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1.
PLoS Pathog ; 20(3): e1011879, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38437239

ABSTRACT

Placental accumulation of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes results in maternal anemia, low birth weight, and pregnancy loss. The parasite protein VAR2CSA facilitates the accumulation of infected erythrocytes in the placenta through interaction with the host receptor chondroitin sulfate A (CSA). Antibodies that prevent the VAR2CSA-CSA interaction correlate with protection from placental malaria, and VAR2CSA is a high-priority placental malaria vaccine antigen. Here, structure-guided design leveraging the full-length structures of VAR2CSA produced a stable immunogen that retains the critical conserved functional elements of VAR2CSA. The design expressed with a six-fold greater yield than the full-length protein and elicited antibodies that prevent adhesion of infected erythrocytes to CSA. The reduced size and adaptability of the designed immunogen enable efficient production of multiple variants of VAR2CSA for use in a cocktail vaccination strategy to increase the breadth of protection. These designs form strong foundations for the development of potent broadly protective placental malaria vaccines.


Subject(s)
Malaria Vaccines , Malaria, Falciparum , Malaria , Humans , Pregnancy , Female , Placenta/metabolism , Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology , Antibodies, Protozoan , Plasmodium falciparum/metabolism , Antigens, Protozoan , Chondroitin Sulfates/metabolism , Erythrocytes/parasitology
2.
Nature ; 582(7810): 104-108, 2020 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32427965

ABSTRACT

Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum remains the leading single-agent cause of mortality in children1, yet the promise of an effective vaccine has not been fulfilled. Here, using our previously described differential screening method to analyse the proteome of blood-stage P.Ā falciparum parasites2, we identify P.Ā falciparum glutamic-acid-rich protein (PfGARP) as a parasite antigen that is recognized by antibodies in the plasma of children who are relatively resistant-but not those who are susceptible-to malaria caused by P.Ā falciparum. PfGARP is a parasite antigen of 80Ā kDa that is expressed on the exofacial surface of erythrocytes infected by early-to-late-trophozoite-stage parasites. We demonstrate that antibodies against PfGARP kill trophozoite-infected erythrocytes in culture by inducing programmed cell death in the parasites, and that vaccinating non-human primates with PfGARP partially protects against a challenge with P.Ā falciparum. Furthermore, our longitudinal cohort studies showed that, compared to individuals who had naturally occurring anti-PfGARP antibodies, Tanzanian children without anti-PfGARP antibodies had a 2.5-fold-higher risk of severe malaria and Kenyan adolescents and adults without these antibodies had a twofold-higher parasite density. By killing trophozoite-infected erythrocytes, PfGARP could synergize with other vaccines that target parasite invasion of hepatocytes or the invasion of and egress from erythrocytes.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis/immunology , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/immunology , Malaria, Falciparum/immunology , Malaria, Falciparum/prevention & control , Parasites/immunology , Plasmodium falciparum/cytology , Plasmodium falciparum/immunology , Protozoan Proteins/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Animals , Antibodies, Protozoan/immunology , Antigens, Protozoan/chemistry , Antigens, Protozoan/immunology , Aotidae/immunology , Aotidae/parasitology , Caspases/metabolism , Child , Cohort Studies , DNA, Protozoan/chemistry , DNA, Protozoan/metabolism , Enzyme Activation , Erythrocytes/parasitology , Female , Humans , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/chemistry , Kenya , Malaria Vaccines/immunology , Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology , Male , Mice , Parasites/cytology , Parasites/growth & development , Plasmodium falciparum/growth & development , Protozoan Proteins/chemistry , Tanzania , Trophozoites/cytology , Trophozoites/growth & development , Trophozoites/immunology , Vacuoles/immunology
3.
J Infect Dis ; 226(3): 521-527, 2022 08 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35290467

ABSTRACT

Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes that display the variant surface antigen VAR2CSA bind chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) to sequester in placental intervillous spaces, causing severe sequelae for mother and offspring. Here, we establish a placental malaria (PM) monkey model. Pregnant Aotus infected with CSA-binding P. falciparum CS2 parasites during the third trimester developed pronounced sequestration of late-stage parasites in placental intervillous spaces that express VAR2CSA and bind specifically to CSA. Similar to immune multigravid women, a monkey infected with P. falciparum CS2 parasites over successive pregnancies acquired antibodies against VAR2CSA, with potent functional activity that was boosted upon subsequent pregnancy infections. Aotus also developed functional antibodies after multiple acute PM episodes and subsequent VAR2CSA immunization. In summary, P. falciparum infections in pregnant Aotus monkeys recapitulate all the prominent features of human PM infection and immunity, and this model can be useful for basic mechanistic studies and preclinical studies to qualify candidate PM vaccines. Clinical Trials Registration: NCT02471378.


Subject(s)
Malaria, Falciparum , Malaria , Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic , Animals , Antibodies, Protozoan , Antigens, Protozoan , Aotidae , Chondroitin Sulfates , Erythrocytes , Female , Humans , Placenta , Plasmodium falciparum , Pregnancy
4.
Malar J ; 21(1): 247, 2022 Aug 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36030292

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) sporozoite (SPZ) vaccines are the only candidate malaria vaccines that induce > 90% vaccine efficacy (VE) against controlled human malaria infection and the only malaria vaccines to have achieved reproducible VE against malaria in adults in Africa. The goal is to increase the impact and reduce the cost of PfSPZ vaccines by optimizing vaccine potency and manufacturing, which will benefit from identification of immunological responses contributing to protection in humans. Currently, there is no authentic animal challenge model for assessing P. falciparum malaria VE. Alternatively, Plasmodium knowlesi (Pk), which infects humans and non-human primates (NHPs) in nature, can be used to experimentally infect rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) to assess VE. METHODS: Sanaria has, therefore, produced purified, vialed, cryopreserved PkSPZ and conducted challenge studies in several naĆÆve NHP cohorts. In the first cohort, groups of three rhesus macaques each received doses of 5 Ɨ 102, 2.5 Ɨ 103, 1.25 Ɨ 104 and 2.5 Ɨ 104 PkSPZ administered by direct venous inoculation. The infectivity of 1.5 Ɨ 103Ā PkSPZ cryopreserved with an altered method and of 1.5 Ɨ 103Ā PkSPZ cryopreserved forĀ four years was tested in a second and third cohort of rhesusĀ NHPs. The lastly, three pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina), a natural P. knowlesi host, were challenged with 2.5 Ɨ 103 PkSPZĀ cryopreserved six years earlier. RESULTS: In the first cohort, all 12 animals developed P. knowlesi parasitaemiaĀ by thick blood smear, and the time to positivity (prepatent period) followed a non-linear 4-parameter logistic sigmoidal model with a median of 11, 10, 8, and 7 days, respectively (r2 = 1). PkSPZ cryopreserved using a modified rapid-scalable method infected rhesus with a pre-patent period of 10 days, as did PkSPZ cryopreserved four years prior to infection, similar to the control group. Cryopreserved PkSPZ infected pig-tailed macaques with median time to positivity by thin smear, of 11 days. CONCLUSION: This study establishes the capacity to consistently infect NHPs with purified, vialed, cryopreserved PkSPZ, providing a foundation for future studies to probe protective immunological mechanisms elicited by PfSPZ vaccines that cannot be established in humans.


Subject(s)
Malaria Vaccines , Malaria, Falciparum , Malaria , Plasmodium knowlesi , Adult , Animals , Humans , Macaca mulatta , Plasmodium falciparum , Sporozoites
5.
J Med Primatol ; 51(2): 93-100, 2022 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34971004

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Owl monkeys are commonly used in biomedical research which is affected by the high incidence of cardiomyopathy in this species. Occasionally, owl monkeys with no clinical signs of heart disease are found dead and at necropsy show no, or very mild, cardiomyopathy. A possible explanation for sudden death is acute myocardial infarction; however, early myocardial changes may be difficult to assess by conventional stains and light microscopy. METHODS: Complement component C9 immunohistochemistry was performed in paraffin-embedded heart tissue samples from owl monkeys who died suddenly, or were euthanized due to sickness, to determine whether these animals suffered from acute myocardial infarcts. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: C9 deposits were found in the myocardium of 19 out of 20 (95%) animals. The findings in this study suggest owl monkeys suffer from acute myocardial infarcts, and complement component C9 immunohistochemistry may be a useful diagnostic tool.


Subject(s)
Cardiomyopathies , Myocardial Infarction , Animals , Aotidae/physiology , Cell Death , Formaldehyde , Immunohistochemistry , Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , Myocardium , Paraffin Embedding , Retrospective Studies
6.
Infect Immun ; 89(11): e0016521, 2021 10 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34310889

ABSTRACT

Preerythrocytic vaccines prevent malaria by targeting parasites in the clinically silent sporozoite and liver stages and preventing progression to the virulent blood stages. The leading preerythrocytic vaccine, RTS,S/AS01E (Mosquirix), entered implementation programs in 2019 and targets the major sporozoite surface antigen, circumsporozoite protein (CSP). However, in phase III clinical trials, RTS,S conferred partial protection with limited durability, indicating a need to improve CSP-based vaccination. Previously, we identified highly expressed liver-stage proteins that could potentially be used in combination with CSP; they are referred to as preerythrocytic vaccine antigens (PEVAs). Here, we developed heterologous prime-boost CSP vaccination models to confer partial sterilizing immunity against Plasmodium yoelii (protein prime-adenovirus 5 [Ad5] boost) and Plasmodium berghei (DNA prime-Ad5 boost) in mice. When combined as individual antigens with P. yoelii CSP (PyCSP), three of eight P. yoelii PEVAs significantly enhanced sterile protection against sporozoite challenge, compared to PyCSP alone. Similar results were obtained when three P. berghei PEVAs and P. berghei CSP were combined in a single vaccine regimen. In general, PyCSP antibody responses were similar after CSP alone versus CSP plus PEVA vaccinations. Both P. yoelii and P. berghei CSP plus PEVA combination vaccines induced robust CD8+ T cell responses, including signature gamma interferon (IFN-ƎĀ³) increases. In the P. berghei model system, IFN-ƎĀ³ responses were significantly higher in hepatic versus splenic CD8+ T cells. The addition of novel antigens may enhance the degree and duration of sterile protective immunity conferred by a human vaccine such as RTS,S.


Subject(s)
Antigens, Protozoan/immunology , Malaria Vaccines/immunology , Protozoan Proteins/immunology , Animals , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis , Lymphocyte Activation , Malaria/prevention & control , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Vaccination
7.
Malar J ; 20(1): 247, 2021 Jun 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34090438

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium knowlesi is now the major cause of human malaria in Malaysia, complicating malaria control efforts that must attend to the elimination of multiple Plasmodium species. Recent advances in the cultivation of P. knowlesi erythrocytic-stage parasites in vitro, transformation with exogenous DNA, and infection of mosquitoes with gametocytes from culture have opened up studies of this pathogen without the need for resource-intensive and costly non-human primate (NHP) models. For further understanding and development of methods for parasite transformation in malaria research, this study examined the activity of various trans-species transcriptional control sequences and the influence of Plasmodium vivax centromeric (pvcen) repeats in plasmid-transfected P. knowlesi parasites. METHODS: In vitro cultivated P. knowlesi parasites were transfected with plasmid constructs that incorporated Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium falciparum 5' UTRs driving the expression of bioluminescence markers (firefly luciferase or Nanoluc). Promoter activities were assessed by bioluminescence, and parasites transformed with human resistant allele dihydrofolate reductase-expressing plasmids were selected using antifolates. The stability of transformants carrying pvcen-stabilized episomes was assessed by bioluminescence over a complete parasite life cycle through a rhesus macaque monkey, mosquitoes, and a second rhesus monkey. RESULTS: Luciferase expression assessments show that certain P. vivax promoter regions, not functional in the more evolutionarily-distant P. falciparum, can drive transgene expression in P. knowlesi. Further, pvcen repeats may improve the stability of episomal plasmids in P. knowlesi and support detection of NanoLuc-expressing elements over the full parasite life cycle from rhesus macaque monkeys to Anopheles dirus mosquitoes and back again to monkeys. In assays of drug responses to chloroquine, G418 and WR9910, anti-malarial half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of blood stages measured by NanoLuc activity proved comparable to IC50 values measured by the standard SYBR Green method. CONCLUSION: All three P. vivax promoters tested in this study functioned in P. knowlesi, whereas two of the three were inactive in P. falciparum. NanoLuc-expressing, centromere-stabilized plasmids may support high-throughput screenings of P. knowlesi for new anti-malarial agents, including compounds that can block the development of mosquito- and/or liver-stage parasites.


Subject(s)
Plasmids/physiology , Plasmodium knowlesi/genetics , Plasmodium vivax/genetics , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Centromere/metabolism , Luciferases/analysis , Microorganisms, Genetically-Modified/genetics , Plasmids/genetics
8.
J Immunol ; 199(11): 3781-3788, 2017 12 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29079696

ABSTRACT

Whole-sporozoite vaccines confer sterilizing immunity to malaria-naive individuals by unknown mechanisms. In the first PfSPZ Vaccine trial ever in a malaria-endemic population, VƎĀ“2 ƎĀ³ĆŽĀ“ T cells were significantly elevated and VƎĀ³9/VƎĀ“2 transcripts ranked as the most upregulated in vaccinees who were protected from Plasmodium falciparum infection. In a mouse model, absence of ƎĀ³ĆŽĀ“ T cells during vaccination impaired protective CD8 T cell responses and ablated sterile protection. ƎĀ³ĆŽĀ“ T cells were not required for circumsporozoite protein-specific Ab responses, and ƎĀ³ĆŽĀ“ T cell depletion before infectious challenge did not ablate protection. ƎĀ³ĆŽĀ“ T cells alone were insufficient to induce protection and required the presence of CD8α+ dendritic cells. In the absence of ƎĀ³ĆŽĀ“ T cells, CD8α+ dendritic cells did not accumulate in the livers of vaccinated mice. Altogether, our results show that ƎĀ³ĆŽĀ“ T cells were essential for the induction of sterile immunity during whole-organism vaccination.


Subject(s)
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Dendritic Cells/immunology , Malaria Vaccines/immunology , Malaria/immunology , Plasmodium falciparum/physiology , Sporozoites/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Adult , Animals , Antibodies, Protozoan/blood , CD8 Antigens/metabolism , Cell Proliferation , Cells, Cultured , Disease Models, Animal , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Immunity , Liver/pathology , Malaria/prevention & control , Mali , Mice , Peptide Fragments/immunology , Protozoan Proteins/immunology , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/metabolism , Vaccination
9.
J Med Primatol ; 47(6): 423-426, 2018 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30187922

ABSTRACT

Eosinophilic aortitis is a rare condition in animals and humans, and it has been occasionally reported associated with parasitic migration and with a poorly understood complex group of autoimmune vasculitides. Here, we describe a case of eosinophilic aortitis with thoracic aortic aneurysm and rupture in a captive-born owl monkey and discuss the differential diagnoses.


Subject(s)
Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/veterinary , Aortic Rupture/veterinary , Aortitis/veterinary , Aotidae , Eosinophils/pathology , Monkey Diseases/diagnosis , Animals , Animals, Laboratory , Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/diagnosis , Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/etiology , Aortic Rupture/diagnosis , Aortic Rupture/etiology , Aortic Rupture/pathology , Aortitis/diagnosis , Aortitis/etiology , Male , Monkey Diseases/etiology , Monkey Diseases/pathology
10.
J Biol Chem ; 291(38): 19913-22, 2016 09 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27432885

ABSTRACT

Development of a Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) transmission blocking vaccine (TBV) has the potential to significantly impact malaria control. Antibodies elicited against sexual stage proteins in the human bloodstream are taken up with the blood meal of the mosquitoes and inactivate parasite development in the mosquito. In a phase 1 trial, a leading TBV identified as Pfs25-EPA/AlhydrogelĀ® appeared safe and immunogenic, however, the level of Pfs25-specific antibodies were likely too low for an effective vaccine. Pfs230, a 230-kDa sexual stage protein expressed in gametocytes is an alternative vaccine candidate. A unique 6-cysteine-rich domain structure within Pfs230 have thwarted its recombinant expression and characterization for clinical evaluation for nearly a quarter of a century. Here, we report on the identification, biochemical, biophysical, and immunological characterization of recombinant Pfs230 domains. Rabbit antibodies generated against recombinant Pfs230 domains blocked mosquito transmission of a laboratory strain and two field isolates using an ex vivo assay. A planned clinical trial of the Pfs230 vaccine is a significant step toward the potential development of a transmission blocking vaccine to eliminate malaria.


Subject(s)
Antigens, Protozoan/chemistry , Antigens, Protozoan/immunology , Malaria Vaccines/chemistry , Malaria Vaccines/immunology , Plasmodium falciparum/chemistry , Plasmodium falciparum/immunology , Protozoan Proteins/chemistry , Protozoan Proteins/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Protozoan/immunology , Antigens, Protozoan/genetics , Antigens, Protozoan/pharmacology , Humans , Malaria Vaccines/genetics , Malaria Vaccines/pharmacology , Malaria, Falciparum/genetics , Malaria, Falciparum/immunology , Malaria, Falciparum/prevention & control , Malaria, Falciparum/transmission , Plasmodium falciparum/genetics , Protein Domains , Protozoan Proteins/genetics , Protozoan Proteins/pharmacology , Rabbits
11.
Nurs Educ Perspect ; 38(2): 98-99, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29194307

ABSTRACT

Simulation is a teaching strategy that allows students to experience patient care situations in a safe environment. After these experiences, students will understand and respond more readily when exposed in clinical practice. An increase in student enrollment meant incorporating larger numbers of students into simulations. Faculty at an associate degree nursing program decided to use the observer role. At the time, mindfulness was being integrated throughout the curriculum. Use of a mindful observer during simulations resulted in an effective learning strategy as reported by students.


Subject(s)
Education, Nursing, Associate/methods , Mindfulness , Simulation Training/methods , Curriculum , Humans
12.
J Med Primatol ; 45(6): 312-317, 2016 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27477611

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Klebsiella pneumoniae can be a serious pathogen in non-human primates, particularly Neotropical monkeys. METHODS: During a K.Ā pneumoniae outbreak in an owl monkey research colony, 13 K.Ā pneumoniae isolates were DNA fingerprinted by automated repetitive extragenic palindromic-polymerase chain reaction and the profiles compared to isolates obtained from other non-human primate species during the same time period and isolates from previous outbreaks. RESULTS: Eleven different types of K.Ā pneumoniae were circulating in the owl monkey colony at the time of the outbreak. When comparing owl monkey isolates relatedness to previous colony outbreak isolates and squirrel monkey and capuchin monkey isolates, all were different. CONCLUSIONS: These results agree with recent reports where K.Ā pneumoniae nosocomial isolates in hospital settings can have high genetic diversity, and multiple strains can be circulating simultaneously. This potential genetic diversity should be considered when designing strategies for controlling K.Ā pneumoniae outbreaks in captive non-human primate colonies.


Subject(s)
Aotidae , Disease Outbreaks , Genetic Variation , Klebsiella Infections/epidemiology , Klebsiella pneumoniae/genetics , Monkey Diseases/epidemiology , Animals , Animals, Laboratory , Female , Klebsiella Infections/microbiology , Male , Monkey Diseases/microbiology
13.
Infect Immun ; 83(10): 3771-80, 2015 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26169272

ABSTRACT

The extended rod-like Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is comprised of three primary domains: a charged N terminus that binds heparan sulfate proteoglycans, a central NANP repeat domain, and a C terminus containing a thrombospondin-like type I repeat (TSR) domain. Only the last two domains are incorporated in RTS,S, the leading malaria vaccine in phase 3 trials that, to date, protects about 50% of vaccinated children against clinical disease. A seroepidemiological study indicated that the N-terminal domain might improve the efficacy of a new CSP vaccine. Using a panel of CSP-specific monoclonal antibodies, well-characterized recombinant CSPs, label-free quantitative proteomics, and in vitro inhibition of sporozoite invasion, we show that native CSP is N-terminally processed in the mosquito host and undergoes a reversible conformational change to mask some epitopes in the N- and C-terminal domains until the sporozoite interacts with the liver hepatocyte. Our findings show the importance of understanding processing and the biophysical change in conformation, possibly due to a mechanical or molecular signal, and may aid in the development of a new CSP vaccine.


Subject(s)
Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology , Plasmodium falciparum/immunology , Protozoan Proteins/chemistry , Protozoan Proteins/immunology , Sporozoites/immunology , Animals , Anopheles/parasitology , Antibodies, Protozoan/immunology , Epitopes/chemistry , Epitopes/genetics , Epitopes/immunology , Hepatocytes/immunology , Hepatocytes/parasitology , Humans , Malaria, Falciparum/immunology , Plasmodium falciparum/chemistry , Plasmodium falciparum/genetics , Plasmodium falciparum/growth & development , Protein Conformation , Protein Structure, Tertiary , Protozoan Proteins/genetics , Sporozoites/chemistry , Sporozoites/growth & development
14.
Malar J ; 13: 215, 2014 Jun 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24893777

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: When rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) are used to test malaria vaccines, animals are often challenged by the intravenous injection of sporozoites. However, natural exposure to malaria comes via mosquito bite, and antibodies can neutralize sporozoites as they traverse the skin. Thus, intravenous injection may not fairly assess humoral immunity from anti-sporozoite malaria vaccines. To better assess malaria vaccines in rhesus, a method to challenge large numbers of monkeys by mosquito bite was developed. METHODS: Several species and strains of mosquitoes were tested for their ability to produce Plasmodium knowlesi sporozoites. Donor monkey parasitaemia effects on oocyst and sporozoite numbers and mosquito mortality were documented. Methylparaben added to mosquito feed was tested to improve mosquito survival. To determine the number of bites needed to infect a monkey, animals were exposed to various numbers of P. knowlesi-infected mosquitoes. Finally, P. knowlesi-infected mosquitoes were used to challenge 17 monkeys in a malaria vaccine trial, and the effect of number of infectious bites on monkey parasitaemia was documented. RESULTS: Anopheles dirus, Anopheles crascens, and Anopheles dirus X (a cross between the two species) produced large numbers of P. knowlesi sporozoites. Mosquito survival to day 14, when sporozoites fill the salivary glands, averaged only 32% when donor monkeys had a parasitaemia above 2%. However, when donor monkey parasitaemia was below 2%, mosquitoes survived twice as well and contained ample sporozoites in their salivary glands. Adding methylparaben to sugar solutions did not improve survival of infected mosquitoes. Plasmodium knowlesi was very infectious, with all monkeys developing blood stage infections if one or more infected mosquitoes successfully fed. There was also a dose-response, with monkeys that received higher numbers of infected mosquito bites developing malaria sooner. CONCLUSIONS: Anopheles dirus, An. crascens and a cross between these two species all were excellent vectors for P. knowlesi. High donor monkey parasitaemia was associated with poor mosquito survival. A single infected mosquito bite is likely sufficient to infect a monkey with P. knowlesi. It is possible to efficiently challenge large groups of monkeys by mosquito bite, which will be useful for P. knowlesi vaccine studies.


Subject(s)
Anopheles/physiology , Anopheles/parasitology , Malaria/transmission , Plasmodium knowlesi/growth & development , Animals , Female , Macaca mulatta , Malaria Vaccines/administration & dosage , Male , Survival Analysis
15.
Protein Sci ; 33(8): e5095, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38988315

ABSTRACT

The Duffy-binding protein (DBP) is a promising antigen for a malaria vaccine that would protect against clinical symptoms caused by Plasmodium vivax infection. Region II of DBP (DBP-II) contains the receptor-binding domain that engages host red blood cells, but DBP-II vaccines elicit many non-neutralizing antibodies that bind distal to the receptor-binding surface. Here, we engineered a truncated DBP-II immunogen that focuses the immune response to the receptor-binding surface. This immunogen contains the receptor-binding subdomain S1S2 and lacks the immunodominant subdomain S3. Structure-based computational design of S1S2 identified combinatorial amino acid changes that stabilized the isolated S1S2 without perturbing neutralizing epitopes. This immunogen elicited DBP-II-specific antibodies in immunized mice that were significantly enriched for blocking activity compared to the native DBP-II antigen. This generalizable design process successfully stabilized an integral core fragment of a protein and focused the immune response to desired epitopes to create a promising new antigen for malaria vaccine development.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Protozoan , Antigens, Protozoan , Epitopes , Malaria Vaccines , Plasmodium vivax , Protozoan Proteins , Receptors, Cell Surface , Protozoan Proteins/immunology , Protozoan Proteins/chemistry , Protozoan Proteins/genetics , Antigens, Protozoan/immunology , Antigens, Protozoan/chemistry , Antigens, Protozoan/genetics , Plasmodium vivax/immunology , Animals , Malaria Vaccines/immunology , Malaria Vaccines/chemistry , Epitopes/immunology , Epitopes/chemistry , Mice , Antibodies, Protozoan/immunology , Receptors, Cell Surface/immunology , Receptors, Cell Surface/chemistry , Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics , Models, Molecular , Malaria, Vivax/immunology , Malaria, Vivax/prevention & control , Mice, Inbred BALB C
16.
Vaccines (Basel) ; 12(5)2024 May 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38793797

ABSTRACT

Malaria is caused by eukaryotic protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. There are 249 million new cases and 608,000 deaths annually, and new interventions are desperately needed. Malaria vaccines can be divided into three categories: liver stage, blood stage, or transmission-blocking vaccines. Transmission-blocking vaccines prevent the transmission of disease by the mosquito vector from one human to another. Pfs230 is one of the leading transmission-blocking vaccine antigens for malaria. Here, we describe the development of a 24-copy self-assembling nanoparticle vaccine comprising domain 1 of Pfs230 genetically fused to H. pylori ferritin. The single-component Pfs230D1-ferritin construct forms a stable and homogenous 24-copy nanoparticle with good production yields. The nanoparticle is highly immunogenic, as two low-dose vaccinations of New Zealand White rabbits elicited a potent and durable antibody response with high transmission-reducing activity when formulated in two distinct adjuvants suitable for translation to human use. This single-component 24-copy Pfs230D1-ferritin nanoparticle vaccine has the potential to improve production pipelines and the cost of manufacturing a potent and durable transmission-blocking vaccine for malaria control.

17.
Antiviral Res ; 228: 105937, 2024 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38901738

ABSTRACT

Most COVID-19 vaccines contain the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as an antigen, but they lose efficacy as neutralizing antibody titers wane and escape variants emerge. Modifying the spike antigen to increase neutralizing antibody titers would help counteract this decrease in titer. We previously used a structure-based computational design method to identify nine amino acid changes in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike that stabilize the RBD and increase the neutralizing antibody titers elicited by vaccination. Here, we introduce those enhancing amino acid changes into a full-length spike (FL-S-2P) ectodomain representative of most approved vaccine antigens. These amino acid changes can be incorporated into the FL-S-2P protein without negatively effecting expression or stability. Furthermore, the amino acid changes improved functional antibody titers in both mice and monkeys following vaccination. These amino acid changes could increase the duration of protection conferred by most COVID-19 vaccines.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Animals , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/blood , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Mice , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Humans , Vaccination , Female , Protein Domains/immunology
18.
NPJ Vaccines ; 9(1): 9, 2024 Jan 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38184666

ABSTRACT

Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV) are designed to inhibit the sexual stage development of the parasite in the mosquito host and can play a significant role in achieving the goal of malaria elimination. Preclinical and clinical studies using protein-protein conjugates of leading TBV antigens Pfs25 and Pfs230 domain 1 (Pfs230D1) have demonstrated the feasibility of TBV. Nevertheless, other promising vaccine platforms for TBV remain underexplored. The recent success of mRNA vaccines revealed the potential of this technology for infectious diseases. We explored the mRNA platform for TBV development. mRNA constructs of Pfs25 and Pfs230D1 variously incorporating signal peptides (SP), GPI anchor, and Trans Membrane (TM) domain were assessed in vitro for antigen expression, and selected constructs were evaluated in mice. Only mRNA constructs with GPI anchor or TM domain that resulted in high cell surface expression of the antigens yielded strong immune responses in mice. These mRNA constructs generated higher transmission-reducing functional activity versus the corresponding alum-adjuvanted protein-protein conjugates used as comparators. Pfs25 mRNA with GPI anchor or TM maintained >99% transmission reducing activity through 126 days, the duration of the study, demonstrating the potential of mRNA platform for TBV.

19.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother ; 57(1): 425-35, 2013 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23129054

ABSTRACT

Malaria is a deadly infectious disease in many tropical and subtropical countries. Previous efforts to eradicate malaria have failed, largely due to the emergence of drug-resistant parasites, insecticide-resistant mosquitoes and, in particular, the lack of drugs or vaccines to block parasite transmission. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are known to play a role in drug transport, metabolism, and resistance in many organisms, including malaria parasites. To investigate whether a Plasmodium falciparum ABC transporter (Pf14_0244 or PfABCG2) modulates parasite susceptibility to chemical compounds or plays a role in drug resistance, we disrupted the gene encoding PfABCG2, screened the recombinant and the wild-type 3D7 parasites against a library containing 2,816 drugs approved for human or animal use, and identified an antihistamine (ketotifen) that became less active against the PfABCG2-disrupted parasite in culture. In addition to some activity against asexual stages and gametocytes, ketotifen was highly potent in blocking oocyst development of P. falciparum and the rodent parasite Plasmodium yoelii in mosquitoes. Tests of structurally related tricyclic compounds identified additional compounds with similar activities in inhibiting transmission. Additionally, ketotifen appeared to have some activity against relapse of Plasmodium cynomolgi infection in rhesus monkeys. Further clinical evaluation of ketotifen and related compounds, including synthetic new derivatives, in blocking malaria transmission may provide new weapons for the current effort of malaria eradication.


Subject(s)
Antimalarials/pharmacology , Ketotifen/pharmacology , Malaria, Falciparum/prevention & control , Malaria/prevention & control , Oocysts/drug effects , Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects , Plasmodium yoelii/drug effects , ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/genetics , ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/metabolism , Animals , Anti-Allergic Agents/pharmacology , Biological Transport/drug effects , Drug Repositioning , High-Throughput Screening Assays , Humans , Ketotifen/analogs & derivatives , Macaca mulatta , Malaria/metabolism , Malaria/parasitology , Malaria/transmission , Malaria, Falciparum/metabolism , Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology , Malaria, Falciparum/transmission , Mice , Oocysts/growth & development , Plasmodium cynomolgi/drug effects , Plasmodium cynomolgi/growth & development , Plasmodium falciparum/growth & development , Plasmodium yoelii/growth & development , Protozoan Proteins/genetics , Protozoan Proteins/metabolism , Small Molecule Libraries/chemistry , Small Molecule Libraries/pharmacology
20.
NPJ Vaccines ; 8(1): 124, 2023 Aug 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37596283

ABSTRACT

Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) reduce disease transmission by breaking the continuous cycle of infection between the human host and the mosquito vector. Domain 1 (D1) of Pfs230 is a leading TBV candidate and comprises the majority of transmission-reducing activity (TRA) elicited by Pfs230. Here we show that the fusion of Pfs230D1 to a 60-copy multimer of the catalytic domain of dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase protein (E2p) results in a single-component nanoparticle composed of 60 copies of the fusion protein with high stability, homogeneity, and production yields. The nanoparticle presents a potent human transmission-blocking epitope within Pfs230D1, indicating the antigen is correctly oriented on the surface of the nanoparticle. Two vaccinations of New Zealand White rabbits with the Pfs230D1 nanoparticle elicited a potent and durable antibody response with high TRA when formulated in two distinct adjuvants suitable for translation to human use. This single-component nanoparticle vaccine may play a key role in malaria control and has the potential to improve production pipelines and the cost of manufacturing of a potent and durable TBV.

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