Article
Parasitology
Pornpawee Sookpongthai, Korawich Utayopas, Thassanai Sitthiyotha, Theerakamol Pengsakul, Morakot Kaewthamasorn, Kittikhun Wangkanont, Pongchai Harnyuttanakorn, Surasak Chunsrivirot, Sittiporn Pattaradilokrat
Summary: This study investigated the global diversity of Pfs25 in P. falciparum populations, identifying 11 unique haplotypes, with H1 and H2 as the major haplotypes. The distribution patterns of these haplotypes varied across different geographical populations, with limited polymorphism likely due to negative selection.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Stephen Tottey, Yoko Shoji, R. Mark Jones, Konstantin Musiychuk, Jessica A. Chichester, Kazutoyo Miura, Luwen Zhou, Shwu-Maan Lee, Jordan Plieskatt, Yimin Wu, Carole A. Long, Stephen J. Streatfield, Vidadi Yusibov
Summary: Malaria kills a significant number of people, especially young children. A study demonstrates an improved virus-like particle antigen display molecule for a leading malaria transmission-blocking antigen. This re-engineered molecule shows higher antigen display and enhanced transmission-blocking activity in a mouse model.
Article
Immunology
Deanna J. Friedman-Klabanoff, Andrea A. Berry, Mark A. Travassos, Catherine Cox, Yingjun Zhou, Annie X. Mo, Effie Y. H. Nomicos, Gregory A. Deye, Marcela F. Pasetti, Matthew B. Laurens
Summary: The new full-length rCSP vaccine combined with the GLA-LSQ adjuvant showed a good safety and immunogenicity profile in clinical trials, confirming the immunostimulatory capacity of GLA-LSQ and supporting further steps in clinical product development.
Article
Immunology
Marija Zaric, Arianna Marini, Carolyn M. Nielsen, Gaurav Gupta, David Mekhaiel, Thao P. Pham, Sean C. Elias, Iona J. Taylor, Hans de Graaf, Ruth O. Payne, Yuanyuan Li, Sarah E. Silk, Chris Williams, Adrian V. S. Hill, Carole A. Long, Kazutoyo Miura, Sumi Biswas
Summary: The study explains why a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine targeting the Pfs25 antigen has failed to induce robust antibody responses in humans, in contrast to mice. The key factor for the poor antibody formation in humans was found to be the lack of recognition of CD4(+) T cells for Pfs25-IMX313 derived peptide epitopes. These findings can guide the development of next-generation Pfs25-based vaccines for effective blocking of malaria transmission.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sara A. Healy, Charles Anderson, Bruce J. Swihart, Agnes Mwakingwe, Erin E. Gabriel, Hope Decederfelt, Charlotte Hobbs, Kelly M. Rausch, Daming Zhu, Olga Muratova, Raul Herrera, Puthupparampil Scaria, Nicholas J. MacDonald, Lynn E. Lambert, Irfan Zaidi, Camila H. Coelho, Jonathan P. Renn, Yimin Wu, David L. Narum, Patrick E. Duffy
Summary: In this study, the vaccine candidate Pfs230D1-EPA induced stronger serum functional activity in rhesus monkeys and US adults compared to Pfs25, with complement-dependency noted. This suggests that Pfs230D1 may be more suitable for advancing transmission-blocking vaccines for malaria eradication.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ishita N. N. Waghela, Katherine L. L. Mallory, Justin A. A. Taylor, Cosette G. G. Schneider, Tatyana Savransky, Chris J. J. Janse, Paulo J. C. Lin, Ying K. K. Tam, Drew Weissman, Evelina Angov
Summary: This study investigates the use of mRNA vaccine technology to induce immune responses using the CelTOS antigen. The researchers assessed the impact of pfceltos mRNA transcripts on protein translation levels and found that mutated immunogens with N-glycosylation site yielded lower immune responses. The study highlights the need to optimize antigen design for vaccine development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Giulia Siciliano, Veronica Di Paolo, Dante Rotili, Rossella Migale, Francesca Pedini, Marialuisa Casella, Serena Camerini, Daniele Dalzoppo, Rob Henderson, Tonnie Huijs, Koen J. Dechering, Antonello Mai, Anna Maria Caccuri, Marco Lalle, Luigi Quintieri, Pietro Alano
Summary: This work investigates the activity of NBDHEX and its carboxylic acid metabolite on the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. NBDHEX shows strong activity against all blood stages of the parasite, with a higher potency against the gametocytes. Covalent modifications of gametocyte proteins are found to be associated with the antiparasitic effect of NBDHEX. Both NBDHEX and its metabolite have limited cytotoxicity in vitro, making them potential starting points for the development of new drugs to block malaria transmission.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Matthew B. Laurens
Summary: Malaria vaccines, including the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, are showing moderate efficacy and new approaches are being developed for next-generation vaccines. Techniques such as RNA vaccine delivery and whole organism vaccination are being explored, with the goal of creating highly effective malaria vaccines that provide sustained protection.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kelly M. Rausch, Emma K. Barnafo, Lynn E. Lambert, Olga Muratova, J. Patrick Gorres, Charles Anderson, David L. Narum, Yimin Wu, Robert D. Morrison, Irfan Zaidi, Patrick E. Duffy
Summary: The malaria transmission-blocking vaccine candidates Pfs25-EPA and Pfs230D1-EPA target the sexual stage development of Plasmodium falciparum in mosquitoes, reducing mosquito infectivity. Pfs25-EPA has shown safety and immunogenicity in a phase 1 field trial, while Pfs230D1-EPA has exhibited superior activity in a phase 1 US trial and is now in phase 2 field trials. Further development aims to enhance the immunogenicity of these candidates for a vaccine to reduce malaria transmission, and GSK Adjuvant Systems offer a potential platform for this development. Preclinical evaluations of Pfs25-EPA and Pfs230D1-EPA nanoparticles with GSK platforms showed stable formulations and induced stronger immune responses compared to Alhydrogel formulations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joseph D. Challenger, Daniela Olivera Mesa, Dari F. Da, R. Serge Yerbanga, Thierry Lefevre, Anna Cohuet, Thomas S. Churcher
Summary: Transmission-blocking vaccines for malaria are being tested and their field efficacy is predicted to be higher than in laboratory conditions. Targeting school-aged children is recommended as it can have a significant impact in reducing malaria cases. Utilizing such vaccines alongside existing interventions could have substantial benefits in malaria control.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Rebecca Webster, Hayley Mitchell, Jenny M. Peters, Juanita Heunis, Brighid O'Neill, Jeremy Gower, Sean Lynch, Helen Jennings, Fiona H. Amante, Stacey Llewellyn, Louise Marquart, Adam J. Potter, Geoffrey W. Birrell, Michael D. Edstein, G. Dennis Shanks, James S. McCarthy, Bridget E. Barber
Summary: A single low dose of tafenoquine can effectively reduce the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum parasites to mosquitoes, although there is a delay in its effect.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Geetanjali Pendyala, J. Mauricio Calvo-Calle, Alberto Moreno, Ravi S. Kane
Summary: A vaccine based on SpyCatcher-mi3 nanoparticles presenting a chimeric PfCSP antigen was designed to target the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum (Pf). This vaccine incorporates recently identified T1/junctional epitopes and reduces the number of (NANP)(n) repeats. Immunization with this vaccine in mice resulted in high and durable IgG antibody levels and a balanced antibody response against T1/junctional epitopes and (NANP)(n) repeats. Refocusing the immune response towards functionally relevant epitopes may lead to a more effective second generation PfCSP-based vaccine.
BIOENGINEERING & TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Srinivasa Reddy Bonam, Laurent Renia, Ganesh Tadepalli, Jagadeesh Bayry, Halmuthur Mahabalarao Sampath Kumar
Summary: Malaria, particularly caused by Plasmodium falciparum, is a global health problem with deadly consequences for humans. While progress has been made in understanding the host response to the parasite, various aspects of its biology in its mammalian host remain unclear. Therefore, there is a need to develop new drugs and vaccines to address this issue.
Review
Immunology
Benoit Gamain, Arnaud Chene, Nicola K. Viebig, Nicaise Tuikue Ndam, Morten A. Nielsen
Summary: Adults in malaria endemic areas usually acquire clinical immunity against malaria, but pregnant women, especially during their first pregnancies, are susceptible to placental malaria. Placental malaria is characterized by the accumulation of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes and monocytes in the placenta, leading to maternal anaemia, hypertension, and fetal growth retardation. However, the prevalence of placental malaria decreases significantly with successive pregnancies.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Rebecca Webster, Silvana Sekuloski, Anand Odedra, Stephen Woolley, Helen Jennings, Fiona Amante, Katharine R. Trenholme, Julie Healer, Alan F. Cowman, Emily M. Eriksson, Priyanka Sathe, Jocelyn Penington, Adam J. Blanch, Matthew W. A. Dixon, Leann Tilley, Michael F. Duffy, Alister Craig, Janet Storm, Jo-Anne Chan, Krystal Evans, Anthony T. Papenfuss, Louis Schofield, Paul Griffin, Bridget E. Barber, Dean Andrew, Michelle J. Boyle, Fabian de Labastida Rivera, Christian Engwerda, James S. McCarthy
Summary: A genetically attenuated blood-stage malaria vaccine was developed and tested in healthy volunteers, showing immunogenicity but causing significant parasitemia at high doses.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Daria Nikolaeva, Joseph J. Illingworth, Kazutoyo Miura, Daniel G. W. Alanine, Iona J. Brian, Yuanyuan Li, Alex J. Fyfe, Dari F. Da, Anna Cohuet, Carole A. Long, Simon J. Draper, Sumi Biswas
MOLECULAR & CELLULAR PROTEOMICS
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Kazutoyo Miura, Bingbing Deng, Yimin Wu, Luwen Zhou, Thao P. Pham, Ababacar Diouf, Chia-Kuei Wu, Shwu-Maan Lee, Jordan L. Plieskatt, Merribeth J. Morin, Carole A. Long
Article
Immunology
Jane Achan, Isaie J. Reuling, Xi Zen Yap, Edgard Dabira, Abdullahi Ahmad, Momodou Cox, Davis Nwakanma, Kevin Tetteh, Lindsey Wu, Guido J. H. Bastiaens, Yonas Abebe, Anita Manoj, Harparkash Kaur, Kazutoyo Miura, Carole Long, Peter F. Billingsley, B. Kim Lee Sim, Stephen L. Hoffman, Chris Drakeley, Teun Bousema, Umberto D'Alessandro
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Susheel K. Singh, Jordan Plieskatt, Bishwanath Kumar Chourasia, Vandana Singh, Judith M. Bolscher, Koen J. Dechering, Bright Adu, Blanca Lopez-Mendez, Swarnendu Kaviraj, Emily Locke, C. Richter King, Michael Theisen
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shwu-Maan Lee, John M. Hickey, Kazutoyo Miura, Sangeeta B. Joshi, David B. Volkin, C. Richter King, Jordan L. Plieskatt
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elizabeth M. Parzych, Kazutoyo Miura, Carole A. Long, James M. Burns
Article
Immunology
Wei-Chiao Huang, Bingbing Deng, Amal Seffouh, Joaquin Ortega, Carole A. Long, Ragavan V. Suresh, Xuedan He, Kazutoyo Miura, Shwu-Maan Lee, Yimin Wu, Jonathan F. Lovell
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yvonne Azasi, Shannon K. Gallagher, Ababacar Diouf, Rebecca A. Dabbs, Jing Jin, Syed Yusuf Mian, David L. Narum, Carole A. Long, Deepak Gaur, Simon J. Draper, Michael P. Fay, Louis H. Miller, Kazutoyo Miura
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kazutoyo Miura, Bruce J. Swihart, Michael P. Fay, Chalermpon Kumpitak, Kirakorn Kiattibutr, Jetsumon Sattabongkot, Carole A. Long
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Susheel K. Singh, Jordan Plieskatt, Bishwanath K. Chourasia, Amanda Fabra-Garcia, Asier Garcia-Senosiain, Vandana Singh, Karin Lovgren Bengtsson, Jenny M. Reimer, Robert Sauerwein, Matthijs M. Jore, Michael Theisen
Summary: This study presents a scalable and reproducible process for manufacturing R0.6C under cGMP, resulting in a sufficient yield for clinical evaluation. Various analytical assays were established to assess the identity, release, and stability of R0.6C, confirming its potential for use as a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine. Preclinical studies demonstrated that R0.6C elicited functional antibodies and showed enhanced response when combined with adjuvant.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jasmin Federizon, Conrard Giresse Tetsassi Feugmo, Wei-Chiao Huang, Xuedan He, Kazutoyo Miura, Aida Razi, Joaquin Ortega, Mikko Karttunen, Jonathan F. Lovell
Summary: CoPoP facilitates non-covalent surface-display of antigens on liposomes, enhancing vaccine efficacy. Compared to aquocobalamin or cobalt nitrilotriacetic acid (Co-NTA) liposomes, Pfs25 binds more strongly to CoPoP liposomes, enhancing antigen internalization by macrophages. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that CoPoP-containing bilayers create nanodomains allowing for efficient stabilization of antigens.
Article
Immunology
Cosette G. Schneider, Justin A. Taylor, Michael Q. Sibilo, Kazutoyo Miura, Katherine L. Mallory, Christopher Mann, Christopher Karch, Zoltan Beck, Gary R. Matyas, Carole A. Long, Elke Bergmann-Leitner, Peter Burkhard, Evelina Angov
Summary: This study investigates the folding and immunogenicity of heterogeneous antigen display, demonstrating that antigen orientation and folding impact the elicited immune response. When appropriately designed, SAPN can serve as an adaptable platform for effective multi-antigen display.
Article
Immunology
Kazutoyo Miura, Thao P. Pham, Shwu-Maan Lee, Jordan Plieskatt, Ababacar Diouf, Issaka Sagara, Camila H. Coelho, Patrick E. Duffy, Yimin Wu, Carole A. Long
Summary: Monitoring the integrity of recombinant proteins is critical during the development of subunit vaccines. This study developed a sandwich ELISA-based in vitro potency assay, called the Antigen Integrity Assay (AIA), to monitor the potency of Pfs230 protein. The AIA demonstrated excellent precision, sensitivity, and high throughput, making it a useful tool for future subunit vaccine development.