Intra-Erythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum Induces Up-Regulation of Inter-Cellular Adhesion Molecule-1 on Human Endothelial Cells In Vitro

The stimulation of human vascular endothelial cells with P. falciparum-infecterylhrocytes resulted in the non-transient up-regulation of ICAM expression on human endothelial cells. The induction was independent from TNF as assured in various controls including the application of a TNF -neutralizing antibody. The possibility that TNF is produced by endothelial cells was investigated in a purified culture of human endothelial cells by TNF-ELISA and TNF -bio-assay both with negative results. This result may be evidence of the existence of TNF -independent mechanisms in the pathogenesis of human cerebral malaria.     

Chemoattractant- and Mitogen-Induced Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species in Human Lymphocytes: The Role of Calcium

This study examined the role of calcium in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human lymphocytes activated by the chemoattractant formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) and the T-cell mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). The concentrations of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) and ROS were monitored simultaneously with a fluorescence spectrophotometer after the cells had been incubated in fura-2 (calcium-sensitive dye) and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA, ROS-sensitive dye). The lymphocytes were stimulated with fMLP (200 nmol l-1) or PHA (10 micromol l-1) in the absence and presence of extracellular calcium. A dose-response test was also conducted for extracellular calcium. fMLP and PHA significantly increased both [Ca2+]i (P < 0.001) and ROS concentrations (P < 0. 001) above the control levels in the presence of extracellular calcium. However, such increases were abolished in the absence of extracellular calcium, suggesting total dependence of the responses to both fMLP and PHA on transplasma-membrane calcium influx. There were also graded increases in ROS with increasing concentrations of extracellular calcium. The results show that transplasma-membrane calcium influx is essential for fMLP- and PHA-induced generation of reactive oxygen species in human lymphocytes.     

Invasion of Rh Null Cells by Plasmodium falciparum identifies a new invasion pathway

The malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, invades the human erythrocyte through a complex interaction with erythrocyte receptors characterized by patterns of resistance to various enzymes. As invasion rates are influenced by blood group polymorphisms, we reasoned that the extremely rare rhesus null (Rh_null) erythrocytes could be informative in characterizing receptors. The aim was to test whether the complete absence of the Rh complex from the cell membrane impacted on parasite invasion. Enzyme treatment patterns for four P. falciparum isolates were first characterised for normal Rh cells. Two isolates showed an enzyme treatment pattern not hitherto described, with resistance to neuraminidase, trypsin and chymotrypsin. In contrast, all isolates had enhanced invasion rates for the Rh_null cell for all enzyme treatment regimens. The first finding suggests there is another pathway that P. falciparum can utilise to invade the host. We speculate that the Rh null cell membrane exposes a novel ligand defined as Receptor N. Wendy Y. Chung and Donald L. Gardiner contributed equally to this work.     

Effect of NMDA on Production of Reactive Oxygen Species by Human Lymphocytes

Low concentrations (<20 M) of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), an agonist of specific receptors of brain glutamatergic systems, promote the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) both in the whole blood and in lymphocyte fraction. Further increase in NMDA concentrations led to progressive increase in ROS content in the whole blood, but to its decrease in lymphocyte suspension. The activating effect of NMDA is abolished by antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (5 mM) and NMDA-type glutamate receptor antagonist MK-801 (5 M). Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 1 M) also increased ROS content in the examined structures. This effect was antagonized by N-acetylcysteine, but not MK-801.     

Inhibition of in Vitro Growth of Plasmodium falciparum by Purified Antimalarial Human IgG Antibodies

In the search for candidate molecules for a malaria vaccine the in vitro inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum cultures by polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies has become a major tool. In the present study antigens identical to antigens circulating in plasma during attacks of malaria have been isolated from supernatants of P. falciparum cultures and used for immunoadsorbent purification of IgG antibodies from a pool of human immune serum collected in Liberia. Approximately 50% growth inhibition of three different P. falciparum isolates from Africa was obtained with the affinity-purified antibodies at a concentration of 25 micrograms ml-1 culture medium after 48 h of incubation. The target antigen/antigens for the protective antibodies have been partly characterized by radiolabelling, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography but have not yet been identified unequivocally. However, the results indicate that one or more of the easily isolated antigens from the supernatant of P. falciparum cultures could be used in a malaria vaccine. The results also indicate that antigenic differences between strains from geographically disparate areas may not constrain the development of such a vaccine.     

Free Oxygen Radicals Are Not Detectable by Chemiluminescence during Human Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity

Mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood of normal donors produce free oxygen radicals (FR), delectable by chemiluminescence (CL). when interacting with target cells during natural killer (NK) cell lysis. FR-producing cells were found to have monocyte characteristics and gave a positive CL reaction when mixed at low concentration (0.5%) with purified NK cells. No correlation was found between susceptibility to NK cell lysis and capacity to induce CL with different target cell lines. Using high and low molecular FR scavengers, no NK cell inhibition was seen with superoxide dismutase, cytochrome c, and catalase, whereas some inhibition was seen with 4,5-dihydroxy-in-benzcnedisulphonic acid (Tironø) and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoatc. These compounds, however, required higher concentraiions than used for inhibition of CL, suggesting an alternative action of these compounds. Normal levels of NK cell activity were found in two patients with chronic granulomatous disease, who were genetically incapable of producing detectable amounts of FR. As a result, it is concluded that human NK cells do not produce large amounts of FR during killing and that FR are unlikely to be the lytic end product. Nevertheless, neither a low degree of FR formation in NK cells nor a more subtle signal-transmitting role of FR during NK cell triggering can be excluded.     

Functional Insufficiency of the System Responsible for Reactive Oxygen Species Generation by Blood Neutrophils

We studied functional activity of the system responsible for generation of reactive oxygen species by blood neutrophils and involved in pathophysiological mechanisms of bronchopulmonary diseases. Insufficiency of this system can be classified as relative, latent (type I and II), and severe.     

自制免疫胶体金层析条检测恶性疟原虫的初步研究

目的：建立一种简易快速，适合于基层使用的自测式免疫胶体金层析（GICA）法用于恶性疟原虫的检测。方法：采用柠檬酸三钠还原法制备胶体金颗粒，标记抗恶性疟原虫乳酸脱氢酶（LDHpf)单抗2A5，并以另外4株单抗作为包被抗体，制成诊断恶性疟原虫的免疫层析条，探索最佳配对模式及估计最低检测量，以镜检和PCR法为对照，用GICA条检测门诊“四热”病人血样，评价其敏感性和特异性，并对其稳定性进行了初步研究，结果：GICA检测重组LDHpf，最低检测量为1ng，以镜检法和PCR法为标准，GICA条检测恶性疟原虫的敏感性分别为88．37％和86．67％，GICA与镜检法的符合率均为91．55％，并且当虫体密度＞200个／μl时，GICA的敏感性为100％，GICA条在4℃下可保存3个月以上。结论：GICA检测恶性疟原虫简易快速，灵敏度高，无需特殊仪器设备，有望成为一种恶性疟原虫快速免疫诊断试剂盒。     

Human serum haptoglobin is toxic to Plasmodium falciparum in vitro

Innate immune responses are important in the control of malaria, particularly in those who have not yet mounted an effective adaptive response. Here we report that the human serum acute phase protein, haptoglobin, is toxic to Plasmodium falciparum cultured in vitro. This effect is phenotype dependent and occurs during the trophozoite phase of the asexual life cycle. We propose that the increased levels of haptoglobin seen in the acute phase response may be protective against malaria in humans.     

Reactive oxygen species-dependent cell signaling regulates the mosquito immune response to Plasmodium falciparum

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in direct killing of pathogens, increased tissue damage, and regulation of immune signaling pathways in mammalian cells. Available research suggests that analogous phenomena affect the establishment of Plasmodium infection in Anopheles mosquitoes. We have previously shown that provision of human insulin in a blood meal leads to increased ROS levels in Anopheles stephensi. Here, we demonstrate that provision of human insulin significantly increased parasite development in the same mosquito host in a manner that was not consistent with ROS-induced parasite killing or parasite escape through damaged tissue. Rather, our studies demonstrate that ROS are important mediators of both the mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling branches of the mosquito insulin signaling cascade. Further, ROS alone can directly activate these signaling pathways and this activation is growth factor specific. Our data, therefore, highlight a novel role for ROS as signaling mediators in the mosquito innate immune response to Plasmodium parasites.     

Modulation of Structural and Functional Properties of Human Lymphocytes by Reactive Oxygen Species

Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine - The effects of ROS on functional properties (cytotoxic activity, antibody-producing activity, TNFα synthesis, and free cytosol calcium level),...     

Depletion of Phagocytic Cells during Nonlethal Plasmodium yoelii Infection Causes Severe Malaria Characterized by Acute Renal Failure in Mice

In the current study, we examined the effects of depletion of phagocytes on the progression of Plasmodium yoelii 17XNL infection in mice. Strikingly, the depletion of phagocytic cells, including macrophages, with clodronate in the acute phase of infection significantly reduced peripheral parasitemia but increased mortality. Moribund mice displayed severe pathological damage, including coagulative necrosis in liver and thrombi in the glomeruli, fibrin deposition, and tubular necrosis in kidney. The severity of infection was coincident with the increased sequestration of parasitized erythrocytes, the systematic upregulation of inflammation and coagulation, and the disruption of endothelial integrity in the liver and kidney. Aspirin was administered to the mice to minimize the risk of excessive activation of the coagulation response and fibrin deposition in the renal tissue. Interestingly, treatment with aspirin reduced the parasite burden and pathological lesions in the renal tissue and improved survival of phagocyte-depleted mice. Our data imply that the depletion of phagocytic cells, including macrophages, in the acute phase of infection increases the severity of malarial infection, typified by multiorgan failure and high mortality.     

Generation of reactive oxygen species by blood monocytes in human Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax infections

Generation of reactive oxygen radicals by peripheral blood monocytes was measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in 23 P. vivax- and 7 P. falciparum-infected patients. The chemiluminescence index (CLI) was not found to be significantly higher in P. vivax-infected cases than in healthy controls. But in patients with P. falciparum infection, the CLI was significantly higher compared to controls as well as to P. vivax-infected patients. In two severe and complicated P. falciparum-infected cases, CLI was found to be higher than in mild cases. As immunosuppression is more marked in falciparum malaria than in vivax cases, the role of oxygen radical generation in immunopathology and causation of immunosuppression in falciparum malaria needs further investigation.     

Human immune response directed against Plasmodium falciparum heat shock-related proteins.

Heat shock-related stress proteins present in all eucaryotes and procaryotes have been shown to be immune targets in a broad range of infections. We have analyzed sera from people exposed primarily to Plasmodium falciparum for specific antibodies against two heat shock-related proteins (proteins similar to the heat shock protein with a molecular weight of 75,000 [Pfhsp] and a glucose-regulated protein with a molecular weight of 72,000 [Pfgrp]). In an immunoprecipitation analysis with metabolically labeled parasites and synthetic peptides in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, specific antibodies against Pfhsp and Pfgrp were detected in the sera of these individuals. Sera from people exposed to a different human malarial parasite, Plasmodium vivax, did not react with the peptides in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Southern blot analysis with DNA isolated from P. falciparum from different geographical locations showed a conservation of genes for these stress proteins; thus, they are likely to be immune targets in various endemic areas. Lymphocytes from two tested immune donors responded in proliferation assays to purified Pfhsp and Pfgrp and purified recombinant proteins. However, a similar response was also seen in lymphocytes from nonimmune individuals and has raised questions pertaining to a generalized responsiveness of lymphocytes to some common determinants present in heat shock-related proteins in various pathogens.     

Human resistance to Plasmodium falciparum increases during puberty and is predicted by dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels

Immunity to Plasmodium falciparum develops slowly in areas of endemicity, and this is often ascribed to poorly immunogenic or highly variant parasite antigens. However, among populations newly exposed to malaria, adults acquire immunity more rapidly than children. We examined the relationship between pubertal development and resistance to P. falciparum. During two transmission seasons in western Kenya, we treated the same cohort of young males to eradicate P. falciparum and then obtained blood smears each week for 4 months. We determined pubertal development by Tanner staging and by levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and testosterone in plasma. In multivariate and age-stratified analyses, we examined the effect of pubertal development on resistance to malaria. In both seasons (n = 248 and 144 volunteers, respectively), older males were less susceptible than younger males. Age-related decreases in the frequency and density of parasitemia were greatest during puberty (15- to 20-year-olds). DHEAS and testosterone were significant independent predictors of resistance to P. falciparum parasitemia, even after accounting for the effect of age. Fifteen- to 20-year-old males with high DHEAS levels had a 72% lower mean parasite density (P<0.01) than individuals with low DHEAS levels. Similarly, 21- to 35-year-old males with high DHEAS levels had a 92% lower mean parasite density (P<0.001) and 48% lower frequency of parasitemia (P<0.05) than individuals with low DHEAS levels. These data suggest that the long period needed to attain full immunity could be explained as a consequence of host development rather than as the requirement to recognize variant or poorly immunogenic parasite antigens.