Article
Immunology
Nan Hou, Shanshan Li, Ning Jiang, Xianyu Piao, Yu Ma, Shuai Liu, Qijun Chen
Summary: The study uncovered the developmental transcriptome of asexual parasites of P. falciparum and identified a group of previously unknown merozoite proteins that may play crucial roles in the invasion process of merozoites.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Daniel J. Weiss, Amelia Bertozzi-Villa, Susan F. Rumisha, Punam Amratia, Rohan Arambepola, Katherine E. Battle, Ewan Cameron, Elisabeth Chestnutt, Harry S. Gibson, Joseph Harris, Suzanne Keddie, Justin J. Millar, Jennifer Rozier, Tasmin L. Symons, Camilo Vargas-Ruiz, Simon I. Hay, David L. Smith, Pedro L. Alonso, Abdisalan M. Noor, Samir Bhatt, Peter W. Gething
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of disruptions to malaria control on malaria incidence and mortality in Africa. Findings show that reductions in access to effective antimalarial drug treatment and insecticide-treated net coverage could lead to increased malaria burden, potentially doubling malaria mortality in 2020.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Juan M. Balbin, Gary K. Heinemann, Lee M. Yeoh, Tim-Wolf Gilberger, Mark Armstrong, Michael F. Duffy, Paul R. Gilson, Danny W. Wilson
Summary: Plasmodium falciparum regulates gene expression throughout its lifecycle, with certain proteins playing a role during the invasion and establishment of infection in host red blood cells. This study focuses on two zinc finger proteins, PfCZIF1 and PfCZIF2, which are highly expressed during late schizogony. While PfCZIF1 and PfCZIF2 are not essential for blood stage growth, at least one of them is required for parasite growth in vitro. These proteins are peripherally associated with a membrane and may regulate the expression of proteins exported into the red blood cell cytosol after merozoite invasion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jack Adderley, Christian Doerig
Summary: This study fills gaps in the kinomes of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, highlighting their similarities and differences for target selection. It also identifies kinases that are not suitable targets for drug discovery due to their high similarity with human counterparts.
Article
Immunology
Jacqueline S. Eacret, Elizabeth M. Parzych, Donna M. Gonzales, James M. Burns
Summary: The use of PfMSP8 as a carrier to optimize a PfMSP2-based subunit malaria vaccine showed promising results in terms of antibody production and T cell recognition. The choice of adjuvant impacted the specificity and functionality of induced antibodies.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Anne S. Knudsen, Kasper H. Bjornsson, Maria R. Bassi, Melanie R. Walker, Andreas Kok, Bogdan Cristinoi, Anja R. Jensen, Lea Barfod
Summary: Monoclonal antibodies specific to PfCyRPA were found to neutralize the in vitro growth of Ghanaian field isolates and laboratory-adapted parasite lines, with subsets of mAbs binding to distinct sites on PfCyRPA showing potentiated neutralizing effects when combined. Additionally, combinations of PfCyRPA- and PfRh5-specific mAbs were demonstrated to act synergistically to neutralize parasite growth, highlighting the importance of targeting defined protective epitopes on multiple parasite antigens to improve blood-stage vaccine efficacy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paulina Tindana, Rosemonde Guissou, Oladimeji Akeem Bolarinwa, Fatoumata Tou, Freek de Haan, Mehul Dhorda, Arjen M. Dondorp, Chanaki Amaratunga, Olugbenga Ayodeji Mokuolu, Jean Bosco Ouedraogo, Phaik Yeong Cheah
Summary: This paper presents an analysis of stakeholders' perspectives regarding key ethical considerations to be considered in the deployment of triple artemisinin-based combination therapies (TACTs) in Africa. Engagement with stakeholders and addressing ethical issues will be crucial for potential deployment of TACTs in Africa.
Article
Immunology
Julie Healer, Jennifer K. K. Thompson, Karen L. L. Mackwell, Cecille D. D. Browne, Benjamin A. A. Seager, Anna Ngo, Kym N. N. Lowes, Sarah E. E. Silk, David Pulido, Lloyd D. W. King, Jayne M. M. Christen, Amy R. R. Noe, Vinayaka Kotraiah, Paul J. J. Masendycz, Rajkannan Rajagopalan, Leanne Lucas, Marianne M. M. Stanford, Lorraine Soisson, Carter Diggs, Robin Miller, Susan Youll, Kaye Wycherley, Simon J. J. Draper, Alan F. F. Cowman
Summary: This study assessed the potential of a protein-in-adjuvant blood stage malaria vaccine based on a combination of RH5, Ripr, and CyRPA. The results showed that this vaccine could induce highly inhibitory parasite neutralizing antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Maximilian Julius Lautenbach, Victor Yman, Carolina Sousa Silva, Nadir Kadri, Ioanna Broumou, Sherwin Chan, Sina Angenendt, Klara Sonden, David Fernando Plaza, Anna Farnert, Christopher Sundling
Summary: This study comprehensively profiles the immune system of patients with acute symptomatic Plasmodium falciparum malaria over a year. The results indicate that a dampened inflammatory response is associated with reduced expansion of gamma delta T cells, early expansion of CD16(+) monocytes, and production of specific antibodies. This control of infection and reduction of inflammation suggest a potential mechanism for the establishment of tolerance following repeated malaria exposure.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Aye Sandar Zaw, Ei Shwe Sin Win, Soe Wai Yan, Kyaw Sithu Thein, Vasundhara Verma, Alistair R. D. Mclean, Thar Tun Kyaw, Nicholas J. White, Frank M. Smithuis
Summary: The introduction of community health workers providing early diagnosis and treatment for malaria in remote communities in Mon state, Myanmar, has resulted in a significant reduction in malaria cases.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Christabel N. Hikaambo, Natalia Shakela, John G. Woodland, Kathryn J. Wicht, Kelly Chibale
Summary: Zoonotic and related infections pose a significant health threat to Africa, the world's second-most populous continent. Despite the challenges faced by drug discovery scientists, recent progress in identifying potential medicines across diverse disease areas brings optimism and indicates African-led scientific initiatives are making progress.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Devadathan Valiyamangalath Sethumadhavan, Marta Tiburcio, Abhishek Kanyal, C. A. Jabeena, Gayathri Govindaraju, Krishanpal Karmodiya, Arumugam Rajavelu
Summary: This study reveals the role of a chromodomain-containing protein in regulating the expression of rifins in Plasmodium falciparum, which in turn impacts the formation of RBC rosettes.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kazuhide Yahata, Melissa N. Hart, Heledd Davies, Masahito Asada, Samuel C. Wassmer, Thomas J. Templeton, Moritz Treeck, Robert W. Moon, Osamu Kaneko
Summary: Plasmodium merozoites, traditionally not known to undergo gliding motility, were discovered to possess this ability in vitro, which may be crucial for successful parasite invasion. The distinct merozoite motility profiles of human infective species, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium knowlesi, suggest different invasion strategies. The development of a higher throughput assay to study genetic and pharmacological perturbations on merozoite motility provides a new avenue for research on treatments targeting blood stage invasion pathways.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tanima Dutta, Harpreet Singh, Adrienne L. Edkins, Gregory L. Blatch
Summary: Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) plays an important role in cellular protein homeostasis. In parasitic protozoans, such as Plasmodium falciparum, Hsp90 and its associated co-chaperones have unique properties and functions. Understanding these differences may lead to the development of drugs to combat malaria.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica N. McCaffery, Douglas Nace, Camelia Herman, Balwan Singh, Eric Mukomena Sompwe, Papy Mandoko Nkoli, Dieudonne Mumba Ngoyi, Gauthier Mesia Kahunu, Eric S. Halsey, Eric Rogier
Summary: A study conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo found a low prevalence of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in blood samples from patients with Plasmodium falciparum infection. Single deletions of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 were sporadically observed in the study sites, while dual deletions were not found. The use of HRP2-based RDTs still appears to be appropriate for these locations in DRC.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
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
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
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
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
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoming Hu, Zejing Chen, Albert J. Jin, Zhen Yang, Deqiang Gan, Aifang Wu, Haiyong Ao, Wei Huang, Quli Fan
Summary: This study develops a novel all-organic nanotheranostic platform that combines magnetic resonance imaging and near-infrared fluorescence imaging for precise tumor locating and treatment.
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
Kurt R. Wollenberg, Brendan M. Jeffrey, Michael A. Harris, Andrei Gabrielian, Darrell E. Hurt, Alex Rosenthal
Summary: The TB Portals program is an international collaboration that focuses on collecting and disseminating tuberculosis data, with a particular emphasis on drug resistance. By analyzing pathogen genomic data, researchers can gain insights into genetic variations between phylogenomic lineages and explore international transmission. These genomic-relatedness views provide valuable information for further research.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Honghui Li, Mao Huang, Zixuan Wei, Jiawen He, Yunong Ma, Cuixia Lu, Albert Jin, Zhixiong Wang, Liewei Wen
Summary: This study reports a novel development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that can respond to the high content of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC). The MOFs, synthesized through a facile one-pot process, can serve as an H2S activatable nano-photosensitizer for real-time fluorescence imaging-guided and targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) of CRC.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
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.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhixiong Wang, Albert Jin, Zhen Yang, Wei Huang
Summary: Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous transmitter that regulates various important functions in the human body. Delivering NO for therapeutic purposes is challenging, but recent advancements in biotechnology and nanomedicine have shown promising results in improving its efficacy and reducing side effects. This review highlights the potential of NO nanomedicines in treating infectious diseases and provides insights into their design strategies and applications.
Article
Immunology
Lacy M. Simons, Patricia Ferrer, Nita Gombakomba, Knashka Underwood, Raul Herrera, David L. Narum, Gaspar Canepa, Festus Acquah, Linda Amoah, Patrick E. Duffy, Carolina Barillas-Mury, Carole Long, Shwu-Maan Lee, Emily Locke, Kazutoyo Miura, Kim C. Williamson
Summary: Recent studies have found that asymptomatic carriers of P. falciparum parasites play a significant role in the transmission of malaria, emphasizing the importance of an effective malaria vaccine. Through flow cytometry screening, researchers identified 82 antibodies that bound live P. falciparum gametes/zygotes, with 10 of them showing transmission-reducing activity (TRA). After subcloning, eight TRA monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were obtained, which target new epitopes not included in current transmission-blocking vaccine candidates.
Article
Immunology
Nicholas J. MacDonald, Kavita Singh, Karine Reiter, Nguyen Vu, Richard Shimp, Apostolos G. Gittis, Beth Chen, Martin Burkhardt, Baoshan Zhang, Zhixiong Wang, Raul Herrera, Mackenzie Moler, Duck-Yeon Lee, Sachy Orr-Gonzalez, Jessica Herrod, Lynn E. Lambert, Kelly M. Rausch, Olga Muratova, David S. Jones, Yimin Wu, Albert J. Jin, David N. Garboczi, Patrick E. Duffy, David L. Narum
Summary: The development of a malaria vaccine that can block transmission of the parasite from mosquitoes to humans is crucial for malaria elimination efforts. The use of Pfs25, a protein on the surface of the parasite, is being investigated as a transmission-blocking vaccine. Two recombinant forms of Pfs25, Pfs25H and Pfs25M, have been studied for their structural and immunological differences.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Alyssa Long, Alexander Glogowski, Matthew Meppiel, Lisa De Vito, Eric Engle, Michael Harris, Grace Ha, Darren Schneider, Andrei Gabrielian, Darrell E. Hurt, Alex Rosenthal
Summary: TB DEPOT is a tool developed by NIAID to support comprehensive studies of tuberculosis by displaying deidentified patient case data and facilitating analyses across different factors. It is built using cloud-based infrastructure and various technologies, allowing researchers to query patient cases, create cohorts, and perform statistical analyses. The tool prioritizes user-driven data exploration and complies with FAIR principles outlined by NIH.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL INFORMATICS ASSOCIATION
(2021)