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Zhang M, Wang Y, Shen HM, Chen SB, Wang TY, Kassegne K, Chen JH. Genetic Diversity and Natural Selection of Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein 8 in Global Populations. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 122:105605. [PMID: 38759940 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein 8 (PvMSP8) is a promising candidate target for the development of multi-component vaccines. Therefore, determining the genetic variation pattern of Pvmsp8 is essential in providing a reference for the rational design of the P. vivax malaria vaccines. This study delves into the genetic characteristics of the Pvmsp8 gene, specifically focusing on samples from the China-Myanmar border (CMB) region, and contrasts these findings with broader global patterns. The study uncovers that Pvmsp8 exhibits a notable level of conservation across different populations, with limited polymorphisms and relatively low nucleotide diversity (0.00023-0.00120). This conservation contrasts starkly with the high polymorphisms found in other P. vivax antigens such as Pvmsp1. A total of 25 haplotypes and 14 amino acid mutation sites were identified in the global populations, and all mutation sites were confined to non-functional regions. The study also notes that most CMB Pvmsp8 haplotypes are shared among Burmese, Cambodian, Thai, and Vietnamese populations, indicating less geographical variance, but differ notably from those found in Pacific island regions or the Panama. The findings underscore the importance of considering regional genetic diversity in P. vivax when developing targeted malaria vaccines. Non departure from neutral evolution were found by Tajima's D test, however, statistically significant differences were observed between the kn/ks rates. The study's findings are crucial in understanding the evolution and population structure of the Pvmsp8 gene, particularly during regional malaria elimination efforts. The highly conserved nature of Pvmsp8, combined with the lack of mutations in its functional domain, presents it as a promising candidate for developing a broad and effective P. vivax vaccine. This research thus lays a foundation for the rational development of multivalent malaria vaccines targeting this genetically stable antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Zhang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Mo Shen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Shen-Bo Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian-Yu Wang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Kokouvi Kassegne
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China; School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Hu Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China; School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, People's Republic of China; School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China; Hainan Tropical Diseases Research Center (Hainan Sub-Center, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Haikou 571199, China.
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Pêgo AC, Lima IS, Martins AC, Sá-Pereira I, Martins G, Gozzelino R. Infection vs. Reinfection: The Immunomodulation of Erythropoiesis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6153. [PMID: 38892340 PMCID: PMC11172545 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe malarial anemia (SMA) increases the morbidity and mortality of Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria. SMA is mainly developed by children and pregnant women in response to the infection. It is characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis caused by impaired erythropoietin (EPO) signaling. To gain new insights into the pathogenesis of SMA, we investigated the relationship between the immune system and erythropoiesis, conducting comparative analyses in a mouse model of malaria. Red blood cell (RBC) production was evaluated in infected and reinfected animals to mimic endemic occurrences. Higher levels of circulating EPO were observed in response to (re)infection. Despite no major differences in bone marrow erythropoiesis, compensatory mechanisms of splenic RBC production were significantly reduced in reinfected mice. Concomitantly, a pronounced immune response activation was observed in erythropoietic organs of reinfected animals in relation to single-infected mice. Aged mice were also used to mimic the occurrence of malaria in the elderly. The increase in symptom severity was correlated with the enhanced activation of the immune system, which significantly impaired erythropoiesis. Immunocompromised mice further support the existence of an immune-shaping regulation of RBC production. Overall, our data reveal the strict correlation between erythropoiesis and immune cells, which ultimately dictates the severity of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Raffaella Gozzelino
- NOVA Medical School Research, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal
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Devi NM, Nagarajan S, Singh CB, Khan MMA, Khan A, Khan N, Mahmoud MH, Fouad H, Ansari A. Antioxidant, Diabetic and Inflammatory Activities of Alpinia calcarata Roscoe Extract. Chem Biodivers 2024; 21:e202300970. [PMID: 37715949 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202300970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alpinia calcarata (AC) Roscoe of Zingiberaceae popularly known as lesser galangal has a widespread occurrence in China, India, Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Essential oil (Eoil) was obtained from leaves/rhizomes of AC via hydro-distillation process. METHODS To identify chemical ingredients in oil from leaves/rhizomes of AC through GC/MS technique for volatile components and their anti-oxidant, inflammatory/diabetic activities. RESULTS The 38 and 65 components were found to make up 99.9 and 99.6 %, respectively in total of Eoil composition of AC leaves/rhizomes. Key chemical constituents were eucalyptol (28.7 % in leaves; 25.4 % in rhizomes), camphor (12.8 % in leaves; 4.2 % in rhizomes), and carotol (9.8 % in leaves; 5.6 % in rhizomes) found in oil of AC leaves/rhizomes. Colorimetric assay showed anti-oxidant activities in leaves and rhizomes are IC50=71.01±0.71 μg/mL and IC50=73.83±0.49 μg/mL, respectively in the Eoils. Eoils had high anti-oxidant capabilities in IC50-values of AC-L-Eoil=43.09±0.82&AC-Rh-Eoil=68.11±0.87 in reducing power in μg/mL was found. Albumin test of rhizome oil had IC50-values of 15.19±0.25 μg/mL. Concentrations range of 7.81 μg/mL and 250 μg/mL in the Eoils of AC leaves and rhizome, respectively by α-glucosidase inhibition assay. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrated that leaf oil was slightly more promising results than rhizome oil of AC extract, which was ultimately showed medicinal potential of secondary metabolites with anti-oxidant, diabetic/inflammatory activities. Further, Eoils of AC have a wide range of pharmacological potential and promising anti-diabetic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naorem Manglembi Devi
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology-Manipur, Langol, 795004, Manipur, India
- Plant Bioresource Division, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Imphal, 795001, Manipur, India
| | | | - Chingakham Brajakishor Singh
- Plant Bioresource Division, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Imphal, 795001, Manipur, India
| | - Mohammad Mujahid Ali Khan
- Applied Science and Humanities Section, University Polytechnic, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Anish Khan
- Center for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, 124001, India
| | - Nisha Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, UIET, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, 124001, Haryana, India
| | - Mohamed H Mahmoud
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-, 11451
| | - Hassan Fouad
- Biomedical Engineering Dept. Faculty of Engineering, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt-, 11795
| | - AbuZar Ansari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gyenocology and Ewha Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine, EwhaWomens University, Seoul, 07984, Republic of Korea
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Jain A, Sharma R, Gautam L, Shrivastava P, Singh KK, Vyas SP. Biomolecular interactions between Plasmodium and human host: A basis of targeted antimalarial therapy. ANNALES PHARMACEUTIQUES FRANÇAISES 2024; 82:401-419. [PMID: 38519002 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Malaria is one of the serious health concerns worldwide as it remains a clinical challenge due to the complex life cycle of the malaria parasite and the morphological changes it undergoes during infection. The malaria parasite multiplies rapidly and spreads in the population by changing its alternative hosts. These various morphological stages of the parasite in the human host cause clinical symptoms (anemia, fever, and coma). These symptoms arise due to the preprogrammed biology of the parasite in response to the human pathophysiological response. Thus, complete elimination becomes one of the major health challenges. Although malaria vaccine(s) are available in the market, they still contain to cause high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, an approach for eradication is needed through the exploration of novel molecular targets by tracking the epidemiological changes the parasite adopts. This review focuses on the various novel molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamika Jain
- Drug Delivery and Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, M.P., 470003, India
| | - Rajeev Sharma
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior, M.P., 474005, India.
| | - Laxmikant Gautam
- Babulal Tarabai Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Sagar, M.P., 470228, India
| | - Priya Shrivastava
- Drug Delivery and Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, M.P., 470003, India
| | - Kamalinder K Singh
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom
| | - Suresh P Vyas
- Drug Delivery and Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, M.P., 470003, India.
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5
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van der Ham S, Agudo-Canalejo J, Vutukuri HR. Role of Shape in Particle-Lipid Membrane Interactions: From Surfing to Full Engulfment. ACS NANO 2024; 18:10407-10416. [PMID: 38513125 PMCID: PMC11025115 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c11106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Understanding and manipulating the interactions between foreign bodies and cell membranes during endo- and phagocytosis is of paramount importance, not only for the fate of living cells but also for numerous biomedical applications. This study aims to elucidate the role of variables such as anisotropic particle shape, curvature, orientation, membrane tension, and adhesive strength in this essential process using a minimal experimental biomimetic system comprising giant unilamellar vesicles and rod-like particles with different curvatures and aspect ratios. We find that the particle wrapping process is dictated by the balance between the elastic free energy penalty and adhesion free energy gain, leading to two distinct engulfment pathways, tip-first and side-first, emphasizing the significance of the particle orientation in determining the pathway. Moreover, our experimental results are consistent with theoretical predictions in a state diagram, showcasing how to control the wrapping pathway from surfing to partial to complete wrapping by the interplay between membrane tension and adhesive strength. At moderate particle concentrations, we observed the formation of rod clusters, which exhibited cooperative and sequential wrapping. Our study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the mechanistic intricacies of endocytosis by highlighting how the interplay between the anisotropic particle shape, curvature, orientation, membrane tension, and adhesive strength can influence the engulfment pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijn van der Ham
- Active
Soft Matter and Bio-inspired Materials Lab, Faculty of Science and
Technology, MESA+ Institute, University
of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Jaime Agudo-Canalejo
- Department
of Living Matter Physics, Max Planck Institute
for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen, D-37077, Germany
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University College
London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Hanumantha Rao Vutukuri
- Active
Soft Matter and Bio-inspired Materials Lab, Faculty of Science and
Technology, MESA+ Institute, University
of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
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6
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Liffner B, Absalon S. Expansion microscopy of apicomplexan parasites. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:619-635. [PMID: 37571814 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites comprise significant pathogens of humans, livestock and wildlife, but also represent a diverse group of eukaryotes with interesting and unique cell biology. The study of cell biology in apicomplexan parasites is complicated by their small size, and historically this has required the application of cutting-edge microscopy techniques to investigate fundamental processes like mitosis or cell division in these organisms. Recently, a technique called expansion microscopy has been developed, which rather than increasing instrument resolution like most imaging modalities, physically expands a biological sample. In only a few years since its development, a derivative of expansion microscopy known as ultrastructure-expansion microscopy (U-ExM) has been widely adopted and proven extremely useful for studying cell biology of Apicomplexa. Here, we review the insights into apicomplexan cell biology that have been enabled through the use of U-ExM, with a specific focus on Plasmodium, Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium. Further, we summarize emerging expansion microscopy modifications and modalities and forecast how these may influence the field of parasite cell biology in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Liffner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Sabrina Absalon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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7
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Sassmannshausen J, Bennink S, Distler U, Küchenhoff J, Minns AM, Lindner SE, Burda PC, Tenzer S, Gilberger TW, Pradel G. Comparative proteomics of vesicles essential for the egress of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes from red blood cells. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:431-452. [PMID: 37492994 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of malaria parasites to the mosquito is mediated by sexual precursor cells, the gametocytes. Upon entering the mosquito midgut, the gametocytes egress from the enveloping erythrocyte while passing through gametogenesis. Egress follows an inside-out mode during which the membrane of the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) ruptures prior to the erythrocyte membrane. Membrane rupture requires exocytosis of specialized egress vesicles of the parasites; that is, osmiophilic bodies (OBs) involved in rupturing the PV membrane, and vesicles that harbor the perforin-like protein PPLP2 (here termed P-EVs) required for erythrocyte lysis. While some OB proteins have been identified, like G377 and MDV1/Peg3, the majority of egress vesicle-resident proteins is yet unknown. Here, we used high-resolution imaging and BioID methods to study the two egress vesicle types in Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. We show that OB exocytosis precedes discharge of the P-EVs and that exocytosis of the P-EVs, but not of the OBs, is calcium sensitive. Both vesicle types exhibit distinct proteomes with the majority of proteins located in the OBs. In addition to known egress-related proteins, we identified novel components of OBs and P-EVs, including vesicle-trafficking proteins. Our data provide insight into the immense molecular machinery required for the inside-out egress of P. falciparum gametocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Sassmannshausen
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sandra Bennink
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ute Distler
- Core Facility for Mass Spectrometry, Institute of Immunology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Juliane Küchenhoff
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Allen M Minns
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Scott E Lindner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paul-Christian Burda
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Tenzer
- Core Facility for Mass Spectrometry, Institute of Immunology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tim W Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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8
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Pance A, Ng BL, Mwikali K, Koutsourakis M, Agu C, Rouhani FJ, Montandon R, Law F, Ponstingl H, Rayner JC. Novel stem cell technologies are powerful tools to understand the impact of human factors on Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1287355. [PMID: 38173794 PMCID: PMC10762799 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1287355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum parasites have a complex life cycle, but the most clinically relevant stage of the disease is the invasion of erythrocytes and the proliferation of the parasite in the blood. The influence of human genetic traits on malaria has been known for a long time, however understanding the role of the proteins involved is hampered by the anuclear nature of erythrocytes that makes them inaccessible to genetic tools. Here we overcome this limitation using stem cells to generate erythroid cells with an in-vitro differentiation protocol and assess parasite invasion with an adaptation of flow cytometry to detect parasite hemozoin. We combine this strategy with reprogramming of patient cells to Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and genome editing to understand the role of key genes and human traits in malaria infection. We show that deletion of basigin ablates invasion while deletion of ATP2B4 has a minor effect and that erythroid cells from reprogrammed patient-derived HbBart α-thalassemia samples poorly support infection. The possibility to obtain patient-secific and genetically modifed erythoid cells offers an unparalleled opportunity to study the role of human genes and polymorphisms in malaria allowing preservation of the genomic background to demonstrate their function and understand their mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Pance
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Bee L. Ng
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kioko Mwikali
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Bioscience Department, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Chukwuma Agu
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ruddy Montandon
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre of Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Frances Law
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Julian C. Rayner
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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9
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Alimohamadi H, Rangamani P. Effective cell membrane tension protects red blood cells against malaria invasion. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011694. [PMID: 38048346 PMCID: PMC10721198 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A critical step in how malaria parasites invade red blood cells (RBCs) is the wrapping of the membrane around the egg-shaped merozoites. Recent experiments have revealed that RBCs can be protected from malaria invasion by high membrane tension. While cellular and biochemical aspects of parasite actomyosin motor forces during the malaria invasion have been well studied, the important role of the biophysical forces induced by the RBC membrane-cytoskeleton composite has not yet been fully understood. In this study, we use a theoretical model for lipid bilayer mechanics, cytoskeleton deformation, and membrane-merozoite interactions to systematically investigate the influence of effective RBC membrane tension, which includes contributions from the lipid bilayer tension, spontaneous tension, interfacial tension, and the resistance of cytoskeleton against shear deformation on the progression of membrane wrapping during the process of malaria invasion. Our model reveals that this effective membrane tension creates a wrapping energy barrier for a complete merozoite entry. We calculate the tension threshold required to impede the malaria invasion. We find that the tension threshold is a nonmonotonic function of spontaneous tension and undergoes a sharp transition from large to small values as the magnitude of interfacial tension increases. We also predict that the physical properties of the RBC cytoskeleton layer-particularly the resting length of the cytoskeleton-play key roles in specifying the degree of the membrane wrapping. We also found that the shear energy of cytoskeleton deformation diverges at the full wrapping state, suggesting the local disassembly of the cytoskeleton is required to complete the merozoite entry. Additionally, using our theoretical framework, we predict the landscape of myosin-mediated forces and the physical properties of the RBC membrane in regulating successful malaria invasion. Our findings on the crucial role of RBC membrane tension in inhibiting malaria invasion can have implications for developing novel antimalarial therapeutic or vaccine-based strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haleh Alimohamadi
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Padmini Rangamani
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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10
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Walker IS, Rogerson SJ. Pathogenicity and virulence of malaria: Sticky problems and tricky solutions. Virulence 2023; 14:2150456. [PMID: 36419237 PMCID: PMC9815252 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2150456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax cause over 600,000 deaths each year, concentrated in Africa and in young children, but much of the world's population remain at risk of infection. In this article, we review the latest developments in the immunogenicity and pathogenesis of malaria, with a particular focus on P. falciparum, the leading malaria killer. Pathogenic factors include parasite-derived toxins and variant surface antigens on infected erythrocytes that mediate sequestration in the deep vasculature. Host response to parasite toxins and to variant antigens is an important determinant of disease severity. Understanding how parasites sequester, and how antibody to variant antigens could prevent sequestration, may lead to new approaches to treat and prevent disease. Difficulties in malaria diagnosis, drug resistance, and specific challenges of treating P. vivax pose challenges to malaria elimination, but vaccines and other preventive strategies may offer improved disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isobel S Walker
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne, The Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen J Rogerson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne, The Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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11
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Agrawal P, Kumari S, Mohmmed A, Malhotra P, Sharma U, Sahal D. Identification of Novel, Potent, and Selective Compounds against Malaria Using Glideosomal-Associated Protein 50 as a Drug Target. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:38506-38523. [PMID: 37867646 PMCID: PMC10586260 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c05323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Phylum apicomplexan consists of parasites, such as Plasmodium and Toxoplasma. These obligate intracellular parasites enter host cells via an energy-dependent process using specialized machinery, called the glideosome. In the present study, we used Plasmodium falciparum GAP50, a glideosome-associated protein, as a target to screen 951 different compounds from diverse chemical libraries. Using different screening methods, eight compounds (Hayatinine, Curine, MMV689758 (Bedaquiline), MMV1634402 (Brilacidin), and MMV688271, MMV782353, MMV642550, and USINB4-124-8) were identified, which showed promising binding affinity (KD < 75 μM), along with submicromolar range antiparasitic efficacy and selectivity index > 100 fold for malaria parasite. These eight compounds were effective against Chloroquine-resistant PfINDO and Artemisinin-resistant PfCam3.1R359T strains. Studies on the effect of these compounds at asexual blood stages showed that these eight compounds act differently at different developmental stages, indicating the binding of these compounds to other Plasmodium proteins, in addition to PfGAP50. We further studied the effects of compounds (Bedaquiline and USINB4-124-8) in an in vivoPlasmodium berghei mouse model of malaria. Importantly, the oral delivery of Bedaquiline (50 mg/kg b. wt.) showed substantial suppression of parasitemia, and three out of seven mice were cured of the infection. Thus, our study provides new scaffolds for the development of antimalarials that can act at multiple Plasmodium lifecycle stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakhar Agrawal
- International
Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Surekha Kumari
- Chemical
Technology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan
Bioresource Technology, Palampur 176061, India
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - Asif Mohmmed
- International
Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Pawan Malhotra
- International
Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Upendra Sharma
- Chemical
Technology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan
Bioresource Technology, Palampur 176061, India
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - Dinkar Sahal
- International
Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
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12
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Rosa C, Singh P, Chen P, Sinha A, Claës A, Preiser PR, Dedon PC, Baumgarten S, Scherf A, Bryant JM. Cohesin contributes to transcriptional repression of stage-specific genes in the human malaria parasite. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e57090. [PMID: 37592911 PMCID: PMC10561359 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202357090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex life cycle of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, is driven by specific transcriptional programs, but it is unclear how most genes are activated or silenced at specific times. There is an association between transcription and spatial organization; however, the molecular mechanisms behind genome organization are unclear. While P. falciparum lacks key genome-organizing proteins found in metazoans, it has all core components of the cohesin complex. To investigate the role of cohesin in P. falciparum, we functionally characterize the cohesin subunit Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes protein 3 (SMC3). SMC3 knockdown during early stages of the intraerythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC) upregulates a subset of genes involved in erythrocyte egress and invasion, which are normally expressed at later stages. ChIP-seq analyses reveal that during the IDC, SMC3 enrichment at the promoter regions of these genes inversely correlates with gene expression and chromatin accessibility. These data suggest that SMC3 binding contributes to the repression of specific genes until their appropriate time of expression, revealing a new mode of stage-specific gene repression in P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Rosa
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Biology of Host‐Parasite Interactions UnitParisFrance
- Sorbonne Université, Collège Doctoral Complexité du Vivant ED515ParisFrance
| | - Parul Singh
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Biology of Host‐Parasite Interactions UnitParisFrance
| | - Patty Chen
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Biology of Host‐Parasite Interactions UnitParisFrance
| | - Ameya Sinha
- School of Biological SciencesNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore‐MIT Alliance for Research and TechnologySingaporeSingapore
| | - Aurélie Claës
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Biology of Host‐Parasite Interactions UnitParisFrance
| | - Peter R Preiser
- School of Biological SciencesNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore‐MIT Alliance for Research and TechnologySingaporeSingapore
| | - Peter C Dedon
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore‐MIT Alliance for Research and TechnologySingaporeSingapore
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
| | | | - Artur Scherf
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Biology of Host‐Parasite Interactions UnitParisFrance
| | - Jessica M Bryant
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Biology of Host‐Parasite Interactions UnitParisFrance
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13
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Santos BMD, Przyborski JM, Garcia CRS. Changes in K + Concentration as a Signaling Mechanism in the Apicomplexa Parasites Plasmodium and Toxoplasma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087276. [PMID: 37108438 PMCID: PMC10138558 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
During their life cycle, apicomplexan parasites pass through different microenvironments and encounter a range of ion concentrations. The discovery that the GPCR-like SR25 in Plasmodium falciparum is activated by a shift in potassium concentration indicates that the parasite can take advantage of its development by sensing different ionic concentrations in the external milieu. This pathway involves the activation of phospholipase C and an increase in cytosolic calcium. In the present report, we summarize the information available in the literature regarding the role of potassium ions during parasite development. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms that allow the parasite to cope with ionic potassium changes contributes to our knowledge about the cell cycle of Plasmodium spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedito M Dos Santos
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Jude M Przyborski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus-Liebig University, 35390 Gießen, Germany
| | - Célia R S Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus-Liebig University, 35390 Gießen, Germany
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14
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Kazan MM, Asmare MM, Mahapatra RK. Identification of Potential Drug Targets in Erythrocyte Invasion Pathway of Plasmodium falciparum. Curr Microbiol 2023; 80:165. [PMID: 37020052 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03282-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The erythrocyte invasion phase plays a critical role in multiplication, sexual determination, and drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum. In order to identify the critical genes and pathways in the erythrocyte invasion phase, the gene set (GSE129949) and the RNA-Seq count data for the W2mef strain were used for further analysis. An integrative bioinformatics study was performed to scrutinize genes as potential drug targets. 487 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with an adjusted P value < 0.001 enriched 47 Gene Ontology (GO) terms that were over-represented based on hyper-geometric analysis P value < 0.01. Protein-Protein interaction network analysis was done using DEGs with higher confidence interactions (PPI score threshold = 0.7). MCODE and cytoHubba apps were utilized to define the hub proteins and rank them based on multiple topological analyses and MCODE scores. Furthermore, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was carried out by using 322 gene sets from the MPMP database. The genes involved in multiple significant gene sets were determined by leading-edge analysis. Our study identified six genes encoding proteins that could be potential drug targets involved in the erythrocyte invasion phase related to merozoites motility, cell-cycle regulation, G-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation in schizonts, control of microtubule assembly, and sexual commitment. The druggability of those proteins was calculated based on the DCI (Drug Confidence Index) and predicted binding pockets' values. The protein that showed the best binding pocket value was subjected to deep learning-based virtual screening. The study identified the best small molecule inhibitors in terms of drug-binding score against the proteins for inhibitor identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mustafa Kazan
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751024, India
| | | | - Rajani Kanta Mahapatra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751024, India.
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15
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Cruz Camacho A, Alfandari D, Kozela E, Regev-Rudzki N. Biogenesis of extracellular vesicles in protozoan parasites: The ESCRT complex in the trafficking fast lane? PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011140. [PMID: 36821560 PMCID: PMC9949670 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) provide a central mechanism of cell-cell communication. While EVs are found in most organisms, their pathogenesis-promoting roles in parasites are of particular interest given the potential for medical insight and consequential therapeutic intervention. Yet, a key feature of EVs in human parasitic protozoa remains elusive: their mechanisms of biogenesis. Here, we survey the current knowledge on the biogenesis pathways of EVs secreted by the four main clades of human parasitic protozoa: apicomplexans, trypanosomatids, flagellates, and amoebae. In particular, we shine a light on findings pertaining to the Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT) machinery, as in mammals it plays important roles in EV biogenesis. This review highlights the diversity in EV biogenesis in protozoa, as well as the related involvement of the ESCRT system in these unique organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abel Cruz Camacho
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Daniel Alfandari
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ewa Kozela
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Neta Regev-Rudzki
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- * E-mail:
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16
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Belmonte M, Ganeshan H, Huang J, Belmonte A, Inoue S, Velasco R, Acheampong N, Ofori EA, Akyea-Mensah K, Frimpong A, Ennuson NA, Frempong AF, Kyei-Baafour E, Amoah LE, Edgel K, Peters B, Villasante E, Kusi KA, Sedegah M. Immunodominant T cell peptides from four candidate malarial antigens as biomarkers of protective immunity against malaria. Vaccine 2023; 41:1265-1273. [PMID: 36642628 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
A malaria vaccine with high efficacy and capable of inducing sterile immunity against malaria within genetically diverse populations is urgently needed to complement ongoing disease control and elimination efforts. Parasite-specific IFN-γ and granzyme B-secreting CD8 + T cells have been identified as key mediators of protection and the rapid identification of malaria antigen targets that elicit these responses will fast-track the development of simpler, cost-effective interventions. This study extends our previous work which used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from adults with life-long exposure to malaria parasites to identify immunodominant antigen-specific peptide pools composed of overlapping 15mer sequences spanning full length proteins of four malarial antigens. Our current study aimed to identify CD8 + T cell epitopes within these previously identified positive peptide pools. Cryopreserved PBMCs from 109 HLA-typed subjects were stimulated with predicted 9-11mer CD8 + T cell epitopes from P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP), apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1), thrombospondin related anonymous protein (TRAP) and cell traversal for ookinetes and sporozoites (CelTOS) in FluoroSpot assays. A total of 135 epitopes out of 297 tested peptides from the four antigens were experimentally identified as positive for IFN-γ and/or granzyme B production in 65 of the 109 subjects. Forty-three of 135 epitopes (32 %) were promiscuous for HLA binding, with 31 of these promiscuous epitopes (72 %) being presented by HLA alleles that fall within at least two different HLA supertypes. Furthermore, about 52 % of identified epitopes were conserved when the respective sequences were aligned with those from 16 highly diverse P. falciparum parasite strains. In summary, we have identified a number of conserved epitopes, immune responses to which could be effective against multiple P. falciparum parasite strains in genetically diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Belmonte
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Harini Ganeshan
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jun Huang
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Arnel Belmonte
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; GDIT, MD 20817, USA
| | - Sandra Inoue
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; GDIT, MD 20817, USA
| | - Rachel Velasco
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; GDIT, MD 20817, USA
| | - Neda Acheampong
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; GDIT, MD 20817, USA
| | - Ebenezer Addo Ofori
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Akyea-Mensah
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Augustina Frimpong
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Nana Aba Ennuson
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Abena Fremaah Frempong
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Eric Kyei-Baafour
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Linda Eva Amoah
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Kimberly Edgel
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA
| | - Bjoern Peters
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
| | - Martha Sedegah
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA
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17
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Balbin JM, Heinemann GK, Yeoh LM, Gilberger TW, Armstrong M, Duffy MF, Gilson PR, Wilson DW. Characterisation of PfCZIF1 and PfCZIF2 in Plasmodium falciparum asexual stages. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:27-41. [PMID: 36400305 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum exerts strong temporal control of gene expression across its lifecycle. Proteins expressed exclusively during late schizogony of blood stages, for example, often have a role in facilitating merozoite invasion of the host red blood cell (RBC), through merozoite development, egress, invasion or early establishment of infection in the RBC. Here, we characterise P. falciparum C3H1 zinc finger 1 (PfCZIF1, Pf3D7_1468400) and P. falciparum C3H1 zinc finger 2 (PfCZIF2, Pf3D7_0818100) which we identified as the only C3H1-type zinc finger proteins with peak expression at schizogony. Previous studies reported that antibodies against PfCZIF1 inhibit merozoite invasion, suggesting this protein may have a potential role during RBC invasion. We show using C-terminal truncations and gene knockouts of each of Pfczif1 and Pfczif2 that neither are essential for blood stage growth. However, they could not both be knocked out simultaneously, suggesting that at least one is needed for parasite growth in vitro. Immunofluorescence localisation of PfCZIF1 and PfCZIF2 indicated that both proteins occur in discrete foci on the periphery of the parasite's cytosol and biochemical assays suggest they are peripherally associated to a membrane. Transcriptomic analyses for the C-terminal truncation mutants reveal no significant expression perturbations with PfCZIF1 truncation. However, modification of PfCZIF2 appears to modify the expression for some exported proteins including PfKAHRP. This study does not support a role for PfCZIF1 or PfCZIF2 in merozoite invasion of the RBC and suggests that these proteins may help regulate the expression of proteins exported into the RBC cytosol after merozoite invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Balbin
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia. https://twitter.com/jmiguel_balbin
| | - Gary K Heinemann
- Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Clinical and Health Science Unit, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Lee M Yeoh
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tim-Wolf Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, 22607 Hamburg, Germany; Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Michael F Duffy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul R Gilson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danny W Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia; Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), University of Adelaide, 5005 SA, Australia.
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18
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Mullick D, Rechav K, Leiserowitz L, Regev-Rudzki N, Dzikowski R, Elbaum M. Diffraction contrast in cryo-scanning transmission electron tomography reveals the boundary of hemozoin crystals in situ. Faraday Discuss 2022; 240:127-141. [PMID: 35938388 DOI: 10.1039/d2fd00088a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by the obligate intracellular parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The parasite infects human red blood cells (RBC) and derives nutrition by catabolism of hemoglobin. As amino acids are assimilated from the protein component, the toxic heme is released. Molecular heme is detoxified by rapid sequestration to physiologically insoluble hemozoin crystals within the parasite's digestive vacuole (DV). Common antimalarial drugs interfere with this crystallization process, leaving the parasites vulnerable to the by-product of their own metabolism. A fundamental debate with important implications on drug mechanism regards the chemical environment of crystallization in situ, whether aqueous or lipid. This issue had been addressed previously by cryogenic soft X-ray tomography. We employ cryo-scanning transmission electron tomography (CSTET) to probe parasite cells throughout the life cycle in a fully hydrated, vitrified state at higher resolution. During the acquisition of CSTET data, Bragg diffraction from the hemozoin provides a uniquely clear view of the crystal boundary at nanometer resolution. No intermediate medium, such as a lipid coating or shroud, could be detected surrounding the crystals. The present study describes a unique application of CSTET in the study of malaria. The findings can be extended to evaluate new drug candidates affecting hemozoin crystal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debakshi Mullick
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Faculty of Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Katya Rechav
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Leslie Leiserowitz
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Faculty of Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Neta Regev-Rudzki
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ron Dzikowski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, and The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michael Elbaum
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Faculty of Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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19
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Cyclic constrained immunoreactive peptides from crucial P. falciparum proteins: potential implications in malaria diagnostics. Transl Res 2022; 249:28-36. [PMID: 35697275 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is still a global challenge with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in the African, South-East Asian, and Latin American regions. Malaria diagnosis is a crucial pillar in the control and elimination efforts, often accomplished by the administration of mass-scale Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). The inherent limitations of RDTs- insensitivity in scenarios of low transmission settings and deletion of one of the target proteins- Histidine rich protein 2/3 (HRP-2/3) are evident from multiple reports, thus necessitating the need to explore novel diagnostic tools/targets. The present study used peptide microarray to screen potential epitopes from 13 antigenic proteins (CSP, EXP1, LSA1, TRAP, AARP, AMA1, GLURP, MSP1, MSP2, MSP3, MSP4, P48/45, HAP2) of P. falciparum. Three cyclic constrained immunoreactive peptides- C6 (EXP1), A8 (MSP2), B7 (GLURP) were identified from 5458 cyclic constrained peptides (in duplicate) against P. falciparum-infected sera. Peptides (C6, A8, B7- cyclic constrained) and (G11, DSQ, NQN- corresponding linear peptides) were fairly immunoreactive towards P. falciparum-infected sera in dot-blot assay. Using direct ELISA, cyclic constrained peptides (C6 and B7) were found to be specific to P. falciparum-infected sera. A substantial number of samples were tested and the peptides successfully differentiated the P. falciparum positive and negative samples with high confidence. In conclusion, the study identified 3 cyclic constrained immunoreactive peptides (C6, B7, and A8) from P. falciparum secretory/surface proteins and further validated for diagnostic potential of 2 peptides (C6 and B7) with field-collected P. falciparum-infected sera samples.
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20
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Lowe MA, Cardenas A, Valentin JP, Zhu Z, Abendroth J, Castro JL, Class R, Delaunois A, Fleurance R, Gerets H, Gryshkova V, King L, Lorimer DD, MacCoss M, Rowley JH, Rosseels ML, Royer L, Taylor RD, Wong M, Zaccheo O, Chavan VP, Ghule GA, Tapkir BK, Burrows JN, Duffey M, Rottmann M, Wittlin S, Angulo-Barturen I, Jiménez-Díaz MB, Striepen J, Fairhurst KJ, Yeo T, Fidock DA, Cowman AF, Favuzza P, Crespo-Fernandez B, Gamo FJ, Goldberg DE, Soldati-Favre D, Laleu B, de Haro T. Discovery and Characterization of Potent, Efficacious, Orally Available Antimalarial Plasmepsin X Inhibitors and Preclinical Safety Assessment of UCB7362. J Med Chem 2022; 65:14121-14143. [PMID: 36216349 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Plasmepsin X (PMX) is an essential aspartyl protease controlling malaria parasite egress and invasion of erythrocytes, development of functional liver merozoites (prophylactic activity), and blocking transmission to mosquitoes, making it a potential multistage drug target. We report the optimization of an aspartyl protease binding scaffold and the discovery of potent, orally active PMX inhibitors with in vivo antimalarial efficacy. Incorporation of safety evaluation early in the characterization of PMX inhibitors precluded compounds with a long human half-life (t1/2) to be developed. Optimization focused on improving the off-target safety profile led to the identification of UCB7362 that had an improved in vitro and in vivo safety profile but a shorter predicted human t1/2. UCB7362 is estimated to achieve 9 log 10 unit reduction in asexual blood-stage parasites with once-daily dosing of 50 mg for 7 days. This work demonstrates the potential to deliver PMX inhibitors with in vivo efficacy to treat malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zhaoning Zhu
- UCB, 216 Bath Road, Slough SL1 3WE, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Abendroth
- UCB, 7869 NE Day Road West, Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110, United States
| | | | - Reiner Class
- UCB, Chem. du Foriest 1, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | | | | | - Helga Gerets
- UCB, Chem. du Foriest 1, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | | | - Lloyd King
- UCB, 216 Bath Road, Slough SL1 3WE, United Kingdom
| | - Donald D Lorimer
- UCB, 7869 NE Day Road West, Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110, United States
| | - Malcolm MacCoss
- Bohicket Pharma Consulting LLC, 2556 Seabrook Island Road, Seabrook Island, South Carolina 29455, United States
| | | | | | - Leandro Royer
- UCB, Chem. du Foriest 1, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | | | - Melanie Wong
- UCB, 216 Bath Road, Slough SL1 3WE, United Kingdom
| | | | - Vishal P Chavan
- Sai Life Sciences Limited, Plot DS-7, IKP Knowledge Park, Genome Valley, Turkapally, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Gokul A Ghule
- Sai Life Sciences Limited, Plot DS-7, IKP Knowledge Park, Genome Valley, Turkapally, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Bapusaheb K Tapkir
- Sai Life Sciences Limited, Plot DS-7, IKP Knowledge Park, Genome Valley, Turkapally, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Jeremy N Burrows
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maëlle Duffey
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Rottmann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Iñigo Angulo-Barturen
- The Art of Discovery, SL Biscay Science and Technology Park, Astondo Bidea, BIC Bizkaia Building, no. 612, Derio 48160, Bizkaia, Basque Country, Spain
| | - María Belén Jiménez-Díaz
- The Art of Discovery, SL Biscay Science and Technology Park, Astondo Bidea, BIC Bizkaia Building, no. 612, Derio 48160, Bizkaia, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Josefine Striepen
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Kate J Fairhurst
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Tomas Yeo
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States.,Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Alan F Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Paola Favuzza
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | | | | | - Daniel E Goldberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8051, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, CMU, 1 rue Michel-Servet, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland
| | - Benoît Laleu
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
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21
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Lodde V, Floris M, Muroni MR, Cucca F, Idda ML. Non-coding RNAs in malaria infection. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2022; 13:e1697. [PMID: 34651456 PMCID: PMC9286032 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most severe infectious diseases affecting humans and it is caused by protozoan pathogens of the species Plasmodium (spp.). The malaria parasite Plasmodium is characterized by a complex, multistage life cycle that requires tight gene regulation which allows for host invasion and defense against host immune responses. Unfortunately, the mechanisms regulating gene expression during Plasmodium infection remain largely elusive, though several lines of evidence implicate a major involvement of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). The ncRNAs have been found to play a key role in regulating transcriptional and post-transcriptional events in a broad range of organisms including Plasmodium. In Plasmodium ncRNAs have been shown to regulate key events in the multistage life cycle and virulence ability. Here we review recent progress involving ncRNAs (microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs) and their role as regulators of gene expression during Plasmodium infection in human hosts with focus on the possibility of using these molecules as biomarkers for monitoring disease status. We also discuss the surprising function of ncRNAs in mediating the complex interplay between parasite and human host and future perspectives of the field. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Lodde
- Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of SassariSassariItaly
| | - Matteo Floris
- Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of SassariSassariItaly
| | - Maria Rosaria Muroni
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experimental SciencesUniversity of SassariSassariItaly
| | - Francesco Cucca
- Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of SassariSassariItaly
| | - Maria Laura Idda
- Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR)SassariItaly
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22
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Wang PP, Jiang X, Zhu L, Zhou D, Hong M, He L, Chen L, Yao S, Zhao Y, Chen G, Wang C, Cui L, Cao Y, Zhu X. A G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Modulates Gametogenesis via PKG-Mediated Signaling Cascade in Plasmodium berghei. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0015022. [PMID: 35404079 PMCID: PMC9045217 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00150-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gametogenesis is essential for malaria parasite transmission, but the molecular mechanism of this process remains to be refined. Here, we identified a G-protein-coupled receptor 180 (GPR180) that plays a critical role in signal transduction during gametogenesis in Plasmodium. The P. berghei GPR180 was predominantly expressed in gametocytes and ookinetes and associated with the plasma membrane in female gametes and ookinetes. Knockout of pbgpr180 (Δpbgpr180) had no noticeable effect on blood-stage development but impaired gamete formation and reduced transmission of the parasites to mosquitoes. Transcriptome analysis revealed that a large proportion of the dysregulated genes in the Δpbgpr180 gametocytes had assigned functions in cyclic nucleotide signal transduction. In the Δpbgpr180 gametocytes, the intracellular cGMP level was significantly reduced, and the cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization showed a delay and a reduction in the magnitude during gametocyte activation. These results suggest that PbGPR180 functions upstream of the cGMP-protein kinase G-Ca2+ signaling pathway. In line with this functional prediction, the PbGPR180 protein was found to interact with several transmembrane transporter proteins and the small GTPase Rab6 in activated gametocytes. Allele replacement of pbgpr180 with the P. vivax ortholog pvgpr180 showed equal competence of the transgenic parasite in sexual development, suggesting functional conservation of this gene in Plasmodium spp. Furthermore, an anti-PbGPR180 monoclonal antibody and the anti-PvGPR180 serum possessed robust transmission-blocking activities. These results indicate that GPR180 is involved in signal transduction during gametogenesis in malaria parasites and is a promising target for blocking parasite transmission. IMPORTANCE Environmental changes from humans to mosquitoes activate gametogenesis of the malaria parasite, an obligative process for parasite transmission, but how the signals are relayed remains poorly understood. Here, we show the identification of a Plasmodium G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR180, and the characterization of its function in gametogenesis. In P. berghei, GPR180 is dispensable for asexual development and gametocytogenesis, but its deletion impairs gametogenesis and reduces transmission to mosquitoes. GPR180 appears to function upstream of the cGMP-protein kinase G-Ca2+ signaling pathway and is required for the maximum activity of this pathway. Genetic complementation shows that the GPR180 ortholog from the human malaria parasite P. vivax was fully functional in P. berghei, indicating functional conservation of GPR180 in Plasmodium spp. With predominant expression and membrane association of GPR180 in sexual stages, GPR180 is a promising target for blocking transmission, and antibodies against GPR180 possess robust transmission-blocking activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-peng Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xuefeng Jiang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Liying Zhu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Zhou
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mingyang Hong
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lu He
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lumeng Chen
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shijie Yao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guang Chen
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Taizhou University Hospital, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Chengqi Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaotong Zhu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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23
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Akoniyon OP, Adewumi TS, Maharaj L, Oyegoke OO, Roux A, Adeleke MA, Maharaj R, Okpeku M. Whole Genome Sequencing Contributions and Challenges in Disease Reduction Focused on Malaria. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:587. [PMID: 35453786 PMCID: PMC9027812 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Malaria elimination remains an important goal that requires the adoption of sophisticated science and management strategies in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. The advent of next generation sequencing (NGS) is making whole genome sequencing (WGS) a standard today in the field of life sciences, as PCR genotyping and targeted sequencing provide insufficient information compared to the whole genome. Thus, adapting WGS approaches to malaria parasites is pertinent to studying the epidemiology of the disease, as different regions are at different phases in their malaria elimination agenda. Therefore, this review highlights the applications of WGS in disease management, challenges of WGS in controlling malaria parasites, and in furtherance, provides the roles of WGS in pursuit of malaria reduction and elimination. WGS has invaluable impacts in malaria research and has helped countries to reach elimination phase rapidly by providing required information needed to thwart transmission, pathology, and drug resistance. However, to eliminate malaria in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with high malaria transmission, we recommend that WGS machines should be readily available and affordable in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olusegun Philip Akoniyon
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Taiye Samson Adewumi
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Leah Maharaj
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Olukunle Olugbenle Oyegoke
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Alexandra Roux
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Matthew A. Adeleke
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Rajendra Maharaj
- Office of Malaria Research, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, South Africa;
| | - Moses Okpeku
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa; (O.P.A.); (T.S.A.); (L.M.); (O.O.O.); (A.R.); (M.A.A.)
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24
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Molina-Franky J, Patarroyo ME, Kalkum M, Patarroyo MA. The Cellular and Molecular Interaction Between Erythrocytes and Plasmodium falciparum Merozoites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:816574. [PMID: 35433504 PMCID: PMC9008539 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.816574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal human malaria parasite, partly due to its genetic variability and ability to use multiple invasion routes via its binding to host cell surface receptors. The parasite extensively modifies infected red blood cell architecture to promote its survival which leads to increased cell membrane rigidity, adhesiveness and permeability. Merozoites are initially released from infected hepatocytes and efficiently enter red blood cells in a well-orchestrated process that involves specific interactions between parasite ligands and erythrocyte receptors; symptoms of the disease occur during the life-cycle’s blood stage due to capillary blockage and massive erythrocyte lysis. Several studies have focused on elucidating molecular merozoite/erythrocyte interactions and host cell modifications; however, further in-depth analysis is required for understanding the parasite’s biology and thus provide the fundamental tools for developing prophylactic or therapeutic alternatives to mitigate or eliminate Plasmodium falciparum-related malaria. This review focuses on the cellular and molecular events during Plasmodium falciparum merozoite invasion of red blood cells and the alterations that occur in an erythrocyte once it has become infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Molina-Franky
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
- PhD Programme in Biotechnology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Manuel Elkin Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia
- Health Sciences Division, Universidad Santo Tomás, Bogotá, Colombia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Markus Kalkum, ; Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo,
| | - Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia
- Health Sciences Division, Universidad Santo Tomás, Bogotá, Colombia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
- *Correspondence: Markus Kalkum, ; Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo,
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25
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Siddiqui G, De Paoli A, MacRaild CA, Sexton AE, Boulet C, Shah AD, Batty MB, Schittenhelm RB, Carvalho TG, Creek DJ. A new mass spectral library for high-coverage and reproducible analysis of the Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cell proteome. Gigascience 2022; 11:6543637. [PMID: 35254426 PMCID: PMC8900498 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giac008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium falciparum causes the majority of malaria mortality worldwide, and the disease occurs during the asexual red blood cell (RBC) stage of infection. In the absence of an effective and available vaccine, and with increasing drug resistance, asexual RBC stage parasites are an important research focus. In recent years, mass spectrometry–based proteomics using data-dependent acquisition has been extensively used to understand the biochemical processes within the parasite. However, data-dependent acquisition is problematic for the detection of low-abundance proteins and proteome coverage and has poor run-to-run reproducibility. Results Here, we present a comprehensive P. falciparum–infected RBC (iRBC) spectral library to measure the abundance of 44,449 peptides from 3,113 P. falciparum and 1,617 RBC proteins using a data-independent acquisition mass spectrometric approach. The spectral library includes proteins expressed in the 3 morphologically distinct RBC stages (ring, trophozoite, schizont), the RBC compartment of trophozoite-iRBCs, and the cytosolic fraction from uninfected RBCs. This spectral library contains 87% of all P. falciparum proteins that have previously been reported with protein-level evidence in blood stages, as well as 692 previously unidentified proteins. The P. falciparum spectral library was successfully applied to generate semi-quantitative proteomics datasets that characterize the 3 distinct asexual parasite stages in RBCs, and compared artemisinin-resistant (Cam3.IIR539T) and artemisinin-sensitive (Cam3.IIrev) parasites. Conclusion A reproducible, high-coverage proteomics spectral library and analysis method has been generated for investigating sets of proteins expressed in the iRBC stage of P. falciparum malaria. This will provide a foundation for an improved understanding of parasite biology, pathogenesis, drug mechanisms, and vaccine candidate discovery for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghizal Siddiqui
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Amanda De Paoli
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Christopher A MacRaild
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Anna E Sexton
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Coralie Boulet
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Anup D Shah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.,Monash Bioinformatics Platform, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Mitchell B Batty
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Ralf B Schittenhelm
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Teresa G Carvalho
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Darren J Creek
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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26
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Orwa TO, Mbogo RW, Luboobi LS. Optimal control analysis of hepatocytic-erythrocytic dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Infect Dis Model 2022; 7:82-108. [PMID: 34977436 PMCID: PMC8686038 DOI: 10.1016/j.idm.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper presents an in-host malaria model subject to anti-malarial drug treatment and malaria vaccine antigens combinations. Pontryagin's Maximum Principle is applied to establish optimal control strategies against infected erythrocytes, infected hepatocytes and malaria parasites. Results from numerical simulation reveal that a combination of pre-erythrocytic vaccine antigen, blood schizontocide and gametocytocide drugs would offer the best strategy to eradicate clinical P. falciparum malaria. Sensitivity analysis, further reveal that the efficacy of blood schizontocides and blood stage vaccines are crucial in the control of clinical malaria infection. Futhermore, we found that an effective blood schizontocide should be used alongside efficacious blood stage vaccine for rapid eradication of infective malaria parasites. The authors hope that the results of this study will help accelerate malaria elimination efforts by combining malaria vaccines and anti-malarial drugs against the deadly P. falciparum malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Titus Okello Orwa
- Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Strathmore University, P.O Box 59 857-00 200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rachel Waema Mbogo
- Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Strathmore University, P.O Box 59 857-00 200, Nairobi, Kenya
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27
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Kusi KA, Ofori EA, Akyea-Mensah K, Kyei-Baafour E, Frimpong A, Ennuson NA, Belmonte M, Ganeshan H, Huang J, Amoah LE, Villasante E, Sedegah M. Towards large-scale identification of HLA-restricted T cell epitopes from four vaccine candidate antigens in a malaria endemic community in Ghana. Vaccine 2021; 40:757-764. [PMID: 34969544 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.12.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Sterile protection against clinical malaria has been achieved in animal models and experimental human challenge studies involving immunization with radiation attenuated Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite vaccines as well as by live sporozoites under chloroquine prophylaxis. Parasite-specific IFN-γ and granzyme B-secreting CD8 + T cells have been identified as key mediators of protection. Although the exact parasite targets of protective CD8 + T cell responses are not fully defined, responses against a handful of vaccine candidate antigens have been associated with protection. Identifying the T cell targets in these antigens will facilitate the development of simpler, cost-effective, and efficacious next generation multi-epitope vaccines. The aim of this study was to identify immunodominant portions of four malaria vaccine candidate antigens using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from adults with life-long exposure to malaria parasites. Cryopreserved PBMCs from 291 HLA-typed subjects were stimulated with pools of overlapping 15mer peptides spanning the entire sequences of P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP, 9 pools), apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1, 12 pools), thrombospondin related anonymous protein (TRAP, 6 pools) and cell traversal for ookinetes and sporozoites (CelTOS, 4 pools) in FluoroSpot assays. 125 of 291 subjects made IFN-γ responses to 30 of the 31 peptide pools tested and 22 of 291 made granzyme B responses, with 20 making dual responses. The most frequent responses were to the CSP C-terminal region and the least frequent responses were to TRAP and CelTOS. There was no association between FluoroSpot responses and active malaria infection, detected by either microscopy, RDT, or PCR. In conclusion, CSP and AMA1 have relatively higher numbers of epitopes that trigger IFN-γ and granzyme B-secreting T cells in adults with life-long malaria parasite exposure compared to the other two antigens tested, and highlights the continued relevance of these two antigens as vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
| | - Ebenezer Addo Ofori
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Akyea-Mensah
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Eric Kyei-Baafour
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Augustina Frimpong
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Nana Aba Ennuson
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Maria Belmonte
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Harini Ganeshan
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jun Huang
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Linda Eva Amoah
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | | | - Martha Sedegah
- Malaria Department, Naval Medical Research Center, MD, USA
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28
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Band G, Leffler EM, Jallow M, Sisay-Joof F, Ndila CM, Macharia AW, Hubbart C, Jeffreys AE, Rowlands K, Nguyen T, Gonçalves S, Ariani CV, Stalker J, Pearson RD, Amato R, Drury E, Sirugo G, d'Alessandro U, Bojang KA, Marsh K, Peshu N, Saelens JW, Diakité M, Taylor SM, Conway DJ, Williams TN, Rockett KA, Kwiatkowski DP. Malaria protection due to sickle haemoglobin depends on parasite genotype. Nature 2021; 602:106-111. [PMID: 34883497 PMCID: PMC8810385 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04288-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Host genetic factors can confer resistance against malaria1, raising the question of whether this has led to evolutionary adaptation of parasite populations. Here we searched for association between candidate host and parasite genetic variants in 3,346 Gambian and Kenyan children with severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. We identified a strong association between sickle haemoglobin (HbS) in the host and three regions of the parasite genome, which is not explained by population structure or other covariates, and which is replicated in additional samples. The HbS-associated alleles include nonsynonymous variants in the gene for the acyl-CoA synthetase family member2–4PfACS8 on chromosome 2, in a second region of chromosome 2, and in a region containing structural variation on chromosome 11. The alleles are in strong linkage disequilibrium and have frequencies that covary with the frequency of HbS across populations, in particular being much more common in Africa than other parts of the world. The estimated protective effect of HbS against severe malaria, as determined by comparison of cases with population controls, varies greatly according to the parasite genotype at these three loci. These findings open up a new avenue of enquiry into the biological and epidemiological significance of the HbS-associated polymorphisms in the parasite genome and the evolutionary forces that have led to their high frequency and strong linkage disequilibrium in African P. falciparum populations. A strong association has been found between three regions of the Plasmodium falciparum genome and sickle haemoglobin in children with severe malaria, suggesting parasites have adapted to overcome natural host immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Band
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK. .,Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK. .,Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health and Information Discovery, Old Road Campus, Oxford, USA.
| | - Ellen M Leffler
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Muminatou Jallow
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia.,Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (formerly Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital), Independence Drive, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Fatoumatta Sisay-Joof
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Carolyne M Ndila
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Christina Hubbart
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Anna E Jeffreys
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Kate Rowlands
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK
| | - Thuy Nguyen
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Jim Stalker
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard D Pearson
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.,Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health and Information Discovery, Old Road Campus, Oxford, USA
| | | | | | - Giorgio Sirugo
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia.,Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Umberto d'Alessandro
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Kalifa A Bojang
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Kevin Marsh
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, NDM Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Norbert Peshu
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Joseph W Saelens
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mahamadou Diakité
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Steve M Taylor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David J Conway
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia.,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - Thomas N Williams
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya.,Institute for Global Health Innovation, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, London, UK
| | - Kirk A Rockett
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK. .,Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Dominic P Kwiatkowski
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK. .,Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK. .,Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health and Information Discovery, Old Road Campus, Oxford, USA.
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29
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Bahl V, Chaddha K, Mian SY, Holder AA, Knuepfer E, Gaur D. Genetic disruption of Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite surface antigen 180 (PfMSA180) suggests an essential role during parasite egress from erythrocytes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19183. [PMID: 34584166 PMCID: PMC8479079 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98707-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for severe malaria, develops within erythrocytes. Merozoite invasion and subsequent egress of intraerythrocytic parasites are essential for this erythrocytic cycle, parasite survival and pathogenesis. In the present study, we report the essential role of a novel protein, P. falciparum Merozoite Surface Antigen 180 (PfMSA180), which is conserved across Plasmodium species and recently shown to be associated with the P. vivax merozoite surface. Here, we studied MSA180 expression, processing, localization and function in P. falciparum blood stages. Initially we examined its role in invasion, a process mediated by multiple ligand-receptor interactions and an attractive step for targeting with inhibitory antibodies through the development of a malaria vaccine. Using antibodies specific for different regions of PfMSA180, together with a parasite containing a conditional pfmsa180-gene knockout generated using CRISPR/Cas9 and DiCre recombinase technology, we demonstrate that this protein is unlikely to play a crucial role in erythrocyte invasion. However, deletion of the pfmsa180 gene resulted in a severe egress defect, preventing schizont rupture and blocking the erythrocytic cycle. Our study highlights an essential role of PfMSA180 in parasite egress, which could be targeted through the development of a novel malaria intervention strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanndita Bahl
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Kritika Chaddha
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Syed Yusuf Mian
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ellen Knuepfer
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK. .,The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, Hertfordshire, UK.
| | - Deepak Gaur
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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30
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Dos Santos BM, Pereira PH, Garcia CR. Molecular basis of synchronous replication of malaria parasites in the blood stage. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 63:210-215. [PMID: 34428626 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The search for host factors that leads to malaria parasite synchronization has been the focus of several laboratories. The host hormone melatonin synchronizes Plasmodium falciparum in culture by increasing the number of mature parasite stages through a PLC-IP3 activation. Melatonin signaling is linked to crosstalk between Ca2+-cAMP that results in PKA activation. Two other kinases, PfPK7 and PfeIK1, and the nuclear protein PfMORC that lacks melatonin sensitivity in the inducible knock-down parasites are also identified as part of the hormone-signal transduction pathways. Melatonin also modulates P. falciparum mitochondrial fission genes FIS1, DYN1, and DYN2 in a stage-specific manner. How these multiple molecular mechanisms are orchestrated to lead to parasite synchronization is a fascinating and opened biological question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedito M Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Antimalarial Discovery, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro Hs Pereira
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Antimalarial Discovery, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Célia Rs Garcia
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Antimalarial Discovery, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil.
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31
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Haiyambo DH, Aleksenko L, Mumbengegwi D, Bock R, Uusiku P, Malleret B, Rénia L, Quaye IK. Children with Plasmodium vivax infection previously observed in Namibia, were Duffy negative and carried a c.136G > A mutation. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:856. [PMID: 34418990 PMCID: PMC8380386 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06573-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In a previous study, using a molecular approach, we reported the presence of P. vivax in Namibia. Here, we have extended our investigation to the Duffy antigen genetic profile of individuals of the same cohort with and without Plasmodium infections. Methods Participants with P. vivax (n = 3), P. falciparum (n = 23) mono-infections and co-infections of P. vivax/P. falciparum (n = 4), and P. falciparum/P. ovale (n = 3) were selected from seven regions. Participants with similar age but without any Plasmodium infections (n = 47) were also selected from all the regions. Duffy allelic profile was examined using standard PCR followed by sequencing of amplified products. Sequenced samples were also examined for the presence or absence of G125A mutation in codon 42, exon 2. Results All individuals tested carried the − 67 T > C mutation. However, while all P. vivax infected participants carried the c.G125A mutation, 7/28 P. falciparum infected participants and 9/41 of uninfected participants did not have the c.G125A mutation. The exon 2 region surrounding codon 42, had a c.136G > A mutation that was present in all P. vivax infections. The odds ratio for lack of this mutation with P. vivax infections was (OR 0.015, 95% CI 0.001–0.176; p = 0.001). Conclusion We conclude that P. vivax infections previously reported in Namibia, occurred in Duffy negative participants, carrying the G125A mutation in codon 42. The role of the additional mutation c.136 G > A in exon 2 in P. vivax infections, will require further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Hosea Haiyambo
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Namibia School of Medicine, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Larysa Aleksenko
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
| | - Davies Mumbengegwi
- Multidisciplinary Research Center, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Ronnie Bock
- Department of Biology, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Petrina Uusiku
- Ministry of Health and Social Services Department of Biology, National Vector Borne Disease Control Program, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Benoit Malleret
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Biopolis, Singapore
| | - Laurent Rénia
- A*STAR ID Labs, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Biopolis, Singapore.,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore, 308232, Singapore
| | - Isaac Kweku Quaye
- Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Applied Sciences, Regent University College of Science and Technology, Dansoman, P. O. Box DS 1636, Accra, Ghana.
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32
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Miao J, Wang C, Lucky AB, Liang X, Min H, Adapa SR, Jiang R, Kim K, Cui L. A unique GCN5 histone acetyltransferase complex controls erythrocyte invasion and virulence in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009351. [PMID: 34403450 PMCID: PMC8396726 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone acetyltransferase GCN5-associated SAGA complex is evolutionarily conserved from yeast to human and functions as a general transcription co-activator in global gene regulation. In this study, we identified a divergent GCN5 complex in Plasmodium falciparum, which contains two plant homeodomain (PHD) proteins (PfPHD1 and PfPHD2) and a plant apetela2 (AP2)-domain transcription factor (PfAP2-LT). To dissect the functions of the PfGCN5 complex, we generated parasite lines with either the bromodomain in PfGCN5 or the PHD domain in PfPHD1 deleted. The two deletion mutants closely phenocopied each other, exhibiting significantly reduced merozoite invasion of erythrocytes and elevated sexual conversion. These domain deletions caused dramatic decreases not only in histone H3K9 acetylation but also in H3K4 trimethylation, indicating synergistic crosstalk between the two euchromatin marks. Domain deletion in either PfGCN5 or PfPHD1 profoundly disturbed the global transcription pattern, causing altered expression of more than 60% of the genes. At the schizont stage, these domain deletions were linked to specific down-regulation of merozoite genes involved in erythrocyte invasion, many of which contain the AP2-LT binding motif and are also regulated by AP2-I and BDP1, suggesting targeted recruitment of the PfGCN5 complex to the invasion genes by these specific factors. Conversely, at the ring stage, PfGCN5 or PfPHD1 domain deletions disrupted the mutually exclusive expression pattern of the entire var gene family, which encodes the virulent factor PfEMP1. Correlation analysis between the chromatin state and alteration of gene expression demonstrated that up- and down-regulated genes in these mutants are highly correlated with the silent and active chromatin states in the wild-type parasite, respectively. Collectively, the PfGCN5 complex represents a novel HAT complex with a unique subunit composition including an AP2 transcription factor, which signifies a new paradigm for targeting the co-activator complex to regulate general and parasite-specific cellular processes in this low-branching parasitic protist. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression plays essential roles in orchestrating the general and parasite-specific cellular pathways in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. To better understand the epigenetic mechanisms in this parasite, we characterized the histone acetyltransferase GCN5-mediated transcription regulation during intraerythrocytic development of the parasite. Using tandem affinity purification and proteomic characterization, we identified that the PfGCN5-associated complex contains nine core components, including two PHD domain proteins (PfPHD1 and PfPHD2) and an AP2-domain transcription factor, which is divergent from the canonical GCN5 complexes evolutionarily conserved from yeast to human. To understand the functions of the PfGCN5 complex, we performed domain deletions in two subunits of this complex, PfGCN5 and PfPHD1. We found that the two deletion mutants displayed very similar growth phenotypes, including significantly reduced merozoite invasion rates and elevated sexual conversion. These two mutants were associated with dramatic decreases in histone H3K9 acetylation and H3K4 trimethylation, which led to global changes in chromatin states and gene expression. Consistent with the phenotypes, genes significantly affected by the PfGCN5 and PfPHD1 gene disruption include those participating in parasite-specific pathways such as invasion, virulence, and sexual development. In conclusion, this study presents a new model of the PfGCN5 complex for targeting the co-activator complex to regulate general and parasite-specific cellular processes in this low-branching parasitic protist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Miao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JM); (LC)
| | - Chengqi Wang
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Amuza Byaruhanga Lucky
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Xiaoying Liang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Hui Min
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Swamy Rakesh Adapa
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Rays Jiang
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kami Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JM); (LC)
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33
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Saini E, Sheokand PK, Sharma V, Agrawal P, Kaur I, Singh S, Mohmmed A, Malhotra P. Plasmodium falciparum PhIL1-associated complex plays an essential role in merozoite reorientation and invasion of host erythrocytes. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009750. [PMID: 34324609 PMCID: PMC8321122 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum possesses unique gliding machinery referred to as the glideosome that powers its entry into the insect and vertebrate hosts. Several parasite proteins including Photosensitized INA-labelled protein 1 (PhIL1) have been shown to associate with glideosome machinery. Here we describe a novel PhIL1 associated protein complex that co-exists with the glideosome motor complex in the inner membrane complex of the merozoite. Using an experimental genetics approach, we characterized the role(s) of three proteins associated with PhIL1: a glideosome associated protein- PfGAPM2, an IMC structural protein- PfALV5, and an uncharacterized protein—referred here as PfPhIP (PhIL1 Interacting Protein). Parasites lacking PfPhIP or PfGAPM2 were unable to invade host RBCs. Additionally, the downregulation of PfPhIP resulted in significant defects in merozoite segmentation. Furthermore, the PfPhIP and PfGAPM2 depleted parasites showed abrogation of reorientation/gliding. However, initial attachment with host RBCs was not affected in these parasites. Together, the data presented here show that proteins of the PhIL1-associated complex play an important role in the orientation of P. falciparum merozoites following initial attachment, which is crucial for the formation of a tight junction and hence invasion of host erythrocytes. Invasion of Plasmodium merozoites into RBCs is a multistep process that involves initial attachment of merozoites to the RBC surface, their reorientation, and subsequent gliding into RBCs using glideosome machinery. The glideosome machinery lies between the plasma membrane and inner membrane complex (IMC) and consists of MyoA, its interacting protein; MTIP, gliding associated proteins (GAPs), and a Photosensitized INA labeled protein (PhIL1)-associated protein complex. Here, we demonstrate that the deletion of any of two components of the PhIL1-associated complex, PfPhIP or PfGAPM2, aborts merozoite reorientation and blocks their invasion into RBCs. The study thus provides new molecular and mechanistic insights into merozoite invasion of RBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta Saini
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Vaibhav Sharma
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Prakhar Agrawal
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Inderjeet Kaur
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Shailja Singh
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Asif Mohmmed
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail: (AM); (PM)
| | - Pawan Malhotra
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail: (AM); (PM)
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34
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Dasanna AK, Hillringhaus S, Gompper G, Fedosov DA. Effect of malaria parasite shape on its alignment at erythrocyte membrane. eLife 2021; 10:68818. [PMID: 34286696 PMCID: PMC8331178 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
During the blood stage of malaria pathogenesis, parasites invade healthy red blood cells (RBC) to multiply inside the host and evade the immune response. When attached to RBC, the parasite first has to align its apex with the membrane for a successful invasion. Since the parasite’s apex sits at the pointed end of an oval (egg-like) shape with a large local curvature, apical alignment is in general an energetically unfavorable process. Previously, using coarse-grained mesoscopic simulations, we have shown that optimal alignment time is achieved due to RBC membrane deformation and the stochastic nature of bond-based interactions between the parasite and RBC membrane (Hillringhaus et al., 2020). Here, we demonstrate that the parasite’s shape has a prominent effect on the alignment process. The alignment times of spherical parasites for intermediate and large bond off-rates (or weak membrane-parasite interactions) are found to be close to those of an egg-like shape. However, for small bond off-rates (or strong adhesion and large membrane deformations), the alignment time for a spherical shape increases drastically. Parasite shapes with large aspect ratios such as oblate and long prolate ellipsoids are found to exhibit very long alignment times in comparison to the egg-like shape. At a stiffened RBC, a spherical parasite aligns faster than any other investigated shape. This study shows that the original egg-like shape performs not worse for parasite alignment than other considered shapes but is more robust with respect to different adhesion interactions and RBC membrane rigidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil K Dasanna
- Theoretical Physics of Living Matter, Institute of Biological Information Processing and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hillringhaus
- Theoretical Physics of Living Matter, Institute of Biological Information Processing and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Gerhard Gompper
- Theoretical Physics of Living Matter, Institute of Biological Information Processing and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Dmitry A Fedosov
- Theoretical Physics of Living Matter, Institute of Biological Information Processing and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
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35
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Steel RWJ, Vigdorovich V, Dambrauskas N, Wilder BK, Arredondo SA, Goswami D, Kumar S, Carbonetti S, Swearingen KE, Nguyen T, Betz W, Camargo N, Fisher BS, Soden J, Thomas H, Freeth J, Moritz RL, Noah Sather D, Kappe SHI. Platelet derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) is a host receptor for the human malaria parasite adhesin TRAP. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11328. [PMID: 34059712 PMCID: PMC8166973 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90722-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Following their inoculation by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito, the malaria parasite sporozoite forms travel from the bite site in the skin into the bloodstream, which transports them to the liver. The thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP) is a type 1 transmembrane protein that is released from secretory organelles and relocalized on the sporozoite plasma membrane. TRAP is required for sporozoite motility and host infection, and its extracellular portion contains adhesive domains that are predicted to engage host receptors. Here, we identified the human platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (hPDGFRβ) as one such protein receptor. Deletion constructs showed that the von Willebrand factor type A and thrombospondin repeat domains of TRAP are both required for optimal binding to hPDGFRβ-expressing cells. We also demonstrate that this interaction is conserved in the human-infective parasite Plasmodium vivax, but not the rodent-infective parasite Plasmodium yoelii. We observed expression of hPDGFRβ mainly in cells associated with the vasculature suggesting that TRAP:hPDGFRβ interaction may play a role in the recognition of blood vessels by invading sporozoites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan W J Steel
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | | | | | - Brandon K Wilder
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | | | | | - Sudhir Kumar
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Thao Nguyen
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Will Betz
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nelly Camargo
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Jo Soden
- Retrogenix Ltd, Chinley, High Peak, SK23 6FJ, UK
| | - Helen Thomas
- Retrogenix Ltd, Chinley, High Peak, SK23 6FJ, UK
| | - Jim Freeth
- Retrogenix Ltd, Chinley, High Peak, SK23 6FJ, UK
| | | | - D Noah Sather
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Stefan H I Kappe
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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36
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Red blood cells serve as a vehicle for PEDV transmission. Vet Microbiol 2021; 257:109081. [PMID: 33901803 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
As the most abundant cell type in the blood, red blood cells (RBCs) are serving for transporting oxygen. However, the mechanism by which RBCs binding virus remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated that porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), a kind of coronavirus, could hijack RBCs and cause typical diarrhea in neonatal piglets. In an epidemiology investigation of PEDV, the RBCs samples from diarrheic pigs in several pig farms were found to be PEDV-positive. PEDV could bind to neonatal RBCs through CD71 and clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and its viability was maintained for 12 h. PEDV-loaded RBCs could transfer the virus to CD3+ T cells by conjugation and reach the intestine mucosa, where it caused infection. Finally, a further animal challenge revealed that transfusing with PEDV-loaded RBCs could cause intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) infection and typical diarrhea symptom. Therefore, our studies illustrated the mechanism by which PEDV could cause intestinal infection through hijacking RBCs, further providing a novel insight into the role of RBCs as potential cells for viral transmission in coronavirus pathogenesis.
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37
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Barber J, Sikakana P, Sadler C, Baud D, Valentin JP, Roberts R. A target safety assessment of the potential toxicological risks of targeting plasmepsin IX/X for the treatment of malaria. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2021; 10:203-213. [PMID: 33884171 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfaa106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The aspartic proteases plasmepsin IX/X are important antimalarial drug targets due to their specificity to the malaria parasite and their vital role as mediators of disease progression. Focusing on parasite-specific targets where no human homologue exists reduces the possibility of on-target drug toxicity. However, there is a risk of toxicity driven by inadequate selectivity for plasmepsins IX/X in Plasmodium over related mammalian aspartic proteases. Of these, CatD/E may be of most toxicological relevance as CatD is a ubiquitous lysosomal enzyme present in most cell types and CatE is found in the gut and in erythrocytes, the clinically significant site of malarial infection. Based on mammalian aspartic protease physiology and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to FDA-approved human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) aspartic protease inhibitors, we predicted several potential toxicities including β-cell and congenital abnormalities, hypotension, hypopigmentation, hyperlipidaemia, increased infection risk and respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, dermatological, and other epithelial tissue toxicities. These ADRs to the HIV treatments are likely to be a result of host aspartic protease inhibition due a lack of specificity for the HIV protease; plasmepsins are much more closely related to human CatD than to HIV proteinase. Plasmepsin IX/X inhibition presents an opportunity to specifically target Plasmodium as an effective antimalarial treatment, providing adequate selectivity can be obtained. Potential plasmepsin IX/X inhibitors should be assayed for inhibitory activity against the main human aspartic proteases and particularly CatD/E. An investigative rodent study conducted early in drug discovery would serve as an initial risk assessment of the potential hazards identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Barber
- ApconiX, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, SK10 4TG, UK
| | | | | | - Delphine Baud
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, 20 Route de Pré-Bois, Geneva 1215, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Pierre Valentin
- UCB Biopharma SRL, Building R9, Chemin du Foriest, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | - Ruth Roberts
- ApconiX, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, SK10 4TG, UK
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Lozano JM, Rodríguez Parra Z, Hernández-Martínez S, Yasnot-Acosta MF, Rojas AP, Marín-Waldo LS, Rincón JE. The Search of a Malaria Vaccine: The Time for Modified Immuno-Potentiating Probes. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9020115. [PMID: 33540947 PMCID: PMC7913233 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a deadly disease that takes the lives of more than 420,000 people a year and is responsible for more than 229 million clinical cases globally. In 2019, 95% of malaria morbidity occurred in African countries. The development of a highly protective vaccine is an urgent task that remains to be solved. Many vaccine candidates have been developed, from the use of the entire attenuated and irradiated pre-erythrocytic parasite forms (or recombinantly expressed antigens thereof) to synthetic candidates formulated in a variety of adjuvants and delivery systems, however these have unfortunately proven a limited efficacy. At present, some vaccine candidates are finishing safety and protective efficacy trials, such as the PfSPZ and the RTS,S/AS01 which are being introduced in Africa. We propose a strategy for introducing non-natural elements into target antigens representing key epitopes of Plasmodium spp. Accordingly, chemical strategies and knowledge of host immunity to Plasmodium spp. have served as the basis. Evidence is obtained after being tested in experimental rodent models for malaria infection and recognized for human sera from malaria-endemic regions. This encourages us to propose such an immune-potentiating strategy to be further considered in the search for new vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Lozano
- Grupo de Investigación Mimetismo Molecular de los Agentes Infecciosos, Departamento de Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia—Sede Bogotá, 111321 Bogota, Colombia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +57-3102-504-657
| | - Zully Rodríguez Parra
- Grupo de Investigación Mimetismo Molecular de los Agentes Infecciosos, Departamento de Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia—Sede Bogotá, 111321 Bogota, Colombia;
| | - Salvador Hernández-Martínez
- Dirección de Infección e Inmunidad, Centro de Investigaciones Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, 62508 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico;
| | - Maria Fernanda Yasnot-Acosta
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas y Biomédicas de Córdoba, Universidad de Córdoba, 230002 Monteria, Colombia;
| | - Angela Patricia Rojas
- Grupo de Investigación Biología Celular y Autoinmuniad, Departamento de Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Sede Bogotá, 111321 Bogota, Colombia;
| | | | - Juan Edilberto Rincón
- Departamento de Ingeniería y Mecatrónica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Sede Bogotá, 111321 Bogota, Colombia;
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An Integrative Computational Approach for the Prediction of Human- Plasmodium Protein-Protein Interactions. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2020:2082540. [PMID: 33426052 PMCID: PMC7771252 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2082540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Host-pathogen molecular cross-talks are critical in determining the pathophysiology of a specific infection. Most of these cross-talks are mediated via protein-protein interactions between the host and the pathogen (HP-PPI). Thus, it is essential to know how some pathogens interact with their hosts to understand the mechanism of infections. Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by an obligate intracellular parasite belonging to the Plasmodium genus, of which P. falciparum is the most prevalent. Several previous studies predicted human-plasmodium protein-protein interactions using computational methods have demonstrated their utility, accuracy, and efficiency to identify the interacting partners and therefore complementing experimental efforts to characterize host-pathogen interaction networks. To predict potential putative HP-PPIs, we use an integrative computational approach based on the combination of multiple OMICS-based methods including human red blood cells (RBC) and Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain expressed proteins, domain-domain based PPI, similarity of gene ontology terms, structure similarity method homology identification, and machine learning prediction. Our results reported a set of 716 protein interactions involving 302 human proteins and 130 Plasmodium proteins. This work provides a list of potential human-Plasmodium interacting proteins. These findings will contribute to better understand the mechanisms underlying the molecular determinism of malaria disease and potentially to identify candidate pharmacological targets.
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40
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Schureck MA, Darling JE, Merk A, Shao J, Daggupati G, Srinivasan P, Olinares PDB, Rout MP, Chait BT, Wollenberg K, Subramaniam S, Desai SA. Malaria parasites use a soluble RhopH complex for erythrocyte invasion and an integral form for nutrient uptake. eLife 2021; 10:e65282. [PMID: 33393463 PMCID: PMC7840181 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites use the RhopH complex for erythrocyte invasion and channel-mediated nutrient uptake. As the member proteins are unique to Plasmodium spp., how they interact and traffic through subcellular sites to serve these essential functions is unknown. We show that RhopH is synthesized as a soluble complex of CLAG3, RhopH2, and RhopH3 with 1:1:1 stoichiometry. After transfer to a new host cell, the complex crosses a vacuolar membrane surrounding the intracellular parasite and becomes integral to the erythrocyte membrane through a PTEX translocon-dependent process. We present a 2.9 Å single-particle cryo-electron microscopy structure of the trafficking complex, revealing that CLAG3 interacts with the other subunits over large surface areas. This soluble complex is tightly assembled with extensive disulfide bonding and predicted transmembrane helices shielded. We propose a large protein complex stabilized for trafficking but poised for host membrane insertion through large-scale rearrangements, paralleling smaller two-state pore-forming proteins in other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc A Schureck
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID, National Institutes of HealthRockvilleUnited States
| | - Joseph E Darling
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Alan Merk
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Jinfeng Shao
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID, National Institutes of HealthRockvilleUnited States
| | - Geervani Daggupati
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Johns Hopkins Malaria Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Prakash Srinivasan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Johns Hopkins Malaria Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Paul Dominic B Olinares
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Gaseous Ion Chemistry, The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Michael P Rout
- Laboratory of Cellular and Structural Biology, The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Brian T Chait
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Gaseous Ion Chemistry, The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Kurt Wollenberg
- Office of Cyber Infrastructure & Computational Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Sriram Subramaniam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Sanjay A Desai
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID, National Institutes of HealthRockvilleUnited States
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41
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Diversify and Conquer: The Vaccine Escapism of Plasmodium falciparum. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111748. [PMID: 33171746 PMCID: PMC7694999 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last century, a great deal of effort and resources have been poured into the development of vaccines to protect against malaria, particularly targeting the most widely spread and deadly species of the human-infecting parasites: Plasmodium falciparum. Many of the known proteins the parasite uses to invade human cells have been tested as vaccine candidates. However, precisely because of the importance and immune visibility of these proteins, they tend to be very diverse, and in many cases redundant, which limits their efficacy in vaccine development. With the advent of genomics and constantly improving sequencing technologies, an increasingly clear picture is emerging of the vast genomic diversity of parasites from different geographic areas. This diversity is distributed throughout the genome and includes most of the vaccine candidates tested so far, playing an important role in the low efficacy achieved. Genomics is a powerful tool to search for genes that comply with the most desirable attributes of vaccine targets, allowing us to evaluate function, immunogenicity and also diversity in the worldwide parasite populations. Even predicting how this diversity might evolve and spread in the future becomes possible, and can inform novel vaccine efforts.
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42
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Artemisinin-Ginkgo biloba extract combination therapy for Plasmodium yoelii. Parasitol Int 2020; 80:102226. [PMID: 33137498 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Malaria remains a widespread life-threatening infectious disease, leading to an estimated 219 million cases and around 435,000 deaths. After an unprecedented success, the antimalarial progress is at a standstill. Therefore, new methods are urgently needed to decrease drug resistant and enhance antimalarial efficacy. According to the alteration of erythrocyte biomechanical properties and the immune evasion mechanism of parasites, drugs, which can improve blood circulation, can be chosen to combine with antimalarial drugs for malaria treatment. Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), one of drug for vascular disease, was used to combine with artemisinin for Plasmodium yoelii therapy. Artemisinin-GBE combination therapy (AGCT) demonstrated remarkable antimalarial efficacy by decreasing infection rate, improving blood microcirculation and modulating immune system. Besides, the expression of invasion related genes, such as AMA1, MSP1 and Py01365, can be suppressed by AGCT, hindering invasion process of merozoites. This new antimalarial strategy, combining antimalarial drugs with drugs that improve blood circulation, may enhance the antimalarial efficacy and ameliorate restoration ability, proving a potential method for finding ideal compatible drugs to improve malaria therapy.
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43
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Kanoi BN, Nagaoka H, Morita M, Tsuboi T, Takashima E. Leveraging the wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system to accelerate malaria vaccine development. Parasitol Int 2020; 80:102224. [PMID: 33137499 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines against infectious diseases have had great successes in the history of public health. Major breakthroughs have occurred in the development of vaccine-based interventions against viral and bacterial pathogens through the application of classical vaccine design strategies. In contrast the development of a malaria vaccine has been slow. Plasmodium falciparum malaria affects millions of people with nearly half of the world population at risk of infection. Decades of dedicated research has taught us that developing an effective vaccine will be time consuming, challenging, and expensive. Nevertheless, recent advancements such as the optimization of robust protein synthesis platforms, high-throughput immunoscreening approaches, reverse vaccinology, structural design of immunogens, lymphocyte repertoire sequencing, and the utilization of artificial intelligence, have renewed the prospects of an accelerated discovery of the key antigens in malaria. A deeper understanding of the major factors underlying the immunological and molecular mechanisms of malaria might provide a comprehensive approach to identifying novel and highly efficacious vaccines. In this review we discuss progress in novel antigen discoveries that leverage on the wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system (WGCFS) to accelerate malaria vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard N Kanoi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Hikaru Nagaoka
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Masayuki Morita
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
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44
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Sleebs BE, Jarman KE, Frolich S, Wong W, Healer J, Dai W, Lucet IS, Wilson DW, Cowman AF. Development and application of a high-throughput screening assay for identification of small molecule inhibitors of the P. falciparum reticulocyte binding-like homologue 5 protein. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2020; 14:188-200. [PMID: 33152623 PMCID: PMC7645381 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2020.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The P. falciparum parasite, responsible for the disease in humans known as malaria, must invade erythrocytes to provide an environment for self-replication and survival. For invasion to occur, the parasite must engage several ligands on the host erythrocyte surface to enable adhesion, tight junction formation and entry. Critical interactions include binding of erythrocyte binding-like ligands and reticulocyte binding-like homologues (Rhs) to the surface of the host erythrocyte. The reticulocyte binding-like homologue 5 (Rh5) is the only member of this family that is essential for invasion and it binds to the basigin host receptor. The essential nature of Rh5 makes it an important vaccine target, however to date, Rh5 has not been targeted by small molecule intervention. Here, we describe the development of a high-throughput screening assay to identify small molecules which interfere with the Rh5-basigin interaction. To validate the utility of this assay we screened a known drug library and the Medicines for Malaria Box and demonstrated the reproducibility and robustness of the assay for high-throughput screening purposes. The screen of the known drug library identified the known leukotriene antagonist, pranlukast. We used pranlukast as a model inhibitor in a post screening evaluation cascade. We procured and synthesised analogues of pranlukast to assist in the hit confirmation process and show which structural moieties of pranlukast attenuate the Rh5 – basigin interaction. Evaluation of pranlukast analogues against P. falciparum in a viability assay and a schizont rupture assay show the parasite activity was not consistent with the biochemical inhibition of Rh5, questioning the developability of pranlukast as an antimalarial. The high-throughput assay developed from this work has the capacity to screen large collections of small molecules to discover inhibitors of P. falciparum Rh5 for future development of invasion inhibitory antimalarials. A high-throughput screening assay was developed to identify inhibitors of Rh5. The assay was applied in a screen of the MMV Malaria Box and a known drug library. Pranlukast was identified as a hit, but could not be conclusively validated. Assay enables future screens of large compound libraries to discover Rh5 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad E Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Kate E Jarman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Sonja Frolich
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Wilson Wong
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Julie Healer
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Weiwen Dai
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Isabelle S Lucet
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Danny W Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Alan F Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
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45
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Pleiotropic roles of cold shock proteins with special emphasis on unexplored cold shock protein member of Plasmodium falciparum. Malar J 2020; 19:382. [PMID: 33109193 PMCID: PMC7592540 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03448-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The cold shock domain (CSD) forms the hallmark of the cold shock protein family that provides the characteristic feature of binding with nucleic acids. While much of the information is available on bacterial, plants and human cold shock proteins, their existence and functions in the malaria parasite remains undefined. In the present review, the available information on functions of well-characterized cold shock protein members in different organisms has been collected and an attempt was made to identify the presence and role of cold shock proteins in malaria parasite. A single Plasmodium falciparum cold shock protein (PfCoSP) was found in P. falciparum which is reported to be essential for parasite survival. Essentiality of PfCoSP underscores its importance in malaria parasite life cycle. In silico tools were used to predict the features of PfCoSP and to identify its homologues in bacteria, plants, humans, and other Plasmodium species. Modelled structures of PfCoSP and its homologues in Plasmodium species were compared with human cold shock protein 'YBOX-1' (Y-box binding protein 1) that provide important insights into their functioning. PfCoSP model was subjected to docking with B-form DNA and RNA to reveal a number of residues crucial for their interaction. Transcriptome analysis and motifs identified in PfCoSP implicate its role in controlling gene expression at gametocyte, ookinete and asexual blood stages of malaria parasite. Overall, this review emphasizes the functional diversity of the cold shock protein family by discussing their known roles in gene expression regulation, cold acclimation, developmental processes like flowering transition, and flower and seed development, and probable function in gametocytogenesis in case of malaria parasite. This enables readers to view the cold shock protein family comprehensively.
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Andrade CM, Fleckenstein H, Thomson-Luque R, Doumbo S, Lima NF, Anderson C, Hibbert J, Hopp CS, Tran TM, Li S, Niangaly M, Cisse H, Doumtabe D, Skinner J, Sturdevant D, Ricklefs S, Virtaneva K, Asghar M, Homann MV, Turner L, Martins J, Allman EL, N'Dri ME, Winkler V, Llinás M, Lavazec C, Martens C, Färnert A, Kayentao K, Ongoiba A, Lavstsen T, Osório NS, Otto TD, Recker M, Traore B, Crompton PD, Portugal S. Increased circulation time of Plasmodium falciparum underlies persistent asymptomatic infection in the dry season. Nat Med 2020; 26:1929-1940. [PMID: 33106664 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-020-1084-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The dry season is a major challenge for Plasmodium falciparum parasites in many malaria endemic regions, where water availability limits mosquito vectors to only part of the year. How P. falciparum bridges two transmission seasons months apart, without being cleared by the human host or compromising host survival, is poorly understood. Here we show that low levels of P. falciparum parasites persist in the blood of asymptomatic Malian individuals during the 5- to 6-month dry season, rarely causing symptoms and minimally affecting the host immune response. Parasites isolated during the dry season are transcriptionally distinct from those of individuals with febrile malaria in the transmission season, coinciding with longer circulation within each replicative cycle of parasitized erythrocytes without adhering to the vascular endothelium. Low parasite levels during the dry season are not due to impaired replication but rather to increased splenic clearance of longer-circulating infected erythrocytes, which likely maintain parasitemias below clinical and immunological radar. We propose that P. falciparum virulence in areas of seasonal malaria transmission is regulated so that the parasite decreases its endothelial binding capacity, allowing increased splenic clearance and enabling several months of subclinical parasite persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina M Andrade
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hannah Fleckenstein
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Richard Thomson-Luque
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Safiatou Doumbo
- Mali International Center of Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Nathalia F Lima
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carrie Anderson
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Hibbert
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine S Hopp
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Tuan M Tran
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Shanping Li
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Moussa Niangaly
- Mali International Center of Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Hamidou Cisse
- Mali International Center of Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Didier Doumtabe
- Mali International Center of Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Jeff Skinner
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Dan Sturdevant
- Rocky Mountain Laboratory Research Technologies Section, Genomics Unit, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Stacy Ricklefs
- Rocky Mountain Laboratory Research Technologies Section, Genomics Unit, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Kimmo Virtaneva
- Rocky Mountain Laboratory Research Technologies Section, Genomics Unit, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Muhammad Asghar
- Department of Medicine Solna, Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Manijeh Vafa Homann
- Department of Medicine Solna, Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Louise Turner
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København N, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joana Martins
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal and ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Erik L Allman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | | | - Volker Winkler
- Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA.,Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | | | - Craig Martens
- Rocky Mountain Laboratory Research Technologies Section, Genomics Unit, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Anna Färnert
- Department of Medicine Solna, Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kassoum Kayentao
- Mali International Center of Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Aissata Ongoiba
- Mali International Center of Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Thomas Lavstsen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, København N, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nuno S Osório
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal and ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Thomas D Otto
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mario Recker
- Centre for Mathematics & the Environment, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, UK
| | - Boubacar Traore
- Mali International Center of Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Peter D Crompton
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Silvia Portugal
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. .,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany.
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Kassegne K, Komi Koukoura K, Shen HM, Chen SB, Fu HT, Chen YQ, Zhou XN, Chen JH, Cheng Y. Genome-Wide Analysis of the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum Isolates From Togo Reveals Selective Signals in Immune Selection-Related Antigen Genes. Front Immunol 2020; 11:552698. [PMID: 33193320 PMCID: PMC7645038 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.552698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a public health concern worldwide, and Togo has proven to be no exception. Effective approaches to provide information on biological insights for disease elimination are therefore a research priority. Local selection on malaria pathogens is due to multiple factors including host immunity. We undertook genome-wide analysis of sequence variation on a sample of 10 Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) clinical isolates from Togo to identify local-specific signals of selection. Paired-end short-read sequences were mapped and aligned onto > 95% of the 3D7 Pf reference genome sequence in high fold coverage. Data on 266 963 single nucleotide polymorphisms were obtained, with average nucleotide diversity π = 1.79 × 10−3. Both principal component and neighbor-joining tree analyses showed that the Togo parasites clustered according to their geographic (Africa) origin. In addition, the average genome-wide diversity of Pf from Togo was much higher than that from other African samples. Tajima’s D value of the Togo isolates was −0.56, suggesting evidence of directional selection and/or recent population expansion. Against this background, within-population analyses identifying loci of balancing and recent positive selections evidenced that host immunity has been the major selective agent. Importantly, 87 and 296 parasite antigen genes with Tajima’s D values > 1 and in the top 1% haplotype scores, respectively, include a significant representation of membrane proteins at the merozoite stage that invaded red blood cells (RBCs) and parasitized RBCs surface proteins that play roles in immunoevasion, adhesion, or rosetting. This is consistent with expectations that elevated signals of selection due to allele-specific acquired immunity are likely to operate on antigenic targets. Collectively, our data suggest a recent expansion of Pf population in Togo and evidence strong host immune selection on membrane/surface antigens reflected in signals of balancing/positive selection of important gene loci. Findings from this study provide a fundamental basis to engage studies for effective malaria control in Togo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kokouvi Kassegne
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Komi Komi Koukoura
- Laboratoire des Sciences Biomédicales, Alimentaires et Santé Environnementale, Département des Analyses Biomédicales, Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Hai-Mo Shen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Centre for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China.,National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention-Shenzhen Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Joint Laboratory for Imported Tropical Disease Control, Shanghai, China.,The School of Global Health, Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shen-Bo Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Centre for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China.,National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention-Shenzhen Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Joint Laboratory for Imported Tropical Disease Control, Shanghai, China.,The School of Global Health, Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai-Tian Fu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yong-Quan Chen
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,School of Food Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Centre for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China.,National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention-Shenzhen Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Joint Laboratory for Imported Tropical Disease Control, Shanghai, China.,The School of Global Health, Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Hu Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Centre for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China.,National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention-Shenzhen Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Joint Laboratory for Imported Tropical Disease Control, Shanghai, China.,The School of Global Health, Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Cheng
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
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48
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Nwokocha CR, Bafor EE, Ajayi OI, Ebeigbe AB. The Malaria-High Blood Pressure Hypothesis: Revisited. Am J Hypertens 2020; 33:695-702. [PMID: 32211753 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpaa051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria etiologies with pathophysiological similarities to hypertension currently constitute a major subject of research. The malaria-high blood pressure hypothesis is strongly supported by observations of the increasing incidence of hypertension in malaria-endemic, low- and middle-income countries with poor socioeconomic conditions, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries. Malnutrition and low birth weight with persistent symptomatic malaria presentations in pregnancy correlate strongly with the development of preeclampsia, gestational hypertension and subsequent hypertension in adult life. Evidence suggest that the link between malaria infection and high blood pressure involves interactions between malaria parasites and erythrocytes, the inflammatory process, effects of the infection during pregnancy; effects on renal and vascular functions as well as effects in sickle cell disease. Possible mechanisms which provide justification for the malaria-high blood pressure hypothesis include the following: endothelial dysfunction (reduced nitric oxide (NO) levels), impaired release of local neurotransmitters and cytokines, decrease in vascular smooth muscle cell viability and/or alterations in cellular calcium signaling leading to enhanced vascular reactivity, remodeling, and cardiomyopathies, deranged homeostasis through dehydration, elevated intracellular mediators and proinflammatory cytokine responses, possible genetic regulations, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system mechanisms and renal derangements, severe anemia and hemolysis, renal failure, and end organ damage. Two key mediators of the malaria-high blood pressure association are: endothelial dysfunction (reduced NO) and increased angiotensin-converting enzyme activity/angiotensin II levels. Sickle cell disease is associated with protection against malaria infection and reduced blood pressure. In this review, we present the state of knowledge about the malaria-blood pressure hypothesis and suggest insights for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enitome E Bafor
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Olutayo I Ajayi
- Department of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Anthony B Ebeigbe
- Department of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
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49
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Chowdhury P, Ray S, Chakraborty A, Sen S, Dasgupta AK, Sengupta S. Non-synonymous amino acid alterations in PfEBA-175 modulate the merozoite ligand's ability to interact with host's Glycophorin A receptor. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 85:104418. [PMID: 32561295 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The pathological outcome of malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum infection depends largely on erythrocyte invasion by blood-stage merozoites which employ a cascade of interactions occurring between parasite ligands and RBC receptors. In a previous study exploring the genetic diversity of region-II of PfEBA-175, a ligand that plays a crucial part in parasite's RBC entry through Glycophorin A (GPA) receptor, we demonstrated that F2 domain of region-II underwent positive selection in Indian P. falciparum population through the accumulation of non-synonymous polymorphisms. Here, we examine the functional impact of two highly prevalent non-synonymous alterations in F2, namely Q584E & E592A, using a battery of molecular, biophysical and in-silico techniques. Application of circular dichroism, FTIR, fluorescence spectroscopy reveals that secondary and three-dimensional folding of recombinant-F2 protein carrying 584E and 592A residues (F2-Mut) differs significantly from that carrying 584Q and 592E (F2-3D7). A comparison of spectroscopic and thermodynamic parameters shows that F2-Mut is capable of forming a complex with GPA with higher efficiency compared to F2-3D7. In silico docking predicts both artemisinin and artesunate possess the capacity of slipping into the GPA binding crevices of PfEBA-175 and disrupt PfEBA-GPA association. However, the estimated affinity of artesunate towards PfEBA-175 with 584E and 592A residues is higher than that of artemisinin. Thermodynamic parameters computed using isotherms are concordant with this in-silico prediction. Together, our data suggest that the presence of amino acid alterations in F2 provide structural and functional stability favoring PfEBA-GPA interaction and artesunate can efficiently disrupt the interaction between GPA and PfEBA-175 even carrying altered amino acid residues. The present study alerts the malaria research community by presenting evidence that the parasite is gaining evolutionary fitness by cultivating genetic alterations in many of its proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramita Chowdhury
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700 019, West Bengal, India
| | - Sanhita Ray
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700 019, West Bengal, India
| | - Ayan Chakraborty
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700 019, West Bengal, India
| | - Srikanta Sen
- Mitra Tower, Lake Town, Block-A, Kolkata 700 089, India
| | - Anjan Kr Dasgupta
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700 019, West Bengal, India
| | - Sanghamitra Sengupta
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700 019, West Bengal, India.
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50
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Dibessa TT, Engidawork E, Nedi T, Teklehaymanot T. Antimalarial activity of the aqueous extract of the latex of Aloe pirottae Berger. (Aloaceae) against Plasmodium berghei in mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 255:112763. [PMID: 32169423 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE In spite of worldwide efforts, malaria remains one of the most devastating illnesses in the world. The huge number of lives it takes and the resistance of malaria parasites to current drugs necessitate the search for new effective antimalarial drugs. Medicinal plants have been the major source of such drugs and A. pirottae is one of these plants used traditionally for the treatment of malaria in Ethiopia. AIM This study was aimed at evaluating the antimalarial activity of the aqueous extract of A. pirottae against chloroquine sensitive P. berghei in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS The extract was obtained by macerating the latex of A. pirottae with distilled water. To determine its antiplasmodial activity, a 4-day suppressive model was used by dividing 40 mice into five groups of 8 mice each and given 200, 400 & 600mg/kg of the extract, the standard drug (chloroquine 25mg/kg) and the vehicle (distilled water). Then parasite suppression by the extract, survival time and prevention of loss of body weight, rectal temperature and packed cell volume were assessed. All data were presented as the Mean ± SEM (Standard Error of the Mean) and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. RESULTS The extract showed moderate antimalarial activity by significantly (p < 0.001) suppressing parasitemia at all dose levels with maximum parasitemia suppression of 47.0% and significantly (p < 0.01) increasing survival time. Furthermore, 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg doses showed significant (p < 0.01) prevention of loss in body weight, rectal temperature and packed cell volume. CONCLUSION Based to the results of this study, A. pirottae is endowed with a moderate antimalarial activity that is in agreement with the traditional claim of A. pirottae, hence may be used as a basis for further studies to be conducted on antimalarial activity of the plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tesfa Tekle Dibessa
- Wollega University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Ethiopia.
| | - Ephrem Engidawork
- Addis Ababa University, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Ethiopia.
| | - Teshome Nedi
- Addis Ababa University, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Ethiopia.
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