1
|
Shears MJ, Reynolds RA, Duncombe CJ, Watson FN, Staubus WJ, Chavtur C, Seilie AM, Tran TM, Chakravarty S, Hoffman SL, Murphy SC. Plasmodium knowlesi in pig-tailed macaques: a potential new model for malaria vaccine research. Malar J 2023; 22:379. [PMID: 38093306 PMCID: PMC10720125 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04788-9] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium knowlesi is an established experimental model for basic and pre-clinical malaria vaccine research. Historically, rhesus macaques have been the most common host for malaria vaccine studies with P. knowlesi parasites. However, rhesus are not natural hosts for P. knowlesi, and there is interest in identifying alternative hosts for vaccine research. The study team previously reported that pig-tailed macaques (PTM), a natural host for P. knowlesi, could be challenged with cryopreserved P. knowlesi sporozoites (PkSPZ), with time to blood stage infection equivalent to in rhesus. Here, additional exploratory studies were performed to evaluate PTM as potential hosts for malaria vaccine studies. The aim was to further characterize the parasitological and veterinary health outcomes after PkSPZ challenge in this macaque species. METHODS Malaria-naïve PTM were intravenously challenged with 2.5 × 103 PkSPZ and monitored for blood stage infection by Plasmodium 18S rRNA RT-PCR and thin blood smears. Disease signs were evaluated by daily observations, complete blood counts, serum chemistry tests, and veterinary examinations. After anti-malarial drug treatment, a subset of animals was re-challenged and monitored as above. Whole blood gene expression analysis was performed on selected animals to assess host response to infection. RESULTS In naïve animals, the kinetics of P. knowlesi blood stage replication was reproducible, with parasite burden rising linearly during an initial acute phase of infection from 6 to 11 days post-challenge, before plateauing and transitioning into a chronic low-grade infection. After re-challenge, infections were again reproducible, but with lower blood stage parasite densities. Clinical signs of disease were absent or mild and anti-malarial treatment was not needed until the pre-defined study day. Whole blood gene expression analysis identified immunological changes associated with acute and chronic phases of infection, and further differences between initial challenge versus re-challenge. CONCLUSIONS The ability to challenge PTM with PkSPZ and achieve reliable blood stage infections indicate this model has significant potential for malaria vaccine studies. Blood stage P. knowlesi infection in PTM is characterized by low parasite burdens and a benign disease course, in contrast with the virulent P. knowlesi disease course commonly reported in rhesus macaques. These findings identify new opportunities for malaria vaccine research using this natural host-parasite combination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie J Shears
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Rebekah A Reynolds
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Caroline J Duncombe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Felicia N Watson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Weston J Staubus
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Chris Chavtur
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Annette M Seilie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Tuan M Tran
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Sumana Chakravarty
- Sanaria, Inc., 9800 Medical Center Drive, Suite A209, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Stephen L Hoffman
- Sanaria, Inc., 9800 Medical Center Drive, Suite A209, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Sean C Murphy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Seasonal Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Macaques ( Macaca thibetana) at Mount Emei Scenic Area in China. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12141816. [PMID: 35883363 PMCID: PMC9311871 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141816] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to elucidate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in macaques at the Mt. Emei Scenic Area of Sichuan, China. A total of 168 fecal samples were collected from yellow (n = 31), black (n = 19), new (n = 57), Leidongping (n = 57) and Wuxiangang (n = 4) macaques from 2019 to 2020. The fecal samples were tested for various gastrointestinal parasites following the microscopic detection method. The results showed that the total prevalence rate of the intestinal parasite was 51.19% (86/168), whereas the intestinal parasite with the highest prevalence was Gongylonema spp. (26.79%) for helminth and Entamoeba spp. (18.45%) for protozoa. Interestingly, the highest prevalence of intestinal parasites was observed during the summer season (86.21%), and the lowest was observed during the winter season (7.14%). There was a positive correlation observed between the human contact frequency and total prevalence rate of the intestinal parasites (p < 0.05); however, there was no correlation between the human contact frequency and total prevalence of the intestinal parasites at different seasons (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the dominant parasites Gongylonema spp. and Entamoeba spp. cause various diseases that may be transmitted to humans and other animals; therefore, there is a need for a proper management system, such as parasite control measures and population protection in the Mt. Emei Scenic Area of Sichuan, China.
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhao T, Xie Z, Xi Y, Liu L, Li Z, Qin D. How to Model Rheumatoid Arthritis in Animals: From Rodents to Non-Human Primates. Front Immunol 2022; 13:887460. [PMID: 35693791 PMCID: PMC9174425 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.887460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. At present, rodent models are primarily used to study the pathogenesis and treatment of RA. However, the genetic divergences between rodents and humans determine differences in the development of RA, which makes it necessary to explore the establishment of new models. Compared to rodents, non-human primates (NHPs) are much more closely related to humans in terms of the immune system, metabolic conditions, and genetic make-up. NHPs model provides a powerful tool to study the development of RA and potential complications, as well as preclinical studies in drug development. This review provides a brief overview of the RA animal models, emphasizes the replication methods, pros and cons, as well as evaluates the validity of the rodent and NHPs models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Zhaohu Xie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Yujiang Xi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Li Liu
- Ge Jiu People's Hospital, Yunnan Honghe Prefecture Central Hospital, Gejiu, China
| | - Zhaofu Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Dongdong Qin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Palmada-Flores M, Orkin JD, Haase B, Mountcastle J, Bertelsen MF, Fedrigo O, Kuderna LFK, Jarvis ED, Marques-Bonet T. A high-quality, long-read genome assembly of the endangered ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). Gigascience 2022; 11:6562532. [PMID: 35365833 PMCID: PMC8975718 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giac026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) is a charismatic strepsirrhine primate endemic to Madagascar. These lemurs are of particular interest, given their status as a flagship species and widespread publicity in the popular media. Unfortunately, a recent population decline has resulted in the census population decreasing to <2,500 individuals in the wild, and the species's classification as an endangered species by the IUCN. As is the case for most strepsirrhine primates, only a limited amount of genomic research has been conducted on L. catta, in part owing to the lack of genomic resources. RESULTS We generated a new high-quality reference genome assembly for L. catta (mLemCat1) that conforms to the standards of the Vertebrate Genomes Project. This new long-read assembly is composed of Pacific Biosciences continuous long reads (CLR data), Optical Mapping Bionano reads, Arima HiC data, and 10X linked reads. The contiguity and completeness of the assembly are extremely high, with scaffold and contig N50 values of 90.982 and 10.570 Mb, respectively. Additionally, when compared to other high-quality primate assemblies, L. catta has the lowest reported number of Alu elements, which results predominantly from a lack of AluS and AluY elements. CONCLUSIONS mLemCat1 is an excellent genomic resource not only for the ring-tailed lemur community, but also for other members of the Lemuridae family, and is the first very long read assembly for a strepsirrhine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Palmada-Flores
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS), Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat Pompeu Fabra-CSIC, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Joseph D Orkin
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS), Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat Pompeu Fabra-CSIC, Barcelona 08003, Spain.,Département d'anthropologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1N8, Canada
| | - Bettina Haase
- The Vertebrate Genomes Lab, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | - Mads F Bertelsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C 1870, Denmark.,Center for Zoo and Wild Animal Health, Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksber 1870, Denmark
| | - Olivier Fedrigo
- The Vertebrate Genomes Lab, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lukas F K Kuderna
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS), Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat Pompeu Fabra-CSIC, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Erich D Jarvis
- The Vertebrate Genomes Lab, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Center for Zoo and Wild Animal Health, Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksber 1870, Denmark.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.,Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, The Rockefeller University, NY 10065, USA
| | - Tomas Marques-Bonet
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS), Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat Pompeu Fabra-CSIC, Barcelona 08003, Spain.,Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona 08010, Spain.,CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelon 08028a, Spain.,Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sjodin BMF, Galbreath KE, Lanier HC, Russello MA. Chromosome-Level Reference Genome Assembly for the American Pika (Ochotona princeps). J Hered 2021; 112:549-557. [PMID: 34036348 PMCID: PMC8558581 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esab031] [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: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The American pika (Ochotona princeps) is an alpine lagomorph found throughout western North America. Primarily inhabiting talus slopes at higher elevations (>2000 m), American pikas are well adapted to cold, montane environments. Warming climates on both historical and contemporary scales have contributed to population declines in American pikas, positioning them as a focal mammalian species for investigating the ecological effects of climate change. To support and expand ongoing research efforts, here, we present a highly contiguous and annotated reference genome assembly for the American pika (OchPri4.0). This assembly was produced using Dovetail de novo proximity ligation methods and annotated through the NCBI Eukaryotic Genome Annotation pipeline. The resulting assembly was chromosome- scale, with a total length of 2.23 Gb across 9350 scaffolds and a scaffold N50 of 75.8 Mb. The vast majority (>97%) of the total assembly length was found within 36 large scaffolds; 33 of these scaffolds correlated to whole autosomes, while the X chromosome was covered by 3 large scaffolds. Additionally, we identified 17 enriched gene ontology terms among American pika-specific genes putatively related to adaptation to high-elevation environments. This high-quality genome assembly will serve as a springboard for exploring the evolutionary underpinnings of behavioral, ecological, and taxonomic diversification in pikas as well as broader-scale eco-evolutionary questions pertaining to cold-adapted species in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryson M F Sjodin
- Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 3247 University Way, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Kurt E Galbreath
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, USA
| | - Hayley C Lanier
- Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Michael A Russello
- Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 3247 University Way, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|