Review
Immunology
Mariette E. van der Watt, Janette Reader, Lyn-Marie Birkholtz
Summary: This article discusses the complex life cycle of Plasmodium parasites in humans and Anopheles vectors, emphasizing the unique role of gametocytes in the transmission process and the importance of transmission-blocking antimalarials.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lena Roling, Ansgar Flammersfeld, Gabriele Pradel, Sandra Bennink
Summary: The WD40-repeat protein PfWLP1 plays a crucial role in interacting with adhesion protein complexes in the malaria parasite, essential for the stability and maturation of gametocytes, affecting exflagellation ability.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Janette Reader, Mariette E. van der Watt, Lyn-Marie Birkholtz
Summary: This study optimized a simple and cost-effective strategy for describing the stage-specific action of antimalarial compounds against different developmental stages of the malaria parasite.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Roos M. de Jong, Manon Alkema, Tate Oulton, Elin Dumont, Karina Teelen, Rie Nakajima, Rafael Ramiro de Assis, Kathleen W. Dantzler Press, Priscilla Ngotho, Kevin K. A. Tetteh, Phil Felgner, Matthias Marti, Katharine A. Collins, Chris Drakeley, Teun Bousema, Will J. R. Stone
Summary: This study investigates the antibody responses to sexual stage antigens in individuals infected with P. falciparum. The results show that even after exposure to relatively low gametocyte densities, a significant anti-sexual stage humoral response is induced in malaria-naive individuals. The study identifies novel antigens associated with gametocyte exposure, which can be used for surveillance of the malaria infectious reservoir and support vaccine development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebecca L. Clements, Alexander A. Morano, Francesca M. Navarro, James P. McGee, Esrah W. Du, Vincent A. Streva, Scott E. Lindner, Jeffrey D. Dvorin
Summary: This study identifies a basal complex protein, PfBLEB, as a key player in gametocytogenesis. Parasites lacking PfBLEB are unable to form mature gametocytes, highlighting the importance of PfBLEB. The study also provides a potential molecular target for the eradication of malaria transmission.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Katja Mueller, Olivier Silvie, Hans-Joachim Mollenkopf, Kai Matuschewski
Summary: The deletion of the UIS12 gene in Plasmodium parasites results in a decrease in gametocyte formation, oocyst development, and ultimately, the production of salivary gland sporozoites in Anopheles mosquitoes. Transcript profiling shows a reduction in specific protein coding mRNAs in mutant parasites, indicating the diverse regulatory roles of UIS12 in gene expression during blood infection.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Luis Carlos Salazar Alvarez, Vanessa Carneiro Barbosa, Omaira Vera Lizcano, Djane Clarys Baia da Silva, Rosa Amelia Goncalves Santana, Camila Fabbri, Paulo Filemon Paoluci Pimenta, Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro, Letusa Albrecht, Marcus Vinicius Guimaraes de Lacerda, Fabio Trindade Maranhao Costa, Stefanie Costa Pinto Lopes
Summary: Plasmodium vivax is the most common type of malaria outside sub-Saharan Africa, and its ability to adhere to cells, form rosettes, and develop in the liver can impact treatment and disease control. In this study, we used ex vivo methods to evaluate the rosetting capacity of P. vivax gametocytes and investigated its effect on infection in the mosquito vector Anopheles aquasalis. We found a high frequency of cytoadhesive phenomena and a positive correlation between rosetting and infection rate and intensity in the mosquito. Disruption of rosette formation resulted in lower infection rates and intensities.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Brian R. Omondi, Michelle K. Muthui, William Muasya, Benedict Orindi, Ramadhan S. Mwakubambanya, Teun Bousema, Chris Drakeley, Kevin Marsh, Philip Bejon, Melissa C. Kapulu
Summary: The study found that IgG responses to crude gametocyte extract may not be an independent predictor of gametocyte carriage after adjusting for AMA1 responses, but they could predict gametocyte carriage as a proxy marker of exposure to parasites. Serological responses to AMA1 or gametocyte extract may help identify individuals in populations who contribute to malaria transmission and support the implementation of transmission-blocking interventions.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Manon Alkema, Isaie J. Reuling, Gerdie M. de Jong, Kjerstin Lanke, Luc E. Coffeng, Geert-Jan van Gemert, Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer, Quirijn de Mast, Reinout van Crevel, Karen Ivinson, Christian F. Ockenhouse, James S. McCarthy, Robert Sauerwein, Katharine A. Collins, Teun Bousema
Summary: The study found that the method of infection through mosquito bites or induced blood-stage malaria has a significant impact on gametocyte production, despite similar asexual parasite densities. The findings suggest that induced blood-stage malaria may be more conducive to gametocyte production compared to mosquito bites.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Suprita Singh, Joana M. Santos, Lindsey M. Orchard, Naomi Yamada, Riette van Biljon, Heather J. Painter, Shaun Mahony, Manuel Llinas
Summary: During the maturation of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes, PfAP2-G2 plays a critical role in gene regulation and interacts with other chromatin-related proteins to establish an essential gametocyte maturation program.
MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Katherine O'Flaherty, Jo-Anne Chan, Julia C. Cutts, Sophie G. Zaloumis, Elizabeth A. Ashley, Aung Pyae Phyo, Damien R. Drew, Arjen M. Dondorp, Nicholas P. Day, Mehul Dhorda, Rick M. Fairhurst, Pharath Lim, Chanaki Amaratunga, Sasithon Pukrittayakamee, Tran Tinh Hien, Ye Htut, Mayfong Mayxay, M. Abul Faiz, Olugbenga A. Mokuolu, Marie A. Onyamboko, Caterina Fanello, Eizo Takashima, Takafumi Tsuboi, Michael Theisen, Francois Nosten, James G. Beeson, Julie A. Simpson, Nicholas J. White, Freya J. Fowkes
Summary: The study found that Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 antibodies are associated with patent gametocytemia and increasing gametocyte density across multiple malaria endemic settings, including regions with emerging artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Kelly T. Rios, Taylor M. Dickson, Scott E. Lindner
Summary: In this study, we have identified a significant problem in the conduct of many studies on the sexual stages of rodent malaria parasites. The routine method of isolating gametocytes in rodent-infectious malaria models through drug treatment with sulfadiazine not only kills asexual blood-stage parasites but also has a substantial impact on host-to-vector transmission.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Paul Sondo, Biebo Bihoun, Marc Christian Tahita, Karim Derra, Toussaint Rouamba, Seydou Nakanabo Diallo, Adama Kazienga, Hamidou Ilboudo, Innocent Valea, Zekiba Tarnagda, Hermann Sorgho, Thierry Lefevre, Halidou Tinto
Summary: This study found that multi-genotype malaria infections have a significant impact on gametocyte carriage, and parasite density is negatively correlated with gametocyte carriage. In addition, the genetic composition also influences gametocyte carriage, with the presence of the RO33 gene increasing the odds of developing gametocytes.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jyoti Kumari, Vikash Kumar, Ankita Behl, Raj Kumar Sah, Geeta Kumari, Swati Garg, Aashima Gupta, S. Nazar Mohomed Mohaideen, Sadat Shafi, Soumya Pati, Kirandeep Samby, Jeremy Burrows, Narla Mohandas, Shailja Singh
Summary: The study shows that erythritol, a sugar substitute, has potential as a therapeutic intervention against drug-resistant malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Erythritol effectively inhibits parasite growth and development, as well as invasion and egress processes. It also demonstrates inhibitory effects on liver stage and transmission stage parasites. In addition, erythritol has a cytokine-modulating effect and affects ammonia release across the parasite. The findings suggest that erythritol could be a promising lead compound for anti-malarial drugs and can be combined with existing drugs without losing efficacy.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Panita Looareesuwan, Srivicha Krudsood, Saranath Lawpoolsri, Noppadon Tangpukdee, Wasin Matsee, Wang Nguitragool, Polrat Wilairatana
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of gametocytes among patients with symptomatic P. falciparum malaria in Thailand and identified nine risk factors associated with gametocyte carriage.