Induction of protective immunity against experimental infection with malaria using synthetic peptides

Synthetic peptides are potential vaccine candidates because they may be able to induce high antibody titres and specific cellular immune responses against native proteins and thus the whole invading organism. In a previous study we showed that immunization with molecules of relative molecular mass (Mr) 155,000 (155K) 83K, 55K and 35K, specific for the late schizont and merozoite stages of Plasmodium falciparum, could elicit either partial or total protection in Aotus trivirgatus monkeys experimentally infected with P. falciparum. Here we have chemically synthesized 18 peptides corresponding to different fragments of these proteins to immunize Aotus trivirgatus monkeys. Some peptides gave partial protection from challenge with P. falciparum parasites, but none provided complete protection individually. A combination of three partially protective peptides gave complete or almost complete protection, however, suggesting that this particular combination of peptides is a good candidate for a malaria vaccine.     

A synthetic vaccine protects humans against challenge with asexual blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum malaria

We have previously shown that a mixture of three synthetic peptides (83.1, 55.1, 35.1), corresponding to fragments of the relative molecular mass 83,000 (83K), 55K and 35K Plasmodium falciparum merozoite-specific proteins, induces protection in Aotus triviroatus monkeys experimentally infected with P. falciparum. Here we describe two polymeric synthetic hybrid proteins based on these peptides that delay or suppress the development of parasitaemia in immunized human volunteers.     

Cytoadherence of knobless Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes and its inhibition by a human monoclonal antibody

Red blood cells infected with mature stages of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum bind to the endothelial lining of capillaries and venules. This sequestration is important for the survival of the parasite but may have severe consequences for the host. For example, it is involved in the causation of cerebral malaria which carries 25% mortality. Knob-like protrusions present on the surface of infected erythrocytes have been considered necessary but not sufficient for this cytoadherence. Here we describe the adhesion to endothelial cells of infected erythrocytes which do not have knobs. A human monoclonal antibody (33G2) which was specific for an epitope containing regularly spaced dimers of glutamic acid present in the repeated amino-acid sequences of some defined P. falciparum antigens was found to inhibit cyto-adherence and may therefore be an important reagent for elucidating the molecular basis of parasite sequestration.     

1例合并G6PD缺乏的HbH患者急性溶血期血液学参数分析

通过1例合并G6PD缺乏的HbH患者急性溶血期的实验室检查结果,分析其血液学参数在两种疾病同时存在并急性溶血发作时的相互影响以及对诊断治疗的意义。通过对此患者的诊治,得出如下结论:(1)溶血性患者MCV正常或是增大均不能排除地中海贫血的可能,需进行地中海贫血相关检查加以确证;(2)在急性溶血期时G6PD检测值正常的患者不能排除G6PD缺乏症,需待急性溶血纠正1个月后再复查G6PD活性才能得出真实结果。临床诊断及治疗时不可盲信一时的实验室结果,需多方面综合考虑,谨慎处理防止溶血加重。由于此两种疾病均为遗传性疾病,因此预防及治疗此类疾病的最有效方法是:积极婚检、产检以避免有重症缺陷的患儿出生。     

Artemisinins target the SERCA of Plasmodium falciparum

Artemisinins are extracted from sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) and are the most potent antimalarials available, rapidly killing all asexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum. Artemisinins are sesquiterpene lactones widely used to treat multidrug-resistant malaria, a disease that annually claims 1 million lives. Despite extensive clinical and laboratory experience their molecular target is not yet identified. Activated artemisinins form adducts with a variety of biological macromolecules, including haem, translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) and other higher-molecular-weight proteins. Here we show that artemisinins, but not quinine or chloroquine, inhibit the SERCA orthologue (PfATP6) of Plasmodium falciparum in Xenopus oocytes with similar potency to thapsigargin (another sesquiterpene lactone and highly specific SERCA inhibitor). As predicted, thapsigargin also antagonizes the parasiticidal activity of artemisinin. Desoxyartemisinin lacks an endoperoxide bridge and is ineffective both as an inhibitor of PfATP6 and as an antimalarial. Chelation of iron by desferrioxamine abrogates the antiparasitic activity of artemisinins and correspondingly attenuates inhibition of PfATP6. Imaging of parasites with BODIPY-thapsigargin labels the cytosolic compartment and is competed by artemisinin. Fluorescent artemisinin labels parasites similarly and irreversibly in an Fe2+-dependent manner. These data provide compelling evidence that artemisinins act by inhibiting PfATP6 outside the food vacuole after activation by iron.     

Inhibition of P. falciparum growth in human erythrocytes by monoclonal antibodies

Malaria is increasing in incidence and prevalence in most tropical areas and is a major problem for both individuals and communities. Current malaria research is aimed at developing vaccines and, for this, it may be useful to define Plasmodium antigen(s) related to the development of a protective immune response in the host. Monoclonal antibodies have recently been shown to interfere with rodent malaria infection (Plasmodium berghei) at the sporozoite or merozoite stage. We have now raised monoclonal antibodies against single antigenic determinant(s) of Plasmodium falciparum and report that some of them inhibit the growth of erythrocytic forms of P. falciparum in vitro.     

Synthetic GPI as a candidate anti-toxic vaccine in a model of malaria

The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum infects 5-10% of the world's population and kills two million people annually. Fatalities are thought to result in part from pathological reactions initiated by a malarial toxin. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) originating from the parasite has the properties predicted of a toxin; however, a requirement for toxins in general and GPI in particular in malarial pathogenesis and fatality remains unproven. As anti-toxic vaccines can be highly effective public health tools, we sought to determine whether anti-GPI vaccination could prevent pathology and fatalities in the Plasmodium berghei/rodent model of severe malaria. The P. falciparum GPI glycan of the sequence NH(2)-CH(2)-CH(2)-PO(4)-(Man alpha 1-2)6Man alpha 1-2Man alpha 1-6Man alpha 1-4GlcNH(2)alpha 1-6myo-inositol-1,2-cyclic-phosphate was chemically synthesized, conjugated to carriers, and used to immunize mice. Recipients were substantially protected against malarial acidosis, pulmonary oedema, cerebral syndrome and fatality. Anti-GPI antibodies neutralized pro-inflammatory activity by P. falciparum in vitro. Thus, we show that GPI is a significant pro-inflammatory endotoxin of parasitic origin, and that several disease parameters in malarious mice are toxin-dependent. GPI may contribute to pathogenesis and fatalities in humans. Synthetic GPI is therefore a prototype carbohydrate anti-toxic vaccine against malaria.     

离子注入法转大豆DNA小麦发芽种子中G6PD的研究

对小麦种子进行了不同的处理,并通过PAGE电泳技术对发芽10 d的小麦种子G6PD进行了测定,结果表明:各处理均可引起G6PD同工酶酶活性或酶带的改变,但表现不同.与其它处理用相比,离子注入后转DNA处理G6PD主要表现为酶活性的明显减弱或酶带消失,但转大豆DNA片段的处理和转全长DNA的处理相比,前者比后者酶谱变化更明显.     

Immunization of Aotus monkeys with recombinant proteins of an erythrocyte surface antigen of Plasmodium falciparum

Recent studies have identified and characterized a ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA) of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum with a relative molecular mass (Mr) of approximately 155,000 (refs 1-7). RESA is localized in the micronemes of merozoites and also the membrane of red cells infected with ring-stage parasites. It is thought to be released through the apical pore from the rhoptry at the time of merozoite invasion. Because antibodies directed against this antigen strongly inhibit parasite growth in vitro, RESA may be useful in developing a vaccine against this parasite Here we describe an immunization trial using Aotus monkeys and Escherichia coli-derived fused polypeptides corresponding to various regions of the RESA molecule. Some monkeys in all test groups, but not in the control group, were protected against overwhelming infection. Strikingly, protection correlated with antibody responses to either of two different repetitive sequences in RESA.     

A superfamily of variant genes encoded in the subtelomeric region of Plasmodium vivax

The malarial parasite Plasmodium vivax causes disease in humans, including chronic infections and recurrent relapses, but the course of infection is rarely fatal, unlike that caused by Plasmodium falciparum. To investigate differences in pathogenicity between P. vivax and P. falciparum, we have compared the subtelomeric domains in the DNA of these parasites. In P. falciparum, subtelomeric domains are conserved and contain ordered arrays of members of multigene families, such as var, rif and stevor, encoding virulence determinants of cytoadhesion and antigenic variation. Here we identify, through the analysis of a continuous 155,711-base-pair sequence of a P. vivax chromosome end, a multigene family called vir, which is specific to P. vivax. The vir genes are present at about 600-1,000 copies per haploid genome and encode proteins that are immunovariant in natural infections, indicating that they may have a functional role in establishing chronic infection through antigenic variation.     

Immune sera recognize on erythrocytes Plasmodium falciparum antigen composed of repeated amino acid sequences

Protective immune responses against the asexual stages of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, are most probably directed against exposed antigenic determinants on the surface of the free merozoite or the infected red blood cell, and therefore antigens in these locations are candidates for testing as components of a defined molecular vaccine. To facilitate the search for such antigens, we recently developed a method for the expression of P. falciparum proteins in Escherichia coli as fused polypeptides. Many clones producing antigens were detected by screening with immune human sera. We show here that antibodies against the fused polypeptide expressed by one such clone react with a P. falciparum protein that is synthesized late in schizogony and is later present on the surface of the ring-infected erythrocyte. The protein is composed of repeating subunits of 8, 4 and 3 amino acids and is present in all isolates of P. falciparum examined.     

硫酸软骨素A介导的恶性疟原虫感染的红细胞粘附

对硫酸软骨素的粘附机制进行了初步探讨。研究表明,恶性疟原虫感染的红细胞可粘附于各种器官的微血管内皮细胞,这种粘附被认为是红细胞膜表面分子与内皮细胞表面分子间配体－受体相互作用的结果,ＣＳＡ为内皮细胞表面感染的红细胞的粘附受体和恶性疟原虫红细胞膜蛋白１的配体。     

Genome sequence and comparative analysis of the model rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii yoelii

Species of malaria parasite that infect rodents have long been used as models for malaria disease research. Here we report the whole-genome shotgun sequence of one species, Plasmodium yoelii yoelii, and comparative studies with the genome of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum clone 3D7. A synteny map of 2,212 P. y. yoelii contiguous DNA sequences (contigs) aligned to 14 P. falciparum chromosomes reveals marked conservation of gene synteny within the body of each chromosome. Of about 5,300 P. falciparum genes, more than 3,300 P. y. yoelii orthologues of predominantly metabolic function were identified. Over 800 copies of a variant antigen gene located in subtelomeric regions were found. This is the first genome sequence of a model eukaryotic parasite, and it provides insight into the use of such systems in the modelling of Plasmodium biology and disease.     

Plasmodium falciparum strain-specific antibody blocks binding of infected erythrocytes to amelanotic melanoma cells

An important feature of Plasmodium falciparum malaria which differentiates it from other human malarias is that erythrocytes infected with trophozoites and schizonts are not present in the peripheral blood but are sequestered along capillary and venular endothelium. Infected erythrocytes attach via parasite-induced ultrastructural modifications on the surface of the infected cells, called 'knobs'. This sequestration may be important for parasite survival because it prevents infected erythrocytes from circulating through the spleen where they could be eliminated. We have established an in vitro correlate of sequestration and used it to demonstrate that immune sera from repeatedly infected Aotus monkeys inhibit binding of infected erythrocytes to endothelial cells. We have investigated whether antiserum that blocks binding of one isolate of P. falciparum to target cells can block or reverse binding of other isolates. We report here that sera which block or reverse binding are strain-specific, indicating that the corresponding antigens on the surface of the infected erythrocytes are strain (isolate)-specific.     

Several alleles of the multidrug-resistance gene are closely linked to chloroquine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum

The lethal form of human malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is virtually uncontrollable in many areas because of the development of drug resistance, in particular chloroquine resistance (CQR). CQR is biologically similar to the multiple drug resistance phenotype (MDR) of mammalian tumour cells, as both involve expulsion of drug from the cell and both can be reversed by calcium channel antagonists. A homologue (pfmdr1) of the mammalian multidrug resistance gene has been implicated in CQR because it is amplified in some CQR isolates of P. falciparum as is an mdr gene in MDR tumour cells. We show here that the complete sequences of pfmdr1 genes from 2 CQ sensitive (CQS) P. falciparum isolates are identical. In 5 CQR isolates, 1-4 key nucleotide differences resulted in amino acid substitutions. On the basis of these substitutions, we have correctly predicted the CQS/CQR status of a further 34 out of 36 isolates. This is a paradox as CQR arises much less frequently than would be predicted if single point mutations were sufficient. We conclude that a mutated pfmdr1 gene is one of at least two mutated genes required for CQR.     

Demonstration of somatic mutation and colonic crypt clonality by X-linked enzyme histochemistry

Cellular mosaicism resulting from X-chromosome inactivation in heterozygous females can be shown histochemically; using this approach we have demonstrated age-related gene reactivation and tumour clonality. We now show in female mice heterozygous for reduced expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity that colonic epithelial cells express either normal or low enzyme activity, and form patches composed of multiple crypts of uniform phenotype. We also show that a low-enzyme colonic epithelial cell phenotype can be induced in normal mice by carcinogen treatment, these cells again occur in patches, but are restricted to scattered single crypts, the frequency of which is related to treatment. A small proportion of colonic tumours in carcinogen treated normal mice are also of low-enzyme phenotype. We conclude that we have visualized the effects of a sporadic carcinogen induced somatic mutation in the G6PD gene of crypt stem cells and that a single stem cell maintains each colonic crypt. This inducible defective activity of a ubiquitous 'housekeeping' enzyme provides a somatic clonal marker system of wide potential application.     

Human antisera detect a Plasmodium falciparum genomic clone encoding a nonapeptide repeat

Plasmodium falciparum causes malaria infections in its human host. Its wide distribution in tropical countries is a major world health problem. Before a vaccine can be produced, the identification and characterization of parasite antigens is necessary. This can be achieved by the cloning and subsequent analysis of genes coding for parasite antigens. Recently established cDNA banks allow the expression of cDNA derived from the simian parasite Plasmodium knowlesi and P. falciparum in Escherichia coli. Recombinants encoding parasite antigens have been identified by immunodetection in both banks. Two of them contain repetitive units of 11 (ref. 7) or 12 (ref. 5) amino acids. We describe here the construction of an expression bank made directly from randomly generated fragments of P. falciparum genomic DNA. We detect several clones which react strongly with human African immune sera. One clone expresses an antigenic determinant composed of occasionally degenerated repeats of a peptide nonamer.     

白血病G6PD蛋白表达的研究

目的:观察白血病患者骨髓中白血病细胞葡萄糖-6磷酸脱氢酶(G6PD)蛋白的表达情况,探讨G6PD与白血病的关系。方法:应用免疫组化方法检测35例白血病患者和35例非恶性血液病患者骨髓组织标本中白血病细胞G6PD蛋白的表达,比较白血病患者和非恶性血液病患者G6PD蛋白表达率的差异。结果:G6PD蛋白在白血病骨髓组织白血病细胞中呈现弱阳性表达。35例白血病患者骨髓组织中G6PD蛋白阳性表达率为25.7%(9/35),而35例非恶性血液病患者骨髓组织中G6PD蛋白阳性表达率为2.9%(1/35),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:白血病可能存在G6PD蛋白的表达上调,值得进一步研究。