Analysis by a plaque assay of IgG- or IgM- dependent cytolytic lymphocytes in human blood.

When monolayers of bovine erythrocytes (Eb) were exposed to purified human blood lymphocytes and either IgG or IgM fractions of rabbit anti-Eb serum, clear zones (plaques) appeared when Eb had been lysed by antibody-dependent effector cells (K cells). IgG-dependent plaque formation was complete by 20 h of incubation, while the IgM-dependent reaction required 40 h. The estimated minimal numbers of plaque forming cells (PFC) were 5.6% (IgG) and 2.0% (IgM) of the added lymphocytes. Inhibition experiments with human IgG or IgM indicated that different immunoglobulin receptors on the effector cells were involved in the two systems. In the IgG system, approximately 50% of the PFC had complement receptors and approximately 30% receptors for Helix pomatia A hemagglutinin (HP). In the IgM system, less than 10% of the PFC had complement receptors, while approximately 60% had HP receptors. The results suggest that a subset of human T cells had IgM-dependent K-cell potential. These cells are different from the majority of the IgG-dependent K cells.

Cytolytic lymphocytic cells with complement receptor in human blood. Induction of cytolysis by IgG antibody but not by target cell-bound C3.

Human blood lymphocytes were fractionated on glass bead columns charged with sheep erythrocyte (Es) membranes-bearing human C3b (7,000-10,000 molecules/Es). In the passaged cells the proportion of C receptor lymphocytes was strongly reduced, in parallel with the capacity to lyse chicken erythrocytes (Ec) in the presence of IgG-rabbit anti-Ec antibody. In other experiments, lymphocytes forming rosettes with Es bearing activated rabbit complement [C(ra)] from C6-deficient rabbits were removed by centrifugation through human serum albumin-gelatine mixtures. This procedure also depleted the lymphocyte preparations of antibody-dependent cytolytic effector cells. The results suggest that rations of antibody-dependent cytolytic effector cells. The result suggest that such effector cells have receptors for human C as well as for C(ra). Lymphocytes were not able to lyse erythrocytes bearing either human C3b (similar to 30,000 molecules/Ec) or activated C(ra) in the absence if IgG antierythrocyte antibodies. Under the same experimental conditions these target cells were efficiently lysed in the presence of small amounts of IgG antitarget cell antibodies. This suggests that the interaction between the cellular Fcreceptors and the Fc part of the inducing antibodies is of special significance for the triggering of the cell-mediated lytic reaction. However, although target cell-bound C did not trigger cytolysis, it seemed to potentiate antibody-dependent cytolysis, probably by enhancing effector cell-target cell contacts.

Interaction of target cell-bound C3bi and C3d with human lymphocyte receptors. Enhancement of antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity.

The occurrence and distribution of distinct receptors for three C3 fragments on purified human blood lymphocytes were studied by rosette formation. Indicator cells were bovine, chicken, or sheep erythrocytes (E) bearing up to 100,000 molecules of human C3b (EC3b) without antibody. EC3b was converted to C3bi-bearing-E (EC3bi) with purified C3b inactivator (factor I) and beta1H (factor H), and to C3d-bearing E (EC3d) by treatment of EC3bi with trypsin. Using bovine E (Eb) as indicators, approximately 11% of the lymphocytes bound EbC3b, 6% bound EbC3bi and 2% bound EbC3d. Fractionation of the lymphocytes by adsorption to monolayers of C3-fragment-bearing Eb or by rosetting indicated that most of the cells with receptors for C3b were distinct from those having receptors for C3bi and/or C3d. Cells from two lymphoblastoid cell lines (Raji and Daudi) formed strong rosettes with EC3b, which were weak. 51Cr-labeled E was used as a target in antibody, C3-fragment-bearing E was not lysed by the lymphocytes. However, at suboptimal concentrations of IgG enhancing capacity of the fragments occurred in the order of C3bi greater than C3d greater than C3b. In addition, C3-fragment-bearing cells inhibited the lysis of antibody-coated cells not concluded that target cell bound C3 fragments enhance ADCC by improving contact between target cells and those effector cells which have C3 receptors. Cell-bound C3 effector cells. It is proposed that certain lymphocytes are capable of interacting with C3bi in addition to C3b and C3d and that C3bi and C3d have a greater regulatory effect on their cytolytic function than C3b.

Antibodies in malarial sera to parasite antigens in the membrane of erythrocytes infected with early asexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum.

Monolayers of human erythrocytes (E) infected with Plasmodium falciparum were briefly fixed with 1% glutaraldehyde and air dried. They were then exposed to sera from patients with P. falciparum malaria or from donors immune to this parasite and tested in an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Parasites in infected E were made visible by counterstaining with ethidium bromide. Immunofluorescence (IF) was restricted to the surface of infected E. No antibody binding was detected unless the E were dried, suggesting that the relevant antigens were not available on the outer layers of the E surface. Staining over large parts of the E surface was seen already when the merozoite penetrated noninfected cells and was strong in E containing early stages of the parasite (rings, trophozoites). It was weak or absent from E containing schizonts. Antibodies in sera from different parts of Africa, Colombia, or Sweden reacted similarly with E infected with a Tanzanian P. falciparum strain kept in culture for many years and with parasitized E freshly drawn from African, Swedish, or Colombian patients. All sera from residents of a holoendemic area (Liberia) were IFA positive. In contrast, some sera from Colombian or Swedish patients with primary infection gave negative results. The results of the IFA and of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in which fixed and dried E were the targets were well-correlated, suggesting that the same antibodies were detected by these assays. The antigens involved in the IFA were susceptible to pronase but not to trypsin or neuraminidase. E surface IF was inhibited by lysates of infected E, merozoite extracts, or soluble antigens present in P. falciparum culture supernatants but not by lysates of normal E or ghost extracts. The inhibitory antigens were heat stable (100 degrees C, 5 min). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting of either antigen-enriched preparations from culture supernatants or merozoite extracts showed that antibodies eluted from monolayers of infected E reacted consistently with a predominant polypeptide of Mr 155,000 and two to four minor polypeptides of lower molecular weights. Metabolic labeling of the parasites with 75Se-methionine indicated that these antigens were parasite derived. We conclude that the antigens involved in these reactions are released from bursting schizonts or merozoites and are deposited in the E membrane in the course of invasion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cytotoxic action of stimulated lymphocytes on allogenic and autologous erythrocytes.

Fowl erythrocytes are lysed when exposed to an excess of fowl blood lymphocytes in the presence of phytohemagglutinin. No significant cell damage is seen in the absence of phytohemagglutinin, or when the lymphocytes are replaced by malignant lymphoid cells, thymus cells, or nonlymphoid cells. The lymphocytes remain viable during the reaction. Differences in histocompatibility between lymphocytes and erythrocytes are not required. Autologous lymphocytes are cytotoxic to the same extent as allogenic lymphocytes over a wide range of experimental conditions.

Cytotoxic effects of leukocyres triggered by complement bound to target cells.

Chromium-51-labeled chicken erythrocytes (E), treated with rabbit anti-Forssman antibody (A) and the first four (C1-4) or the first seven (C1-7) components of human complement (C), released isotope upon exposure to human leukocytes. Isotope release from EACJ-7 cells proceeded more rapidly and was more extensive than that from EACI-3 cells. Lysis of these cells was suppressed by pretreatment of leukocytes with antimycinA. Monocyte-enriched leukocyte preparations affected both types of target cell-complement intermediates, whereas purified lymphocytes lysed EACI-7 cells but not EACI-3 cells.

Human monoclonal antibodies to Pf 155, a major antigen of malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Pf 155, a protein of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, is strongly immunogenic in humans and is believed to be a prime candidate for the preparation of a vaccine. Human monoclonal antibodies to Pf 155 were obtained by cloning B cells that had been prepared from an immune donor and transformed with Epstein-Barr virus. When examined by indirect immunofluorescence, these antibodies stained the surface of infected erythrocytes, free merozoites, segmented schizonts, and gametocytes. They bound to a major polypeptide with a relative molecular weight of 155K and to two minor ones (135K and 120K), all having high affinity for human glycophorin. The antibodies strongly inhibited merozoite reinvasion in vitro, suggesting that they might be appropriate reagents for therapeutic administration in vivo.

Identification of a Plasmodium chabaudi antigen present in the membrane of ring stage infected erythrocytes.

A novel antigen of asexual blood stages of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium chabaudi, was detected by means of a modified indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), using glutaraldehyde fixed and air dried monolayers of P. chabaudi infected erythrocytes. P. chabaudi hyperimmune sera gave a distinct surface immunofluorescence of erythrocytes infected with early stages of the parasite. Fixation and drying of the erythrocytes was necessary for the antigenic activity to be exposed. The antigens were species specific as P. chabaudi hyperimmune serum only stained P. chabaudi but not P. yoelii or P. falciparum infected erythrocytes. The antigenic activity involved in the IFA was resistant to trypsin, phospholipases and neuraminidase but not to pronase, suggesting that the antigens were polypeptides. The surface immunofluorescence was inhibited by an extract of parasitized erythrocytes, but not by similar extracts of normal erythrocytes. The inhibitory antigens were soluble and heat stable (100 degrees C, 5 min). For identification and characterization of the antigens, antibodies were isolated by acid elution from monolayers of infected erythrocytes and monoclonal antibodies were produced. Probing in immunoblotting of extracts of parasitized erythrocytes separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with the eluted antibodies, showed that they reacted consistently with a polypeptide of Mr 105 000 (Pch105). The Pch105 antigen shares many characteristics with Pf155, a P. falciparum antigen considered as a candidate for a vaccine against that parasite.

Monoclonal antibodies to a synthetic peptide corresponding to a repeated sequence in the Plasmodium falciparum antigen Pf155.

Mouse monoclonal antibodies were prepared against a synthetic peptide (EENVEHDA) corresponding to a tandemly repeated sequence in the C-terminus of the Plasmodium falciparum antigen Pf155. One antibody (IgG1) producing hybridoma was studied in detail. The specificity of the antibody was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using bovine serum albumin-conjugated or free peptides as solid phase antigens and various synthetic peptides for inhibition. The antibody reacted with Pf155 as detected by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. It was also an efficient inhibitor of merozoite invasion in P. falciparum in vitro cultures indicating that it defines a biologically important epitope present on the native Pf155 molecule.

IgE and tumor necrosis factor in malaria infection.

IgE, the immunoglobulin instrumental in atopic diseases is also elevated in many infections. This paper reports on the occurrence and possible pathogenic role of IgE in human Plasmodium falciparum malaria, one of the most widely spread and severe infectious diseases world wide. Plasmodial infections induce IgE elevation in the blood of the majority of people living in malaria endemic areas and up to 5% of this IgE constitutes anti-malaria antibodies. Production of IgE is controlled by T cells and elevated IgE concentrations in the blood of malaria patients are the result of an increased ratio of T-helper 2 (Th2) over T-helper 1 (Th1) cells. The underlying Th1 to Th2 switch is controlled by a variety of environmental and genetic factors. The importance of the latter is demonstrated by the IgE levels occurring in monozygotic or dizygotic twins originating from malarious areas of Africa. While these levels were indistinguishable within monozygotic twin pairs, they were different within the dizygotic pairs. Comparison of the levels of total IgE or IgE anti-malaria antibodies in patients with uncomplicated malaria with those in patients with the severe form of the disease (cerebral malaria or severe malaria without cerebral involvement) indicate that these levels are significantly higher in the cases with severe disease. This is the reverse with IgG and suggests that IgE plays a role in malaria pathogenesis. An important pathogenic mediator causing malaria fever and tissue lesions is tumor necrosis factor (TNF), generally believed to be induced by toxins released from the parasite. However, sera from malaria patients can also cause TNF release from monocytes in a reaction dependent on the presence of IgE containing immune complexes or aggregates. This results in induction and cross-linking of Fcepsilon receptor II (CD23) and by binding to and activating these cells, IgE will contribute to a local over-production of TNF in capillaries and post-capillary venules where P. falciparum parasites or their products accumulate in the severe forms of this disease.

T cell reactivity of defined peptides from a major Plasmodium falciparum vaccine candidate: the Pf155/RESA antigen.

Several immunodominant B-cell epitopes of the P. falciparum antigen blood stage Pf155/RESA, a major vaccine candidate antigen, are located in the molecular regions containing amino acid repeats. We started to map Pf155/RESA for T cell reactive epitopes. For this purpose, short synthetic peptides corresponding to the 3'- and 5' repeat regions of the molecule as well as to non-repeated sequences outside these regions were prepared. T cells from P. falciparum primed donors from two highly endemic areas of Africa were tested for their responsiveness to the peptides by thymidine incorporation and/or interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) release. There was a considerable variation in the response to the different peptides. However, the strongest and most frequent responses were seen with a few peptides from the 3'- and 5'-repeat regions. Thus, the immunodominant B cell epitope regions of Pf155/RESA, contain several T cell epitopes. Since the repeat regions are known to be conserved in different P. falciparum strains, the T cell epitopes reported here may be suitable constituents of a P. falciparum subunit vaccine.

Characterization of regulatory T cell responses to defined immunodominant T cell epitopes of the Plasmodium falciparum antigen Pf155/RESA.

Several immunodominant B and T cell epitopes of the P. falciparum blood stage antigen Pf155/RESA, a vaccine candidate, are located in the central (5') and C-terminal (3') invariant repeat regions of the molecule. Here we have attempted to functionally analyze human T cell responses to some of the T cell epitopes. For this purpose short synthetic peptides corresponding to these epitopes were used to study the induction of in vitro expression of IL-4 mRNA, IFN-gamma secretion, proliferation and B cell help for antibody production. In individual malaria immune donors these different T cell activities were not correlated. The findings emphasize the importance of examining multiple parameters of T cell activation when estimating the total proportion of individuals responding to a defined antigen. IL-4 mRNA was expressed in activated T cells of donors who had elevated serum concentrations of antibodies to the peptide used for T cell activation. These results suggest the involvement of IL-4 producing T helper cells in the induction of Pf155/RESA specific antibody production in individuals in which immunity has been induced by natural infection. Taken together, these findings also suggest that functionally distinct CD4+ T cells occur in humans similarly to what has been described in mice. In further experiments, we have also attempted to establish MHC class II restriction of the immune response to these epitopes at the level of the donor populations. When studying monozygotic twins, antibody responses to Pf155/RESA derived peptides and some of the T cell responses could be paired within the twin pairs, indicating a genetic regulation of their B cell responses. Whether or not this regulation reflects MHC class II restriction, or other factors needs to be elucidated.

Plasmodium falciparum reinfection in children from a holoendemic area in relation to seroreactivities against oligopeptides from different malaria antigens.

The rate and densities of Plasmodium falciparum reinfections were investigated in children five to 14 years old from one village in Tanzania with a high transmission rate. Initial parasitemias were eradicated by a curative treatment with quinine, a drug with a short elimination half-life, to minimize the effects of residual drug on reinfection. The seroreactivities to seven oligopeptides, representing T and B cell epitopes from the ring erythrocyte surface antigen (Pf155/RESA), the clustered arginine-rich protein antigen (CARP), and the circumsporozoite (CS) proteins were determined in the children at the start of the study and after 28 days. All children were reinfected within 42 days (mean 27 days). The geometric mean maximum parasite density at reinfection was 308 parasites per microliter (range 4-13, 920). The antipeptide antibody levels showed high interindividual variation, with a significant mean decrease (16%) between days 0 and 28 for the blood stage antigens, but not for the (NANP)6 peptide from the CS protein. This suggests that the absence of blood stage antigenic stimulation had already influenced the antibody levels within this short period of time. The mean reinfection day was not influenced by the levels of antibodies to any of the peptides. However, the children with higher antibody levels to (EENVEHDA)2(EENV)2 developed significantly lower parasitemias than those with lower antibody levels (P less than 0.05). This suggests that this subunit of the Pf155/RESA molecule is an important B cell epitope for protective antiparasitic immunity.

Anti-Plasmodium falciparum antibodies acquired by residents in a holoendemic area of Liberia during development of clinical immunity.

Sera from 48 children and adolescents (2-15 years of age), residing in a malaria holoendemic area of Liberia were investigated for specificities and isotypes of anti-P. falciparum antibodies. No clear-cut relationship to the development of clinical immunity was found when the overall antibody activities to total parasite antigens were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Although there was a certain rise of IgM, total IgG- and IgG2 antibody activities, this was most pronounced at ages when a clinical but nonsterile immunity is already present. When the sera were investigated by immunoprecipitation of 35S-methionine labeled parasite polypeptides, the total number of parasite antigens precipitated was similar at all ages. Analysis by indirect immunofluorescence (IFA), registering antibodies to intracellular parasite antigens, revealed no age-dependent changes in antibody titers. In contrast, when the sera were assayed by a novel IFA, specific for a restricted number of parasite antigens in the membrane of infected erythrocytes, the frequency of positive sera as well as the anti-P. falciparum titers rose in parallel with the development of clinical immunity. Thus, these antigens appeared to be important inducers of protective immune responses and may be suitable candidates for a vaccine against the asexual blood stages of P. falciparum.

Phenotypic characterization of mononuclear white cells using finger-prick blood and light microscopy.

A technique for the enumeration of T cell subsets in capillary blood for use in the field is described. Mononuclear white cells were separated from 0.4 ml capillary blood, kept covered by culture medium on a Multitest slide, and incubated with monoclonal antibodies to the CD2, CD4, CD8, and interleukin-2 receptor antigens. Secondary and tertiary alkaline phosphatase conjugates were used for labeling. The substrate gave a distinct blue surface staining to the positive lymphocytes. Comparison was made with a conventional immunofluorescent antibody technique (r = 0.95).

Contrasting functions of IgG and IgE antimalarial antibodies in uncomplicated and severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Plasmodial infection results in a significant elevation of the blood concentrations of immunoglobulins including IgE. Two well-characterized groups of adult Thai patients with either uncomplicated or severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria were studied over a period of four weeks. The mean parasitemias were approximately three-fold higher in patients with severe malaria than in those with uncomplicated disease. The mean concentrations of both total IgG and IgG antiplasmodial antibodies tended to be highest in the group with uncomplicated disease while total IgE and IgE antibodies were higher in the group with severe disease. The IgE antibodies detected in approximately 65% of the patients were positively correlated to parasitemia. These results suggest that antiplasmodial IgG antibodies are involved in reducing the severity of P. falciparum malaria, while IgE antibodies may contribute to the pathogenesis of this infection.

A longitudinal study of seroreactivities to Plasmodium falciparum antigens in infants and children living in a holoendemic area of Liberia.

Investigators studied 348 children age 0-10 years, living in a holoendemic area of Liberia, for parasitological, serological and clinical parameters. The age-specific parasite rate increased towards the 7-10 year-old age group in which it was 86.8%. The geometrical mean parasite density decreased from the 3-4 year-old age group, in which fewer episodes of clinical malaria were observed. Antibodies to crude Plasmodium falciparum parasite antigens were detected in all children. The (EENV)6 seropositive rate was a maximum of 67.9% in the 3-11 month-old age group. It declined to a minimum of 31.7% in the 5-6 years age group after which it increased slowly in the 7-10 years age group. Antibodies to the synthetic peptide (NANP)6 showed a steady seropositive rate after the age of 3 months, between 30.0% and 39.3% in all the age groups up to 10 years. No statistically significant correlation was found between seropositivity to (EENV)6 and malarial parasitemia. In contrast, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between seropositivity to (NANP)6 and parasite rates. The antibody response for the individual child was transient to both Pf155/RESA, measured by immunofluorescence, and to (EENV)6 and (NANP)6, measured by ELISA, especially in the younger age groups of this study population. Parasitological and clinical immunity developed before a stable antibody response to these defined malaria antigens was established. These antibodies may still contribute to the immune protection against malaria, but they were not reliable parameters for protective immunity in the population we studied.

Seroepidemiologic studies of humoral immune response to the Plasmodium falciparum antigens in Thailand.

We have investigated seroreactivity against Plasmodium falciparum crude parasite antigens, the P. falciparum ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (Pf155/RESA), as well as against two synthetic peptides (EENV)6 and (EENVEHDA)3 that represent important epitopes of Pf155/RESA. The study population consisted of 421 children and adult Thais living in an area with moderate malaria transmission. We related these serologic findings to some important epidemiologic baseline data collected in the study area. The parasite rate in study subjects was 18.76%. Sixty-two percent were seropositive to crude P. falciparum antigens, 30.3% to the Pf155/RESA antigen, 23.05% to (EENV)6, and 20.17% to (EENVEHDA)3. Antibody responses to crude P. falciparum antigens and to Pf155/RESA were age dependent and increased with exposure. There was evidence that Pf155/RESA antibodies might play a role in protective immunity in this population. Since Pf155/RESA is a potential vaccine candidate antigen, the information obtained from these field studies will provide some seroepidemiologic baseline data for subsequent vaccine trials.

Humoral response to Plasmodium falciparum Pf155/ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen and Pf332 in three sympatric ethnic groups of Burkina Faso.

The humoral immune response against synthetic peptides of two Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage antigens, Pf155/ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA) (EENV)6 and Pf332 (SVTEEIAEEDK)2, in individuals belonging to three sympatric ethnic groups (Mossi, Rimaibe, and Fulani) living in the same conditions of hyperendemic transmission in a Sudan savanna area northeast of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso were examined. The Mossi and Rimaibe are Sudanese Negroid populations with a long tradition of sedentary farming, while the Fulani are nomadic pastoralists partly settled and characterized by non-Negroid features of possible Caucasoid origin. A total of 764 subjects (311 Mossi, 273 Rimaibe, and 180 Fulani) were tested. A lower P. falciparum prevalence was observed in the Fulani of all age groups. The serologic results clearly indicate the existence of interethnic differences in the capacity to respond to these two P. falciparum antigens. The Mossi and Rimaibe showed similar responses, whereas the Fulani displayed consistently higher prevalences and levels of antibodies against both epitopes tested. The anti-(EENV)6 and anti-(SVTEEIAEEDK)2 seroprevalences were 29.9% and 38.9% in Mossi, 29.7% and 39.2% in Rimaibe, 86.1% and 76.1% in Fulani (all P values of Fulani-Mossi and Fulani-Rimaibe comparisons << 0.001). Anti-RESA and anti-Pf332 antibody levels were approximately 65% (P << 0.001) and 45% (P << 0.001), respectively, higher in seropositive Fulani than in seropositive Mossi and Rimaibe, who showed very similar values. The observed differences cannot be explained in terms of interethnic heterogeneity of malaria exposure since these communities have lived in the same area for more than 30 years and the P. falciparum inoculation rate, measured during two consecutive years, was substantially uniform for the three ethnic groups. The possibility of remarkable heterogeneities in the capacity to mount immune responses against P. falciparum antigens among populations with different genetic backgrounds must be taken into account in the development of anti-malaria vaccines.

Human immune responses to the highly repetitive Plasmodium falciparum antigen Pf332.

The B and T cell responses to EB200, a repetitive part of the Plasmodium falciparum antigen Pf332, were examined in malaria-exposed Senegalese adults. Most donors had high levels of antibodies to recombinant EB200 and 17 overlapping peptides spanning EB200. Taking proliferation and/or cytokine (interferon-gamma and interleukin-4) production as a measure of T cell activation, eight of the EB200-derived peptides induced responses in > 40% of the donors tested. There was no general association between the different types of T cell responses measured, emphasizing the importance of including multiple parameters when analyzing T cell responses and suggesting that EB200 induces functionally distinct T cell responses. The most efficient peptide for induction of proliferative responses was one previously shown to induce T cell responses in five different H-2 congenic mouse strains primed with EB200, suggesting that this is a universal T cell epitope. The presence of multiple B and T cell epitopes in EB200, widely recognized by humans, is important since EB200 has been shown to elicit protective antibody responses in monkeys and may be considered for inclusion in malaria subunit vaccines.