorphic PvAMA1 molecule. Rabbits were immunized with the mixture of three, Pichia-produced, PvAMA1 DiCo proteins, as well as with 2 naturally occurring PvAMA1 alleles. For these three groups, the experimental adjuvant raffinose fatty acid sulfate ester (RFASE) was used, while in a fourth group the purified main mono-esterified constituent (RSL10) of this adjuvant was used. Animals immunized with the mixture of the three PvAMA1 DiCo proteins in RFASE showed high anti-PvAMA1 antibody titers against three naturally occurring PvAMA1variants while also high growth-inhibitory capacity was observed against P. falciparum parasites expressing PvAMA1. This supports further clinical development of the PvAMA1 DiCo mixture as a potential malaria vaccine. However, as the single allele PvAMA1 SalI-group showed similar characteristics in antibody titer and inhibition levels as the PvAMA1 DiCo mixture-group, this raises the question whether a mixture is really necessary to overcome the polymorphism in the vaccine candidate. RFASE induced strong humoral responses, as did the animals immunized with the purified component, RSL10. This suggests that RSL10 is the active ingredient. However, one of the RSL10-immunized animal showed a delayed response, necessitating further research into the clinical development of RSL10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart W Faber
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, the Netherlands.
| | - Lee M Yeoh
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liriye Kurtovic
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Central Clinical School and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nicole van der Werff
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, the Netherlands
| | | | - Edmond J Remarque
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, the Netherlands
| | - James G Beeson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Central Clinical School and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Clemens H M Kocken
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, the Netherlands
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13
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Holzschuh A, Ewnetu Y, Carlier L, Lerch A, Gerlovina I, Baker SC, Yewhalaw D, Haileselassie W, Berhane N, Lemma W, Koepfli C. Plasmodium falciparum transmission in the highlands of Ethiopia is driven by closely related and clonal parasites. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17292. [PMID: 38339833 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17292] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Malaria cases are frequently recorded in the Ethiopian highlands even at altitudes above 2000 m. The epidemiology of malaria in the Ethiopian highlands, and, in particular, the role of importation by human migration from the highly endemic lowlands is not well understood. We sequenced 187 Plasmodium falciparum samples from two sites in the Ethiopian highlands, Gondar (n = 159) and Ziway (n = 28), using a multiplexed droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)-based amplicon sequencing method targeting 35 microhaplotypes and drug resistance loci. Here, we characterize the parasite population structure and genetic relatedness. We identify moderate parasite diversity (mean HE : 0.54) and low infection complexity (74.9% monoclonal). A significant percentage of infections share microhaplotypes, even across transmission seasons and sites, indicating persistent local transmission. We identify multiple clusters of clonal or near-clonal infections, highlighting high genetic relatedness. Only 6.3% of individuals diagnosed with P. falciparum reported recent travel. Yet, in clonal or near-clonal clusters, infections of travellers were frequently observed first in time, suggesting that parasites may have been imported and then transmitted locally. 31.1% of infections are pfhrp2-deleted and 84.4% pfhrp3-deleted, and 28.7% have pfhrp2/3 double deletions. Parasites with pfhrp2/3 deletions and wild-type parasites are genetically distinct. Mutations associated with resistance to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine or suggested to reduce sensitivity to lumefantrine are observed at near-fixation. In conclusion, genomic data corroborate local transmission and the importance of intensified control in the Ethiopian highlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurel Holzschuh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Yalemwork Ewnetu
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Lise Carlier
- Trinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Noul Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Anita Lerch
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Inna Gerlovina
- Department of Medicine, Division of HIV, ID and Global Medicine, EPPIcenter Research Program, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sarah Cate Baker
- Trinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Delenasaw Yewhalaw
- Tropical and Infectious Disease Research Center, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | | | - Nega Berhane
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Wossenseged Lemma
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Cristian Koepfli
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
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14
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Plata-Pineda SE, Cárdenas-Munévar LX, Castro-Cavadía CJ, Buitrago SP, Garzón-Ospina D. Evaluating the genetic diversity of the Plasmodium vivax siap2 locus: A promising candidate for an effective malaria vaccine? Acta Trop 2024; 251:107111. [PMID: 38151069 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107111] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is the deadliest parasitic disease in the world. Traditional control measures have become less effective; hence, there is a need to explore alternative strategies, such as antimalarial vaccines. However, designing an anti-Plasmodium vivax vaccine is considered a challenge due to the complex parasite biology and the antigens' high genetic diversity. Recently, the sporozoite invasion-associated protein 2 (SIAP2) has been suggested as a potential antigen to be considered in vaccine design due to its significance during hepatocyte invasion. However, its use may be limited by the incomplete understanding of gene/protein diversity. Here, the genetic diversity of pvsiap2 using P. vivax DNA samples from Colombia was assessed. Through PCR amplification and sequencing, we compared the Colombian sequences with available worldwide sequences, revealing that pvsiap2 displays low genetic diversity. Molecular evolutionary analyses showed that pvsiap2 appears to be influenced by directional selection. Moreover, the haplotypes found differ by a few mutational steps and several of them were shared between different geographical areas. On the other hand, several conserved regions within PvSIAP2 were predicted as potential B-cell or T-cell epitopes. Considering these characteristics and its role in hepatocyte invasion, the PvSIAP2 protein emerges as a promising antigen to be considered in a multi-antigen-multi-stage (multivalent) fully effective vaccine against P. vivax malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio E Plata-Pineda
- School of Biological Sciences, Grupo de Estudios en Genética y Biología Molecular (GEBIMOL), Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia - UPTC, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Laura X Cárdenas-Munévar
- School of Biological Sciences, Grupo de Estudios en Genética y Biología Molecular (GEBIMOL), Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia - UPTC, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Carlos J Castro-Cavadía
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas y Biomédicas de Córdoba (GIMBIC), School of Health Sciences, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Sindy P Buitrago
- School of Biological Sciences, Grupo de Estudios en Genética y Biología Molecular (GEBIMOL), Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia - UPTC, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia; Population Genetics And Molecular Evolution (PGAME), Fundación Scient, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
| | - Diego Garzón-Ospina
- School of Biological Sciences, Grupo de Estudios en Genética y Biología Molecular (GEBIMOL), Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia - UPTC, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia; Population Genetics And Molecular Evolution (PGAME), Fundación Scient, Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia.
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Wang D, Liu Y, Yang B, Zhang Z, El-Ashram S, Liu X, Li B. Toxoplasma gondii surface antigen 1 (SAG1) interacts in vitro with host cell receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1). Acta Trop 2024; 251:107112. [PMID: 38157925 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107112] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) surface antigen 1 (SAG1) is crucial for tachyzoite invasion into host cells. However, the role of SAG1 in interaction with host cells remains unknown. The primary objective of this study was to analyze and validate the interaction between SAG1 and host cells. RACK1, an intracellular multifunctional protein, was identified as a SAG1 binding partner in host cells. Furthermore, the expression of RACK1 is manipulated by SAG1, and depletion of RACK1 negatively regulated host cell viability. These results imply that through interaction with RACK1, SAG1 preserves the viability of host cells to satisfy the survival needs of T. gondii. Our findings suggest a novel role for SAG1 in intracellular parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Wang
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yuming Liu
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Baoling Yang
- College of Basic Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Zixuan Zhang
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Saeed El-Ashram
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China; Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Xiaogang Liu
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China.
| | - Bing Li
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China.
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Abebe A, Dieng CC, Dugassa S, Abera D, Shenkutie TT, Assefa A, Menard D, Lo E, Golassa L. Genetic differentiation of Plasmodium vivax duffy binding protein in Ethiopia and comparison with other geographical isolates. Malar J 2024; 23:55. [PMID: 38395885 PMCID: PMC10885561 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04887-1] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein (PvDBP) is a merozoite surface protein located in the micronemes of P. vivax. The invasion of human reticulocytes by P. vivax merozoites depends on the parasite DBP binding domain engaging Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokine (DARC) on these red blood cells (RBCs). PvDBPII shows high genetic diversity which is a major challenge to its use in the development of a vaccine against vivax malaria. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2021 to September 2022 in five study sites across Ethiopia. A total of 58 blood samples confirmed positive for P. vivax by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were included in the study to determine PvDBPII genetic diversity. PvDBPII were amplified using primers designed from reference sequence of P. vivax Sal I strain. Assembling of sequences was done using Geneious Prime version 2023.2.1. Alignment and phylogenetic tree constructions using MEGA version 10.1.1. Nucleotide diversity and haplotype diversity were analysed using DnaSP version 6.12.03, and haplotype network was generated with PopART version 1.7. RESULTS The mean age of the participants was 25 years, 5 (8.6%) participants were Duffy negatives. From the 58 PvDBPII sequences, seven haplotypes based on nucleotide differences at 8 positions were identified. Nucleotide diversity and haplotype diversity were 0.00267 ± 0.00023 and 0.731 ± 0.036, respectively. Among the five study sites, the highest numbers of haplotypes were identified in Arbaminch with six different haplotypes while only two haplotypes were identified in Gambella. The phylogenetic tree based on PvDBPII revealed that parasites of different study sites shared similar genetic clusters with few exceptions. Globally, a total of 39 haplotypes were identified from 223 PvDBPII sequences representing different geographical isolates obtained from NCBI archive. The nucleotide and haplotype diversity were 0.00373 and 0.845 ± 0.015, respectively. The haplotype prevalence ranged from 0.45% to 27.3%. Two haplotypes were shared among isolates from all geographical areas of the globe. CONCLUSIONS PvDBPII of the Ethiopian P. vivax isolates showed low nucleotide but high haplotype diversity, this pattern of genetic variability suggests that the population may have undergone a recent expansion. Among the Ethiopian P. vivax isolates, almost half of the sequences were identical to the Sal-I reference sequence. However, there were unique haplotypes observed in the Ethiopian isolates, which does not share with isolates from other geographical areas. There were two haplotypes that were common among populations across the globe. Categorizing population haplotype frequency can help to determine common haplotypes for designing an effective blood-stage vaccine which will have a significant role for the control and elimination of P. vivax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abnet Abebe
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 24756, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Cheikh Cambel Dieng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Sisay Dugassa
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 24756, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Deriba Abera
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 24756, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tassew T Shenkutie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Ashenafi Assefa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Global Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Didier Menard
- Malaria Genetics and Resistance Unit, INSERM U1201, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 75015, Paris, France
- Dynamics of Host-Pathogen Interactions, Université de Strasbourg, Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Eugenia Lo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Lemu Golassa
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 24756, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Hawadak J, Kojom Foko LP, Dongang Nana RR, Yadav K, Pande V, Das A, Singh V. Genetic diversity and natural selection of apical membrane antigen-1 (ama-1) in Cameroonian Plasmodium falciparum isolates. Gene 2024; 894:147956. [PMID: 37925116 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147956] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Antigenic variation associated with genetic diversity in global Plasmodium falciparum apical membrane antigen-1 (PfAMA-1) is a major impediment to designing an effective malaria vaccine. Here, we report the first study on genetic diversity and natural selection of the Pfama-1 gene in P. falciparum isolates from Cameroon. A total of 328 P. falciparum positive samples collected during 2016 and 2019 from five localities of Cameroon were analysed. The ectodomain coding fragment of Pfama-1 gene was amplified for polymorphism profiling and natural selection analysis. A total of 108 distinct haplotypes were found in 203 P. falciparum isolates with considerable nucleotide diversity (π = 0.016) and haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.976). Most amino acid substitutions detected were scattered in ectodomain-I and few specific mutations viz P145L, K148Q, K462I, L463F, N471K, S482L, E537G, K546R and I547F were seen only in Cameroonian isolates. A tendency of natural selection towards positive diversifying selection was observed (Taj-D = 2.058). Five positively selected codon sites (P145L, S283L, Q308E/K, P330S and I547F) were identified, which overlapped with predicted B-cell epitopes and red blood cell (RBC) binding sites, suggesting their potential implication in host immune pressure and parasite-RBC binding complex modulation. The Cameroonian P. falciparum populations indicated a moderate level of genetic differentiation when compared with global sequences, with few exceptions from Vietnam and Venezuela. Our findings provide baseline data on existing Pfama-1 gene polymorphisms in Cameroonian field isolates, which will be useful information for malaria vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Hawadak
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Delhi, India; Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Loick Pradel Kojom Foko
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Delhi, India; Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Rodrigue Roman Dongang Nana
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Delhi, India; Institut de Recherches Médicales et D'Etudes des Plantes Médicinales (IMPM), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Karmveer Yadav
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Delhi, India
| | - Veena Pande
- Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Aparup Das
- ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, India.
| | - Vineeta Singh
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Delhi, India.
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Xing Y, Yang J, Yao P, Xie L, Liu M, Cai Y. Comparison of the immune response and protection against the experimental Toxoplasma gondii infection elicited by immunization with the recombinant proteins BAG1, ROP8, and BAG1-ROP8. Parasite Immunol 2024; 46:e13023. [PMID: 38372452 DOI: 10.1111/pim.13023] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is one of the most dangerous zoonotic diseases, causing serious economic losses worldwide due to abortion and reproductive problems. Vaccination is the best way to prevent disease; thus, it is imperative to develop a candidate vaccine for toxoplasmosis. BAG1 and ROP8 have the potential to become vaccine candidates. In this study, rTgBAG1, rTgROP8, and rTgBAG1-rTgROP8 were used to evaluate the immune effect of vaccines in each group by detecting the humoral and cellular immune response levels of BABL/c mice after immunization and the ability to resist acute and chronic infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). We divided the mice into vaccine groups with different proteins, and the mice were immunized on days 0, 14, and 28. The protective effects of different proteins against T. gondii were analysed by measuring the cytokines, serum antibodies, splenocyte proliferation assay results, survival time, and number and diameter of brain cysts of mice after infection. The vaccine groups exhibited substantially higher IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a levels and effectively stimulated lymphocyte proliferation. The levels of IFN-γ and IL-2 in the vaccine group were significantly increased. The survival time of the mice in each vaccine group was prolonged and the diameter of the cysts in the vaccine group was smaller; rTgBAG1-rTgROP8 had a better protection. Our study showed that the rTgBAG1, rTgROP8, and rTgBAG1-rTgROP8 recombinant protein vaccines are partial but effective approaches against acute or chronic T. gondii infection. They are potential candidates for a toxoplasmosis vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yien Xing
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, the Provincial Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Anhui, and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, the Provincial Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Anhui, and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Pengjing Yao
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, the Provincial Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Anhui, and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Linding Xie
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, the Provincial Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Anhui, and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, the Provincial Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Anhui, and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yihong Cai
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, the Provincial Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Anhui, and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Gunasekera KT, Premaratne RG, Handunnetti SM, Weerasena J, Premawansa S, Fernando DS. msp1, msp2, and glurp genotyping to differentiate Plasmodium falciparum recrudescence from reinfections during prevention of reestablishment phase, Sri Lanka, 2014-2019. Malar J 2024; 23:35. [PMID: 38281044 PMCID: PMC10821543 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04858-6] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sri Lanka after eliminating malaria in 2012, is in the prevention of re-establishment (POR) phase. Being a tropical country with high malariogenic potential, maintaining vigilance is important. All malaria cases are investigated epidemiologically and followed up by integrated drug efficacy surveillance (iDES). Occasionally, that alone is not adequate to differentiate Plasmodium falciparum reinfections from recrudescences. This study evaluated the World Health Organization and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) recommended genotyping protocol for the merozoite surface proteins (msp1, msp2) and the glutamate-rich protein (glurp) to discriminate P. falciparum recrudescence from reinfection in POR phase. METHODS All P. falciparum patients detected from April 2014 to December 2019 were included in this study. Patients were treated and followed up by iDES up to 28 days and were advised to get tested if they develop fever at any time over the following year. Basic socio-demographic information including history of travel was obtained. Details of the malariogenic potential and reactive entomological and parasitological surveillance carried out by the Anti Malaria Campaign to exclude the possibility of local transmission were also collected. The msp1, msp2, and glurp genotyping was performed for initial and any recurrent infections. Classification of recurrent infections as recrudescence or reinfection was done based on epidemiological findings and was compared with the genotyping outcome. RESULTS Among 106 P. falciparum patients, six had recurrent infections. All the initial infections were imported, with a history of travel to malaria endemic countries. In all instances, the reactive entomological and parasitological surveillance had no evidence for local transmission. Five recurrences occurred within 28 days of follow-up and were classified as recrudescence. They have not travelled to malaria endemic countries between the initial and recurrent infections. The other had a recurrent infection after 105 days. It was assumed a reinfection, as he had travelled to the same malaria endemic country in between the two malaria attacks. Genotyping confirmed the recrudescence and the reinfection. CONCLUSIONS The msp1, msp2 and glurp genotyping method accurately differentiated reinfections from recrudescence. Since reinfection without a history of travel to a malaria endemic country would mean local transmission, combining genotyping outcome with epidemiological findings will assist classifying malaria cases without any ambiguity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumudunayana T Gunasekera
- Anti Malaria Campaign, Ministry of Health, 555/5 Public Health Complex, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka.
| | | | - Shiroma M Handunnetti
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Jagathpriya Weerasena
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Sunil Premawansa
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Deepika S Fernando
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Agaba BB, Smith D, Travis J, Pasay C, Nabatanzi M, Arinaitwe E, Ssewanyana I, Nabadda S, Cunningham J, Kamya MR, Cheng Q. Limited threat of Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletion to the utility of HRP2-based malaria RDTs in Northern Uganda. Malar J 2024; 23:3. [PMID: 38167003 PMCID: PMC10759665 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04830-w] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that detect Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein-2 (PfHRP2) are exclusively deployed in Uganda, but deletion of the pfhrp2/3 target gene threatens their usefulness as malaria diagnosis and surveillance tools. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted at 40 sites across four regions of Uganda in Acholi, Lango, W. Nile and Karamoja from March 2021 to June 2023. Symptomatic malaria suspected patients were recruited and screened with both HRP2 and pan lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) detecting RDTs. Dried blood spots (DBS) were collected from all patients and a random subset were used for genomic analysis to confirm parasite species and pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene status. Plasmodium species was determined using a conventional multiplex PCR while pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions were determined using a real-time multiplex qPCR. Expression of the HRP2 protein antigen in a subset of samples was further assessed using a ELISA. RESULTS Out of 2435 symptomatic patients tested for malaria, 1504 (61.8%) were positive on pLDH RDT. Overall, qPCR confirmed single pfhrp2 gene deletion in 1 out of 416 (0.2%) randomly selected samples that were confirmed of P. falciparum mono-infections. CONCLUSION These findings show limited threat of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions in the survey areas suggesting that HRP2 RDTs are still useful diagnostic tools for surveillance and diagnosis of P. falciparum malaria infections in symptomatic patients in this setting. Periodic genomic surveillance is warranted to monitor the frequency and trend of gene deletions and its effect on RDTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bosco B Agaba
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
- National Malaria Control Division, Kampala, Uganda.
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - David Smith
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - Jye Travis
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - Cielo Pasay
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Isaac Ssewanyana
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
- National Health Laboratory Services/Central Public Health Laboratories, Kelvin Grove, Uganda
| | - Susan Nabadda
- National Health Laboratory Services/Central Public Health Laboratories, Kelvin Grove, Uganda
| | - Jane Cunningham
- Global Malaria Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Moses R Kamya
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Qin Cheng
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Kelvin Grove, Australia
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Nana RRD, Ngum NL, Makoge V, Amvongo-Adja N, Hawadak J, Singh V. Rapid diagnostic tests for malaria diagnosis in Cameroon: impact of histidine rich protein 2/3 deletions and lactate dehydrogenase gene polymorphism. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 108:116103. [PMID: 37944271 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2023.116103] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDT) play a vital role in malaria control in endemic areas. In this study, histidine-rich protein (hrp) and lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) genes were genotyped in Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and Plasmodium ovale (Po) spp. isolates. Deletions in P. falciparum hrp2/3 (pfhrp2/3) proteins and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed. Twenty-four samples were analyzed for pfhrp2/3 gene deletions and 25 for SNPs in ldh gene (18 Pf and 7 Po spp.). Deletions in pfhrp2/3 genes were observed in 1.9% malaria positive isolates. The pfldh gene sequences showed one SNP at codon 272 (D272N) in 22.2% of samples while in Po spp., sequences were 100% similar to P. ovale curtisi but when compared to P. ovale wallikeri reference sequence, SNPs at positions 143 (P143S), 168 (K168N), 204 (V204I) were found. Findings suggest low prevalence in pfhrp2/3 genes and highlight the circulation of P. ovale curtisi in the studies areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigue Roman Dongang Nana
- Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants studies (IMPM), P.O Box 13033 Yaoundé, Cameroon; Parasite and Host Biology Group, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi 110077, India..
| | - Ngum Lesly Ngum
- Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants studies (IMPM), P.O Box 13033 Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Valerie Makoge
- Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants studies (IMPM), P.O Box 13033 Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Nathalie Amvongo-Adja
- Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants studies (IMPM), P.O Box 13033 Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Joseph Hawadak
- Parasite and Host Biology Group, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi 110077, India
| | - Vineeta Singh
- Parasite and Host Biology Group, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi 110077, India..
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Kepple D, Ford CT, Williams J, Abagero B, Li S, Popovici J, Yewhalaw D, Lo E. Comparative transcriptomics reveal differential gene expression among Plasmodium vivax geographical isolates and implications on erythrocyte invasion mechanisms. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011926. [PMID: 38285730 PMCID: PMC10901308 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The documentation of Plasmodium vivax malaria across Africa especially in regions where Duffy negatives are dominant suggests possibly alternative erythrocyte invasion mechanisms. While the transcriptomes of the Southeast Asian and South American P. vivax are well documented, the gene expression profile of P. vivax in Africa is unclear. In this study, we examined the expression of 4,404 gene transcripts belong to 12 functional groups and 43 erythrocyte binding gene candidates in Ethiopian isolates and compared them with the Cambodian and Brazilian P. vivax transcriptomes. Overall, there were 10-26% differences in the gene expression profile amongst geographical isolates, with the Ethiopian and Cambodian P. vivax being most similar. Majority of the gene transcripts involved in protein transportation, housekeeping, and host interaction were highly transcribed in the Ethiopian isolates. Members of the reticulocyte binding protein PvRBP2a and PvRBP3 expressed six-fold higher than Duffy binding protein PvDBP1 and 60-fold higher than PvEBP/DBP2 in the Ethiopian isolates. Other genes including PvMSP3.8, PvMSP3.9, PvTRAG2, PvTRAG14, and PvTRAG22 also showed relatively high expression. Differential expression patterns were observed among geographical isolates, e.g., PvDBP1 and PvEBP/DBP2 were highly expressed in the Cambodian but not the Brazilian and Ethiopian isolates, whereas PvRBP2a and PvRBP2b showed higher expression in the Ethiopian and Cambodian than the Brazilian isolates. Compared to Pvs25, gametocyte genes including PvAP2-G, PvGAP (female gametocytes), and Pvs47 (male gametocytes) were highly expressed across geographical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kepple
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Colby T. Ford
- Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
- School of Data Science, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Beka Abagero
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Shaoyu Li
- Mathematics and Statistics, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jean Popovici
- Malaria Research Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Delenasaw Yewhalaw
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Eugenia Lo
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
- Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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23
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Gao W, Qiu Y, Zhu L, Yu X, Yang F, Chen M, He G, Liu Y, Cui L, Liu F, Zhu X, Cao Y. A dual-antigen malaria vaccine targeting Pb22 and Pbg37 was able to induce robust transmission-blocking activity. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:455. [PMID: 38098083 PMCID: PMC10720250 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06071-x] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite years of effort to develop an effective vaccine against malaria infection, a vaccine that provides individuals with sufficient protection against malaria illness and death in endemic areas is not yet available. The development of transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) is a promising strategy for malaria control. A dual-antigen malaria vaccine targeting both pre- and post-fertilization antigens could effectively improve the transmission-blocking activity of vaccines against the sexual stages of the parasite. METHODS A chimeric recombinant protein Pb22-Pbg37 (Plasmodium berghei 22-P. berghei G37) composed of 19-218 amino acids (aa) of Pb22 and the N-terminal 26-88 aa of Pbg37 was designed and expressed in the Escherichia coli expression system. The antibody titers of the fusion (Pb22-Pbg37) and mixed (Pb22+Pbg37) antigens, as well as those of Pb22 and Pbg37 single antigens were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunofluorescence and western blot assays were performed to test the reactivity of the antisera with the native proteins in the parasite. The induction of transmission-blocking activity (TBA) by Pb22-Pbg37 and Pb22+Pbg37 were evaluated by in vitro gametocyte activation, gamete and exflagellation center formation, ookinete conversion, and in the direct mosquito feeding assay. RESULTS The Pb22-Pbg37 fusion protein was successfully expressed in vitro. Co-administration of Pb22 and Pbg37 as a fusion or mixed protein elicited comparable antibody responses in mice and resulted in responses to both antigens. Most importantly, both the mixed and fusion antigens induced antibodies with significantly higher levels of TBA than did each of the individual antigens when administered alone. In addition, the efficacy of vaccination with the Pb22-Pbg37 fusion protein was equivalent to that of vaccination with the mixed single antigens. CONCLUSIONS Dual-antigen vaccines, which expand/lengthen the period during which the transmission-blocking antibodies can act during sexual-stage development, can provide a promising higher transmission-reducing activity compared to single antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Gao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, NO. 155, Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Qiu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
| | - Liying Zhu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinxin Yu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Muyan Chen
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang He
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinjie Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaotong Zhu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
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24
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Chen C, Su J, Lu M, Xu L, Yan R, Li X, Song X. Protective efficacy of multiepitope vaccines constructed from common antigens of Eimeria species in chickens. Vet Res 2023; 54:119. [PMID: 38093398 PMCID: PMC10720236 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-023-01253-y] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical avian coccidiosis is typically caused by coinfection with several Eimeria species. Recombinant protein and DNA vaccines have shown promise in controlling coccidiosis. On this basis, DNA vaccines that encode multiple epitopes from different Eimeria species may provide broad protection against coinfections. In this study, we designed a fusion gene fragment, 14EGT, that contained concentrated T-cell epitopes from four common antigens of Eimeria species (14-3-3, elongation factor 2, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and transhydrogenase). The multiepitope DNA vaccine pVAX1-14EGT and recombinant protein vaccine pET-32a-14EGT (r14EGT) were then created based on the 14EGT fragment. Subsequently, cellular and humoral immune responses were measured in vaccinated chickens. Vaccination-challenge trials were also conducted, where the birds were vaccinated with the 14EGT preparations and later exposed to single or multiple Eimeria species to evaluate the protective efficacy of the vaccines. According to the results, vaccination with 14EGT preparations effectively increased the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the levels of Th1 and Th2 hallmark cytokines. The levels of serum IgG antibodies were also significantly increased. Animal vaccination trials revealed alleviated enteric lesions, weight loss, and oocyst output compared to those of the control groups. The preparations were found to be moderately effective against single Eimeria species, with the anticoccidial index (ACI) ranging from 160 to 180. However, after challenge with multiple Eimeria species, the protection provided by the 14EGT preparations was not satisfactory, with ACI values of 142.18 and 146.41. Collectively, the results suggest that a multiepitope vaccine that encodes the T-cell epitopes of common antigens derived from Eimeria parasites could be a potential and effective strategy to control avian coccidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Junzhi Su
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Mingmin Lu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Lixin Xu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Ruofeng Yan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiangrui Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiaokai Song
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
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25
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Oboh MA, Asmorom N, Falade C, Ojurongbe O, Thomas BN. High genetic and haplotype diversity in vaccine candidate Pfceltos but not Pfrh5 among malaria-infected children in Ibadan, Nigeria. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16519. [PMID: 38099304 PMCID: PMC10720411 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16519] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a global public health challenge. The disease has a great impact in sub-Saharan Africa among children under five years of age and pregnant women. Malaria control programs targeting the parasite and mosquitoes vectors with combinational therapy and insecticide-treated bednets are becoming obsolete due to the phenomenon of resistance, which is a challenge for reducing morbidity and mortality. Malaria vaccines would be effective alternative to the problem of parasite and insecticide resistance, but focal reports of polymorphisms in malaria candidate antigens have made it difficult to design an effective malaria vaccine. Therefore, studies geared towards elucidating the polymorphic pattern and how genes targeted for vaccine design evolve are imperative. We have carried out molecular and genetic analysis of two genes encoding vaccine candidates-the Plasmodium falciparum cell traversal ookinetes and sporozoites (Pfceltos) and P. falciparum reticulocyte binding protein 5 (Pfrh5) in parasite isolates from malaria-infected children in Ibadan, Nigeria to evaluate their genetic diversity, relatedness and pattern of molecular evolution. Pfceltos and Pfrh5 genes were amplified from P. falciparum positive samples. Amplified fragments were purified and sequenced using the chain termination method. Post-sequence edit of fragments and application of various population genetic analyses was done. We observed a higher number of segregating sites and haplotypes in the Pfceltos than in Pfrh5 gene, the former also presenting higher haplotype (0.942) and nucleotide diversity (θ = 0.01219 and π = 0.01148). In contrast, a lower haplotype (0.426) and nucleotide diversity (θ = 0.00125; π = 0.00095) was observed in the Pfrh5 gene. Neutrality tests do not show deviation from neutral expectations for Pfceltos, with the circulation of multiple low frequency haplotypes (Tajima's D = -0.21637; Fu and Li's D = -0.08164; Fu and Li's F = -0.14051). Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed between variable sites, in each of the genes studied. We postulate that the high diversity and circulation of multiple haplotypes has the potential of making a Pfceltos-subunit vaccine ineffective, while the low genetic diversity of Pfrh5 gene substantiates its evolutionary conservation and potential as a malaria vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Aigbiremo Oboh
- Biomedical Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Naemy Asmorom
- Biomedical Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Catherine Falade
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria
| | - Olusola Ojurongbe
- Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Osun, Nigeria
- Centre for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo, Nigeria
| | - Bolaji N. Thomas
- Biomedical Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States of America
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26
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Yoon KW, Chu KB, Eom GD, Mao J, Kim MJ, Lee H, No JH, Quan FS. Protective Humoral Immune Response Induced by Recombinant Virus-like Particle Vaccine Expressing Leishmania donovani Surface Antigen. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2583-2592. [PMID: 38014824 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00411] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
To date, Leishmania spp. vaccine studies have mainly focused on cellular immunity induction, which plays a crucial role in host protection. In contrast, vaccine-induced humoral immunity is largely neglected. Virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines generated using the baculovirus expression system are well-known inducers of humoral immunity and would serve as a suitable platform for evaluating humoral immunity-mediated protection against visceral Leishmaniasis. In this study, we investigated the humoral immunity evoked through VLPs expressing the L. donovani promastigote surface antigen (PSA-VLPs) and assessed their contribution to protection in mice. PSA-VLPs vaccines were generated using the baculovirus expression system and used for mouse immunizations. Mice were intramuscularly immunized twice with PSA-VLPs and challenged with L. donovani to confirm vaccine-induced protective immunity. PSA-VLP immunization elicited parasite-specific antibody responses in the sera of mice, which were induced in a dose-dependent manner. B cell, germinal center B cell, and memory B cell responses in the spleen were found to be higher in vaccinated mice compared to unimmunized controls. PSA-VLP immunization diminished the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-6 in the liver. Overall, the PSA-VLPs conferred protection against L. donovani challenge infection by reducing the total parasite burden within the internal organs. These results suggest that PSA-VLPs induced protective immunity against the L. donovani challenge infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keon-Woong Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Back Chu
- Medical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species and Biomedical Science Institute, Core Research Institute (CRI), Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi-Deok Eom
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Jie Mao
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ju Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeryon Lee
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Hwan No
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Fu-Shi Quan
- Medical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species and Biomedical Science Institute, Core Research Institute (CRI), Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
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27
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Baro B, Kim CY, Lin C, Kongsomboonvech AK, Tetard M, Peterson NA, Salinas ND, Tolia NH, Egan ES. Plasmodium falciparum exploits CD44 as a coreceptor for erythrocyte invasion. Blood 2023; 142:2016-2028. [PMID: 37832027 PMCID: PMC10783654 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023020831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum invades and replicates asexually within human erythrocytes. CD44 expressed on erythrocytes was previously identified as an important host factor for P falciparum infection through a forward genetic screen, but little is known about its regulation or function in these cells, nor how it may be used by the parasite. We found that CD44 can be efficiently deleted from primary human hematopoietic stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and that the efficiency of ex vivo erythropoiesis to enucleated cultured red blood cells (cRBCs) is not affected by lack of CD44. However, the rate of P falciparum invasion was reduced in CD44-null cRBCs relative to isogenic wild-type control cells, validating CD44 as an important host factor for this parasite. We identified 2 P falciparum invasion ligands as binding partners for CD44, erythrocyte binding antigen 175 (EBA-175) and EBA-140 and demonstrated that their ability to bind to human erythrocytes relies primarily on their canonical receptors, glycophorin A and glycophorin C, respectively. We further show that EBA-175 induces phosphorylation of erythrocyte cytoskeletal proteins in a CD44-dependent manner. Our findings support a model in which P falciparum exploits CD44 as a coreceptor during invasion of human erythrocytes, stimulating CD44-dependent phosphorylation of host cytoskeletal proteins that alter host cell deformability and facilitate parasite entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Baro
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Chi Yong Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Carrie Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | | | - Marilou Tetard
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | | | - Nichole D. Salinas
- Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Niraj H. Tolia
- Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Elizabeth S. Egan
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub–San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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28
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Jesus MM, Lage DP, Vale DL, Freitas CS, Pimenta BL, Moreira GJL, Ramos FF, Pereira IAG, Bandeira RS, Ludolf F, Tavares GSV, Galdino AS, Duarte MC, Menezes-Souza D, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Teixeira AL, Gonçalves DU, Roatt BM, Christodoulides M, Martins VT, Coelho EAF. Immunization with recombinant LiHyp1 protein plus adjuvant is protective against tegumentary leishmaniasis. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:2917-2931. [PMID: 37768367 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07981-6] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is the main clinical manifestation of leishmaniasis, and it can cause the infected hosts to self-healing cutaneous lesions until mutilating scars in mucosal membranes, particularly in the nose and throat. The treatment against disease presents problems, and the diagnosis is hampered by variable sensitivity and/or specificity of the tests. In this context, the development of prophylactic vaccines could be considered as a strategy to control the disease. Previously, we showed that the recombinant LiHyp1 protein plus adjuvant protected mice from infection with Leishmania infantum, which causes visceral leishmaniasis. In the present study, we tested whether rLiHyp1 could induce protection against infection with L. amazonensis, a parasite species able to cause TL. We immunized BALB/c mice with rLiHyp1 plus saponin (rLiHyp1/S) or incorporated in micelles (rLiHyp1/M) as adjuvants and performed parasitological and immunological evaluations before and after infection. Results showed that after in vitro stimulation from spleen cell cultures using rLiHyp1 or a Leishmania antigenic extract (SLA), rLiHyp1/S and rLiHyp1/M groups developed a Th1-type immune response, which was characterized by high levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α and IL-12 cytokines, nitrite, and IgG2a isotype antibodies when compared to values found in the control (saline, saponin, micelles alone) groups, which showed higher levels of anti-SLA IL-4, IL-10, and IgG1 antibodies before and after challenge. In addition, mice receiving rLiHyp1/S or rLiHyp1/M presented significant reductions in the lesion average diameter and parasite load in the infected tissue and internal organs. Blood samples were collected from healthy subjects and TL patients to obtain PBMC cultures, which were in vitro stimulated with rLiHyp1 or SLA, and results showed higher lymphoproliferation and IFN-γ production after stimulus using rLiHyp1, as compared to values found using SLA. These results suggest that rLiHyp1 plus adjuvant was protective against experimental TL and could also be considered for future studies as a vaccine candidate against human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo M Jesus
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela P Lage
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Danniele L Vale
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Camila S Freitas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Breno L Pimenta
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gabriel J L Moreira
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas/NUPEB, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Insituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Ramos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Isabela A G Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Raquel S Bandeira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Ludolf
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Grasiele S V Tavares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alexsandro S Galdino
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Mariana C Duarte
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 6627, Brazil
| | - Daniel Menezes-Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 6627, Brazil
| | - Miguel A Chávez-Fumagalli
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Urb. San José S/N, Umacollo, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Antônio L Teixeira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Neuropsychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1941 East Road, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Denise U Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bruno M Roatt
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas/NUPEB, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Insituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Myron Christodoulides
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, England
| | - Vívian T Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A F Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 6627, Brazil.
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Wotodjo AN, Oboh MA, Sokhna C, Diagne N, Diène-Sarr F, Trape JF, Doucouré S, Amambua-Ngwa A, D'Alessandro U. Plasmodium falciparum population structure and genetic diversity of cell traversal protein for ookinetes and sporozoites (CelTOS) during malaria resurgences in Dielmo, Senegal. Infect Genet Evol 2023; 116:105535. [PMID: 38030029 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105535] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The ability to accurately measure the intensity of malaria transmission in areas with low transmission is extremely important to guide elimination efforts. Plasmodium falciparum Cell-traversal protein for ookinetes and sporozoites (PfCelTOS) is an important conserved sporozoite antigen reported as one of the promising malaria vaccine candidates, and could be used to estimate malaria transmission intensity. This study aimed at determining whether the diversity of PfCelTOS gene reflects the changes in malaria transmission that occurred between 2007 and 2014 in Dielmo, a Senegalese village, before and after the implementation of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs). Of the 109 samples positive for PfCelTOS PCR, 96 (88%) were successfully sequenced and analysed for polymorphisms and population diversity. The number of segregating sites was higher during the pre-intervention period (13) and the malaria resurgences (11) than during the intervention period (5). Similarly, the number and diversity of haplotypes were higher during the pre-intervention period (16 and 0.914, respectively) and the malaria resurgences (6 and 0.821, respectively) than during the intervention period (4 and 0.758, respectively). Moreover, the average number of nucleotide differences was higher during the pre-intervention (3.792) and during malaria resurgences (3.467) than during the intervention period (2.189). The 3D7 KSSFNEP haplotype was only observed during the intervention period. Only two haplotypes were shared in both the pre-intervention and intervention periods while four haplotypes were shared between the pre-intervention and the malaria resurgences. The Fst values indicate moderate differentiation between pre-intervention and intervention periods (0.17433), and between intervention and malaria resurgences period (0.19198) as well as between pre-intervention and malaria resurgences periods (0.06607). PfCelTOS genetic diversity reflected changes of malaria transmission, with higher polymorphisms recorded before the large-scale implementation of ITNs and during the malaria resurgences. PfCelTOS is also a candidate vaccine; mapping its diversity across multiple endemic environments will facilitate the design and optimisation of a broad and efficacious vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélé Nyedzie Wotodjo
- VITROME, UMR 257 IRD, Campus UCAD-IRD, Dakar, Senegal; Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, Gambia.
| | - Mary Aigbiremo Oboh
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, Gambia; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Cheikh Sokhna
- VITROME, UMR 257 IRD, Campus UCAD-IRD, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | | | - Jean-François Trape
- UMR MIVEGEC, Laboratoire de Paludologie et Zoologie Médicale, IRD, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Alfred Amambua-Ngwa
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, Gambia
| | - Umberto D'Alessandro
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, Gambia
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30
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Tarama CW, Soré H, Siribié M, Débé S, Kinda R, Nonkani WG, Tiendrebeogo F, Bantango W, Yira K, Hien EY, Guelbéogo MW, Traoré Y, Ménard D, Gansané A. Assessing the histidine-rich protein 2/3 gene deletion in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Burkina Faso. Malar J 2023; 22:363. [PMID: 38017455 PMCID: PMC10685617 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04796-9] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dual hrp2/hrp3 genes deletions in P. falciparum isolates are increasingly reported in malaria-endemic countries and can produce false negative RDT results leading to inadequate case management. Data on the frequency of hrp2/hrp3 deleted parasites are rarely available and it has become necessary to investigate the issue in Burkina Faso. METHODS Plasmodium falciparum-positive dried blood spots were collected during a cross-sectional household survey of the malaria asymptomatic children from Orodara, Gaoua, and Banfora. Amplicons from the target regions (exon 2 of hrp2 and hrp3 genes) were generated using multiplexed nested PCR and sequenced according to Illumina's MiSeq protocol. RESULTS A total of 251 microscopically positive parasite isolates were sequenced to detect hrp2 and hrp3 gene deletions. The proportion of RDTs negative cases among microscopy positive slides was 12.7% (32/251). The highest prevalence of negative RDTs was found in Orodara 14.3% (5/35), followed by Gaoua 13.1%(24/183), and Banfora 9.1% (3/33). The study found that 95.6% of the parasite isolates were wild type hrp2/ hrp3 while 4.4% (11/251) had a single hrp2 deletion. Of the 11 hrp2 deletion samples, 2 samples were RDT negative (mean parasitaemia was 83 parasites/ μL) while 9 samples were RDT positive with a mean parasitaemia of 520 parasites /μL (CI95%: 192-1239). The highest frequency of hrp2 deletion 4/35 (11.4%) was found in Orodara, while it was similar in the other two sites (< 3.5%). No single deletion of the hrp3 or dual deletion hrp2/3 gene was detected in this study. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that P. falciparum isolates lacking hrp2 genes are present in 4.4% of samples obtained from the asymptomatic children population in three sites in Burkina Faso. These parasites are circulating and causing malaria, but they are also still detectable by HRP2-based RTDs due to the presence of the intact pfhrp3 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harouna Soré
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Mafama Siribié
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Siaka Débé
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Réné Kinda
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Wendyam Gérard Nonkani
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Farida Tiendrebeogo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Winnie Bantango
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Kassoum Yira
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | | | - Yves Traoré
- Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Didier Ménard
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Malaria Genetic and Resistance Unit, INSERM U1201, 75015, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Malaria Parasite Biology and Vaccines, F-75015, Paris, France
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, Université de Strasbourg, UR7292 Dynamics of Host-Pathogen Interactions, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, CHU Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Adama Gansané
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
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31
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Mansouri S, Heidari A, Keshavarz H, Fallah P, Bairami A, Mahmoudi E. Genetic diversity of merozoite surface protein-5 (MSP-5) of Plasmodium vivax isolates from Malaria patients in Iran. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:807. [PMID: 37978446 PMCID: PMC10656958 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08804-w] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria has not yet been eradicated in Iran, and Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) is the main cause of malaria in the country. This study aimed to investigate and analyze the amount of genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-5 (PvMSP-5) exon 1 gene in the southeast of Iran.Thirty-five patients with clinical symptoms of P. vivax malaria participated. The exon 1 of PvMSP-5 was amplified by PCR, and the PCR product of all isolates was sequenced, and genetic polymorphisms were determined using various genetic software.The analysis showed that studied isolates are different from one another in the DnaSP software version. Out of the 612 sites, 477 were monomorphic and 135 were segregated. The total number of mutations was 143. The singleton variable and the parsimony informative sites were 23 and 112, respectively. There were 17 specific haplotypes with haplotype diversity equal to 0.943. Nucleotide diversity was equal to 0.06766 in the isolates. The ratio of nonsynonymous (0.06446) to synonymous (0.07909) mutations was 0.815020. Tajima's D, which expressed coding, and non-coding regions, was 0.72403, which was not deemed significant (P > 0.10).The analysis of intrapopulation diversity revealed nucleotide and haplotype diversity in the msp-5 gene of Iranian P. vivax isolates. In addition to balancing or purifying selection, intragenic recombination also contributed to the variation observed in exon 1 of PvMSP-5, according to the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sholeh Mansouri
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Aliehsan Heidari
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Hossein Keshavarz
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Fallah
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Amir Bairami
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Elaheh Mahmoudi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
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Labadie-Bracho MY, Adhin MR. Advocating for PCR-RFLP as molecular tool within malaria programs in low endemic areas and low resource settings. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011747. [PMID: 37939114 PMCID: PMC10659184 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The road to malaria elimination for low- and middle-income countries is paved with obstacles, including the complexity and high costs of advanced molecular methods for genomic analysis. The usefulness of PCR-RFLP as less complex and affordable molecular surveillance tool in low-endemic malaria regions was assessed in a cross-sectional study conducted in Suriname, currently striving for malaria elimination, but plagued by recent P. vivax outbreaks. Molecular analysis of two highly polymorphic genes Pvmsp-1 F2 and Pvmsp-3α was performed for 49 samples, collected during October 2019 through September 2021 from four different regions with varying malaria transmission risks. RFLP-profiling revealed that outbreak samples from three indigenous villages, almost exclusively, harbored a single clonal type, matching the "Palumeu" lineage previously described in 2019, despite multiple relapses and drug pressure exerted by mass drug administration events, suggesting a limited P. vivax hypnozoite reservoir in Suriname. In contrast, isolates originating from Sophie, a mining area in neighboring French Guiana displayed a highly heterogeneous parasite population consistent with its endemic malaria status, demonstrating the differentiating capacity and thus the usefulness of PCR-RFLP for P. vivax genetic diversity studies. Outbreak reconstruction emphasized the impact of undetected human movement and relapses on reintroduction and resurgence of P. vivax malaria and PCR-RFLP monitoring of circulating parasites guided the roll-out of targeted interventions. PCR-RFLP seems a suitable molecular alternative in low-endemic areas with restricted resources for outbreak analysis, for monitoring the spread or containment of circulating strains and for identification of imported cases or potential foci.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Malti R. Adhin
- Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Kernkampweg, Paramaribo, Suriname
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Barua P, Duffy MF, Manning L, Laman M, Davis TME, Mueller I, Haghiri A, Simpson JA, Beeson JG, Rogerson SJ. Antibody to Plasmodium falciparum Variant Surface Antigens, var Gene Transcription, and ABO Blood Group in Children With Severe or Uncomplicated Malaria. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:1099-1107. [PMID: 37341543 PMCID: PMC10582907 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad217] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibodies to variant surface antigens (VSAs) such as Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) may vary with malaria severity. The influence of ABO blood group on antibody development is not understood. METHODS Immunoglobulin G antibodies to VSAs in Papua New Guinean children with severe (n = 41) or uncomplicated (n = 30) malaria were measured by flow cytometry using homologous P falciparum isolates. Isolates were incubated with ABO-matched homologous and heterologous acute and convalescent plasma. RNA was used to assess var gene transcription. RESULTS Antibodies to homologous, but not heterologous, isolates were boosted in convalescence. The relationship between antibody and severity varied by blood group. Antibodies to VSAs were similar in severe and uncomplicated malaria at presentation, higher in severe than uncomplicated malaria in convalescence, and higher in children with blood group O than other children. Six var gene transcripts best distinguished severe from uncomplicated malaria, including UpsA and 2 CIDRα1 domains. CONCLUSIONS ABO blood group may influence antibody acquisition to VSAs and susceptibility to severe malaria. Children in Papua New Guinea showed little evidence of acquisition of cross-reactive antibodies following malaria. Var gene transcripts in Papua New Guinean children with severe malaria were similar to those reported from Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Barua
- Department of Medicine, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne
| | - Michael F Duffy
- Department of Medicine, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria
| | | | - Moses Laman
- Vector Borne Diseases Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang
| | | | - Ivo Mueller
- Population Health and Immunity, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Parasites and Insect Vector, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Ali Haghiri
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville
| | - Julie A Simpson
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville
| | - James G Beeson
- Malaria Immunity and Vaccines Laboratory, Burnet Institute, Melbourne
- Central Clinical School and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen J Rogerson
- Department of Medicine, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Can H, Gül A, Karakavuk T, Güvendi M, Karakavuk M, Gül C, Erkunt Alak S, Ün C, Gürüz AY, Döşkaya M. A preliminary study to develop a lateral flow assay using recombinant GRA1 protein for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in stray cats. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 101:102057. [PMID: 37647822 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102057] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that may infect many mammals including humans. Cats are one of the main sources of infection for humans. Therefore, routine screening of cats with tests that are inexpensive, rapid, and do not require sophisticated laboratory equipment is important. In this study, a lateral flow assay (LFA) was designed to rapidly diagnose toxoplasmosis in cats. For this purpose, we selected GRA1 protein of T. gondii due to its high antigenicity in diagnostic and vaccine studies. We further analyzed the immunological properties of GRA1 protein using in silico tools. Then, we expressed and purified recombinant GRA1 (rGRA1) protein and used it during the development of LFA to detect toxoplasmosis in serum samples (n = 40) of cats. According to the results, rGRA1 protein has negative GRAVY value, high aliphatic index, alpha helix, random coil and 12 B cell epitopes. The in silico data supported the high antigenic properties of rGRA1 protein and showed that it can be a good antigen candidate for LFA. Among 30 cat positive serum samples, 27 were found positive by the LFA while seronegative sera (n = 10) were negative by the LFA. The preliminary data showed that the LFA has high sensitivity (90 %) and specificity (100 %). When we used high responsive cat sera (i.e. sera that have optical density > 0.5 with ELISA) the sensitivity value reached 100 %. These results showed that rGRA1 protein is a good candidate to develop a LFA for rapid diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Bioengineering, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege University Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ceren Gül
- Ege University Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
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Vesely BA, Cheng Q. Force Protection Risks in AFRICOM, INDOPACOM and SOUTHCOM Due to Rapid Diagnostic Test Failures for Falciparum Malaria, 2016-2022. MSMR 2023; 30:7-11. [PMID: 37963222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Malaria, caused by various species of the Plasmodium parasite, remains a significant health threat in most U.S. military regions-AFRICOM, CENT-COM, INDOPACOM, and SOUTHCOM-and although less prevalent, also poses periodic risks to military personnel in NORTHCOM through imported cases. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective malaria chemotherapy, and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have proven valuable in resource-poor settings and operational environments. The BinaxNow Malaria RDT is currently the sole U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved test for use on U.S. military personnel. This simple RDT targets Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria species, by detecting the histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2), as well as pan-Plasmodium species by detecting aldolase. The emergence of mutant P. falciparum parasites lacking pfhrp2/pfhrp3 genes and thus not expressing HRP2/HRP3 proteins poses a significant challenge in many malaria-endemic areas. This genetic variation has led to false-negative results in all HRP2-detecting RDTs including BinaxNow, undermining its utility. Current U.S. military force health protection (FHP) measures for preventing malaria, including chemoprophylaxis, permethrin-treated uniforms, and DEET application to exposed skin, are effective, but breakthrough infections still occur. The use of portable and user-friendly malaria diagnostics is necessary in remote locations that lack microscopy or nucleic acid-based diagnostic capabilities. The alarmingly high prevalence of mutant pfhrp2/3-deleted parasites poses a threat to malaria diagnosis in all Combatant Commands where point-of-care testing is vital. This review emphasizes the importance of ongoing monitoring to determine the frequency and distribution of mutant parasites. Urgent attention is needed to develop alternative RDTs that can effectively detect malaria infections caused by these mutant strains. These findings confirm that mutant pfhrp2/3-deleted parasites are highly prevalent in SOUTHCOM and parts of AFRICOM, rendering HRP2-based RDTs such as BinaxNow an unsuitable diagnostic tool for malaria in many of the SOUTHCOM and AFRICOM countries surveyed: Peru (14.3-62% between 2011-2018), Eritrea (62% in 2016 and 9.4% in 2020), Nigeria (13.3%), Sudan (11.2%), South Sudan (17.7%), and Uganda (3.3%). In INDOPACOM countries surveyed, no prevalence greater than 5% pfhrp2 deletions were observed. It is critical to continue surveillance on the frequency and distribution of these mutant parasites and develop alternative RDTs. WHO recommends that countries switch to non-HRP2-based RDTs when prevalence of pfhrp2/3 deletions that cause false-negative RDT results exceed 5%. Current prevalence of mutant pfhrp2/3-deleted parasites causing false-negative RDT results has exceeded this threshold in most parts of SOUTHCOM and several areas of AFRICOM. If alternative diagnostic tests are not utilized in areas affected, life-saving malaria treatment for U.S. military personnel could be delayed. Continuous mapping of the frequency and distribution of mutant parasites directly informs FHP protection policy decisions for alternative diagnostic tool utilization.
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Kundu P, Naskar D, McKie SJ, Dass S, Kanjee U, Introini V, Ferreira MU, Cicuta P, Duraisingh M, Deane JE, Rayner JC. The structure of a Plasmodium vivax Tryptophan Rich Antigen domain suggests a lipid binding function for a pan-Plasmodium multi-gene family. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5703. [PMID: 37709739 PMCID: PMC10502043 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40885-8] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan Rich Antigens (TRAgs) are encoded by a multi-gene family found in all Plasmodium species, but are significantly expanded in P. vivax and closely related parasites. We show that multiple P. vivax TRAgs are expressed on the merozoite surface and that one, PVP01_0000100 binds red blood cells with a strong preference for reticulocytes. Using X-ray crystallography, we solved the structure of the PVP01_0000100 C-terminal tryptophan rich domain, which defines the TRAg family, revealing a three-helical bundle that is conserved across Plasmodium and has structural homology with lipid-binding BAR domains involved in membrane remodelling. Biochemical assays confirm that the PVP01_0000100 C-terminal domain has lipid binding activity with preference for sulfatide, a glycosphingolipid present in the outer leaflet of plasma membranes. Deletion of the putative orthologue in P. knowlesi, PKNH_1300500, impacts invasion in reticulocytes, suggesting a role during this essential process. Together, this work defines an emerging molecular function for the Plasmodium TRAg family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasun Kundu
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Deboki Naskar
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Shannon J McKie
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sheena Dass
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Usheer Kanjee
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Viola Introini
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marcelo U Ferreira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Manoj Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Janet E Deane
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Julian C Rayner
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Tapaopong P, da Silva G, Chainarin S, Suansomjit C, Manopwisedjaroen K, Cui L, Koepfli C, Sattabongkot J, Nguitragool W. Genetic diversity and molecular evolution of Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein and Merozoite Surface Protein-1 in northwestern Thailand. Infect Genet Evol 2023; 113:105467. [PMID: 37330027 PMCID: PMC10548344 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105467] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The local diversity and population structure of malaria parasites vary across different regions of the world, reflecting variations in transmission intensity, host immunity, and vector species. This study aimed to use amplicon sequencing to investigate the genotypic patterns and population structure of P. vivax isolates from a highly endemic province of Thailand in recent years. Amplicon deep sequencing was performed on 70 samples for the 42-kDa region of pvmsp1 and domain II of pvdbp. Unique haplotypes were identified and a network constructed to illustrate genetic relatedness in northwestern Thailand. Based on this dataset of 70 samples collected between 2015 and 2021, 16 and 40 unique haplotypes were identified in pvdbpII and pvmsp142kDa, respectively. Nucleotide diversity was higher in pvmsp142kDa than in pvdbpII (π = 0.027 and 0.012), as was haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.962 and 0.849). pvmsp142kDa also showed a higher recombination rate and higher levels of genetic differentiation (Fst) in northwestern Thailand versus other regions (0.2761-0.4881). These data together suggested that the genetic diversity of P. vivax in northwestern Thailand at these two studied loci evolved under a balancing selection, most likely host immunity. The lower genetic diversity of pvdbpII may reflect its stronger functional constrain. In addition, despite the balancing selection, a decrease in genetic diversity was observed. Hd of pvdbpII decreased from 0.874 in 2015-2016 to 0.778 in 2018-2021; π of pvmsp142kDa decreased from 0.030 to 0.022 over the same period. Thus, the control activities must have had a strong impact on the parasite population size. The findings from this study provide an understanding of P. vivax population structure and the evolutionary force on vaccine candidates. They also established a new baseline for tracking future changes in P. vivax diversity in the most malarious area of Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parsakorn Tapaopong
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Gustavo da Silva
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, Galvin Life Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Sittinont Chainarin
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chayanut Suansomjit
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Liwang Cui
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Cristian Koepfli
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, Galvin Life Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wang Nguitragool
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Verma R, Das G, Singh AP, Kumar S, Nath S, Sengupta PP, Sankar M, Tiwari A, Gupta V, Srivastava S. Molecular and genetic diversity in isolates of Trypanosoma evansi from naturally infected horse and dogs by using RoTat 1.2 VSG gene in Madhya Pradesh, India. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:7347-7356. [PMID: 37439897 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08651-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma evansi is a protozoan parasite that can infect a wide range of animals and is widespread around the world. In this study, we analyzed four fatal cases of T. evansi infection using clinical, parasitological, and molecular approaches. We also explored the genetic diversity, demographic history, and population-genetic structure of T. evansi using available Rode Trypanozoon antigenic type (RoTat) 1.2 gene sequences. METHODS AND RESULTS Clinical findings of infected animals revealed high fever, anemia, weakness, and anorexia. The animals were treated with diminazene aceturate, which was moderately effective, and hematobiochemical parameters showed changes in hemoglobin and glucose levels. The molecular and genetic diversity of T. evansi was analyzed using the RoTat 1.2 VSG gene. Phylogenetic and haplotype analysis revealed two distinct clusters of T. evansi circulating in India. The genetic diversity indices, neutrality tests, gene flow, and genetic differentiation outcomes confirmed the genetic diversity of the T. evansi population, with a lack of uniformity. The identification of two distinct clusters, exhibiting differential demographic histories and evolutionary forces, implies that the clusters may have undergone independent evolutionary trajectories or experienced different environmental pressures. CONCLUSION The present findings underlined the need of an early and precise diagnosis in order to treat and control T. evansi infections, and the RoTat 1.2 VSG gene is an important genetic marker for understanding the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of T. evansi. This knowledge can be used to create tailored strategies to control and manage the infection in an endemic region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupesh Verma
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur, 482001, MP, India.
| | - Giridhari Das
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur, 482001, MP, India
| | - Ajit Pratap Singh
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, Jabalpur, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya Campus, Jabalpur, 482004, (MP), India
| | - Suman Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur, 482001, MP, India
| | - Subhradal Nath
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur, 482001, MP, India
| | - Pinaki Prasad Sengupta
- Parasitology Laboratory, ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology & Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bangalore, 560064, KA, India
| | - Muthu Sankar
- Division of Parasitology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, 243122, (UP), India
| | - Amita Tiwari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur, 482001, MP, India
| | - Vandana Gupta
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur, 482001, MP, India
| | - Shraddha Srivastava
- Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur, 482001, MP, India
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Nicholas J, De SL, Thawornpan P, Brashear AM, Kolli SK, Subramani PA, Barnes SJ, Cui L, Chootong P, Ntumngia FB, Adams JH. Preliminary characterization of Plasmodium vivax sporozoite antigens as pre-erythrocytic vaccine candidates. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011598. [PMID: 37703302 PMCID: PMC10519608 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax pre-erythrocytic (PE) vaccine research has lagged far behind efforts to develop Plasmodium falciparum vaccines. There is a critical gap in our knowledge of PE antigen targets that can induce functionally inhibitory neutralizing antibody responses. To overcome this gap and guide the selection of potential PE vaccine candidates, we considered key characteristics such as surface exposure, essentiality to infectivity and liver stage development, expression as recombinant proteins, and functional immunogenicity. Selected P. vivax sporozoite antigens were surface sporozoite protein 3 (SSP3), sporozoite microneme protein essential for cell traversal (SPECT1), sporozoite surface protein essential for liver-stage development (SPELD), and M2 domain of MAEBL. Sequence analysis revealed little variation occurred in putative B-cell and T-cell epitopes of the PE candidates. Each antigen was tested for expression as refolded recombinant proteins using an established bacterial expression platform and only SPELD failed. The successfully expressed antigens were immunogenic in vaccinated laboratory mice and were positively reactive with serum antibodies of P. vivax-exposed residents living in an endemic region in Thailand. Vaccine immune antisera were tested for reactivity to native sporozoite proteins and for their potential vaccine efficacy using an in vitro inhibition of liver stage development assay in primary human hepatocytes quantified on day 6 post-infection by high content imaging analysis. The anti-PE sera produced significant inhibition of P. vivax sporozoite invasion and liver stage development. This report provides an initial characterization of potential new PE candidates for a future P. vivax vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Nicholas
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Sai Lata De
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Pongsakorn Thawornpan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Awtum M. Brashear
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Surendra Kumar Kolli
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Pradeep Annamalai Subramani
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Samantha J. Barnes
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Liwang Cui
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Patchanee Chootong
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Francis Babila Ntumngia
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - John H. Adams
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
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Gilchrist CA, Campo JJ, Pablo JV, Ma JZ, Teng A, Oberai A, Shandling AD, Alam M, Kabir M, Faruque A, Haque R, Petri WA. Specific Cryptosporidium antigens associate with reinfection immunity and protection from cryptosporidiosis. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e166814. [PMID: 37347553 PMCID: PMC10425216 DOI: 10.1172/jci166814] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
There is no vaccine to protect from cryptosporidiosis, a leading cause of diarrhea in infants in low- and middle-income countries. Here, we comprehensively identified parasite antigens associated with protection from reinfection. A Cryptosporidium protein microarray was constructed by in vitro transcription and translation of 1,761 C. parvum, C. hominis, or C. meleagridis antigens, including proteins with a signal peptide and/or a transmembrane domain. Plasma IgG and/or IgA from Bangladeshi children longitudinally followed for cryptosporidiosis from birth to 3 years of age allowed for identification of 233 seroreactive proteins. Seven of these were associated with protection from reinfection. These included Cp23, Cp17, Gp900, and 4 additional antigens - CpSMP1, CpMuc8, CpCorA and CpCCDC1. Infection in the first year of life, however, often resulted in no detectable antigen-specific antibody response, and antibody responses, when detected, were specific to the infecting parasite genotype and decayed in the months after infection. In conclusion, humoral immune responses against specific parasite antigens were associated with acquired immunity. While antibody decay over time and parasite genotype-specificity may limit natural immunity, this work serves as a foundation for antigen selection for vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol A. Gilchrist
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | | | | | - Jennie Z. Ma
- Public Health Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Andy Teng
- Antigen Discovery Inc, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Amit Oberai
- Antigen Discovery Inc, Irvine, California, USA
| | | | - Masud Alam
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mamun Kabir
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - A.S.G. Faruque
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rashidul Haque
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - William A. Petri
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, and
- Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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41
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Núñez A, Ntumngia FB, Guerra Y, Adams JH, Sáenz FE. Genetic diversity and natural selection of Plasmodium vivax reticulocyte invasion genes in Ecuador. Malar J 2023; 22:225. [PMID: 37537581 PMCID: PMC10398936 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04640-0] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge of the diversity of invasion ligands in malaria parasites in endemic regions is essential to understand how natural selection influences genetic diversity of these ligands and their feasibility as possible targets for future vaccine development. In this study the diversity of four genes for merozoite invasion ligands was studied in Ecuadorian isolates of Plasmodium vivax. METHODS Eighty-eight samples from P. vivax infected individuals from the Coast and Amazon region of Ecuador were obtained between 2012 and 2015. The merozoite invasion genes pvmsp-1-19, pvdbpII, pvrbp1a-2 and pvama1 were amplified, sequenced, and compared to the Sal-1 strain. Polymorphisms were mapped and genetic relationships between haplotypes were determined. RESULTS Only one nonsynonymous polymorphism was detected in pvmsp-1-19, while 44 nonsynonymous polymorphisms were detected in pvdbpII, 56 in pvrbp1a-2 and 33 in pvama1. While haplotypes appeared to be more related within each area of study and there was less relationship between parasites of the coastal and Amazon regions of the country, diversification processes were observed in the two Amazon regions. The highest haplotypic diversity for most genes occurred in the East Amazon of the country. The high diversity observed in Ecuadorian samples is closer to Brazilian and Venezuelan isolates, but lower than reported in other endemic regions. In addition, departure from neutrality was observed in Ecuadorian pvama1. Polymorphisms for pvdbpII and pvama1 were associated to B-cell epitopes. CONCLUSIONS pvdbpII and pvama1 genetic diversity found in Ecuadorian P. vivax was very similar to that encountered in other malaria endemic countries with varying transmission levels and segregated by geographic region. The highest diversity of P. vivax invasion genes in Ecuador was found in the Amazonian region. Although selection appeared to have small effect on pvdbpII and pvrbp1a-2, pvama1 was influenced by significant balancing selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Núñez
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Francis B Ntumngia
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, FL, Tampa, USA
| | - Yasel Guerra
- Grupo de Bio-Quimioinformática, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - John H Adams
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, FL, Tampa, USA
| | - Fabián E Sáenz
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.
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François R, Kashamuka MM, Banek K, Bala JA, Nkalani M, Kihuma G, Atibu J, Mahilu GE, Thwai KL, Assefa A, Bailey JA, Dinglasan RR, Juliano JJ, Tshefu AK, Parr JB. Plasmodium falciparum with pfhrp2/3 Deletion Not Detected in a 2018-2021 Malaria Longitudinal Cohort Study in Kinshasa Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 109:273-276. [PMID: 37339759 PMCID: PMC10397445 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Histidine-rich protein 2- (HRP2-) based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are widely used to detect Plasmodium falciparum in sub-Saharan Africa. Reports of parasites with pfhrp2 and/or pfhrp3 (pfhrp2/3) gene deletions in Africa raise concerns about the long-term viability of HRP2-based RDTs. We evaluated changes in pfhrp2/3 deletion prevalence over time using a 2018-2021 longitudinal study of 1,635 enrolled individuals in Kinshasa Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Samples collected during biannual household visits with ≥ 100 parasites/µL by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were genotyped using a multiplex real-time PCR assay. Among 2,726 P. falciparum PCR-positive samples collected from 993 participants during the study period, 1,267 (46.5%) were genotyped. No pfhrp2/3 deletions or mixed pfhrp2/3-intact and -deleted infections were identified in our study. Pfhrp2/3-deleted parasites were not detected in Kinshasa Province; ongoing use of HRP2-based RDTs is appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruthly François
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | - Kristin Banek
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Joseph A. Bala
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Marthe Nkalani
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Georges Kihuma
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Joseph Atibu
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Georges E. Mahilu
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Kyaw L. Thwai
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Ashenafi Assefa
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Jeffrey A. Bailey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Rhoel R. Dinglasan
- Department of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jonathan J. Juliano
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | - Jonathan B. Parr
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Perrotti E, L'Episcopia M, Menegon M, Soares IS, Rosas-Aguirre A, Speybroeck N, LLanos-Cuentas A, Menard D, Ferreira MU, Severini C. Reduced polymorphism of Plasmodium vivax early transcribed membrane protein (PvETRAMP) 11.2. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:238. [PMID: 37461081 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05851-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND ETRAMP11.2 (PVX_003565) is a well-characterized protein with antigenic potential. It is considered to be a serological marker for diagnostic tools, and it has been suggested as a potential vaccine candidate. Despite its immunological relevance, the polymorphism of the P. vivax ETRAMP11.2 gene (pvetramp11.2) remains undefined. The genetic variability of an antigen may limit the effectiveness of its application as a serological surveillance tool and in vaccine development and, therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of pvetramp11.2 in parasite populations from Amazonian regions and worldwide. We also evaluated amino acid polymorphism on predicted B-cell epitopes. The low variability of the sequence encoding PvETRAMP11.2 protein suggests that it would be a suitable marker in prospective serodiagnostic assays for surveillance strategies or in vaccine design against P. vivax malaria. METHODS The pvetramp11.2 of P. vivax isolates collected from Brazil (n = 68) and Peru (n = 36) were sequenced and analyzed to assess nucleotide polymorphisms, allele distributions, population differentiation, genetic diversity and signature of selection. In addition, sequences (n = 104) of seven populations from different geographical regions were retrieved from the PlasmoDB database and included in the analysis to study the worldwide allele distribution. Potential linear B-cell epitopes and their polymorphisms were also explored. RESULTS The multiple alignments of 208 pvetramp11.2 sequences revealed a low polymorphism and a marked geographical variation in allele diversity. Seven polymorphic sites and 11 alleles were identified. All of the alleles were detected in isolates from the Latin American region and five alleles were detected in isolates from the Southeast Asia/Papua New Guinea (SEA/PNG) region. Three alleles were shared by all Latin American populations (H1, H6 and H7). The H1 allele (reference allele from Salvador-1 strain), which was absent in the SEA/PNG populations, was the most represented allele in populations from Brazil (54%) and was also detected at high frequencies in populations from all other Latin America countries (range: 13.0% to 33.3%). The H2 allele was the major allele in SEA/PNG populations, but was poorly represented in Latin America populations (only in Brazil: 7.3%). Plasmodium vivax populations from Latin America showed a marked inter-population genetic differentiation (fixation index [Fst]) in contrast to SEA/PNG populations. Codon bias measures (effective number of codons [ENC] and Codon bias index [CBI]) indicated preferential use of synonymous codons, suggesting selective pressure at the translation level. Only three amino acid substitutions, located in the C-terminus, were detected. Linear B-cell epitope mapping predicted two epitopes in the Sal-1 PvETRAMP11.2 protein, one of which was fully conserved in all of the parasite populations analyzed. CONCLUSIONS We provide an overview of the allele distribution and genetic differentiation of ETRAMP11.2 antigen in P. vivax populations from different endemic areas of the world. The reduced polymorphism and the high degree of protein conservation supports the application of PvETRAMP11.2 protein as a reliable antigen for application in serological assays or vaccine design. Our findings provide useful information that can be used to inform future study designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edvige Perrotti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Michela Menegon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene S Soares
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angel Rosas-Aguirre
- Research Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Alexander Von Humboldt", Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Niko Speybroeck
- Research Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alejandro LLanos-Cuentas
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Alexander Von Humboldt", Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Didier Menard
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Et Mycologie Médicale, Les Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Institut de Parasitologie Et Pathologie Tropicale, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Malaria Genetics and Resistance Unit-INSERM U1201, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Marcelo Urbano Ferreira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carlo Severini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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Kojom Foko LP, Jakhan J, Narang G, Singh V. Global polymorphism of Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich proteins 2/3 and impact on malaria rapid diagnostic test detection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2023; 23:925-943. [PMID: 37698448 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2255136] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This review presents an overview of field findings on sequence variation of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich proteins 2/3 (PfHRP2/3) for which reference types (1-24) have been identified, and its critical impact on PfHRP2-based rapid diagnostic test (RDT) detection. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022316027, and conducted as per the PRISMA guidelines, and the methodological quality of studies was assessed. RESULTS Of the 2184 records identified, 34 studies were included mostly from Africa (47.1%) and Asia (35.3%). The reference PfHRP2 types 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 are invariably found at proportions ≥ 80-100% in all areas with the exception of The Americas where their proportion is very low. The proteins exhibited high diversity of variants/unknown types, especially for types 1, 2, 4, and 7. Eleven major PfHRP2 epitopes were found at pooled proportion > 90%. The existing models to predict RDT detection are greatly limited by the impact of factors such as low (very low) parasitemia, RDT brand, and PfHRP3 cross-reactivity. PfHRP2 length and presence/number of a given reference repeat type/variant did not seem to impact RDT detection. CONCLUSIONS PfHRP2/3 are highly polymorphic and current findings are insufficient, conflicting and not convincing enough to conclude on the role of PfHRP2/3 sequence polymorphism in PfHRP2-based RDT detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loick P Kojom Foko
- Parasite and Host Biology Group, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Dwarka, India
| | - Jahnvi Jakhan
- Parasite and Host Biology Group, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Dwarka, India
| | - Geetika Narang
- Parasite and Host Biology Group, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Dwarka, India
| | - Vineeta Singh
- Parasite and Host Biology Group, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Dwarka, India
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Labbé F, He Q, Zhan Q, Tiedje KE, Argyropoulos DC, Tan MH, Ghansah A, Day KP, Pascual M. Neutral vs. non-neutral genetic footprints of Plasmodium falciparum multiclonal infections. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1010816. [PMID: 36595546 PMCID: PMC9838855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
At a time when effective tools for monitoring malaria control and eradication efforts are crucial, the increasing availability of molecular data motivates their application to epidemiology. The multiplicity of infection (MOI), defined as the number of genetically distinct parasite strains co-infecting a host, is one key epidemiological parameter for evaluating malaria interventions. Estimating MOI remains a challenge for high-transmission settings where individuals typically carry multiple co-occurring infections. Several quantitative approaches have been developed to estimate MOI, including two cost-effective ones relying on molecular data: i) THE REAL McCOIL method is based on putatively neutral single nucleotide polymorphism loci, and ii) the varcoding method is a fingerprinting approach that relies on the diversity and limited repertoire overlap of the var multigene family encoding the major Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage antigen PfEMP1 and is therefore under selection. In this study, we assess the robustness of the MOI estimates generated with these two approaches by simulating P. falciparum malaria dynamics under three transmission conditions using an extension of a previously developed stochastic agent-based model. We demonstrate that these approaches are complementary and best considered across distinct transmission intensities. While varcoding can underestimate MOI, it allows robust estimation, especially under high transmission where repertoire overlap is extremely limited from frequency-dependent selection. In contrast, THE REAL McCOIL often considerably overestimates MOI, but still provides reasonable estimates for low and moderate transmission. Regardless of transmission intensity, results for THE REAL McCOIL indicate that an inaccurate tail at high MOI values is generated, and that at high transmission, an apparently reasonable estimated MOI distribution can arise from some degree of compensation between overestimation and underestimation. As many countries pursue malaria elimination targets, defining the most suitable approach to estimate MOI based on sample size and local transmission intensity is highly recommended for monitoring the impact of intervention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Labbé
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Qixin He
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Qi Zhan
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Kathryn E. Tiedje
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Bio21 Institute and Peter Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dionne C. Argyropoulos
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Bio21 Institute and Peter Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mun Hua Tan
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Bio21 Institute and Peter Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anita Ghansah
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Karen P. Day
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Bio21 Institute and Peter Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mercedes Pascual
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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46
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Molina-de la Fuente I, Benito MJS, Flevaud L, Ousley J, Pasquale HA, Julla A, Abdi AM, Chol BT, Abubakr B, Benito A, Casademont C, Nanclares C, Berzosa P. Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 Gene Deletions in Malaria-Hyperendemic Region, South Sudan. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:154-159. [PMID: 36573593 PMCID: PMC9796199 DOI: 10.3201/eid2901.220775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions threaten the use of Plasmodium falciparum malaria rapid diagnostic tests globally. In South Sudan, deletion frequencies were 15.6% for pfhrp2, 20.0% for pfhrp3, and 7.5% for double deletions. Deletions were approximately twice as prevalent in monoclonal infections than in polyclonal infections.
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Mamaghani AJ, Fathollahi A, Arab-Mazar Z, kohansal K, Fathollahi M, Spotin A, Bashiri H, Bozorgomid A. Toxoplasma gondii vaccine candidates: a concise review. Ir J Med Sci 2023; 192:231-261. [PMID: 35394635 PMCID: PMC8992420 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-022-02998-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. It has been shown that the severity of symptoms depends on the functioning of the host immune system. Although T. gondii infection typically does not lead to severe disease in healthy people and after infection, it induces a stable immunity, but it can contribute to severe and even lethal Toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals (AIDS, bone marrow transplant and neoplasia). The antigens that have been proposed to be used in vaccine candidate in various studies include surface antigens and secretory excretions that have been synthesized and evaluated in different studies. In some studies, secretory antigens play an important role in stimulating the host immune response. Various antigens such as SAG, GRA, ROP, ROM, and MAG have been from different strains of T. gondii have been synthesized and their protective effects have been evaluated in animal models in different vaccine platforms including recombinant antigens, nanoparticles, and DNA vaccine. Four bibliographic databases including Science Direct, PubMed Central (PMC), Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched for articles published up to 2020.The current review article focuses on recent studies on the use and usefulness of recombinant antigens, nanoparticles, and DNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirreza Javadi Mamaghani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Anwar Fathollahi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Arab-Mazar
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kobra kohansal
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Matin Fathollahi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Adel Spotin
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Homayoon Bashiri
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Arezoo Bozorgomid
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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Fall AKDJ, Courtin D, Adamou R, Edslev S, Hansen A, Domingo N, Christiansen M, Adu B, Milet J, Garcia A, Theisen M, Migot-Nabias F, Dechavanne C. Fc Gamma Receptor IIIB NA1/NA2/SH Polymorphisms Are Associated with Malaria Susceptibility and Antibody Levels to P. falciparum Merozoite Antigens in Beninese Children. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314882. [PMID: 36499205 PMCID: PMC9739279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314882] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper aimed to investigate the influence of polymorphisms in the FCGR2A gene encoding R131H FcgRIIA variants and in the FCGR3B gene (108G > C, 114C > T, 194 A > G, 233C > A, 244 G > A and 316G > A) encoding FcgRIIIB-NA1, -NA2 and -SH variants on malaria susceptibility and antibody responses against P. falciparum merozoite antigens in Beninese children. An active malaria follow-up was conducted in infants from birth to 24 months of age in Allada, Benin. FCGR3B exon 3 was sequenced and FCGR2A exon 4 was genotyped. Antibodies directed to GLURP and MSP3 were quantified by ELISA. Association studies were performed using mixed-effect models. Individual carriage of FCGR3B 194 AA genotype was associated with a high number of malaria infections and a low level of IgG1 against MSP3 and GLURP-R0. High parasitemia and increased malaria infections were observed in infants carrying the FCGR3B*05 108C-114T-194A-233C-244A-316A haplotype. A reduced risk of malaria infections and low parasitemia were related to the carriages of the FCGR3B 108C-114T-194G-233C-244G-316A (FCGR3B*06), FCGR3B 108C−114T−194G−233A−244A−316A (FCGR3B*03 encoding for FcgRIIIB-SH) haplotypes and FCGR3B 297 TT genotype. Our results highlight the impact of FCGR3B polymorphisms on the individual susceptibility to malaria and antibody responses against MSP3 and GLURP in Beninese children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdou Khadre Dit Jadir Fall
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
- Correspondence:
| | - David Courtin
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Rafiou Adamou
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
- Centre d’Etude et de Recherche sur les Pathologies Associées à la Grossesse et à l’Enfance, Cotonou 00229, Benin
| | - Sofie Edslev
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Bacteria, Parasites, and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anita Hansen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nadia Domingo
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
- Centre d’Etude et de Recherche sur les Pathologies Associées à la Grossesse et à l’Enfance, Cotonou 00229, Benin
| | - Michael Christiansen
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bright Adu
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, Ghana
| | - Jacqueline Milet
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - André Garcia
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Michael Theisen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Florence Migot-Nabias
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Célia Dechavanne
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
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49
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Bendezu J, Torres K, Villasis E, Incardona S, Bell D, Vinetz J, Gamboa D. Geographical distribution and genetic characterization of pfhrp2 negative Plasmodium falciparum parasites in the Peruvian Amazon. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273872. [PMID: 36413547 PMCID: PMC9681099 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have been evaluated in the Peruvian Amazon region and their performance has been variable. This region is known for being the first with documented evidence of wild Plasmodium falciparum parasites lacking pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes, leading to false-positive results with HRP2-based RDTs. In our attempt to further characterize the deletion pattern of these genes and their evolutionary relationship, 93 P. falciparum samples, collected in different communities from the Peruvian Amazon region between 2009 and 2010, were analyzed in this study. Genomic DNA was used to amplify 18S rRNA, pfmsp2 and pfglurp to confirm the diagnosis and DNA quality, respectively; pfhrp2, pfhrp3, and their flanking genes were amplified by PCR to assess the pattern of the gene deletions. In addition, microsatellite analysis were performed using seven neutral microsatellites (MS) and five microsatellite loci flanking pfhrp2. The data showed the absence of pfhrp3 gene in 53.76% (50/93) of the samples, reflecting a higher frequency than the proportion of pfhrp2 gene deletions (33.33%; 31/93). Among the flanking genes, the highest frequency of deletion was observed in the PF3D7_0831900 gene (78.49%; 73/93) for pfhrp2. MS marker analysis showed the presence of 8 P. falciparum lineages. The lineage Bv1 was the most prevalent among parasites lacking pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes. Additionally, using MS flanking pfhrp2 gene, the haplotypes α and δ were found to be the most abundant in this region. This study confirms the presence in this area of field isolates with deletions in either pfhrp2, pfhrp3, or both genes, along with their respective flanking regions. Our data suggest that some pfhrp2/pfhrp3 deletion haplotypes, in special the lineage Bv1, are widely dispersed within the Peruvian Amazon. The persistence of these haplotypes ensures a proportion of P.falciparum parasites lacking the pfhrp2/pfhrp3 genes in this area, which ultimately leads to false-negative results on PfHRP2-detecting malaria RDTs. However, additional studies are needed to not only confirm this hypothesis but also to further delineate the origin and genetic basis for the pfhrp2- and pfhrp3 gene deletions in wild P. falciparum parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Bendezu
- Laboratorio de Malaria, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Escuela Universitaria de Posgrado, Universidad Nacional Federico Villareal, Lima, Peru
- * E-mail:
| | - Katherine Torres
- Laboratorio de Malaria, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Alexander von Humboldt” Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Elizabeth Villasis
- Laboratorio de Malaria, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Alexander von Humboldt” Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | | | - David Bell
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joseph Vinetz
- Laboratorio de Malaria, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Dionicia Gamboa
- Laboratorio de Malaria, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Alexander von Humboldt” Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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50
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Mangou K, Moore AJ, Thiam LG, Ba A, Orfanó A, Desamours I, Ndegwa DN, Goodwin J, Guo Y, Sheng Z, Patel SD, Diallo F, Sene SD, Pouye MN, Faye AT, Thiam A, Nunez V, Diagne CT, Sadio BD, Shapiro L, Faye O, Mbengue A, Bei AK. Structure-guided insights into potential function of novel genetic variants in the malaria vaccine candidate PfRh5. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19403. [PMID: 36371450 PMCID: PMC9653458 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23929-9] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent stall in the global reduction of malaria deaths has made the development of a highly effective vaccine essential. A major challenge to developing an efficacious vaccine is the extensive diversity of Plasmodium falciparum antigens. While genetic diversity plays a major role in immune evasion and is a barrier to the development of both natural and vaccine-induced protective immunity, it has been under-prioritized in the evaluation of malaria vaccine candidates. This study uses genomic approaches to evaluate genetic diversity in next generation malaria vaccine candidate PfRh5. We used targeted deep amplicon sequencing to identify non-synonymous Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in PfRh5 (Reticulocyte-Binding Protein Homologue 5) in 189 P. falciparum positive samples from Southern Senegal and identified 74 novel SNPs. We evaluated the population prevalence of these SNPs as well as the frequency in individual samples and found that only a single SNP, C203Y, was present at every site. Many SNPs were unique to the individual sampled, with over 90% of SNPs being found in just one infected individual. In addition to population prevalence, we assessed individual level SNP frequencies which revealed that some SNPs were dominant (frequency of greater than 25% in a polygenomic sample) whereas most were rare, present at 2% or less of total reads mapped to the reference at the given position. Structural modeling uncovered 3 novel SNPs occurring under epitopes bound by inhibitory monoclonal antibodies, potentially impacting immune evasion, while other SNPs were predicted to impact PfRh5 structure or interactions with the receptor or binding partners. Our data demonstrate that PfRh5 exhibits greater genetic diversity than previously described, with the caveat that most of the uncovered SNPs are at a low overall frequency in the individual and prevalence in the population. The structural studies reveal that novel SNPs could have functional implications on PfRh5 receptor binding, complex formation, or immune evasion, supporting continued efforts to validate PfRh5 as an effective malaria vaccine target and development of a PfRh5 vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadidiatou Mangou
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Adam J Moore
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Laty Gaye Thiam
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Aboubacar Ba
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Alessandra Orfanó
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ife Desamours
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Duncan Ndungu Ndegwa
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- University of Embu, Embu, Kenya
| | - Justin Goodwin
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yicheng Guo
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zizhang Sheng
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Saurabh D Patel
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fatoumata Diallo
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Seynabou D Sene
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Mariama N Pouye
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Awa Thioub Faye
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Alassane Thiam
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Vanessa Nunez
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Cheikh Tidiane Diagne
- MIVEGEC (Infectious Diseases and Vector: Ecology, Genetics, Evolution and Control), University of Montpelier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Lawrence Shapiro
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ousmane Faye
- Pôle Virologie, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Alassane Mbengue
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Amy K Bei
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
- G4 - Malaria Experimental Genetic Approaches & Vaccines, Pôle Immunophysiopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal.
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