Article
Immunology
Camila Fabbri, Glenda Quaresma Ramos, Djane Clarys Baia-da-Silva, Alexandre Oliveira Trindade, Luis Carlos Salazar-Alvarez, Juliana Costa Ferreira Neves, Ivanildes dos Santos Bastos, Allyson Guimaraes Costa, Marcus Vinicius Guimaraes Lacerda, Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro, Fabio Trindade Maranhao Costa, Stefanie Costa Pinto Lopes
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of methylene blue (MB) against the asexual and sexual forms of Plasmodium vivax. The results showed that MB had high efficacy against the asexual stages and demonstrated some inhibition in the sexual forms. These findings suggest that MB may be a potential drug for the treatment of vivax malaria.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Shasha Yu, Jing Wang, Xue Luo, Hong Zheng, Luhan Wang, Xuesen Yang, Ying Wang
Summary: Malaria remains a widespread parasitic disease and poses a threat to underdeveloped areas. New control methods targeting the mosquito phase and direct killing of mosquitoes, as well as utilizing microorganisms like Wolbachia and gut flora, show potential in blocking malaria transmission.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Miho Usui, Kim C. Williamson
Summary: Blocking malaria transmission is crucial for malaria control programs, especially in endemic regions with high levels of asymptomatic infections. New strategies targeting the transmissible sexual stages of the parasite, gametocytes, are needed. Research focuses on understanding genes required for gametocyte production and identifying unanswered questions, as well as utilizing tools to address these issues.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
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)
Review
Immunology
Eizo Takashima, Mayumi Tachibana, Masayuki Morita, Hikaru Nagaoka, Bernard N. Kanoi, Takafumi Tsuboi
Summary: Efforts to control malaria have seen success in the past two decades, but have been complicated by the emergence of COVID-19. Developing more effective malaria vaccines, especially transmission-blocking vaccines, is vital for the goal of malaria elimination. Challenges in TBV development highlight the need for novel approaches and accelerated candidate discovery.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
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
Immunology
Roos M. de Jong, Susheel K. Singh, Karina Teelen, Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer, Geert-Jan van Gemert, Will J. R. Stone, Emily Locke, Jordan Plieskatt, Michael Theisen, Teun Bousema, Matthijs M. Jore
Summary: Researchers analyzed sera from naturally exposed individuals and found that the presence and/or intensity of antibodies against 12 novel putative surface expressed gametocyte antigens was associated with transmission reducing activity. Protein fragments of these antigens were successfully designed and expressed in different cells. All tested antigens were recognized by antibodies from individuals living in malaria-endemic areas and induced antigen-specific antibody responses in mice. However, none of these antigens induced an antibody response that reduced parasite development in the mosquito midgut.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gutthedhar Varijakshi, Mallya Divya, Akshay Pramod Ware, Bobby Paul, Abdul Vahab Saadi
Summary: Using transcriptomics, this review analyzed gene expression during Plasmodium gametocyte development and identified crucial genes related to transmission. The study also evaluated the suitability of these genes as vaccine candidates, providing insights for the development of transmission blocking strategies.
Review
Oncology
Akos Gasparics, Attila Sebe
Summary: Forward genetic screens have been instrumental in identifying oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and genes related to metastasis and therapy resistance. EMT, regulated by complex signaling networks, plays a crucial role in chronic fibroproliferative diseases and cancer. Investigating the mechanisms leading to EMT and understanding its role in cancer is essential for therapeutic interventions.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Eva Sheardown, Aleksandra M. Mech, Maria Elena Miletto Petrazzini, Adele Leggieri, Agnieszka Gidziela, Saeedeh Hosseinian, Ian M. Sealy, Jose Torres-Perez, Elisabeth M. Busch-Nentwich, Margherita Malanchini, Caroline H. Brennan
Summary: Psychiatric disorders are a significant burden in society, but the genetic factors contributing to their etiology are still poorly understood. Animal models and genomic studies in human populations can provide valuable insights into the causes of psychiatric diseases.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Yongzhe Zhang, Fei Liu, Yan Zhao, Fan Yang, Jie Bai, Xitong Jia, Wanlapa Roobsoong, Jetsumon Sattabongkot, Liwang Cui, Yaming Cao, Enjie Luo, Meilian Wang
Summary: The study examined PvPH and PvSOP26 as transmission-blocking vaccine candidates for P. vivax. Results showed that PvSOP26 significantly reduced oocyst densities, indicating its potential as a promising TBV candidate.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jing Wang, Bingyan Jiang, Kezhen Wang, Jianfeng Dai, Chunsheng Dong, Yipeng Wang, Peng Zhang, Min Li, Wei Xu, Lin Wei
Summary: This study demonstrates that the antimicrobial peptide Hc-CATH provides prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy against ZIKV infection by downregulating AXL expression and inactivating viral particles.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jyotsna Chawla, Ilana Goldowitz, Jenna Oberstaller, Min Zhang, Camilla Valente Pires, Francesca Navarro, Lauriane Sollelis, Chengqi C. Q. Wang, Andreas Seyfang, Jeffrey Dvorin, Thomas D. D. Otto, Julian C. C. Rayner, Matthias Marti, John H. H. Adams
Summary: This article reports a study to identify genes associated with gametocyte development in the deadly malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The study found a new set of genes that have not been implicated in gametocytogenesis before and demonstrated the potential of forward genetic screens in isolating genes impacting parasite sexual biology, which could lead to the discovery of new antimalarials.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
David R. Smyth
Summary: In the late 1980s, geneticists began using chemical mutagens to induce random mutations in seeds and screen for plants with defective flower development. The study conducted at Caltech and Monash University focused on Arabidopsis thaliana mutants and identified genes controlling flower organ identity, meristem identity, organ development, and meristem properties. These findings have contributed to our understanding of transcriptional control, signaling, and the role of auxin in initiating flower development.
Review
Immunology
Frankie M. T. Lyons, Mikha Gabriela, Wai-Hong Tham, Melanie H. Dietrich
Summary: This review summarizes the crucial roles of the 6-cysteine protein family in parasite development, transmission, evasion of host immune response, and host cell invasion in the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle. It also provides an overview of the current approaches for recombinant expression, monoclonal antibody production, and crystal structure analysis of the 6-cysteine proteins.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Rehabilitation
Md Sazedur Rahman, Wenbo Peng, Jon Adams, David Sibbritt
Summary: This scoping review examines and summarizes the self-management strategies utilized by stroke survivors for stroke rehabilitation. The findings reveal that stroke survivors employ a range of self-management strategies in their rehabilitation, encompassing domains related to lifestyle, social support, communication, knowledge and information, and goal-setting. Factors associated with the use of self-management in stroke rehabilitation include gender, age, stroke-related disability, fatigue, self-management education, social support, and communication with others. This review provides an important overview of stroke survivors' use of self-management strategies and their experiences, but identifies gaps in the literature and calls for further research.
TOPICS IN STROKE REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caroline F. Simmons, Justin Gibbons, Min Zhang, Jenna Oberstaller, Camilla Valente Pires, Debora Casandra, Chengqi Wang, Andreas Seyfang, Thomas D. Otto, Julian C. Rayner, John H. Adams
Summary: Artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) have reduced malaria mortality, but emerging artemisinin resistance (ART-R) poses a threat. We studied a P. falciparum mutant with altered ART sensitivity and found that the KIC5 gene is linked to artemisinin resistance and is involved in regulating the parasite's stress response and mitochondrial metabolism.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Camilla Pires, Jyotsna Chawla, Caroline Simmons, Justin Gibbons, John H. Adams
Summary: Fever is an important part of the human immune response to limit microbial growth, including the parasite Plasmodium falciparum that causes malaria. Recent research has revealed the complexity of the malaria parasite's heat-shock response, which helps alleviate cellular stress and maintain protein function. This review also discusses how the malaria parasite adapts its fever response to fight against artemisinin treatment and how this survival mechanism can contribute to the transmission of the parasite to mosquitoes.
CURRENT OPINION IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Junnan Lu, Ying Tong, Rui Dong, Yijun Yang, Wen Hu, Minghong Zhang, Quan Liu, Siting Zhao, John H. H. Adams, Li Qin, Xiaoping Chen
Summary: The application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology to Plasmodium falciparum has the potential to greatly improve gene editing efficiency, particularly in regard to large DNA fragment knock-ins and sequential gene editing. By modifying the suicide-rescue-based system for conventional gene editing, we have achieved a major advance in addressing these challenges. Our improved approach has been confirmed to mediate efficient knock-ins of DNA fragments up to 6.3 kb, generate marker-free genetically engineered parasites, and show potential for sequential gene editing.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pongsakorn Thawornpan, Chayapat Malee, Piyawan Kochayoo, Kittikorn Wangriatisak, Chaniya Leepiyasakulchai, Francis B. Ntumngia, Sai Lata De, John H. Adams, Patchanee Chootong
Summary: Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein region II (PvDBPII) is a leading vaccine candidate against blood-stage vivax malaria. The specific CD4(+) T cell responses to PvDBPII in natural P. vivax infection were limitedly understood. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, six dominant T cell epitopes of PvDBPII were identified and it was found that single amino acid substitutions could alter the levels of IFN-gamma memory T cell responses. In addition, seropositivity of anti-PvDBPII antibodies were detected during acute malaria (62%) and persisted up to 12 months (11%) following P. vivax infection. Overall, these findings contribute to the development of an efficacious vivax malaria vaccine.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jyotsna Chawla, Ilana Goldowitz, Jenna Oberstaller, Min Zhang, Camilla Valente Pires, Francesca Navarro, Lauriane Sollelis, Chengqi C. Q. Wang, Andreas Seyfang, Jeffrey Dvorin, Thomas D. D. Otto, Julian C. C. Rayner, Matthias Marti, John H. H. Adams
Summary: This article reports a study to identify genes associated with gametocyte development in the deadly malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The study found a new set of genes that have not been implicated in gametocytogenesis before and demonstrated the potential of forward genetic screens in isolating genes impacting parasite sexual biology, which could lead to the discovery of new antimalarials.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ji Youn Yoo, Sai Lata De, Anujit Sarkar, John H. Adams, Maureen Groer
Summary: Underserved, low-income, rural and certain migrant populations are at greater risk for COVID-19. Current in-person testing methods have limitations. Dried blood spot (DBS) samples could be an alternative option for COVID-19 testing. Testing with DBS showed 100% agreement with paired plasma samples.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
J. Bayes, A. Bedaso, W. Peng, J. Adams, D. Sibbritt
Summary: Stroke survivors often face significant disabilities and a higher risk of recurrent strokes. Polyphenols have shown promising potential in assisting with rehabilitation and reducing risk factors. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
CLINICAL NUTRITION ESPEN
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Maria Lourdes M. Macalinao, Kimberly M. Fornace, Ralph A. Reyes, Tom Hall, Alison Paolo N. Bareng, John H. Adams, Christele Huon, Chetan E. Chitnis, Jennifer S. Luchavez, Kevin K. A. Tetteh, Katsuyuki Yui, Julius Clemence R. Hafalla, Fe Esperanza J. Espino, Chris J. Drakeley
Summary: This study evaluated different statistical and machine learning methods for analyzing multiplex malaria specific antibody response data to classify recent and historical exposure to Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. The results showed that machine learning methods can provide better predictions for recent infection of P. falciparum, and seroprevalence and seroconversion rates based on cumulative exposure markers can reliably predict historical transmission of both P. falciparum and P. vivax.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Andres Nunez, Francis B. Ntumngia, Yasel Guerra, John H. Adams, Fabian E. Saenz
Summary: This study investigated the diversity of invasion ligands in Plasmodium vivax isolates from Ecuador and found that the genetic diversity of the invasion genes pvdbpII and pvama1 was similar to that found in other malaria endemic countries. The highest genetic diversity was observed in the Amazonian region of Ecuador.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Isabel Byrne, Timothy William, Tock H. Chua, Catriona Patterson, Tom Hall, Mark Tan, Chetan Chitnis, John Adams, Susheel K. Singh, Lynn Grignard, Kevin K. A. Tetteh, Kimberly M. Fornace, Chris J. Drakeley
Summary: Malaysia has not reported any indigenous cases of P. falciparum and P. vivax for over 3 years. A recent study in Malaysian Borneo used serology, risk-factor assessment, and geostatistical models to understand the exposure risks and demographic factors associated with malaria transmission. The study found low recent exposure to P. falciparum and identified forest activity and longer travel times to healthcare as common risk-factors for exposure to both P. falciparum and P. vivax.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Justin Nicholas, Sai Lata De, Pongsakorn Thawornpan, Awtum M. Brashear, Surendra Kumar Kolli, Pradeep Annamalai Subramani, Samantha J. Barnes, Liwang Cui, Patchanee Chootong, Francis Babila Ntumngia, John H. Adams
Summary: This study identified potential pre-erythrocytic vaccine candidates for Plasmodium vivax. The selected antigens showed immunogenicity in mice and positive reactivity with serum antibodies from P. vivax-exposed individuals. Additionally, the vaccine immune antisera demonstrated significant inhibition of P. vivax sporozoite invasion and liver stage development.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Natthida Sriboonvorakul, Kesinee Chotivanich, Udomsak Silachamroon, Weerapong Phumratanaprapin, John H. Adams, Arjen M. Dondorp, Stije J. Leopold
Summary: The pathophysiology of severe falciparum malaria involves a complex interaction between the host, parasite, and gut microbes. During the blood stage of infection, infected red blood cells adhere to the vascular endothelium, leading to widespread microcirculatory obstruction and potential intestinal injury. Severe malaria patients show alterations in the composition and diversity of the intestinal microbiota, and microbial metabolites may contribute to clinical complications. However, further intervention studies are needed to establish causal relationships.
Article
Immunology
Gabriela Maira Pereira de Assis, Denise Anete Madureira de Alvarenga, Luisa Braga e Souza, Juan Camilo Sanchez-Arcila, Eduardo Fernandes e Silva, Anielle de Pina-Costa, Gustavo Henrique Pereira Goncalves, Julio Cesar de Souza Junior, Ana Julia Dutra Nunes, Alcides Pissinatti, Silvia Bahadian Moreira, Leticia de Menezes Torres, Helena Lott Costa, Herlandes da Penha Tinoco, Valeria do Socorro Pereira, Irene da Silva Soares, Tais Nobrega de Sousa, Francis Babila Ntumngia, John H. Adams, Flora Satiko Kano, Zelinda Maria Braga Hirano, Lilian Rose Pratt-Riccio, Claudio Tadeu Daniel-Ribeiro, Joseli Oliveira Ferreira, Luzia Helena Carvalho, Cristiana Ferreira Alves de Brito
Summary: Zoonotic transmission of malaria poses a challenge to control and elimination efforts, especially in areas like the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. This study found IgM antibodies against Plasmodium antigens in Neotropical primates, with implications for identifying potential reservoirs and understanding host immune responses. Interestingly, IgM positivity against certain antigens was associated with PCR-detectable blood-stage malaria infection in free-living NP, suggesting a potential marker for identifying infected hosts.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chengqi Wang, Yibo Dong, Chang Li, Jenna Oberstaller, Min Zhang, Justin Gibbons, Camilla Valente Pires, Mianli Xiao, Lei Zhu, Rays H. Y. Jiang, Kami Kim, Jun Miao, Thomas D. Otto, Liwang Cui, John H. Adams, Xiaoming Liu
Summary: This study developed a deep learning framework, called MalariaSED, to predict chromatin profiles in malaria parasites. Analysis of approximately 1.3 million variants showed that geographically differentiated noncoding variants are associated with parasite invasion and drug resistance. Furthermore, changes in chromatin accessibility in Plasmodium falciparum rings were found to be partly related to artemisinin resistance.
