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Johnson JT, Surette FA, Ausdahl GR, Shah M, Minns AM, Lindner SE, Zander RA, Butler NS. CD4 T Cell-Derived IL-21 Is Critical for Sustaining Plasmodium Infection-Induced Germinal Center Responses and Promoting the Selection of Memory B Cells with Recall Potential. J Immunol 2024; 212:1467-1478. [PMID: 38477614 PMCID: PMC11018477 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Development of Plasmodium-specific humoral immunity is critically dependent on CD4 Th cell responses and germinal center (GC) reactions during blood-stage Plasmodium infection. IL-21, a cytokine primarily produced by CD4 T cells, is an essential regulator of affinity maturation, isotype class-switching, B cell differentiation, and maintenance of GC reactions in response to many infection and immunization models. In models of experimental malaria, mice deficient in IL-21 or its receptor IL-21R fail to develop memory B cell populations and are not protected against secondary infection. However, whether sustained IL-21 signaling in ongoing GCs is required for maintaining GC magnitude, organization, and output is unclear. In this study, we report that CD4+ Th cells maintain IL-21 expression after resolution of primary Plasmodium yoelii infection. We generated an inducible knockout mouse model that enabled cell type-specific and timed deletion of IL-21 in peripheral, mature CD4 T cells. We found that persistence of IL-21 signaling in active GCs had no impact on the magnitude of GC reactions or their capacity to produce memory B cell populations. However, the memory B cells generated in the absence of IL-21 exhibited reduced recall function upon challenge. Our data support that IL-21 prevents premature cellular dissolution within the GC and promotes stringency of selective pressures during B cell fate determination required to produce high-quality Plasmodium-specific memory B cells. These data are additionally consistent with a temporal requirement for IL-21 in fine-tuning humoral immune memory responses during experimental malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan T. Johnson
- Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Fionna A. Surette
- Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Graham R. Ausdahl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa USA
| | - Manan Shah
- Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa USA
| | - Allen M. Minns
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania USA
| | - Scott E. Lindner
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania USA
| | - Ryan A. Zander
- Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa USA
| | - Noah S. Butler
- Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa USA
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Aninagyei E, Puopelle DM, Tukwarlba I, Ghartey-Kwansah G, Attoh J, Adzakpah G, Acheampong DO. Molecular speciation of Plasmodium and multiplicity of P. falciparum infection in the Central region of Ghana. PLOS Glob Public Health 2024; 4:e0002718. [PMID: 38236793 PMCID: PMC10796036 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Malaria is endemic in the Central region of Ghana, however, the ecological and the seasonal variations of Plasmodium population structure and the intensity of malaria transmission in multiple sites in the region have not been explored. In this cross-sectional study, five districts in the region were involved. The districts were Agona Swedru, Assin Central and Gomoa East (representing the forest zone) and Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese and Cape Coast representing the coastal zone. Systematically, blood samples were collected from patients with malaria. The malaria status was screened with a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kit (CareStart manufactured by Access Bio in Somerset, USA) and the positive ones confirmed microscopically. Approximately, 200 μL of blood was used to prepare four dried blood spots of 50μL from each microscopy positive sample. The Plasmodium genome was sequenced at the Malaria Genome Laboratory (MGL) of Wellcome Sanger Institute (WSI), Hinxton, UK. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the parasite mitochondria (PfMIT:270) core genome aided the species identification of Plasmodium. Subsequently, the complexity of infection (COI) was determined using the complexity of infection likelihood (COIL) computational analysis. In all, 566 microscopy positive samples were sequenced. Of this number, Plasmodium genome was detected in 522 (92.2%). However, whole genome sequencing was successful in 409/522 (72.3%) samples. In total, 516/522 (98.8%) of the samples contained P. falciparum mono-infection while the rest (1.2%) were either P. falciparum/P. ovale (Pf/Po) (n = 4, 0.8%) or P. falciparum/P. malariae/P. vivax (Pf/Pm/Pv) mixed-infection (n = 2, 0.4%). All the four Pf/Po infections were identified in samples from the Assin Central municipality whilst the two Pf/Pm/Pv triple infections were identified in Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese district and Cape Coast metropolis. Analysis of the 409 successfully sequenced genome yielded between 1-6 P. falciparum clones per individual infection. The overall mean COI was 1.78±0.92 (95% CI: 1.55-2.00). Among the study districts, the differences in the mean COI between ecological zones (p = 0.0681) and seasons (p = 0.8034) were not significant. However, regression analysis indicated that the transmission of malaria was more than twice among study participants aged 15-19 years (OR = 2.16, p = 0.017) and almost twice among participants aged over 60 years (OR = 1.91, p = 0.021) compared to participants between 20-59 years. Between genders, mean COI was similar except in Gomoa East where females recorded higher values. In conclusion, the study reported, for the first time, P. vivax in Ghana. Additionally, intense malaria transmission was found to be higher in the 15-19 and > 60 years, compared to other age groups. Therefore, active surveillance for P. vivax in Ghana and enhanced malaria control measures in the 15-19 year group years and those over 60 years are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enoch Aninagyei
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Dakorah Mavis Puopelle
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Isaac Tukwarlba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - George Ghartey-Kwansah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Juliana Attoh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Godwin Adzakpah
- Department of Health Information Management, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Desmond Omane Acheampong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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Natama HM, Moncunill G, Vidal M, Rouamba T, Aguilar R, Santano R, Rovira-Vallbona E, Jiménez A, Somé MA, Sorgho H, Valéa I, Coulibaly-Traoré M, Coppel RL, Cavanagh D, Chitnis CE, Beeson JG, Angov E, Dutta S, Gamain B, Izquierdo L, Mens PF, Schallig HDFH, Tinto H, Rosanas-Urgell A, Dobaño C. Associations between prenatal malaria exposure, maternal antibodies at birth, and malaria susceptibility during the first year of life in Burkina Faso. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0026823. [PMID: 37754682 PMCID: PMC10580994 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00268-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated how different categories of prenatal malaria exposure (PME) influence levels of maternal antibodies in cord blood samples and the subsequent risk of malaria in early childhood in a birth cohort study (N = 661) nested within the COSMIC clinical trial (NCT01941264) in Burkina Faso. Plasmodium falciparum infections during pregnancy and infants' clinical malaria episodes detected during the first year of life were recorded. The levels of maternal IgG and IgG1-4 to 15 P. falciparum antigens were measured in cord blood by quantitative suspension array technology. Results showed a significant variation in the magnitude of maternal antibody levels in cord blood, depending on the PME category, with past placental malaria (PM) more frequently associated with significant increases of IgG and/or subclass levels across three groups of antigens defined as pre-erythrocytic, erythrocytic, and markers of PM, as compared to those from the cord of non-exposed control infants. High levels of antibodies to certain erythrocytic antigens (i.e., IgG to EBA140 and EBA175, IgG1 to EBA175 and MSP142, and IgG3 to EBA140 and MSP5) were independent predictors of protection from clinical malaria during the first year of life. By contrast, high levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 to the VAR2CSA DBL1-2 and IgG4 to DBL3-4 were significantly associated with an increased risk of clinical malaria. These findings indicate that PME categories have different effects on the levels of maternal-derived antibodies to malaria antigens in children at birth, and this might drive heterogeneity to clinical malaria susceptibility in early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamtandi Magloire Natama
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Gemma Moncunill
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Vidal
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toussaint Rouamba
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Ruth Aguilar
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rebeca Santano
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Rovira-Vallbona
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfons Jiménez
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - M. Athanase Somé
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Hermann Sorgho
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Innocent Valéa
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Maminata Coulibaly-Traoré
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Ross L. Coppel
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Cavanagh
- Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, Ashworth Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Chetan E. Chitnis
- Malaria Parasite Biology and Vaccines Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | - Evelina Angov
- U.S. Military Malaria Vaccine Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Sheetij Dutta
- U.S. Military Malaria Vaccine Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Luis Izquierdo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Petra F. Mens
- Academic Medical Centre at the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Halidou Tinto
- Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale du Centre-Ouest, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Anna Rosanas-Urgell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carlota Dobaño
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Wang Y, De Labastida Rivera F, Edwards CL, Frame TC, Engel JA, Bukali L, Na J, Ng SS, Corvino D, Montes de Oca M, Bunn PT, Soon MS, Andrew D, Loughland JR, Zhang J, Amante FH, Barber BE, McCarthy JS, Lopez JA, Boyle MJ, Engwerda CR. STING activation promotes autologous type I interferon-dependent development of type 1 regulatory T cells during malaria. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e169417. [PMID: 37781920 PMCID: PMC10541195 DOI: 10.1172/jci169417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of highly effective malaria vaccines and improvement of drug-treatment protocols to boost antiparasitic immunity are critical for malaria elimination. However, the rapid establishment of parasite-specific immune regulatory networks following exposure to malaria parasites hampers these efforts. Here, we identified stimulator of interferon genes (STING) as a critical mediator of type I interferon production by CD4+ T cells during blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum infection. The activation of STING in CD4+ T cells by cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) stimulated IFNB gene transcription, which promoted development of IL-10- and IFN-γ-coproducing CD4+ T (type I regulatory [Tr1]) cells. The critical role for type I IFN signaling for Tr1 cell development was confirmed in vivo using a preclinical malaria model. CD4+ T cell sensitivity to STING phosphorylation was increased in healthy volunteers following P. falciparum infection, particularly in Tr1 cells. These findings identified STING expressed by CD4+ T cells as an important mediator of type I IFN production and Tr1 cell development and activation during malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Wang
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
- Griffith University, School of Environment and Science, Nathan, Australia
| | | | - Chelsea L. Edwards
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
- University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Teija C.M. Frame
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
- University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Luzia Bukali
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
- University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jinrui Na
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
- University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Susanna S. Ng
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dillon Corvino
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marcela Montes de Oca
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick T. Bunn
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Megan S.F. Soon
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Dean Andrew
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Jia Zhang
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Fiona H. Amante
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - James S. McCarthy
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Services, Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - J. Alejandro Lopez
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
- Griffith University, School of Environment and Science, Nathan, Australia
| | - Michelle J. Boyle
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
- Life Sciences Division, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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Drysdale M, Tan L, Martin A, Fuhrer IB, Duparc S, Sharma H. Plasmodium vivax in Children: Hidden Burden and Conspicuous Challenges, a Narrative Review. Infect Dis Ther 2023; 12:33-51. [PMID: 36378465 PMCID: PMC9868225 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-022-00713-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been progress towards decreasing malaria prevalence globally; however, Plasmodium vivax has been less responsive to elimination efforts compared with Plasmodium falciparum. P. vivax malaria remains a serious public health concern in regions where it is the dominant species (South and South-East Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean region, and South America) and is increasingly recognized for its contribution to overall morbidity and mortality worldwide. The incidence of P. vivax decreases with increasing age owing to rapidly acquired clinical immunity and there is a disproportionate burden of P. vivax in infants and children, who remain highly vulnerable to severe disease, recurrence, and anemia with associated developmental impacts. Diagnosis is sometimes difficult owing to the sensitivity of diagnostic tests to detect low levels of parasitemia. Additionally, the propensity of P. vivax to relapse following reactivation of dormant hypnozoites in the liver contributes to disease recurrence in infants and children, and potentiates morbidity and transmission. The 8-aminoquinolines, primaquine and tafenoquine, provide radical cure (relapse prevention). However, the risk of hemolysis in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency necessitates testing prior to administration of 8-aminoquinolines, which has limited their uptake. Additional challenges include lack of availability of pediatric dose formulations and problems with adherence to primaquine owing to the length of treatment recommended. A paucity of data and studies specific to pediatric P. vivax malaria impacts the ability to deliver targeted interventions. It is imperative that P. vivax in infants and children be the focus of future research, control initiatives, and anti-malarial drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lionel Tan
- GSK, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9GS Middlesex UK
| | - Ana Martin
- GSK, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9GS Middlesex UK
| | | | | | - Hema Sharma
- GSK, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9GS Middlesex UK
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Zhang X, Meadows SN, Martin T, Doran A, Angles R, Sander S, Bronson E, Witola WH. Plasmodium relictum MSP-1 capture antigen-based ELISA for detection of avian malaria antibodies in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 19:89-95. [PMID: 36090665 PMCID: PMC9459682 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Avian malaria, caused by Plasmodium spp. and transmitted by mosquitos, is a leading cause of mortality of captive penguins. Antimalarial drugs are currently used to control infections in penguins. However, the effectiveness of treatment reduces significantly by the time the clinical signs appear, while early and unnecessary treatment interferes with development of protective immunity. Therefore, for suppressing parasitemia without affecting the development of immunity in captive penguins, antimalaria drugs need to be administered at the right time, which requires reliable diagnostic tools that can determine the levels of circulating antimalaria antibodies. In the present study, we have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) diagnostic assay based on the merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) of P. relictum isolate SGS1 to specifically detect and relatively quantify antimalaria antibodies in penguins. We expressed and purified a truncated P. relictum isolate SGS1 MSP-1 and optimized its biotinylation and subsequent conjugation to streptavidin alkaline phosphatase for signal generation in ELISA. We tested the assay by analyzing sera obtained from penguins at the Baltimore Zoo, from Spring through Fall, and found that levels of detectable antibodies against MSP-1 varied seasonally for individual penguins, consistent with the expected seasonal variations in avian malaria prevalence. Corroboratively, we analyzed the sensitivity of the assay by titrating positive sera and found that the signal intensity generated was serum concentration-dependent, thus validating the ability of the assay to detect and relatively quantify the levels of antimalaria antibodies in penguin sera. ELISA based on MSP1 for detection and quantification of antibodies against Plasmodium relictum in birds was developed. Assay was validated to detect and quantify levels of antimalaria antibodies in infected penguins' sera. Assay detected varied antibody levels against MSP-1 in penguin sera consistent with seasonal variations in malaria prevalence.
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Quadiri A, Kori L, Singh SK, Anvikar AR. Antibody Responses Against Plasmodium falciparum MSP3 Protein During Natural Malaria Infection in Individuals Living in Malaria-Endemic Regions of India. Proc Natl Acad Sci , India, Sect B Biol Sci 2022; 92:613-619. [PMID: 35411125 PMCID: PMC8985746 DOI: 10.1007/s40011-021-01330-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The humoral immune responses to blood-stage malaria proteins are requisite for the inhibition of parasite invasion. Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3) is a secretory, expressed abundantly, merozoite surface protein that is important for the parasite invasion process. It has been shown to induce antibody responses during natural infections and is, therefore, considered to be the potential vaccine candidates against Plasmodium. Elucidating the immunogenicity and prevalence of anti-parasite antibodies is important in identifying potential targets as candidates for malarial diagnosis and anti‐malarial vaccine. The present study concerns the presence of antibodies against the MSP3 proteins of human malaria parasite- P. falciparum in infected individuals from endemic regions of India. Seventy-one anonymized P. falciparum infected serum samples were procured from the malaria fever clinic of ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), New Delhi to detect the presence of antibodies against MSP3 protein by ELISA. The IgM antibody response against recombinant MSP3 was detected at significantly higher levels during acute malaria. The protein was found to be immunogenic and did not demonstrate any cross-reactivity with the serum of uninfected individuals or individuals infected with other Plasmodium species. The protein has hydrophilic regions in its N- and C-terminus which may contain immunogenic linear and conformational B-cell epitopes. The results from this study suggest that the MSP3 is immunogenic and likely a potential candidate for antibody-based diagnosis or vaccine development against the blood-stage of P. falciparum.
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8
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Longoni SS, Tiberti N, Bisoffi Z, Piubelli C. Monoclonal Antibodies for Protozoan Infections: A Future Reality or a Utopic Idea? Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:745665. [PMID: 34712683 PMCID: PMC8545981 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.745665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Following the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, several clinical trials have been approved for the investigation of the possible use of mAbs, supporting the potential of this technology as a therapeutic approach for infectious diseases. The first monoclonal antibody (mAb), Muromonab CD3, was introduced for the prevention of kidney transplant rejection more than 30 years ago; since then more than 100 mAbs have been approved for therapeutic purposes. Nonetheless, only four mAbs are currently employed for infectious diseases: Palivizumab, for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, Raxibacumab and Obiltoxaximab, for the prophylaxis and treatment against anthrax toxin and Bezlotoxumab, for the prevention of Clostridium difficile recurrence. Protozoan infections are often neglected diseases for which effective and safe chemotherapies are generally missing. In this context, drug resistance and drug toxicity are two crucial problems. The recent advances in bioinformatics, parasite genomics, and biochemistry methodologies are contributing to better understand parasite biology, which is essential to guide the development of new therapies. In this review, we present the efforts that are being made in the evaluation of mAbs for the prevention or treatment of leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, malaria, and toxoplasmosis. Particular emphasis will be placed on the potential strengths and weaknesses of biological treatments in the control of these protozoan diseases that are still affecting hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Stefania Longoni
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Natalia Tiberti
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Zeno Bisoffi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Italy.,Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Chiara Piubelli
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Italy
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9
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Chughlay MF, Barnes KI, El Gaaloul M, Abla N, Möhrle JJ, Griffin P, van Giersbergen P, Reuter SE, Schultz HB, Kress A, Tapley P, Webster RA, Wells T, McCarthy JS, Barber BE, Marquart L, Boyle MJ, Engwerda CR, Chalon S. Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Co-administered Ruxolitinib and Artemether-Lumefantrine in Healthy Adults. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021;:AAC0158421. [PMID: 34694880 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.01584-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite repeated malaria infection, individuals living in malaria endemic areas remain vulnerable to re-infection. The Janus kinase (JAK1/2) inhibitor ruxolitinib could potentially disrupt the parasite-induced dysfunctional immune response when administered with anti-malarial therapy. This randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, single center phase 1 trial investigated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of ruxolitinib and the approved antimalarial artemether-lumefantrine in combination. Ruxolitinib pharmacodynamics were assessed by inhibition of phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3). Eight healthy male and female participants aged 18-55 years were randomized to either ruxolitinib (20 mg) (n = 6) or placebo (n = 2) administered 2 h after artemether-lumefantrine (80/480 mg) twice daily for three days. Mild adverse events occurred in six participants (four ruxolitinib; two placebo). The combination of artemether-lumefantrine and ruxolitinib was well tolerated, with adverse events and pharmacokinetics consistent with the known profiles of both drugs. The incidence of adverse events and artemether, dihydroartemisinin (the major active metabolite of artemether) and lumefantrine exposure were not affected by ruxolitinib co-administration. Ruxolitinib co-administration resulted in a 3-fold greater pSTAT3 inhibition compared to placebo (geometric mean ratio: 3.01 [90%CI 2.14, 4.24]), with a direct and predictable relationship between ruxolitinib plasma concentrations and %pSTAT3 inhibition. This study supports the investigation of the combination of artemether-lumefantrine and ruxolitinib in healthy volunteers infected with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT04456634).
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