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PubMed2006

Induction of cross-reactive immune responses to NTS-DBL-1alpha/x of PfEMP1 and in vivo protection on challenge with Plasmodium falciparum.

The interactions of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes parasitized red blood cells (pRBC) with endothelial receptors and erythrocytes are mediated by multiple Duffy-binding like (DBL) and cysteine-rich interdomain region (CIDR) domains harboured in the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). The success of a subunit vaccine based on PfEMP1 depends on its ability to elicit cross-reactive responses to a substantial number of PfEMP1 variants. We have here evaluated serological PfEMP1 cross-reactivity by immunizing rats with phylogenetically diverse recombinant NTS-DBL-1alpha/x fusion domains from the 3D7 genome parasite emulsified in Montanide ISA 720. Cross-reactivity was elicited to these diverse DBL-1alpha/x domains as measured by ELISA and by immunoblotting. Employing a novel in vivo model of human infected erythrocyte sequestration, immunized animals were challenged with the FCR3S1.2 clone and cross-protection in terms of reduction in lung sequestration amounting to approximately 50% was demonstrated. Our results suggest that immunization with phylogenetically distant DBL-1alpha/x variants, can elicit partial cross-protection to challenge with the parasites harbouring a distant variant. These observations have implications for the design of multi-component vaccines against P. falciparum malaria.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Efficacy of chloroquine in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infection in East Timor, 2000.

Access to an efficacious antimalarial drug is one of the cornerstones of the Roll Back Malaria initiative to decrease malaria morbidity and mortality. This is particularly important in emergency and post-emergency settings where access to treatment in the event of therapeutic failure may be restricted. In the aftermath of violence securing the independence of East Timor (1999), chloroquine continued to be used as first line therapy for the treatment of malaria. However, reliable data on the efficacy of chloroquine was not available. This paper represents the first attempt to document treatment failure with chloroquine in East Timor. The study was conducted using modified WHO guidelines in a rural hospital outpatient department in an area where there is seasonal transmission of both Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. 48 subjects presenting with fever and microscopically confirmed P. falciparum monoinfection were given supervised oral treatment with quality controlled chloroquine (25 mg/kg over 3 days) and followed clinically and parasitologically for 28 days. 32 of the 48 subjects had recurrent parasitaemia, and PCR confirmed that 28 of these were likely to be due to recrudescent parasites. The corrected treatment failure was, therefore, 58.3% (28/48), with all but one (2.1%) defined as late treatment failures (7-28 days after treatment). Further research into appropriate chemotherapy, including sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and combination therapy for example with artemesinin or its derivatives, should be undertaken to select the most appropriate first line therapy for the management of uncomplicated malaria in East Timor.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Elevated tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 serum levels as markers for complicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

PURPOSE: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) has been implicated in the pathology of experimental malaria. To establish its relevance to human malaria, we studied serum levels of two monocyte-derived cytokines, TNF-alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as of the lymphocyte-derived mediator interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in patients with malaria before and during antiparasitic treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty serum samples of 40 patients with malaria (Plasmodium falciparum [n = 32], Plasmodium vivax [n = 8]) were analyzed. IL-6 was measured by a highly sensitive and specific bioassay, TNF-alpha by immunoradiometric assay, and IFN-gamma by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Elevated cytokine levels could be detected in the majority of patients with P. falciparum malaria before treatment (31 of 32, 21 of 32, and 21 of 32 for TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IFN-gamma, respectively), but only in some patients with P. vivax malaria (four of eight, one of eight, and zero of eight for TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IFN-gamma, respectively). Serum concentrations of the monokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 correlated significantly with parasitic density (p less than 0.001). No such correlation was obtained with the circulating IFN-gamma concentration. The levels of monokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 were markedly elevated in 18 P. falciparum-infected patients with complicated clinical courses (median values for TNF-alpha 172 pg/mL, for IL-6 16 U/mL, peak values: 896 pg/mL and 1,000 U/mL, respectively). The correlation between TNF-alpha and IL-6 concentrations in serum (n = 40, r = 0.56, p = 0.0002) suggests co-ordinate production of those mediators. CONCLUSION: Organ impairment in human malaria was found to be correlated with the amount of circulating cytokine levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6. Thus, imbalances of the cytokine network in untreated P. falciparum infection serve as markers of severity of disease. Modulation of cytokine response could represent a novel approach to the treatment of severe organ dysfunctions in human malaria.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Two functionally distinct organic osmolyte pathways in Plasmodium gallinaceum-infected chicken red blood cells.

Red cells infected with the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum have an increased permeability to a range of small, structurally unrelated solutes via a malaria-induced pathway. We report here a similar pathway present in parasitised red cells from chickens infected with the avian malaria parasite, Plasmodium gallinaceum. Parasitised cells showed a marked increase in the rate of influx of sorbitol (76-fold) and, to a lesser degree, taurine (3-fold) when compared with red cells from uninfected chickens. Pharmacological data suggest that both sorbitol and taurine are transported via a single malaria-induced pathway, which is sensitive to inhibition by 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (IC(50) approximately 7 microM). The malaria-induced pathway differed in its inhibition by a range of anion channel inhibitors when compared to the endogenous, volume-activated osmolyte pathway of chicken red cells. There were also differences in the selectivity of sorbitol and taurine by the two permeation routes. The data presented here are consistent with the presence of two distinct organic solute pathways in infected chicken red cells. The first is an endogenous volume-activated pathway, which is not activated by the parasite and the second is a malaria-induced pathway, similar to those that are induced by other types of malaria in other host species.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Functional characterization of beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductase (FabG) from Plasmodium falciparum.

The malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, unlike its human host, utilizes type II fatty acid synthesis, in which steps of fatty acid biosynthesis are catalyzed by independent enzymes. Due to this difference, the enzymes of this pathway are a potential target of newer antimalarials. Here we report the functional characterization of Plasmodium FabG expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant FabG from P. falciparum is soluble and active. The K(m) of the enzyme for acetoacetyl-CoA was estimated to be 75 microM with a V(max) of 0.0054 micromol/min/ml and a k(cat) value of 0.014s(-1). NADPH exhibited negative cooperativity for its interaction with FabG. We have also modeled P. falciparum FabG using Brassica napus FabG as the template. This model provides a structural rationale for the specificity of FabG towards its cofactor, NADPH.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1992

Cloning and characterization of a highly conserved HMG-like protein (PF16) gene from Plasmodium falciparum.

A novel gene encoding a protein of 147 amino acids (Pf16) has been cloned from Plasmodium falciparum and expressed in E. coli. The protein contains 19 methionines, all of which are localized in the NH2-terminal 35 amino acid residues, and it is also rich in lysine. Pf16 is highly basic, contains a polyacidic domain consisting of aspartic acid and is related to the non-histone high mobility group proteins of higher eukaryotes. The gene is conserved among eight different species of Plasmodium so far examined, suggesting an important function for this gene product in the parasite's life cycle.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Plasmodium vivax: parasitemia determination by real-time quantitative PCR in Aotus monkeys.

Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum are the two prevalent human malaria species. A Colombian P. vivax wild strain has been adapted in Aotus nancymaae monkeys for use in further biological and immunological studies. We present data validating a real-time PCR assay quantifying P. vivax parasitemia, using the small subunit ribosomal RNA genes as an amplification target. P. vivax species-specific primers were designed on the 18S ribosomal gene V8 region, for amplifying both asexual and sporozoite ssrRNA genes. The assay detects amplification products bound to fluorescent SYBR-Green I dye using Perkin-Elmer GeneAmp-5700-SDS. Linear range standard curves from 6 DNA concentration logs (+0.99 correlation coefficients) were obtained. Standard curves were constructed using a plasmid containing target gene for real-time PCR amplification. This P. vivax specific assay is very sensitive, having a three parasite detection limit, and is reproducible and accurate. It involves a "closed-tube" PCR, avoids time-consuming post-PCR manipulation, and decreases potential PCR contamination.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recombinant Plasmodium falciparum NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase is active and harbours a unique 26 amino acid tail.

During infection, Plasmodium spp. require reducing equivalents such as NADPH to support the function of specific enzymes in overcoming oxidative stress. The catalysis of isocitrate by the NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase of Plasmodium falciparum (pfICDH) generates NADPH and is thus crucial for the parasite's survival and pathogenecity. In this study, pfICDH was cloned from a clinical isolate of P. falciparum. This was facilitated by designing primers based on the P. falciparum genome sequence resource PlasmoDB. DNA sequence of the cloned gene revealed an ORF that encodes a protein of 468 aa. Furthermore, after expression in Esherichia coli BL21, enzyme assays of cell-free extracts confirmed the overexpression and function of pfICDH. Further, pfICDH purified by affinity chromatography retained its enzyme activity. Substitution of NADP for NAD, or the use of EDTA, in enzyme assays abolished pfICDH activity. ATP and chloroquine, as well as cupric and argentic ions, inhibited pfICDH activity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed high primary structure homology (45-97%) among genes coding for eukaryal NADP-dependent ICDH, and the occurrence of three subfamilies of ICDH genes. Interestingly, there were significant sequence dissimilarities between pfICDH and its mammalian or bacterial homologs, particularly at the N- and C-termini. Confirming the functionality of the cloned pfICDH, and asserting its distance from the human homolog by molecular definitions, are important prerequisites for promoting this gene as a drug target screen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Optimisation of flow cytometric measurement of parasitaemia in plasmodium-infected mice.

Mouse malaria is often used as a model for drug testing. The results of drug trials are monitored by tedious (and consequently, sometimes inaccurate) microscopic counting of blood smears, or by flow cytometry. We suggest an improved, accurate and time-saving flow cytometric method for determination of parasitaemias in mice infected with Plasmodium vinckei petteri or Plasmodium berghei. The method involves collection of drops of blood from the tail vein, fixation, storage, permeabilisation, staining and analysis with a visible range flow cytometer. Three nucleic acid dyes, YOYO-1, propidium iodide and acridine orange were compared. YOYO-1 was found to be the best stain for the discrimination of parasitised erythrocytes from non-infected ones. A good direct correlation was obtained between parasitaemia determined by conventional microscopy and parasitaemia measured by flow cytometry. Drug effects could be assessed by the cytometric method. For the detection of low level of parasitemia, parasitised cells were treated with RNAse to completely cancel RNA-derived signals originating from host reticulocytes. This procedure also revealed discrete peaks arising from red cells infected with multiple parasites or from parasites with different numbers of nuclei.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effect of xanthurenic acid on infectivity of Plasmodium falciparum to Anopheles stephensi.

Terminally differentiated malarial gametocytes remain in the vertebrate circulation in a developmentally arrested state until they are taken up by the mosquito. The gametocytes then undergo gametogenesis in the mosquito mid-gut within minutes after ingestion of the infected blood meal. The male gametogenesis (exflagellation) can be triggered by the combination of a decrease in temperature of at least 5 degrees C and a simultaneous increase in pH between 8.0 and 8.3. Xanthurenic acid, which is present in mosquito mid-gut as well as in mosquito head, had been shown to induce exflagellation in vitro at a non-permissible pH. Here we report for the first time that with the increasing concentration of exogenous xanthurenic acid, there is a gradual increase in the number of oocysts in the mid-gut of infected mosquitoes. The concentration of xanthurenic acid for optimum infection in the membrane feeding assay was determined to be 100 microM. Three different strains of Plasmodium falciparum, viz. 3D7, 7G8 and W2 were tested in different experiments and similar findings hold true for all of them. These results demonstrate that xanthurenic acid not only induces exflagellation of male gametocytes but also promotes infectivity of Plasmodium falciparum to mosquito vectors.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Transport mechanisms in Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes: lipid rafts and a tubovesicular network.

The mature human erythrocyte is a simple cell that is devoid of intracellular organelles and does not show endocytic or phagocytic activity at the plasma membrane. However, following infection by Plasmodium, the erythrocyte undergoes several morphological and functional changes. Parasite-derived proteins are exported into the erythrocyte cytoplasm and to the membrane, while several proteins are localised to the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane and to the tubovesicular membranous network structures surrounding the parasite. Recent evidence indicates that multiple host proteins, independent of the type of their membrane anchor, that exist in detergent-resistant membrane (DRM) rafts or microdomains enter this apicomplexan vacuole. The internalised host components along with the parasite-encoded transmembrane protein PfEXP1 can be detected as DRM rafts in the vacuole. It appears that in Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes lipid rafts may play a role in endovacuolation and macromolecular transport.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Exploring the proteome of Plasmodium.

With the entire genomic sequence of several species of Plasmodium soon to be available, researchers are now focusing on methods to study gene and protein expression at the whole organism level. Traditional methods of characterising and identifying large numbers of proteins from a complex protein mixture have relied predominantly on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis combined with N-terminal sequencing or mass spectrometry of individually prepared proteins. New proteomics methods are now available that are based on resolving small peptides derived from complex protein mixtures by high-resolution liquid chromatography and directly identifying them by tandem mass spectrometry (LC/LC/MS/MS) and sophisticated computer search algorithms against whole genome sequence databases. These newer proteomic methods have the potential to accelerate the reproducible identification of large numbers of proteins from various life cycle stages of Plasmodium and may help to better understand parasite biology and lead to the identification of new targets of vaccines and drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Cyclin-dependent kinase homologues of Plasmodium falciparum.

The intraerythrocytic asexual cycle of the malarial parasite is complex and atypical: during schizogony the parasite undergoes multiple rounds of DNA replication and asynchronous nuclear division without cytokinesis. This cell cycle deviates from the classical eukaryotic cell cycle model where, 'DNA replicates only once per cell cycle'. A clear understanding of the molecular switches that control this unusual developmental cycle would be of great interest, both in terms of fundamental Plasmodium biology and in terms of novel potential drug target identification. In recent years considerable effort has been made to identify the malarial orthologues of the cyclin-dependent kinases, which are key regulators of the orderly progression of the eukaryotic cell cycle. This review focuses on the current state-of-knowledge of Plasmodium falciparum cyclin-dependent kinase-like kinases and their regulators.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Retarded development of exoerythrocytic stages of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei in human hepatoma cells by extracts from Dioncophyllaceae and Ancistrocladaceae species.

Retarded development of exoerythrocytic stages of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei in human hepatoma cells by extracts from Dioncophyllaceae and Ancistrocladaceae species. International Journal for Parasitology 27: 29-32. Naphthylisoquinoline alkaloid-containing extracts (10 micrograms ml-1) of species belonging to the Dioncophyllaceae and the Ancistrocladaceae, 2 small tropical plant families, display pronounced in vitro activities against exoerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium berghei (Anka), developing in human hepatoma cells (Hep G2). The highest activities were obtained with CH2Cl2 root and bark extracts, and a CH2Cl2/NH3 leaf extract from Triphyophyllum peltatum, a CH2Cl2/NH3 root extract from Ancistrocladus abbreviatus, and a CH2Cl2 leaf extract from A. tectorius. The degrees of growth inhibition ranged within 27.7-70.0%. The commercially available drug primaquine diphosphate (25 micrograms ml-1) caused a comparable effect (62.1%) in the same test system.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The development and persistence of phanerozoites in experimental infections of Plasmodium sasai.

Phanerozoites of Plasmodium sasai parasitised virtually all tissues of Takydromus tachydromoides infected by inoculation of blood, and persisted until each lizard died, 2-296 days postinoculation. At 4 days postinoculation, phanerozoites were larger than at 2 and 6 days; many were observed rupturing, suggesing a maturation time of approximately 4 days. The proliferation of phanerozoites decreased after 2 months postinoculation, but small phanerozoites were still present at 296 days. A few encysted phanerozoites (chronozoites) appeared at 2 days postinoculation, but from 75 days comprised over half of parasites present in most tissues. Some differences in mean size and shape were evident among various organs. Phanerozoites occurred in connective tissue and endothelium in all organs, but were most plentiful in the heart in every infection, often occurring in clusters of > 30 schizonts, with up to 105 found in single sections at 4 days. Phanerozoites did not parasitise reticular cells of the spleen and bone marrow, in contrast to Plasmodium mexicanum as described in unnatural host species. Little difference was seen between two strains of P. sasai in its natural host T. tachydromoides and a strain isolated from Takydromus smaragdinus.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

High-level chloroquine resistance of Plasmodium berghei is associated with multiple drug resistance and loss of reversal by calcium antagonists.

The chloroquine resistance of Plasmodium falciparum is reversed in vitro by numerous compounds, including calcium antagonists, which could enhance the accumulation of the drug in the parasite food vacuole. However, this mechanism of resistance could be insufficient when the resistance level increases. Using in vitro drug trials on strains of Plasmodium berghei displaying various chloroquine-resistance levels, we confirmed previous results obtained in vivo in the chloroquine-resistant strains of P. berghei are cross-resistant to related drugs (amodiaquine, quinine and mefloquine), the resistance levels to these drugs being related to their analogy to chloroquine. Furthermore, we showed that high-level resistant lines were associated with a loss of drug potentiation by verapamil and nicardipine in vivo, but that the reversal rates obtained in vitro are of low significance. We conclude that the parasite is able to escape the activity of these reversing agents.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Transfection of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

In the past few years, methods have been developed which allow the introduction of exogenous DNA into the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This important technical advance known as parasite transfection, provides powerful new tools to study the function of Plasmodium proteins and their roles in biology and disease. Already it has allowed the analysis of promoter function and has been successfully applied to establish the role of particular molecules and/or mutations in the biology of this parasite. This review summarises the current state of the technology and how it has been applied to dissect the function of the P. falciparum genome.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Differential transcription of histone genes in asexual and sexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum.

Molecular mechanisms of cell-cycle control in Plasmodium falciparum remain poorly understood. We have traced transcription of histones H2A, H2B and H3 as the parasite progresses through different developmental stages--rings, trophozoites, schizonts and gametocytes. Our results show that the ring stage parasites do not appear to synthesise any of the three histones. We also found a markedly elevated level of H3 transcript in the schizont stage parasite, while H2A and H2B were made in approximately equivalent amounts (in trophozoites, schizonts and garnetocytes). Further study might lead to a better understanding of the control elements involved in the regulation of histone levels in Plasmodium as it develops in the erythrocyte.

Animals↗