Structure of the circumsporozoite gene of Plasmodium malariae.

The sequence of the gene encoding the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium malariae was determined. The central immunodominant region of the protein consists of 45 copies of the sequence Asn-Ala-Ala-Gly and 6 copies of the sequence Asn-Asp-Ala-Gly. The CSP of the monkey parasite Plasmodium brasilianum contains the same repetitive sequences. Further comparison of the two genes in regions outside the immunodominant domains reveals only three nucleotide differences and each results in an amino acid change. One is centered in a putative T-cell determinant bearing region, the second is in the putative liver binding site, and the third is part of a degenerate repeat at the start of the immunodominant region.

Monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of Plasmodium malariae sporozoites in mosquitoes.

A monoclonal antibody specific for a repeated epitope of the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium malariae sporozoites has been used to develop a two-site, single antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that can detect P. malariae sporozoites in mosquitoes. The assay uses a purified monoclonal antibody produced against sporozoites of the Uganda I/CDC strain of P. malariae to capture the antigen and the same monoclonal antibody labeled with horseradish peroxidase as the detector. Sporozoites have been detected in laboratory-infected mosquitoes stored at room temperature in the presence of a desiccant for as long as 18 months. The detection limit of the assay is approximately 50 P. malariae sporozoites per test well. Cross-reaction has not been observed with mosquitoes infected with P. falciparum, P. vivax, or P. ovale sporozoites.

Cellular proliferative responses in squirrel monkeys immunized with recombinant and synthetic Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite peptides.

The role of circulating peripheral blood momonuclear cells (PBMC) in mediating protective immunity was examined during an immunization trial in Saimiri monkeys. Three engineered constructs representing different but overlapping regions of the circumsporozoite (CS) protein of Plasmodium vivax were used to immunize the Saimiri monkeys. Monkeys were randomly placed into three immunization groups: rPvCS2, rPvCS3, and LCV3 (representing three different but overlapping portions of the P. vivax CS protein) and two control groups: an alum adjuvant control group and an unimmunized control group. Collections of PBMC were made throughout the study at weeks 0, 2, 8, challenge (week 16), and two weeks after challenge. Proliferative responses to all immunogens and pokeweed mitogen were measured in all monkeys. Fourteen of 18 monkeys immunized with either rPvCS2 or rPvCS3 responded on the day of challenge to the appropriate immunogen with a stimulation index less than 2. Immunization with LCV3, which represents the repeat region only, elicited a specific response in only one monkey. However monkeys in both control groups also responded to rPvCS2 and rPvCS3, regardless of immunization, suggesting the presence of epitopes in rPvCS2 and rPvCS3 capable of associating with differing MHC antigens. Furthermore, the frequency of these cells in the periphery was increased by immunization, as demonstrated by a greater number of responding monkeys in the rPvCS2 and rPvCS3 immunized groups.

Immunization trials with the ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen of Plasmodium falciparum in owl monkeys (Aotus vociferans).

A protocol was developed for the testing of blood stage vaccines against Plasmodium falciparum using Peruvian Aotus vociferans and the Indochina I/CDC strain of the parasite. Three different fused polypeptide vaccines containing elements of the ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen molecule combined with Freund's complete and Freund's incomplete adjuvants were tested to determine their ability to protect against overwhelming infection following challenge with this highly virulent strain of P. falciparum, and to invoke antibody responses as measured by a standard indirect immunofluorescence technique. Nine of 14 immunized animals exhibited some protection. Presented are the test procedures developed for the conduct of such trials with New World monkeys and the analysis of results that led to the identification of variables selected for study in future trials.

Circumsporozoite protein of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium ovale identified with monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been produced against Plasmodium ovale sporozoites and used to characterize the circumsporozoite (CS) protein. Six MAbs were produced, and all were species specific. By using Western blot (immunoblot) analysis, three polypeptides were detected: a predominant 51,000-Mr polypeptide and two presumed precursor 57,000- and 67,000-Mr molecules. The presence of a repeating epitope in the CS protein of P. ovale was demonstrated by using one of the MAbs in a single-antibody two-site enzyme immunoassay. Three MAbs recognized epitopes on the surfaces of sporozoites; the presence of at least one other epitope within the CS protein, but not on the surfaces of P. ovale sporozoites, was also demonstrated.

A nitrocellulose membrane-based ELISA for the detection of Plasmodium infections in mosquitos.

A nitrocellulose (NC) membrane was evaluated as a solid-phase support for the detection of malaria-infected mosquitos using monoclonal antibodies (MAb) with a laboratory model based on Plasmodium inui and Anopheles dirus. MAbs produced against sporozoites of the N34 strain of P. inui, and selected by immunofluorescence assay and the circumsporozoite precipitin test, were used. A one-site indirect NC-ELISA that used unlabelled MAb and enzyme-labelled anti-mouse IgG was developed. Its sensitivity was about 200 sporozoites and it reliably detected one infected mosquito in a pool of 20. This indirect NC-ELISA has the advantage that it does not require direct conjugation of the MAb to an enzyme or biotin. In the direct one-site NC-ELISA, which is also reported, the relatively simple biotinylation procedure was an alternative to the enzyme- or radiolabelled MAbs. The NC-ELISAs were simple and rapid. Furthermore, the indirect NC-ELISA can be used to detect sporozoite antigen localized in various body sectors of mosquitos.

Localization of circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium ovale in midgut oocysts.

Circumsporozoite (CS) proteins are the major proteins found on the surface of salivary gland sporozoites and are the protective antigens of several species of malaria parasites. Little is known about the distribution of CS proteins in developing oocysts, however. Immunoelectron microscopy with protein A-gold and a monoclonal antibody specific for the CS protein of Plasmodium ovale was performed to investigate the distribution of CS protein within developing P. ovale oocysts. There was an almost complete absence of label in immature oocysts prior to the development of sporoblasts. In contrast, sporoblasts and budding and free sporozoites in mature oocysts were labeled uniformly on the outer surfaces of their plasma membranes, indicating a uniform distribution of CS protein on these membranes. Gold particles were frequently associated with the cytoplasm of sporoblasts and sporozoites, as well as with the inner surface of the oocyst capsule. This is the first evidence that CS protein is present in oocyst sporozoites and sporoblasts of P. ovale.

Plasmodium malariae: distribution of circumsporozoite protein in midgut oocysts and salivary gland sporozoites.

The distribution of the circumsporozoite protein within developing Plasmodium malariae oocysts and salivary gland sporozoites was examined by immunoelectron microscopy using protein A-gold and a monoclonal antibody specific for the CS protein of P. malariae. Gold particles were found along the capsule of immature oocysts but rarely within the cytoplasm. Gold label was detected on the inner surface of peripheral vacuoles during oocyst maturation and the plasma membrane of the sporoblast. Salivary gland sporozoites and budding sporozoites in mature oocysts were labeled uniformly on the outer surface of their plasma membranes. The surface of sporozoites that ruptured into midgut epithelial cells were entirely covered with gold particles. No label was seen on the surface of sporozoites which ruptured into the midgut lumen. In addition, a rabbit polyclonal antibody against repeat a region of P. brasilianum CS protein reacted with P. malariae sporozoites.

Plasmodium ovale: in vitro development of hepatic stages.

Primary cultures of human hepatocytes, a culture-derived clone from the human hepatoma Hep G2 line, and cultured rat hepatocytes were inoculated in vitro with Plasmodium ovale sporozoites extracted from Anopheles stephensi, An. gambiae, and An. dirus mosquitoes. Penetration and differentiation of P. ovale sporozoites into trophozoite stage parasites occurred in all three cell types, but with a lower transformation rate in the Hep G2 cell line than in the primary cultured hepatocytes. Further maturation was obtained only in the human hepatocytes, in which the parasites were uninucleate until the third day after infection, before development to 60 micron in length by the eighth day. Additionally, this culture system was used to assess the ability of an anti-P. ovale sporozoite monoclonal antibody to inhibit penetration of sporozoites into hepatocytes and to detect sporozoite determinants in the maturing liver stage parasites.

Circumsporozoite protein gene from Plasmodium brasilianum. Animal reservoirs for human malaria parasites?

We describe here the sequence of the circumsporozoite protein gene of the monkey malaria parasite Plasmodium brasilianum and show that the immunodominant repeat domain is the same as that of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium malariae. The immunodominant epitope on the surface of sporozoites of a third species of human malaria parasite has, therefore, been identified. This genetic based data and the biological similarities between P. brasilianum and P. malariae support their putative zoonotic/anthroponotic relationship. We also show that an ape malaria parasite, Plasmodium reichenowi, and the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, have a similar relationship. The implications of these observations are discussed with respect to vaccine development.

A nitrocellulose membrane-based ELISA for the detection of Plasmodium infections in mosquitos

A nitrocellulose (NC) membrane was evaluated as a solid-phase support for the detection of malaria-infected mosquitos using monoclonal antibodies (MAb) with a laboratory model based on Plasmodium inui and Anopheles dirus. MAbs produced against sporozoites of the N34 strain of P. inui, and selected by immunofluorescence assay and the circumsporozoite precipitin test, were used. A one-site indirect NC-ELISA that used unlabelled MAb and enzyme-labelled anti-mouse IgG was developed. Its sensitivity was about 200 sporozoites and it reliably detected one infected mosquito in a pool of 20. This indirect NC-ELISA has the advantage that it does not require direct conjugation of the MAb to an enzyme or biotin. In the direct one-site NC-ELISA, which is also reported, the relatively simple biotinylation procedure was an alternative to the enzyme- or radiolabelled MAbs

The NC-ELISAs were simple and rapid. Furthermore, the indirect NC-ELISA can be used to detect sporozoite antigen localized in various body sectors of mosuitos(AU)