1
|
Bastos RG, Capelli-Peixoto J, Laughery JM, Suarez CE, Ueti MW. Vaccination with an in vitro culture attenuated Babesia bovis strain safely protects highly susceptible adult cattle against acute bovine babesiosis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1219913. [PMID: 37583702 PMCID: PMC10424928 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1219913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Live in vivo attenuated Babesia bovis vaccines produced by sequential passages in splenectomized calves have historically been used to control acute bovine babesiosis in endemic areas worldwide. However, several constraints prevent the widespread use of these vaccines, including the need for several splenectomized calves to produce vaccine batches, and potential inconsistent parasite attenuation, which contraindicates their use for highly Babesia-susceptible adult cattle. Thus, the use of vaccines based on well-defined in vitro culture attenuated B. bovis strains emerges as a more sustainable and efficient alternative. Previous work demonstrated that the culture attenuated strain Att-S74-T3Bo is non-tick transmissible and able to safely protect calves against needle challenge with a B. bovis virulent strain. Methods and results Herein we evaluated safety and efficacy of Att-S74-T3Bo in preventing acute babesiosis in adult (>1.5 year of age) cattle. Results demonstrated that Att-S74-T3Bo vaccination of adult animals (n=5) induced self-limiting signs of acute infection and protected the vaccinated animals against challenge with the homologous virulent B. bovis strain Vir-S74-T3Bo. Att-S74-T3Bo-vaccinated adult cattle developed significant (P<0.05) monocytosis, with concomitant neutropenia and CD4+ leukopenia, in peripheral blood early after vaccination. Also, vaccinated animals developed a specific signature of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression in peripheral blood and significant levels of IgM, total IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 against the B. bovis immunodominant antigen RAP-1 CT. Strikingly, none of the vaccinated animals showed any signs of acute babesiosis after challenge with Vir-S74-T3Bo. In contrast, control adult cattle (n=5) showed pathognomonic symptoms of acute babesiosis, and significant decrease (P<0.05) in lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils, starting on day 7 post-challenge. All control animals developed severe acute disease and were euthanized on days 10 through 12 days post-challenge. Discussion and conclusion Evidence from this study indicates that Att-S74-T3Bo safely protects highly susceptible adult cattle against challenge with a homologous virulent strain of B. bovis. In conclusion, Att-S74-T3Bo may be considered as a potential efficient and sustainable attenuated candidate vaccine strain to control acute bovine babesiosis in highly susceptible adult cattle. Future studies should focus on increasing the number of animals vaccinated, duration of immunity, and efficacy of this attenuated strain against heterologous virulent parasite strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reginaldo G. Bastos
- Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural - Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, United States
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Janaina Capelli-Peixoto
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Jacob M. Laughery
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural - Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, United States
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Massaro W. Ueti
- Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural - Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, United States
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cuy-Chaparro L, Ricaurte-Contreras LA, Bohórquez MD, Arévalo-Pinzón G, Barreto-Santamaria A, Pabón L, Reyes C, Moreno-Pérez DA, Patarroyo MA. Identification of Babesia bovis MSA-1 functionally constraint regions capable of binding to bovine erythrocytes. Vet Parasitol 2022; 312:109834. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
3
|
Bastos RG, Laughery JM, Ozubek S, Alzan HF, Taus NS, Ueti MW, Suarez CE. Identification of novel immune correlates of protection against acute bovine babesiosis by superinfecting cattle with in vitro culture attenuated and virulent Babesia bovis strains. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1045608. [PMID: 36466866 PMCID: PMC9716085 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1045608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan tickborne parasites Babesia bovis and B. bigemina are the major causative agents of bovine babesiosis, a disease that negatively affects the cattle industry and food safety around the world. The absence of correlates of protection represents one major impediment for the development of effective and sustainable vaccines against bovine babesiosis. Herein we superinfected cattle with attenuated and virulent strains of B. bovis to investigate immune correlates of protection against acute bovine babesiosis. Three 6-month-old Holstein calves were infected intravenously (IV) with the in vitro culture attenuated Att-S74-T3Bo B. bovis strain (106 infected bovine red blood cells (iRBC)/calf) while three age-matched Holstein calves were inoculated IV with normal RBC as controls (106 RBC/calf). All Att-S74-T3Bo-infected calves showed a significant increase in temperature early after inoculation but recovered without treatment. Att-S74-T3Bo-infected calves also developed: (a) monocytosis, neutropenia, and CD4+ lymphopenia in peripheral blood on days 3 to 7 post-inoculation; (b) significant levels of TNFα, CXCL10, IFNγ, IL-4, and IL-10 in sera at day 6 after infection; and (c) IgM and IgG against B. bovis antigens, starting at days 10 and 30 post-inoculation, respectively. At 46 days post-Att-S74-T3Bo inoculation, all experimental calves were infected IV with the homologous virulent B. bovis strain Vir-S74-T3Bo (107 iRBC/calf). All Att-S74-T3Bo-infected calves survived superinfection with Vir-S74-T3Bo without displaying signs of acute babesiosis. In contrast, control animals showed signs of acute disease, starting at day 10 post-Vir-S74-T3Bo infection, and two of them were humanely euthanized at days 13 and 14 after inoculation due to the severity of their symptoms. Also, control calves showed higher (P<0.05) parasite load in peripheral blood compared to animals previously exposed to Att-S74-T3Bo. No significant alterations in the profile of leukocytes and cytokines were observed in Att-S74-T3Bo-inoculated after Vir-S74-T3Bo infection. In conclusion, data demonstrate novel changes in the profile of blood immune cells and cytokine expression in peripheral blood that are associated with protection against acute bovine babesiosis. These identified immune correlates of protection may be useful for designing effective and sustainable vaccines against babesiosis in cattle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reginaldo G. Bastos
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Jacob M. Laughery
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Sezayi Ozubek
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Heba F. Alzan
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Naomi S. Taus
- Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural - Agricultural Research, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Massaro W. Ueti
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural - Agricultural Research, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural - Agricultural Research, Pullman, WA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zafar I, Galon EM, Kondoh D, Efstratiou A, Li J, Ji S, Liu M, Li Y, Hasegawa Y, Zhou J, Xuan X. The Cross-Species Immunity During Acute Babesia Co-Infection in Mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:885985. [PMID: 35719355 PMCID: PMC9198632 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.885985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis causes high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. An earlier study suggested that lethal Babesia rodhaini infection in murine can be evaded by Babesia microti primary infection via activated macrophage-based immune response during the chronic stage of infection. However, whether the same immune dynamics occur during acute B. microti co-infection is not known. Hence, we used the mouse model to investigate the host immunity during simultaneous acute disease caused by two Babesia species of different pathogenicity. Results showed that B. microti primary infection attenuated parasitemia and conferred immunity in challenge-infected mice as early as day 4 post-primary infection. Likewise, acute Babesia co-infection undermined the splenic immune response, characterized by the significant decrease in splenic B and T cells leading to the reduction in antibody levels and decline in humoral immunity. Interestingly, increased macrophage and natural killer splenic cell populations were observed, depicting their subtle role in the protection. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e. IFN-γ, TNF-α) were downregulated, while the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was upregulated in mouse sera during the acute phase of Babesia co-infection. Herein, the major cytokines implicated in the lethality caused by B. rodhaini infection were IFN- γ and IL-10. Surprisingly, significant differences in the levels of serum IFN- γ and IL-10 between co-infected survival groups (day 4 and 6 challenge) indicated that even a two-day delay in challenge infection was crucial for the resulting pathology. Additionally, oxidative stress in the form of reactive oxygen species contributed to the severity of pathology during acute babesiosis. Histopathological examination of the spleen showed that the erosion of the marginal zone was more pronounced during B. rodhaini infection, while the loss of cellularity of the marginal zone was less evident during co-infection. Future research warrants investigation of the roles of various immune cell subtypes in the mechanism involved in the protection of Babesia co-infected hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iqra Zafar
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan.,Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Veterinary Research Institute, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Eloiza May Galon
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kondoh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | | | - Jixu Li
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan.,College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Shengwei Ji
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Mingming Liu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Yongchang Li
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan.,Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yae Hasegawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Jinlin Zhou
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kuniyori M, Sato N, Yokoyama N, Kawazu SI, Xuan X, Suzuki H, Fujisaki K, Umemiya-Shirafuji R. Vitellogenin-2 Accumulation in the Fat Body and Hemolymph of Babesia-Infected Haemaphysalis longicornis Ticks. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:908142. [PMID: 35800383 PMCID: PMC9253295 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.908142] [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: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Babesia spp. invades into tick oocytes and remains in the offspring. The transovarial transmission phenomenon of Babesia in ticks has been demonstrated experimentally, but the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Babesia invasion into oocytes occurs along with the progression of oogenesis. In the present study, to find the key tick factor(s) for Babesia transmission, we focused on molecules involved in yolk protein precursor (vitellogenin, Vg) synthesis and Vg uptake, which are crucial events in tick oogenesis. With a Haemaphysalis longicornis tick–Babesia ovata experimental model, the expression profiles of Akt, target of rapamycin, S6K, GATA, and Vg, Vg synthesis-related genes, and Vg receptor (VgR) and autophagy-related gene 6 (ATG6), Vg uptake-related genes, were analyzed using real-time PCR using tissues collected during the preovipositional period in Babesia-infected ticks. The expression levels of H. longicornis Vg-2 (HlVg-2) and HlVg-3 decreased in the fat body of Babesia-infected ticks 1 day after engorgement. In the ovary, HlVg-2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in Babesia-infected ticks than in uninfected ticks 1 and 2 days after engorgement and decreased 3 days after engorgement. HlVgR expression was significantly lower in Babesia-infected ticks than in uninfected ticks 2 and 4 days after engorgement. HlATG6 had a lower gene expression in Babesia-infected ticks compared to uninfected ticks 2 days after engorgement. Additionally, western blot analysis using protein extracts from each collected tissue revealed that H. longicornis Vg-2 (HlVg-2) accumulate in the fat body and hemolymph of Babesia-infected ticks. These results suggest that Vg uptake from the hemolymph to the ovary was suppressed in the presence of B. ovata. Moreover, HlVg-2 knockdown ticks had a lower detection rate of B. ovata DNA in the ovary and a significant reduction of B. ovata DNA in the hemolymph compared with control ticks. Taken together, our results suggest that accumulated HlVg-2 is associated with Babesia infection or transmission in the tick body. These findings, besides previous reports on VgR, provide important information to elucidate the transovarial transmission mechanisms of pathogens in tick vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maki Kuniyori
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Nariko Sato
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Naoaki Yokoyama
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Shin-ichiro Kawazu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Suzuki
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Kozo Fujisaki
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
- National Agricultural and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Rika Umemiya-Shirafuji
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
- *Correspondence: Rika Umemiya-Shirafuji,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Forouharmehr A, Nazifi N, Mousavi SM, Jaydari A. Designing an Efficient Epitope-based Vaccine Conjugated with a Molecular Adjuvant against Bovine Babesiosis: A Computational Study. Process Biochem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2022.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
7
|
Bastos RG, Alzan HF, Rathinasamy VA, Cooke BM, Dellagostin OA, Barletta RG, Suarez CE. Harnessing Mycobacterium bovis BCG Trained Immunity to Control Human and Bovine Babesiosis. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:123. [PMID: 35062784 PMCID: PMC8781211 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10010123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is a disease caused by tickborne hemoprotozoan apicomplexan parasites of the genus Babesia that negatively impacts public health and food security worldwide. Development of effective and sustainable vaccines against babesiosis is currently hindered in part by the absence of definitive host correlates of protection. Despite that, studies in Babesia microti and Babesia bovis, major causative agents of human and bovine babesiosis, respectively, suggest that early activation of innate immune responses is crucial for vertebrates to survive acute infection. Trained immunity (TI) is defined as the development of memory in vertebrate innate immune cells, allowing more efficient responses to subsequent specific and non-specific challenges. Considering that Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), a widely used anti-tuberculosis attenuated vaccine, induces strong TI pro-inflammatory responses, we hypothesize that BCG TI may protect vertebrates against acute babesiosis. This premise is supported by early investigations demonstrating that BCG inoculation protects mice against experimental B. microti infection and recent observations that BCG vaccination decreases the severity of malaria in children infected with Plasmodium falciparum, a Babesia-related parasite. We also discuss the potential use of TI in conjunction with recombinant BCG vaccines expressing Babesia immunogens. In conclusion, by concentrating on human and bovine babesiosis, herein we intend to raise awareness of BCG TI as a strategy to efficiently control Babesia infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reginaldo G. Bastos
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA;
| | - Heba F. Alzan
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA;
- Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Center, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Vignesh A. Rathinasamy
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia; (V.A.R.); (B.M.C.)
| | - Brian M. Cooke
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia; (V.A.R.); (B.M.C.)
| | - Odir A. Dellagostin
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-900, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil;
| | - Raúl G. Barletta
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0905, USA;
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rittipornlertrak A, Nambooppha B, Muenthaisong A, Punyapornwithaya V, Tiwananthagorn S, Chung YT, Tuvshintulga B, Sivakumar T, Yokoyama N, Sthitmatee N. Structural and immunological characterization of an epitope within the PAN motif of ectodomain I in Babesia bovis apical membrane antigen 1 for vaccine development. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11765. [PMID: 34316404 PMCID: PMC8288113 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11765] [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: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bovine babesiosis caused by Babesia bovis (B. bovis) has had a significant effect on the mobility and mortality rates of the cattle industry worldwide. Live-attenuated vaccines are currently being used in many endemic countries, but their wide use has been limited for a number of reasons. Although recombinant vaccines have been proposed as an alternative to live vaccines, such vaccines are not commercially available to date. Apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) is one of the leading candidates in the development of a vaccine against diseases caused by apicomplexan parasite species. In Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) AMA-1 (PfAMA-1), several antibodies against epitopes in the plasminogen, apple, and nematode (PAN) motif of PfAMA-1 domain I significantly inhibited parasite growth. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to predict an epitope from the PAN motif of domain I in the B. bovis AMA-1 (BbAMA-1) using a combination of linear and conformational B-cell epitope prediction software. The selected epitope was then bioinformatically analyzed, synthesized as a peptide (sBbAMA-1), and then used to immunize a rabbit. Subsequently, in vitro growth- and the invasion-inhibitory effects of the rabbit antiserum were immunologically characterized. Results Our results demonstrated that the predicted BbAMA-1 epitope was located on the surface-exposed α-helix of the PAN motif in domain I at the apex area between residues 181 and 230 with six polymorphic sites. Subsequently, sBbAMA-1 elicited antibodies capable of recognizing the native BbAMA-1 in immunoassays. Furthermore, anti-serum against sBbAMA-1 was immunologically evaluated for its growth- and invasion-inhibitory effects on B. bovis merozoites in vitro. Our results demonstrated that the rabbit anti-sBbAMA-1 serum at a dilution of 1:5 significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) the growth of B. bovis merozoites by approximately 50–70% on days 3 and 4 of cultivation, along with the invasion of merozoites by approximately 60% within 4 h of incubation when compared to the control groups. Conclusion Our results indicate that the epitope predicted from the PAN motif of BbAMA-1 domain I is neutralization-sensitive and may serve as a target antigen for vaccine development against bovine babesiosis caused by B. bovis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Boondarika Nambooppha
- Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Anucha Muenthaisong
- Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Veerasak Punyapornwithaya
- Department of Food Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Saruda Tiwananthagorn
- Department of Veterinary Bioscience and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Yang-Tsung Chung
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Bumduuren Tuvshintulga
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Thillaiampalam Sivakumar
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Naoaki Yokoyama
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Nattawooti Sthitmatee
- Department of Veterinary Bioscience and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Alzan HF, Bastos RG, Ueti MW, Laughery JM, Rathinasamy VA, Cooke BM, Suarez CE. Assessment of Babesia bovis 6cys A and 6cys B as components of transmission blocking vaccines for babesiosis. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:210. [PMID: 33879245 PMCID: PMC8056569 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04712-7] [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: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Babesia bovis reproduces sexually in the gut of its tick vector Rhipicephalus microplus, which involves expression of 6cys A and 6cys B proteins. Members of the widely conserved 6cys superfamily are candidates for transmission blocking vaccines (TBV), but intricacies in the immunogenicity of the 6cys proteins in the related Plasmodium parasites required the identification of transmission blocking domains in these molecules for vaccine design. Hereby, the immunogenic efficacy of recombinant (r) B. bovis 6cys A and B proteins as a TBV formulation was studied. Methods The immunogenicity of r6cys A and 6cys B proteins expressed in a eukaryotic system was evaluated in a cattle immunization trial (3 immunized and 3 control calves). A B. bovis sexual stage induction in vitro inhibition assay to assess the ability of antibodies to block the production of sexual forms by the parasite was developed. Results Immunized cattle generated antibodies against r6cys A and r6cys B that were unable to block sexual reproduction of the parasite in ticks. Additionally, these antibodies also failed in recognizing native 6cys A and 6cys B and peptides representing 6cys A and 6cys B functional domains and in inhibiting the development of sexual forms in an in vitro induction system. In contrast, rabbit antibodies generated against synthetic peptides representing predicted B-cell epitopes of 6cys A and 6cys B recognized recombinant and native forms of both 6cys proteins as well as peptides representing 6cys A and 6cys B functional domains and were able to neutralize development of sexual forms of the parasite in vitro. Conclusions These data, combined with similar work performed on Plasmodium 6cys proteins, indicate that an effective 6cys protein-based TBV against B. bovis will require identifying and targeting selected regions of proteins containing epitopes able to reduce transmission. Graphic abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04712-7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heba F Alzan
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA. .,Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. .,Tick and Tick-Borne Disease Research Unit, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt.
| | - Reginaldo G Bastos
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Massaro W Ueti
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.,Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural - Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Jacob M Laughery
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Vignesh A Rathinasamy
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Brian M Cooke
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carlos E Suarez
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA. .,Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural - Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ceylan O, Xuan X, Sevinc F. Primary Tick-Borne Protozoan and Rickettsial Infections of Animals in Turkey. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020231. [PMID: 33669573 PMCID: PMC7923091 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases caused by ticks constitute a barrier on global animal production, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. As a country with a temperate and subtropical climate, Turkey has topography, climate, and pasture resources, and these resources are suitable for animal breeding and parasite–host–vector relationships throughout the country. This geography restricts the regulations on animal movements in the southeastern and eastern Anatolia because of the close contact with the neighboring states. The livestock resources in Turkey are regulated by strong foundations. Almost 30% of the agriculture-based gross domestic product is provided by the livestock industry. Parasitic diseases arising from ticks are endemic in Turkey, and they have a significant impact on the economy and animal health, particularly for ruminants. The main and economically-important tick-borne diseases (TBDs) suffered by animals include theileriosis, babesiosis, hepatozoonosis, and cytauxzoonosis caused by protozoa, and anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis caused by rickettsiae. The most common hemoprotozoan and rickettsial agents are Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys, Babesia bigemina, Babesia caballi, Babesia ovis, Cytauxzoon felis, Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis, Theileria annulata and Theileria equi. These diseases are basically controlled through treatment and measures for tick control. Vaccination can be performed for only tropical theileriosis caused in Turkey. We reviewed the studies published in domestic and international journals to gather epidemiological data regarding the major TBDs suffered by animals in Turkey.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Onur Ceylan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, 42250 Konya, Turkey;
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan;
| | - Ferda Sevinc
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, 42250 Konya, Turkey;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +90-332-223-2687
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mazuz ML, Laughery JM, Lebovitz B, Yasur-Landau D, Rot A, Bastos RG, Edery N, Fleiderovitz L, Levi MM, Suarez CE. Experimental Infection of Calves with Transfected Attenuated Babesia bovis Expressing the Rhipicephalus microplus Bm86 Antigen and eGFP Marker: Preliminary Studies towards a Dual Anti-Tick/Babesia Vaccine. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020135. [PMID: 33572875 PMCID: PMC7911397 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020135] [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: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis, caused by Babesia bovis and B. bigemina, is a major tick-borne disease of cattle with global economic impact. The disease can be prevented using integrated control measures including attenuated Babesia vaccines, babesicidal drugs, and tick control approaches. Vaccination of cattle with the Rhipicephalus microplus Bm86-based recombinant vaccine reduces the fitness of R. microplus and R. annulatus, but several booster inoculations are required to maintain protection. Herein, we generated a stable transfected strain of B. bovis expressing an enhanced GFP (eGFP) and a chimeric version of Bm86 (B. bovis/Bm86/eGFP). The eGFP was expressed in the parasite cytoplasm, whereas Bm86 was displayed on the surface of merozoites. Three splenectomized calves experimentally infected with B. bovis/Bm86/eGFP showed mild signs of acute disease and developed long-lasting antibody responses to B. bovis and native Bm86. No evidence of sequestration of parasites in the cerebral capillaries was found upon postmortem analysis, confirming attenuation of the strain. This is the first report of transfected B. bovis expressing the tick antigen Bm86 on the merozoite surface that elicits an antibody response to native Bm86. These results represent a proof of concept for a novel live, attenuated, tagged dual-vaccine approach to attempt simultaneous control of babesiosis and tick infestation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica L. Mazuz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
- Correspondence: (M.L.M.); (C.E.S.); Tel.: +972-3-968-1690 (M.L.M.); Tel.: +1-509-335-6341 (C.E.S.)
| | - Jacob M. Laughery
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA; (J.M.L.); (R.G.B.)
| | - Benjamin Lebovitz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Daniel Yasur-Landau
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Assael Rot
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Reginaldo G. Bastos
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA; (J.M.L.); (R.G.B.)
| | - Nir Edery
- Division of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel;
| | - Ludmila Fleiderovitz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Maayan Margalit Levi
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA; (J.M.L.); (R.G.B.)
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, WSU, Pullman, WA 99164-6630, USA
- Correspondence: (M.L.M.); (C.E.S.); Tel.: +972-3-968-1690 (M.L.M.); Tel.: +1-509-335-6341 (C.E.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ueti MW, Johnson WC, Kappmeyer LS, Herndon DR, Mousel MR, Reif KE, Taus NS, Ifeonu OO, Silva JC, Suarez CE, Brayton KA. Comparative analysis of gene expression between Babesia bovis blood stages and kinetes allowed by improved genome annotation. Int J Parasitol 2020; 51:123-136. [PMID: 33069745 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Throughout their life cycle, Babesia parasites alternate between a mammalian host, where they cause babesiosis, and the tick vector. Transition between hosts results in distinct environmental signals that influence patterns of gene expression, consistent with the morphological and functional changes operating in the parasites during their life stages. In addition, comparing differential patterns of gene expression among mammalian and tick parasite stages can provide clues for developing improved methods of control. Hereby, we upgraded the genome assembly of Babesia bovis, a bovine hemoparasite, closing a 139 kbp gap, and used RNA-Seq datasets derived from mammalian blood and tick kinete stages to update the genome annotation. Of the originally annotated genes, 1,254 required structural changes, and 326 new genes were identified, leading to a different predicted proteome compared to the original annotation. Next, the RNA-Seq data was used to identify B. bovis genes that were differentially expressed in the vertebrate and arthropod hosts. In blood stages, 28% of the genes were upregulated up to 300 fold, whereas 26% of the genes in kinetes, a tick stage, were upregulated up to >19,000 fold. We thus discovered differentially expressed genes that may play key biological roles and serve as suitable targets for the development of vaccines to control bovine babesiosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massaro W Ueti
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
| | | | | | - David R Herndon
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Michelle R Mousel
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Kathryn E Reif
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Naomi S Taus
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Olukemi O Ifeonu
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joana C Silva
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carlos E Suarez
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Kelly A Brayton
- Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Rizk MA, El-Sayed SAES, Nassif M, Mosqueda J, Xuan X, Igarashi I. Assay methods for in vitro and in vivo anti-Babesia drug efficacy testing: Current progress, outlook, and challenges. Vet Parasitol 2019; 279:109013. [PMID: 32070899 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.109013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Absence of an effective high-throughput drug-screening system for Babesia parasites is considered one of the main causes for the presence of a wide gap in the treatment of animal babesiosis when compared with other hemoprotozoan diseases, such as malaria. Recently, a simple, accurate, and automatic fluorescence assay was established for large-scale anti-Babesia (B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, B. caballi and T. equi) drug screening. Such development will facilitate anti-Babesia drug discovery, especially in the post-genomic era, which will bring new chemotherapy targets with the completion of the Babesia genome sequencing project currently in progress. In this review, we present the current progress in the various assays for in vitro and in vivo anti-Babesia drug testing, as well as the challenges, highlighting new insights into the future of anti-Babesia drug screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Abdo Rizk
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan; Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Shimaa Abd El-Salam El-Sayed
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan; Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Medhat Nassif
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt
| | - Juan Mosqueda
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Avenida de las Ciencias s/n, 76230, Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Ikuo Igarashi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Batiha GES, Beshbishy AM, Tayebwa DS, Adeyemi OS, Yokoyama N, Igarashi I. Evaluation of the inhibitory effect of ivermectin on the growth of Babesia and Theileria parasites in vitro and in vivo. Trop Med Health 2019; 47:42. [PMID: 31337949 PMCID: PMC6625054 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-019-0171-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Treatment is the principle way to control and eliminate piroplasmosis. The search for new chemotherapy against Babesia and Theileria has become increasingly urgent due to parasite resistance to current drugs. Ivermectin (IVM) was the world’s first endectocide, capable of killing a wide variety of parasites and vectors, both inside and outside the body. It is currently authorized to treat onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, strongyloidiasis, and scabies. The current study documented the efficacy of IVM on the growth of Babesia and Theileria in vitro and in vivo. Methods The fluorescence-based assay was used for evaluating the inhibitory effect of IVM on four Babesia species, including B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, B. caballi, and Theileria equi, the combination with diminazene aceturate (DA), clofazimine (CF), and atovaquone (AQ) on in vitro cultures, and on the multiplication of a B. microti-infected mouse model. The cytotoxicity of compounds was tested on Madin–Darby bovine kidney (MDBK), mouse embryonic fibroblast (NIH/3 T3), and human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cell lines. Results The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values determined for IVM against B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, B. caballi, and T. equi were 53.3 ± 4.8, 98.6 ± 5.7, 30.1 ± 2.2, 43.7 ± 3.7, and 90.1 ± 8.1 μM, respectively. Toxicity assays on MDBK, NIH/3 T3, and HFF cell lines showed that IVM affected the viability of cells with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 138.9 ± 4.9, 283.8 ± 3.6, and 287.5 ± 7.6 μM, respectively. In the in vivo experiment, IVM, when administered intraperitoneally at 4 mg/kg, significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the growth of B. microti in mice by 63%. Furthermore, combination therapies of IVM–DA, IVM–AQ, and IVM–CF at a half dose reduced the peak parasitemia of B. microti by 83.7%, 76.5%, and 74.4%, respectively. Moreover, this study confirmed the absence of B. microti DNA in groups treated with combination chemotherapy of IVM + DA and IVM + AQ 49 days after infection. Conclusions These findings suggest that IVM has the potential to be an alternative remedy for treating piroplasmosis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s41182-019-0171-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- 1National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555 Japan.,2Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, El Beheira 22511 Egypt
| | - Amani Magdy Beshbishy
- 1National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555 Japan
| | - Dickson Stuart Tayebwa
- 1National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555 Japan.,3Research Center for Tick and Tick-Borne Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Oluyomi Stephen Adeyemi
- 4Medicinal Biochemistry, Nanomedicine and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara 251101 Nigeria
| | - Naoaki Yokoyama
- 1National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555 Japan
| | - Ikuo Igarashi
- 1National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Interplay between Attenuation- and Virulence-Factors of Babesia bovis and Their Contribution to the Establishment of Persistent Infections in Cattle. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8030097. [PMID: 31277392 PMCID: PMC6789890 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis is an acute and persistent tick-borne global disease caused mainly by the intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasites Babesia bovis and B. bigemina. B. bovis infected erythrocytes sequester in blood capillaries of the host (cytoadhesion), causing malaria-like neurological signs. Cytoadhesion and antigenic variation in B. bovis are linked to the expression of members of the Variant Erythrocyte Surface Antigen (VESA) gene family. Animals that survive acute B. bovis infection and those vaccinated with attenuated strains remain persistently infected, suggesting that B. bovis parasites use immune escape mechanisms. However, attenuated B. bovis parasites do not cause neurological signs in vaccinated animals, indicating that virulence or attenuation factors play roles in modulating parasite virulence phenotypes. Artificial overexpression of the SBP2t11 protein, a defined attenuation factor, was associated with reduced cytoadhesion, suggesting a role for this protein as a key modulator of virulence in the parasite. Hereby, we propose a model that might be functional in the modulation of B. bovis virulence and persistence that relies on the interplay among SBP2t, VESA proteins, cytoadhesion, and the immune responses of the host. Elucidation of mechanisms used by the parasite to establish persistent infection will likely contribute to the design of new methods for the control of bovine babesiosis.
Collapse
|
16
|
The effects of trans-chalcone and chalcone 4 hydrate on the growth of Babesia and Theileria. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007030. [PMID: 31125333 PMCID: PMC6534319 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemotherapy is a principle tool for the control and prevention of piroplasmosis. The search for a new chemotherapy against Babesia and Theileria parasites has become increasingly urgent due to the toxic side effects of and developed resistance to the current drugs. Chalcones have attracted much attention due to their diverse biological activities. With the aim to discover new drugs and drug targets, in vitro and in vivo antibabesial activity of trans-chalcone (TC) and chalcone 4 hydrate (CH) alone and combined with diminazene aceturate (DA), clofazimine (CF) and atovaquone (AQ) were investigated. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The fluorescence-based assay was used for evaluating the inhibitory effect of TC and CH on four Babesia species, including B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, B. caballi, and T. equi, the combination with DA, CF, and AQ on in vitro cultures, and on the multiplication of a B. microti-infected mouse model. The cytotoxicity of compounds was tested on Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK), mouse embryonic fibroblast (NIH/3T3), and human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cell lines. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of TC and CH against B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, B. caballi, and T. equi were 69.6 ± 2.3, 33.3 ± 1.2, 64.8 ± 2.5, 18.9 ± 1.7, and 14.3 ± 1.6 μM and 138.4 ± 4.4, 60.9 ± 1.1, 82.3 ± 2.3, 27.9 ± 1.2, and 19.2 ± 1.5 μM, respectively. In toxicity assays, TC and CH affected the viability of MDBK, NIH/3T3, and HFF cell lines the with half maximum effective concentration (EC50) values of 293.9 ± 2.9, 434.4 ± 2.7, and 498 ± 3.1 μM and 252.7 ± 1.7, 406.3 ± 9.7, and 466 ± 5.7 μM, respectively. In the mouse experiment, TC reduced the peak parasitemia of B. microti by 71.8% when administered intraperitoneally at 25 mg/kg. Combination therapies of TC-DA and TC-CF were more potent against B. microti infection in mice than their monotherapies. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE In conclusion, both TC and CH inhibited the growth of Babesia and Theileria in vitro, and TC inhibited the growth of B. microti in vivo. Therefore, TC and CH could be candidates for the treatment of piroplasmosis after further studies.
Collapse
|
17
|
Suarez CE, Alzan HF, Silva MG, Rathinasamy V, Poole WA, Cooke BM. Unravelling the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of bovine babesiosis: is the sky the limit? Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:183-197. [PMID: 30690089 PMCID: PMC6988112 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The global impact of bovine babesiosis caused by the tick-borne apicomplexan parasites Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina and Babesia divergens is vastly underappreciated. These parasites invade and multiply asexually in bovine red blood cells (RBCs), undergo sexual reproduction in their tick vectors (Rhipicephalus spp. for B. bovis and B. bigemina, and Ixodes ricinus for B. divergens) and have a trans-ovarial mode of transmission. Babesia parasites can cause acute and persistent infections to adult naïve cattle that can occur without evident clinical signs, but infections caused by B. bovis are associated with more severe disease and increased mortality, and are considered to be the most virulent agent of bovine babesiosis. In addition, babesiosis caused by B. divergens has an important zoonotic potential. The disease caused by B. bovis and B. bigemina can be controlled, at least in part, using therapeutic agents or vaccines comprising live-attenuated parasites, but these methods are limited in terms of their safety, ease of deployability and long-term efficacy, and improved control measures are urgently needed. In addition, expansion of tick habitats due to climate change and other rapidly changing environmental factors complicate efficient control of these parasites. While the ability to cause persistent infections facilitates transmission and persistence of the parasite in endemic regions, it also highlights their capacity to evade the host immune responses. Currently, the mechanisms of immune responses used by infected bovines to survive acute and chronic infections remain poorly understood, warranting further research. Similarly, molecular details on the processes leading to sexual reproduction and the development of tick-stage parasites are lacking, and such tick-specific molecules can be targets for control using alternative transmission blocking vaccines. In this review, we identify and examine key phases in the life-cycle of Babesia parasites, including dependence on a tick vector for transmission, sexual reproduction of the parasite in the midgut of the tick, parasite-dependent invasion and egression of bovine RBCs, the role of the spleen in the clearance of infected RBCs (IRBCs), and age-related disease resistance in cattle, as opportunities for developing improved control measures. The availability of integrated novel research approaches including "omics" (such as genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics), gene modification, cytoadhesion assays, RBC invasion assays and methods for in vitro induction of sexual-stage parasites will accelerate our understanding of parasite vulnerabilities. Further, producing new knowledge on these vulnerabilities, as well as taking full advantage of existing knowledge, by filling important research gaps should result in the development of next-generation vaccines to control acute disease and parasite transmission. Creative and effective use of current and future technical and computational resources are needed, in the face of the numerous challenges imposed by these highly evolved parasites, for improving the control of this disease. Overall, bovine babesiosis is recognised as a global disease that imposes a serious burden on livestock production and human livelihood, but it largely remains a poorly controlled disease in many areas of the world. Recently, important progress has been made in our understanding of the basic biology and host-parasite interactions of Babesia parasites, yet a good deal of basic and translational research is still needed to achieve effective control of this important disease and to improve animal and human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos E Suarez
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States; Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, WSU, Pullman, WA, United States.
| | - Heba F Alzan
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States; Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Marta G Silva
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States; Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, WSU, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Vignesh Rathinasamy
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - William A Poole
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Brian M Cooke
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Sivakumar T, Tuvshintulga B, Zhyldyz A, Kothalawala H, Yapa PR, Kanagaratnam R, Vimalakumar SC, Abeysekera TS, Weerasingha AS, Yamagishi J, Igarashi I, Silva SSP, Yokoyama N. Genetic Analysis of Babesia Isolates from Cattle with Clinical Babesiosis in Sri Lanka. J Clin Microbiol 2018; 56:e00895-18. [PMID: 30158190 PMCID: PMC6204690 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00895-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis is a serious threat to the cattle industry. We prepared blood DNA samples from 13 cattle with clinical babesiosis from the Badulla (n = 8), Jaffna (n = 3), and Kilinochchi (n = 2) districts in Sri Lanka. These DNA samples tested positive in PCR assays specific for Babesiabovis (n = 9), Babesia bigemina (n = 9), and Babesiaovata (n = 1). Twelve cattle were positive for B. bovis and/or B. bigemina One cow was negative for the tested Babesia species but was positive for Babesia on microscopic examination; the phylogenetic positions of 18S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit III gene sequences suggested that the cow was infected with Babesia sp. Mymensingh, which was recently reported from a healthy cow in Bangladesh. We then developed a novel Babesia sp. Mymensingh-specific PCR assay and obtained positive results for one other sample. Analysis of gene sequences from the cow with positive B. ovata-specific PCR results demonstrated that the animal was infected not with B. ovata but with Babesia sp. Hue-1, which was recently reported from asymptomatic cattle in Vietnam. The virulence of Babesia sp. Hue-1 is unclear, as the cow was coinfected with B. bovis and B. bigemina However, Babesia sp. Mymensingh probably causes severe clinical babesiosis, as it was the sole Babesia species detected in a clinical case. The present study revealed the presence of two bovine Babesia species not previously reported in Sri Lanka, plus the first case of severe bovine babesiosis caused by a Babesia species other than B. bovis, B. bigemina, and Babesiadivergens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thillaiampalam Sivakumar
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan
- Veterinary Research Institute, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Bumduuren Tuvshintulga
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Atambekova Zhyldyz
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Junya Yamagishi
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
- Global Station for Zoonosis Control, GI-CoRE, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Ikuo Igarashi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan
| | | | - Naoaki Yokoyama
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Mtshali PS, Mtshali MS. In silico and phylogenetic analyses of partial BbRAP-1, BbCP2, BbSBP-4 and BbβTUB gene sequences of Babesia bovis isolates from cattle in South Africa. BMC Vet Res 2017; 13:383. [PMID: 29216890 PMCID: PMC5721623 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1261-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bovine babesiosis is one of the most economically important tick-borne diseases threatening the livestock industry globally including South Africa. This disease is induced by members of Babesia bovis species. Antigenic variations among geographical strains of B. bovis, and these heterogeneities are cited as the mechanism by which parasites evade from host immune system and they hamper the successful development of a single vaccine that could confer absolute protection. Given the economic importance of livestock industry in South Africa, the extent of genetic diversity among field isolates of B. bovis merits extensive investigation. In this study, we genetically characterized partial genes of B. bovis and studied the phylogenetic relationship among B. bovis isolates of South African origin. The genes, which were PCR-amplified from bovine samples collected from different locations across South Africa, coded for rhoptry-associated protein 1 (BbRAP-1), cysteine peptidase 2 (BbCP2), spherical body protein 4 (BbSBP-4) and β-tubulin (BbβTUB). Phylogenies were inferred from newly determined sequences using the neighbour-joining approach. Results Nested PCR assays with gene-specific primers indicated that, of the 54 bovine samples tested, 59.3% (32/54; 95% CI = 46.0–71.3%), 27.8% (15/54; 95% CI = 17.6–40.9%), 37.0% (20/54; 95% CI = 25.4–50.4%) and 29.6% (16/54; 95% CI = 19.1–42.8%) possessed BbRAP-1, BbCP2, BbSBP-4 and BbβTUB fragments, respectively. Sequencing of PCR-generated fragments revealed that nucleotide sequences of each of the four genes were highly conserved among the B. bovis isolates examined. Phylogenetic analyses of BbCP2, BbSBP-4 and BbβTUB sequences indicated a close phylogenetic relatedness among South African-derived sequences and those of global B. bovis strains. Conclusion The data reported in this study indicated that there is a high conservation among the genes of B. bovis isolates from cattle in South Africa. These findings give an indication that immunologically important proteins encoded by these genes could potentially be considered for exploitation as viable candidates for inclusion in recombinant subunit vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Senzo Mtshali
- Veterinary Parasitology Programme, Research and Scientific Services Department, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Moses Sibusiso Mtshali
- Veterinary Parasitology Programme, Research and Scientific Services Department, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa. .,Parasitology Research Programme, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, QwaQwa Campus, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Rittipornlertrak A, Nambooppha B, Simking P, Punyapornwithaya V, Tiwananthagorn S, Jittapalapong S, Chung YT, Sthitmatee N. Low levels of genetic diversity associated with evidence of negative selection on the Babesia bovis apical membrane antigen 1 from parasite populations in Thailand. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 54:447-454. [PMID: 28807856 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Babesia bovis, a parasite infecting cattle and buffalo, continues to spread throughout the developing world. The babesial vaccine was developed to be a sustainable alternative treatment to control the parasite. However, genetic diversity is a major obstacle for designing and developing a safe and effective vaccine. The apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) is considered to be a potential vaccine candidate antigen among immunogenic genes of B. bovis. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of B. bovis AMA-1 (BbAMA-1), three B. bovis DNA samples were randomly selected to characterize in order to explore genetic diversity and natural selection and to predict the antigen epitopes. The sequence analysis revealed that BbAMA-1 has a low level of polymorphism and is highly conserved (95.46-99.94%) among Thai and global isolates. The majority of the polymorphic sites were observed in domains I and III. Conversely, domain II contained no polymorphic sites. We report the first evidence of strong negative or purifying selection across the full length of the gene, especially in domain I, by demonstrating a significant excess of the average number of synonymous (dS) over the non-synonymous (dN) substitutions. Finally, we also predict the linear and conformational B-cell epitope. The predicted B-cell epitopes appeared to be involved with the amino acid changes. Collectively, the results suggest that the conserved BbAMA-1 may be used to detect regional differences in the B. bovis parasite. Importantly, the limitation of BbAMA-1 diversity under strong negative selection indicates strong functional constraints on this gene. Thus, the gene could be a valuable target vaccine candidate antigen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pacharathon Simking
- Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathumthani 12110, Thailand
| | | | | | | | - Yang-Tsung Chung
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Nattawooti Sthitmatee
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand; Excellent Center in Veterinary Bioscience, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Identification and characterization of profilin antigen among Babesia species as a common vaccine candidate against babesiosis. Exp Parasitol 2016; 166:29-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
22
|
Genetic diversity and antigenicity variation of Babesia bovis merozoite surface antigen-1 (MSA-1) in Thailand. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 41:255-261. [PMID: 27101782 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Babesia bovis, an intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite, causes severe clinical disease in cattle worldwide. The genetic diversity of parasite antigens often results in different immune profiles in infected animals, hindering efforts to develop immune control methodologies against the B. bovis infection. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity of the merozoite surface antigen-1 (msa-1) gene using 162 B. bovis-positive blood DNA samples sourced from cattle populations reared in different geographical regions of Thailand. The identity scores shared among 93 msa-1 gene sequences isolated by PCR amplification were 43.5-100%, and the similarity values among the translated amino acid sequences were 42.8-100%. Of 23 total clades detected in our phylogenetic analysis, Thai msa-1 gene sequences occurred in 18 clades; seven among them were composed of sequences exclusively from Thailand. To investigate differential antigenicity of isolated MSA-1 proteins, we expressed and purified eight recombinant MSA-1 (rMSA-1) proteins, including an rMSA-1 from B. bovis Texas (T2Bo) strain and seven rMSA-1 proteins based on the Thai msa-1 sequences. When these antigens were analyzed in a western blot assay, anti-T2Bo cattle serum strongly reacted with the rMSA-1 from T2Bo, as well as with three other rMSA-1 proteins that shared 54.9-68.4% sequence similarity with T2Bo MSA-1. In contrast, no or weak reactivity was observed for the remaining rMSA-1 proteins, which shared low sequence similarity (35.0-39.7%) with T2Bo MSA-1. While demonstrating the high genetic diversity of the B. bovis msa-1 gene in Thailand, the present findings suggest that the genetic diversity results in antigenicity variations among the MSA-1 antigens of B. bovis in Thailand.
Collapse
|
23
|
|
24
|
Sevinc F, Sevinc M, Koc Y, Alkan F, Ekici OD, Yildiz R, Isik N, Aydogdu U. The effect of 12 successive blood passages on the virulence of Babesia ovis in splenectomized lambs: A preliminary study. Small Rumin Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2013.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
25
|
Salama AA, Terkawi MA, Kawai S, Aboulaila M, Nayel M, Mousa A, Zaghawa A, Yokoyama N, Igarashi I. Specific antibody to a conserved region of Babesia apical membrane antigen-1 inhibited the invasion of B. bovis into the erythrocyte. Exp Parasitol 2013; 135:623-8. [PMID: 24090565 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2013.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Revised: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) is a microneme protein that exists in all apicomplexan parasites and plays an indispensable role in the invasion into host cell. Central region of ectodomains I and II of Babesia bovis apical membrane antigen-1 (BbAMA-1P) is highly conserved with these of Babesia species and may be beneficial for vaccine development against babesiosis. In the present study, recombinant protein encoding the central region of B. bovis AMA-1 (rBbAMA-1P) was produced in Escherichia coli and its antiserum was prepared in mice for further molecular characterization. Anti-rBbAMA-1P serum specifically reacted with corresponding authentic protein of B. bovis as determined by Western blotting and IFAT. Cultured B. bovis treated with anti-rBbAMA-1P serum showed significant reduction in the in vitro growth of the parasites. Moreover, preincubated free merozoites with 1mg/ml anti-rBbAMA-1P serum inhibited their efficiency in the invasion into erythrocytes (RBCs) by 61% and 70% at 3h and 6h, respectively. Our data suggest that the central region of domains I and II of BbAMA-1 may serve as a vaccine candidate against babesiosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akram Ahmed Salama
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; Department of Animal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Minoufiya 32897, Egypt
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Genetic conservation of potentially immunogenic proteins among Brazilian isolates of Babesia bovis. Vet Parasitol 2012; 187:548-52. [PMID: 22309798 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2011] [Revised: 01/09/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis caused by Babesia bovis remains an important constraint for the development of cattle industries worldwide. Effective control can be achieved by vaccination with live attenuated phenotypes of the parasite. However, these vaccines have a number of drawbacks, which justifies the search for better, safer vaccines. In recent years, a number of parasite proteins with immunogenic potential have been discovered. However, there is little information on the genetic conservation of these proteins among different parasite isolates, which hinders their assessment as immunogens. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the conservation of the genes ama-1, acs-1, rap-1, trap, p0 and msa2c among five Brazilian isolates of B. bovis. Through polymerase chain reaction, genetic sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of the genes, a high degree of conservation (98-100%) was found among Brazilian isolates of B. bovis and the T2Bo isolate. Thus, these genes are worth considering as viable candidates to be included in a recombinant cocktail vaccine for cattle babesiosis caused by B. bovis.
Collapse
|
27
|
Suarez CE, Noh S. Emerging perspectives in the research of bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis. Vet Parasitol 2011; 180:109-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
28
|
Transfection systems for Babesia bovis: A review of methods for the transient and stable expression of exogenous genes. Vet Parasitol 2010; 167:205-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
|
29
|
Altangerel K, Alhassan A, Iseki H, Sivakumar T, Boldbaatar D, Yokoyama N, Igarashi I. Evaluation of Babesia bigemina 200 kDa recombinant antigen in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Parasitol Res 2009; 105:249-54. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1392-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2008] [Accepted: 02/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
30
|
Delbecq S, Hadj-Kaddour K, Randazzo S, Kleuskens J, Schetters T, Gorenflot A, Précigout E. Hydrophobic moeties in recombinant proteins are crucial to generate efficient saponin-based vaccine against Apicomplexan Babesia divergens. Vaccine 2006; 24:613-21. [PMID: 16199111 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.08.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2005] [Revised: 08/03/2005] [Accepted: 08/09/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Throughout Europe, bovine babesiosis is mainly caused by Babesia divergens, an Apicomplexan parasite transmitted by tick bites. The intra-erythrocytic development of B. divergens merozoites leads to haemolytic anaemia, and bovine babesiosis is responsible for economic losses in the agro-business industry. A totally efficient recombinant vaccine based on the merozoite surface protein Bd37 and saponin QuilA was recently described. In the present study we determined that protective immunity elicited by the Bd37 recombinant protein was related to the presence of hydrophobic residues in the protein. Using polymeric fusion of Bd37 as well as cell-free in vitro protein expression, we successfully expressed recombinant proteins containing hydrophobic sequences without the need of GST fusion. We used different hydrophobic sequences and different recombinant Bd37 proteins to demonstrate that antigen hydrophobicity affects the immune system, turning an inefficient protein into a 100% protective vaccine. Some hypotheses about the hydrophobic effect and its potential application to other parasitic protozoa vaccine are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Delbecq
- Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire et Moleculaire, ERT 1038 Vaccination anti-parasitaire, Faculté de Pharmacie, 15 Avenue Charles Flahault, BP 14 491, 34093 Montpellier cedex 05, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Bork S, Okamura M, Boonchit S, Hirata H, Yokoyama N, Igarashi I. Identification of Babesia bovis l-lactate dehydrogenase as a potential chemotherapeutical target against bovine babesiosis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2004; 136:165-72. [PMID: 15478796 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2004.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we characterized a novel Babesia bovis cDNA clone obtained by immunoscreening the cDNA expression phage library with B. bovis-infected bovine serum. The genetic analyses showed that it contained an open reading frame of 993 bp, which was considered to encode B. bovis L-lactate dehydrogenase (BbLDH: E.C. 1.1.1.27) because of the strikingly high amino acid identities of its gene product to the LDHs of Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii. Immunological analyses with the anti-recombinant BbLDH mouse serum showed that 36 kDa of the native BbLDH was expressed not only in the cytoplasm of intra- and extraerythrocytic parasites but also along the membrane of infected erythrocytes. The kinetic properties of recombinant BbLDH proved a certain enzymatic activity of LDH, and the activity was significantly inhibited by the addition of gossypol, a competitive inhibitor of protozoan LDHs. Moreover, 100 microM of the gossypol irretrievably arrested the in vitro growth of B. bovis. The results demonstrated that BbLDH provides a suitable drug target for the design of novel babesial chemotherapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Bork
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Gaffar FR, Wilschut K, Franssen FFJ, de Vries E. An amino acid substitution in the Babesia bovis dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase gene is correlated to cross-resistance against pyrimethamine and WR99210. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2004; 133:209-19. [PMID: 14698433 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2003.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The genomic locus and cDNA encoding Babesia bovis dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) were cloned and sequenced. A single dhfr-ts gene, composed of four exons, encodes a 511 aa protein that is most closely related to Plasmodium falciparum DHFR-TS. The genomic locus is characterized by the presence of four other genes of which at least three are expressed during the erythrocytic cycle. Three of the genes were highly conserved in closely related Theileria species and for two of the genes and dhfr-ts, gene synteny was observed between B. bovis and Theileria parva, B. bovis in vitro cultures displaying approximately 10-20-fold decreased sensitivity towards the antimalarial drugs WR99210 and pyrimethamine were selected repeatedly after prolonged growth in presence of drugs. Five cultures examined in detail were shown to encode a DHFR-TS carrying amino acid substitution S125F. Three-dimensional-modelling, using the P. falciparum DHFR structure as a template, suggests that substitution S125F protrudes into the binding site of NADPH. The S125F mutant could be isolated by growth under pyrimethamine or WR99210 pressure conferring cross-resistance to both drugs. Although opposing selection for pyrimethamine or WR99210 resistance was reported recently using P. falciparum or P. vivax strains carrying wildtype dhfr, the results obtained here are reminiscent of a quadruple mutant of P. falciparum dhfr displaying strong resistance to pyrimethamine and 10-fold enhanced resistance against WR99210. Wildtype B. bovis DHFR carries three mutations present in this mutant possibly explaining the low sensitivity to pyrimethamine and the ease by which moderately WR99210 resistant mutants could be isolated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fasila R Gaffar
- Division of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Bork S, Yokoyama N, Matsuo T, Claveria FG, Fujisaki K, Igarashi I. Clotrimazole, ketoconazole, and clodinafop-propargyl inhibit the in vitro growth of Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis (Phylum Apicomplexa). Parasitology 2003; 127:311-5. [PMID: 14636017 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182003003895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the growth inhibitory efficacy of the imidazole derivatives, clotrimazole (CLT) and ketoconazole (KC), and the herbicide clodinafop-propargyl (CP), in in vitro cultures of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina. Clotrimazole was effective in a dose range of 15 to 60 μM (IC50: 11 and 23·5 μM), followed by KC (50 to 100 μM; IC50: 50 and 32 μM) and CP (500 μM; IC50: 265 and 390 μM). In transmission electron microscopy, extensive damage was observed in the cytoplasm of drug-treated parasites. Combinations of CLT/KC, CLT/CP and CLT/KC/CP acted synergistically in both parasites. In contrast, the combination of KC/CP was exclusively effective in B. bovis, but not in B. bigemina.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Bork
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|