Cross–reactivity of antibody against an epitope of the Plasmodium falciparum second merozoite surface antigen

Monoclonal antibodies directed against the 51 kD merozoite surface antigen of Plasmodium falciparum also bind to other antigens within the infected cell. The sizes of these cross-reacting antigens have been characterized. Immunofluorescence due to the reaction of one of the monoclonal antibodies with these cross-reacting antigens was localized in the intra-erythrocytic parasite and in granules in the infected red cell cytoplasm. This immunofluorescence could be distinguished from the merozoite surface antigen in parasite lines with a variant serotype of the merozoite surface antigen which fails to react with the monoclonal antibodies. It was found that the in-vitro growth inhibition caused by the presence of one of the monoclonal antibodies, 8G10/48, was dependent on the expression of the corresponding serotype of merozoite surface antigen, a finding consistent with the inhibitory effect of this antibody being primarily directed against the merozoite surface antigen and not the cross-reacting antigens. Analysis of the frequency at which epitopes occur suggests that such cross-reacting proteins will be commonly seen in malaria, without the need to postulate a selective advantage for such cross-reacting specificities.     

Inhibition of the growth of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei in vitro by an extract of Cochlospermum angolense (Welw.).

An extract of Cochlospermum angolense (Welw.) is used in the traditional medicine of Angola for the therapy of icterus and for the prophylaxis of malaria. From the roots of this plant red crystalline substances have been isolated and tested for their effect on Plasmodium falciparum in vitro and on the DNA and protein synthesis of Plasmodium berghei. The multiplication of P. falciparum was decreased to 50% of the control in the presence of 10 μg/ml extracted material and there was a total inhibition at a concentration of 50 μ/ml. If mice erythrocytes infected by P. berghei were incubated for 6 h with 25 μg/ml of the extract DNA synthesis was depressed to nearly background level. And, even more important, this effect could be demonstrated immediately. On the contrary, protein synthesis continued for at least 90 min at a reduced rate and stopped then. The results obtained show the direct antiparasitic effect of the substances extracted from C. angolense. The activity seems to be directed against DNA synthesis.     

间日疟原虫和恶性疟原虫乳酸脱氢酶基因的序列和重组抗原表位分析

目的对间日疟原虫和恶性疟原虫乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)基因的序列及重组抗原的表位进行比较分析。方法根据GenBank中已知的pLDH基因序列(登录号为DQ198262和DQ060151)设计特异性引物,体外扩增间日疟原虫和恶性疟原虫LDH的全长基因,对两序列进行比对分析,用SYFPEITHI软件进行表位预测分析。将Pv-LDH和Pf-LDH基因克隆入pET28a表达载体,转化至大肠埃希菌BL21(DE3)株,加入异丙基-β-D硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导表达,Westernblotting和中和ELISA法鉴定重组蛋白。结果Pv-LDH和Pf-LDH基因的编码区全长均为951bp,编码316个氨基酸,Pf-LDH与参考序列DQ198262完全一致,而Pv-LDH与参考序列DQ060151仅在第666位有一个核苷酸的变异;两者的核苷酸和氨基酸序列的一致性分别为75.1%和90.2%。T细胞表位预测分析结果显示,能识别pLDH抗原表位的人类白细胞抗原(HLA)分子类型共28种,预测的表位数约为180个,相同或相似的表位约占总表位数的75%,Pv-LDH和Pf-LDH特异性表位分别为38个和45个。Westernblotting分析显示,Pv-LDH重组抗原可被疟疾患者血清识别,但反应强度明显低于Pv-LDH重组抗原免疫兔血清。中和ELISA试验结果显示,Pv-LDH抗原对多克隆抗体最高抑制率可达70.3%,而Pf-LDH抗原的最高抑制率仅为30.5%。结论Pv-LDH和Pf-LDH基因的核苷酸序列及其重组抗原均有差异,特异性表位诱导的抗体在整个抗体谱中相对较少。     

恶性疟原虫乳酸脱氢酶的表达及免疫活性鉴定

目的　在大肠杆菌中表达恶性疟原虫乳酸脱氢酶 (LDHp)与谷胱甘肽S 转移酶 (GST)融合蛋白 ,测定重组蛋白的免疫活性。方法　采用PCR方法特异性扩增恶性疟原虫 (海南株 )乳酸脱氢酶基因 ,经双酶切后克隆入 pGEX 4T 1表达载体中 ,重组蛋白纯化后免疫小鼠制备特异性血清 ,并用琼脂双向扩散法检测效价 ,ELISA、Western bloting检测重组抗原的免疫活性。结果　得到了重组表达的蛋白抗原 ,表达产物能与兔抗恶性疟原虫血清发生反应 ,并能诱导小鼠产生特异性体液免疫应答 ,免疫琼脂扩散法抗体滴度为 1∶16。结论　LDHp在大肠杆菌中获得高效表达且表达产物具有良好的抗原性。     

多糖与恶性疟原虫的分子致病机制

在恶性疟原虫与人体细胞相互作用的过程中,子孢子通过黏附肝内皮细胞受体侵入肝脏,裂殖子通过黏附红细胞表面受体侵入红细胞,感染红细胞利用其表面膜蛋白与人体重要器官的血管内皮细胞表面分子发生黏附,最终导致血流受阻。这些黏附过程均是虫体蛋白与宿主细胞表面带有负电荷的多糖分子相互作用的结果。本文对恶性疟原虫与人体细胞相互作用的分子机制作一综述。     

多重PCR快速检测恶性疟和间日疟的研究

目的 建立一种简便快速、能同时检测恶性疟和间日疟的核酸检测方法。方法 针对两种疟原虫18S rRNA基因设计2对(3条引物),优化引物浓度与退火温度,建立可扩增出两种疟原虫基因片段的多重PCR。并进行最低检测限确定和临床标本检测,以镜检法为金标准分析灵敏度和特异度等指标。结果 该方法可扩增出431 bp(恶性疟原虫)和341 bp(间日疟原虫)基因片段,最低检测限为10²copies/反应,检测临床标本的结果与镜检法无差别(P＞0.05),敏感度为93.55%,特异度为70.83%,阳性预测值为89.23%,阴性预测值为80.95%。结论 所建立的多重PCR方法可快速检测疟疾感染并鉴别分型,灵敏度高,值得推广。     

Mice immunized with a synthetic peptide construct corresponding to an epitope present on a Plasmodium falciparum antigen are protected against Plasmodium chabaudi challenge

Inhibitory monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 8E7/55 recognizes a parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) antigen in Plasmodium falciparum. Previous studies have identified the epitope, DNNLVSGP, recognized by the MoAb. A synthetic peptide containing this sequence was synthesized and coupled to diphtheria toxoid (DT) and was found capable of generating antibodies when used as an immunogen in mice which recognize the native antigen exp-1. In this study we demonstrate the ability of the MoAb and antisera generated against the peptide construct to recognize a 54 kD PVM antigen in Plasmodium chabaudi. The P. chabaudi antigen is synthesized in trophozoites and released to the surrounding culture media outside the parasitized erythrocyte. Mice immunized with the peptide conjugate are protected when challenged with a lethal strain of P. chabaudi. Protection in the mice correlated with the antibody titre prior to challenge. If the PVM antigen from P. chabaudi is a homologue of exp-1 from P. falciparum, then these experiments may provide a guide to the antibody titres required in human trials before antibody mediated protection could be expected. The discovery that a PVM localized antigen is secreted into the surrounding in vitro culture media provides us with a valuable model system for further investigation of protein trafficking pathways in malaria-infected erythrocytes.     

A protective merozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum shares an epitope with surface antigens of Paramecium

A Plasmodium falciparum cDNA expression clone, lambdaPf9, had been identified earlier as a protective epitope, using anti-lambdaPf9 antibodies and combinatorial phagotopes. A segment of the Pf9 gene showed homology with Paramecium immobilization surface antigens such as 51B, 51A and 156G. A synthetic Pf9-peptide was designed from this region, and specific antibodies were raised. Each of these anti-Pf9 antibodies and combinatorial reagents, as well as anti-Paramecium 51B antibodies, recognized the Pf9-peptide on ELISA, and the same protein band in parasite immunoblots. The P. falciparum protein was released from the merozoite membrane fraction on treatment with PI-PLC, indicating the presence of a GPI anchor. Anti-Pf9-peptide antibodies specifically inhibited the growth of P. falciparum in culture. Immunofluorescence assays showed the reactivity of anti-Pf9-peptide sera with P. falciparum merozoites and gametocytes, as well as on the surface of Paramecium tetraurelia. The Pf9-peptide was able to induce proliferation of splenic lymphocytes obtained from mice infected with the rodent malarial parasites Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium yoelii. These results point towards Plasmodium Pf9 as a conserved novel protective protein, sharing an epitope with Paramecium surface antigens.     

一起冬季内源性恶性疟家庭暴发的调查

本文报道了一起内源性恶性疟冬季家庭暴发疫情,夫妻二人同时发病,经镜检确诊为恶性疟,经静滴蒿甲醚和甘露醇,口服伯氨喹以及对症处理后,患者痊愈,镜检复查未见疟原虫。     

Mimicking a conformational B cell epitope of the heat shock protein PfHsp70-1 antigen of Plasmodium falciparum using a multiple antigenic peptide

The Pf72/Hsp70-1 antigen is a major target in the naturally acquired immunity against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. We carried out an extensive analysis of the responses to several epitopes on the least conserved C-terminal domain, according to the mode of sensitization: malaria infection or immunization with different immunogens. We found significant differences in the panel of B-cell epitopes recognized by animal models including primates, and by humans sensitized by natural infection. We focused the analysis on one epitope that is unique to Plasmodium species. It is specifically recognized by a monoclonal antibody that mediates the killing of infected hepatocytes in vitro. We produced a polymeric multiple antigenic peptide (MAP) form of this sequence, which enabled us to identify a new B-cell epitope not detected by ELISA with linear peptides. The polymer was strongly recognized by sera from monkeys or humans sensitized by natural infection, whereas the monomer was not. We modelled the three-dimensional structure of the Pf72/Hsp70-1 sequence, using known Escherischia coli DnaK structures as a template. This predicted that the corresponding region would form a loop in the native antigen. The results presented here suggest that the MAP strategy is also particularly useful as a means of obtaining suitable synthetic models for conformation-dependent epitopes.     

Three non-repeated transmission blocking epitopes recognized in the 21 kD surface antigen of zygotes-ookinetes of Plasmodium berghei

Summary Two-site and competitive ELISA have been developed against a surface antigen of zygotes-ookinetes of Plasmodium berghei using monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) which block transmission of the parasite to the mosquito. Three such MoAbs have been studied, each of which recognized a protein of an M_r 21 kD (Pbs21) using immunoblot techniques. The assays showed that there are at least 3 single B-cell epitopes expressed in Pbs21. One epitope recognized by MoAb 17.9 is conformation dependent and antibodies bound to it interfered with other MoAbs (12.1 and 13.1) each recognizing a different, apparently linear epitope. Glycosylation might not be relevant to the binding of any of the antibodies tested to their respective epitopes.     

Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein: epidemiological variations among field isolates prevalent in India

Objective  To investigate the extent of genetic variations in T-helper-cell epitopic regions of circumsporozoite (CS) protein in Plasmodium falciparum field isolates collected from different regions of India at different phases of malaria transmission.
Methods  Genomic DNA was isolated from 507 P. falciparum wild-parasite isolates obtained from six geographical locations of India at three time points coinciding with malaria transmissions. The T-helper-cell epitopic regions were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified and the products were purified and then sequenced.
Results  Based on sequences, nine variants were found among isolates and they were categorized into nine groups (V-1 to V-9), where V-1 and V-2 were observed in all three time points (TP). The variants V-1 to V-4 in TP-1; V-1, V-2, V-5 to V-8 in TP-2; and V-1, V-2, V-5 and V-9 in TP-3 were present and they showed restricted heterogeneity. During peak transmission (TP-2), parasite populations were more diverse and heterogeneous and the variants regionally unbiased and restricted. However, the alleles of V-6 and V-9 in both Th2R and Th3R showed identical sequence variation with those observed in other geographical regions of the world. The remaining seven groups did not show such similarity.
Conclusion  The Th2R and Th3R epitopes are implicated in host immune response to P. falciparum . The polymorphism in these epitopic regions indicates antigenic diversity, which may cause adverse outcome of a subunit vaccine including the CS prototype variant. Therefore, the formulation of a vaccine considering the restricted local repertoire parasite populations may be helpful.     

PCR检测恶性疟原虫感染蚊方法的建立

目的 建立一种简便的可应用于现场蚊感染恶性疟原虫的PCR检测方法。方法 采用针对恶性疟原虫小亚单位核糖体DNA（SSUrDNA）的特异引物，利用PCR技术，从实验室感染及现场采集的感染恶性疟原虫的蚊基因组DNA中，扩增恶性疟原虫SSUrDNA片段，进行恶性疟原虫的检测。结果 扩增产物经琼脂糖凝胶电泳分析，可检测出特异的约188bp大小的DNA片段，其基因序列与预计序列完全一致。估测每份蚊DNA样本中含有10个以上子孢子即可获得此片段，而对间日疟原虫及未感染蚊DNA不能扩增出此片段。结论 该PCR检测方法可应用于现场恶性疟原虫感染蚊的检测。     

复式PCR检测间日疟原虫和恶性疟原虫的现场应用

目的探讨复式PCR方法在疟疾诊断中的现场应用价值。方法根据疟原虫18 S rRNA基因序列,合成疟原虫属特异性上游引物和间日疟原虫、恶性疟原虫种特异性下游引物,优化PCR反应体系,建立在同一PCR反应体系中同时检测间日疟原虫、恶性疟原虫基因组特异性DNA片段的疟疾诊断方法,并评价其现场应用价值。结果间日疟原虫和恶性疟原虫基因组DNA经过复式PCR后,分别扩增出1 451 bp和833 bp的特异性条带,而伯氏疟原虫、食蟹猴疟原虫及健康人血样均无扩增带出现,用该反应体系可检出原虫血症为1.1×10-6和5.6×10-7的间日疟原虫和恶性疟原虫感染。与镜检法相比,复式PCR检测119份现场样本,112份与镜检结果相同,阳性率为54%,漏诊率为0.8%,误诊率为0,而镜检法依次分别为53%、1.7%和3.4%。结论复式PCR方法检测疟原虫具有简便、快速、特异、敏感等优点,在疑似病例的鉴别诊断和分子流行病学调查中具有良好的应用价值。     

Status of Plasmodium falciparum towards catalase

The role of endogenous and internalized catalase in the protection of Plasmodium against oxidant stress was studied. Catalase activities were measured in isolated Plasmodium falciparum at different stages of intererythrocytic development. Activities measured at late schizont stages were compared to parasite markers (glutamate dehydrogenase, SOD) and to red blood cell markers (haemoglobin, Cu/Zn-SOD). The fate of the host cell catalase in the parasite digestive system was studied by immunoelectron microscopy using monoclonal antibodies. The internalized catalase appeared to be dissociated in the digestive system of the parasite and inactivated. To examine the protective role of the endogenous and internalized catalase in the parasite protection against oxidant stress, parasites were cultivated at two oxygen concentrations (5% and 20%) in inhibited catalase red blood cells. These experiments suggested that the catalases present both in red blood cell and parasite are not essential when parasites are cultivated under 5% oxygen, but are necessary to protect the parasite under 20% oxygen. Catalase may not be the main protective enzyme involved in the protection of P. falciparum in standard in vitro culture conditions, but may become critical under the higher oxygen tensions conditions encountered in vivo .     

多重PCR种特异性检测恶性疟原虫和间日疟原虫方法的建立

目的建立恶性疟原虫和间日疟原虫种特异性检测的多蕈PCR方法,用于疟疾的检测和诊断.方法根据疟原虫18S核糖体小亚基ssRNA的基因序列设计合成8对11条引物,通过对恶性疟、间日疟患者及健康对照者血样的DNA进行扩增,选择出敏感性和特异性最佳的引物用于建立多重PCR方法,并用梯度变化的方法分别对引物浓度、复性温度、延伸温度和循环次数等反应参数进行比较分析,优化PCR反应条件.利用优化后的多重PCR埘采自云南和上海的139份疟疾患者血样和32份非疟疾患者血样进行检测,以镜检方法为金标准,分析多重PCR方法检测患者血样的敏感性和特异性.结果从8对11条引物中优选出2对共3条引物用于建立多重PCR.利用这3条引物进行多重PCR,一次反应即可完成对恶性疟原虫和间日疟原虫的种特异性鉴定.对疟疾和非疟疾患者血样检测结果显示,该方法检测患者血样的敏感性为97.8%,特异性为100%.结论多重PCR方法敏感、特异、可进行批量检测,适用于对人群的疟疾监测和疑似疟疾病例的诊断,并能鉴定恶性疟原虫和间日疟原虫虫种.     

恶性疟候选疫苗研究进展

自首次报道减毒子孢子能使人体获得疟疾完全保护力以来,距今已近40年,而有效的疟疾疫苗仍未研制成功。尽管目前疟疾疫苗的研制面临着较大的困难,但恶性疟原虫及冈比亚按蚊全基因序列测定的完成及有效动物模型的建立,给疟疾疫苗的研制带来了希望。该文讨论了过去10年中恶性疟疫苗的研制进展,以期为恶性疟疫苗研发提供新思路。     

Properties of epitopes of Pfs 48/45, a target of transmission blocking monoclonal antibodies, on gametes of different isolates of Plasmodium falciparum

We have studied the properties of epitopes on Plasmodium falciparum gamete surface protein Pfs 48/45, a target antigen of malaria transmission blocking antibodies. Using a two site immunoradiometric assay we have defined three spacially separate, non-repeated, epitope regions on the peptides representing this antigen. Epitope region I is a target of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) which strongly suppress infectivity of gametocytes of P. falciparum to mosquitoes; the effect is complement independent and is mediated as effectively by the monovalent Fab fragments as by intact MoAb. Epitope region II consists of two spacially close subregions, IIa and IIb; variant forms of epitopes IIa and IIb occurred in different isolates of P. falciparum. Epitope region III also showed slight structural modification between isolates. MoAbs against regions II or III were relatively ineffective in suppressing gametocyte infectivity compared to MoAbs against region I. However, certain combinations of MoAbs against regions II and III together acted synergistically to suppress infectivity to mosquitoes. All these epitopes failed to react with MoAb when the antigen was presented in reduced form. A fourth epitope, however, was identified which reacted strongly with MoAb when the antigen was presented in reduced form. The MoAb against this epitope had no effect on the infectivity of gametocytes of P. falciparum to mosquitoes.     

Inhibitory effects of 9-anilinoacridines on Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes

Two gametocyte-producing isolates of Plasmodium falciparum, KT1 arid KT3, were cultivated in vitro. On day 11 of cultivation, pure gametocytes containing stage II, III and IV were used to test the gametocytocidal activity of 9-anilinoacridines that had previously demonstrated their activity against the asexual stage of the parasite. After drug exposure for 48 h, gametocytes were maintained without drugs for another 2 days before thin films were prepared for parasite counting. Gametocytocidal activities of 13 analogs of 9-anilinoacridine were observed with 50% inhibitory concentrations in the range of 0.6 microM to> 100 microM The most active compound was 1'-CH2NMe2-9-anilinoacridine. Anilinoacridine derivatives with 3,6-diamino substitution had reduced gametocytocidal activity in contrast to their enhancing effect against the asexual forms. Morphological abnormalities of gametocytes were observed following drug exposure.     

恶性疟原虫裂殖子蛋白相互作用的研究进展

恶性疟原虫裂殖子入侵红细胞是疟疾感染并致病的关键步骤,一些裂殖子蛋白在此过程中发生相互作用并发挥了重要的生物学功能.该文综述了恶性疟原虫蛋白复合体以及蛋白相互作用网络研究的最新进展.