鼠疟原虫的鉴定

鼠疟原虫(Murine malaria parasites),自1948年首次发现伯氏疟原虫(Plasmodium beghei)以来,相继发现了许多新种(株),且在疟疾寄生虫学、免疫学、遗传学和疟疾化疗等研究中得到广泛应用,已成为现代疟疾实验研究的重要模型之一。我国已从国外引进了伯氏原虫、约氏原虫(Plasmodium yoelii)和少数抗药性系株。随着国际学术交往和实验研究的发展,必将有更多的鼠疟原虫引进。因此熟悉鼠疟原虫生物学特性,掌握其分类鉴定方法,对于疟疾学、寄生虫学以及有关科研教学人员越来越显得必要。     

约氏疟原虫Pys48核酸疫苗传播阻断效应的实验研究

探讨约氏疟原虫（Plasmodium yoelii17XL）Pys48核酸疫苗免疫BALB/c小鼠的特异性抗体产生特点及其效应。将Pys48核酸疫苗肌肉内注射免疫BALB/c小鼠,并以空质粒注射组作为对照,3次免疫后通过P.y17XL攻击小鼠;采用ELISA检测免疫后小鼠血清中特异性抗体水平;通过P.y17XL感染小鼠,取其感染后第3天含有配子体的血液进行体外培养,观察合子、动合子的形成数量。ELISA结果显示疫苗免疫组小鼠血清特异性抗体滴度明显高于对照组;而合子、动合子数量明显低于对照组。提示Pys48核酸疫苗具有良好的免疫原性,免疫小鼠后可以建立起有效的传播阻断效应。     

伯氏疟原虫Pb22截短蛋白免疫血清的传播阻断能力的研究

为探讨伯氏疟原虫（Plasmodium berghei）Pb22蛋白免疫血清的传播阻断能力,应用原核表达系统高效表达Pb22截短蛋白免疫小鼠后获得免疫血清。IFA实验证明Pb22截短蛋白免疫血清均可与疟原虫天然抗原结合。通过传播阻断实验,比较了Pb22截短蛋白和全长蛋白免疫血清的传播阻断效果,证明截短蛋白和全长蛋白对雄配子体出丝均有抑制作用,结果表明全长蛋白免疫小鼠的雄配子体出丝与对照组相比显著下降,截短蛋白免疫小鼠的雄性配子体出丝具有下降趋势但无统计学差异。全长蛋白和截短蛋白免疫小鼠的动合子形成数量较对照组均显著下降。以上结果表明抗Pb22截短蛋白免疫血清具有传播阻断能力,但阻断效果不如全长蛋白免疫血清。     

泰泽氏病原体抗原表位相关肽的初步筛选与鉴定

目的获得泰泽氏病原体抗原表位相关肽,用于实验动物血清中该病原体感染相关抗体的检测。方法选用泰泽氏病原体的四种单克隆抗体(M2、M3、M4、M5)作为配基,从噬菌体表面展示的随机7肽文库中筛选单抗识别的抗原表位,获得特异性噬菌体克隆;并采用ELISA、Western blot方法对其进行分析鉴定,获得阳性噬菌体克隆。结果获得阳性噬菌体克隆5个,其展示的融合蛋白能被泰泽氏病原体的免疫血清识别,ELISA检测A值的P/N为8.0～17.1;Western blot分析显示单一特异性条带,相对分子质量约为38×103。结论本研究获得的5个阳性克隆所表达的融合蛋白,为泰泽氏病原体抗原表位相关肽,可作为该病原体隐性感染血清学检测的候选抗原。     

TLR9激动剂对约氏疟原虫体液免疫记忆的影响

为探讨TLR9激动剂对疟疾体液免疫记忆的影响,用非致死型约氏疟原虫感染BALB/c小鼠,感染前2 d注射TLR9激动剂CpGl826,90 d后进行二次感染。薄血膜染色法观察红细胞感染率,流式细胞术检测脾细胞悬液中记忆性和活化性B细胞百分比,双夹心ELISA法检测特异性抗体水平。结果显示,二次感染前,TLR9激动剂处理鼠记忆性和活化性B细胞以及抗体水平略高于对照组;二次感染后,其再感染发生率和虫血症水平均略低于对照组;活化性B细胞和抗体以及记忆性B细胞也分别于二次感染后1 d和3 d出现了有意义的升高,且升高幅度均略高于对照组。表明TLR9激动剂对约氏疟原虫感染后体液免疫记忆的建立和维持有一定促进作用。     

重组恶性疟原虫DNA质粒免疫小鼠制备单克隆抗体

用恶性疟原虫MSP131基因片段的重组质粒DNA直接免疫BALB/c小鼠,诱导产生体液,免疫后取脾细胞与SP2/0小鼠骨髓瘤细胞在PEG1450作用下进行融合,获得了2株能分泌抗恶性疟原虫MSP131单克隆抗体的小鼠杂交瘤细胞株9H9和8A2。用酶联免疫吸附试验检测,小鼠腹水抗体滴度最高为1∶10 000。经免疫球蛋白类型和亚类鉴定,2株杂交瘤细胞株均为IgG\-1\.蛋白免疫印迹试验表明,此单克隆抗体与MSP1\|31蛋白抗原有特异免疫反应,证明通过质粒DNA直接免疫小鼠可制备特异性单克隆抗体。     

嗜肺巴氏杆菌外膜蛋白和脂多糖抗原在血清学诊断中的意义

目的评价嗜肺巴氏杆菌外膜蛋白(OMP)和脂多糖(LPs)作为血清学诊断抗原的敏感性和特异性.方法用OMP、LPS和全菌(WC)作为Western blot和ELISA的诊断抗原检测自然感染和实验感染嗜肺巴氏杆菌小鼠相应的IgG抗体滴度,同时测定3种抗原与实验动物常见致病菌的交叉反应.结果与嗜肺巴氏杆菌自然感染和实验感染小鼠血清的ELISA反应中,不同时期,LPS作为诊断抗原时血清抗体阳性率最高,WC次之,OMP最低.自然感染小鼠群中,出生4周LPS抗体阳性率即可达80%,而同期的WC和OMP仅为25%和20%,故LPS敏感性最高.与实验动物常见致病菌免疫血清和阴性种鼠血清的ELISA反应中,WC抗原表现出较高的吸光度(A)值,经Western blot证实,其反应为非特异性反应,LPS抗原特异性最强,OMP抗原次之.结论混合多株具有型或种特异性的OMP或LPS作为ELISA的诊断抗原,无论从特异性和敏感性上均高于全菌抗原.     

诺氏疟原虫感染四川短尾猴的研究

诺氏疟原虫(Plasmodium knowlesi)红细胞内期裂殖周期短(为24小时),毒力强,因而可利用此二特点观察感染动物的实验效果,是在疟疾研究工作中较常采用的虫种。也曾有用其红内期制备抗原,检测恶性疟患者血清中抗体效果甚好的报道。过去,多用恒河猴作为诺氏疟原虫的实验动物,在国内恒河猴产量尚远不能满足科研工作需用时,有必要探寻新的猴种,以补充恒河猴数量的不足。     

肠道病毒71型外壳蛋白VP1在Pichia pastoris酵母中的表达

利用逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT PCR)扩增肠道病毒71型(EV71)外壳蛋白VP1基因,经序列测定证实后,构建重组表达质粒pPIC9K/VP1,转化Pichiapastoris酵母宿主菌GS115,甲醇诱导表达。SDS PAGE分析显示:表达产物的分子量约为34kD,与天然VP1大小一致。凝胶薄层扫描分析显示:目的蛋白表达量占培养上清总蛋白的60%以上。ELISA实验表明,重组蛋白VP1具有较好的抗原性。使用饱和硫酸铵分级沉淀法初步纯化的表达产物,能够较特异性地与EV71感染者血清中的抗体产生反应,而且与抗柯萨奇病毒A16特异性抗体不产生反应。通过利用表达产物作为抗原,对156份血清的检测初步证实,重组蛋白VP1可以作为检测EV71感染的的检测用抗原。     

肠道病毒71型外壳蛋白VPl在Pichia pastoris酵母中的表达

利用逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)扩增肠道病毒7l型(EV71)外壳蛋白VPl基因,经序列测定证实后,构建重组表达质粒pPIC9K／VPl,转化Pichia pastoris酵母宿主菌GS115,甲醇诱导表达。SDS-PAGE分析显示：表达产物的分子量约为34kD,与天然VPl大小一致。凝胶薄层扫描分析显示：目的蛋白表达量占培养上清总蛋白的60％以上。ELISA实验表明,重组蛋白VPl具有较好的抗原性。使用饱和硫酸铵分级沉淀法初步纯化的表达产物,能够较特异性地与EV7l感染者血清中的抗体产生反应,而且与抗柯萨奇病毒A16特异性抗体不产生反应。通过利用表达产物作为抗原,对156份血清的检测初步证实,重组蛋白VPl可以作为检测EV7l感染的的检测用抗原。     

PD-1对伯氏疟原虫感染小鼠体液免疫应答的影响

利用伯氏疟原虫Plasmodium berghei ANKA(P.b ANKA)感染BALB/c小鼠,PD-1单抗阻断后,流式细胞术检测脾脏浆细胞、滤泡辅助性T细胞(Tfh)数量。qRT-PCR检测IL-21、IL-10和IL-6 mRNA水平,ELISA检测血清抗体,以探讨程序性死亡受体-1(programmed cell death-1, PD-1)在疟原虫初次感染中对体液免疫应答的影响。结果发现,PD-1单抗阻断加速了P.b ANKA感染小鼠的死亡。与对照组相比,PD-1阻断组感染后第12天短寿浆细胞(CD138~+CD44~+)数量明显降低(P0.05),长寿浆细胞(CD138~+CD44~-、CD138~-CD44~+)和Tfh(CD4~+CXCR5~+)细胞数量无差异性改变,脾细胞IL-21的mRNA水平明显下降(P0.05),血清抗裂殖子表面蛋白(merozoite surface protein, MSP)-1特异性IgG无明显改变。P.b ANKA感染中PD-1通路可能通过影响Tfh分泌IL-21进而干扰浆细胞数量影响体液免疫应答。     

Characterization of Plasmodium falciparum calcium-dependent protein kinase 4

In Plasmodium berghei, the orthologous gene of P. falciparum calcium-dependent protein kinase 4 (PfCDPK4) was reported to be essential for the exflagellation of male gametocytes. To elucidate the role of PfCDPK4 in P. falciparum gametogenesis, we characterized the biological function of PfCDPK4 in vitro. PfCDPK4 was purified as a fusion protein that was labeled with [γ-³²P]ATP; this labeling was then eliminated by phosphatase. Phosphorylation activity of PfCDPK4 was eliminated when its putative catalytic lysine residue was replaced with alanine. In biochemical analyses, PfCDPK4 was found to have characteristics that were similar to those of homologous proteins from plants. PfCDPK4 phosphorylation was activated when experimental conditions were changed from those characteristic of human blood (37 °C, pH 7.4) to those of the mosquito bloodmeal (at least 5 °C below 37 °C, pH 7.6, with xanthurenic acid (XA)). PfCDPK4 was overexpressed in day 15 gametocytes exposed to XA or human serum. Thus, PfCDPK4 phosphorylation is activated by an increase in Ca²⁺ concentration or pH and by a decrease in temperature, and is associated with the Ca²⁺ signals that facilitate P. falciparum gametogenesis.     

A genetic screen in rodent malaria parasites identifies five new apicoplast putative membrane transporters,one of which is essential in human malaria parasites

The malaria‐causing parasite, Plasmodium, contains a unique non‐photosynthetic plastid known as the apicoplast. The apicoplast is an essential organelle bound by four membranes. Although membrane transporters are attractive drug targets, only two transporters have been characterised in the malaria parasite apicoplast membranes. We selected 27 candidate apicoplast membrane proteins, 20 of which are annotated as putative membrane transporters, and performed a genetic screen in Plasmodium berghei to determine blood stage essentiality and subcellular localisation. Eight apparently essential blood stage genes were identified, three of which were apicoplast‐localised: PbANKA_0614600 (DMT2), PbANKA_0401200 (ABCB4), and PbANKA_0505500. Nineteen candidates could be deleted at the blood stage, four of which were apicoplast‐localised. Interestingly, three apicoplast‐localised candidates lack a canonical apicoplast targeting signal but do contain conserved N‐terminal tyrosines with likely roles in targeting. An inducible knockdown of an essential apicoplast putative membrane transporter, PfDMT2, was only viable when supplemented with isopentenyl diphosphate. Knockdown of PfDMT2 resulted in loss of the apicoplast, identifying PfDMT2 as a crucial apicoplast putative membrane transporter and a candidate for therapeutic intervention.     

A multigene family that interacts with the amino terminus of plasmodium MSP-1 identified using the yeast two-hybrid system

Merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) is a high-molecular-weight protein expressed on the surface of the malaria merozoite in a noncovalent complex with other protein molecules. MSP-1 undergoes a series of proteolytic processing events, but no precise biological role for the various proteolytic fragments of MSP-1 or for the additional proteins present in the complex is known. Through the use of the yeast two-hybrid system, we have isolated genes encoding proteins that interact with a region of the amino-terminal proteolytic fragment of MSP-1 from the mouse parasite Plasmodium yoelii. This analysis has led to the isolation of two sequence-related molecules, one of which is the P. yoelii homologue of MSP-7 originally described in Plasmodium falciparum. BLAST analysis of the P. falciparum database has revealed that there are six related protein molecules present in this species encoded near each other on chromosome 13. In P. falciparum, we designated these molecules MSRP-1 to -5. Analysis of the P. yoelii database indicates a similar chromosomal organization for the two genes in the mouse parasite species. The three P. falciparum sequences with the highest degree of homology to the P. yoelii sequences isolated in the two-hybrid screen have been characterized at the molecular level (MSRP-1 to -3). Expression analysis indicated that the mRNAs are expressed at various levels in the different asexual stages. Immunofluorescence studies colocalized the expression of the MSRP molecules and the amino-terminal portion of MSP-1 to the surfaces of trophozoites. In vitro binding experiments confirmed the interaction between MSRP-1, MSRP-2, and the amino-terminal region of P. falciparum MSP-1.     

Changes in rodent-erythrocyte methemoglobin reductase system produced by two malaria parasites, viz. Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis and Plasmodium berghei

The methemoglobin reductase system plays a vital role in maintaining the equilibrium between hemoglobin and methemoglobin in blood. Exposure of red blood cells to oxidative stress (pathological/physiological) may cause impairment to this equilibrium. We studied the status of erythrocytic methemoglobin and the related reductase system during Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis infection in mice and P. berghei infection in mastomys. Malaria infection was induced by intraperitoneal inoculation with 10⁶ infected erythrocytes. The present investigation revealed a significant decrease in the activity of methemoglobin reductase, with a concomitant rise in methemoglobin content during P. yoelii nigeriensis infection in mice erythrocytes. This was accompanied with a significant increase in reduced glutathione and ascorbate levels. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase increased with a progressive rise in parasitemia. However, no methemoglobin or associated reductase activity was detected in normal and P. berghei-infected mastomys. P. berghei infection in mastomys resulted in an increase in the level of reduced glutathione and ascorbate in erythrocytes, and also in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase. These results suggest that antioxidants/antioxidant enzymes may prevent or reduce the formation of methemoglobin in the host and thereby protect the host from methemoglobinemia.     

Plasmodium chabaudi: Expression of active recombinant chabaupain-1 and localization studies in Anopheles sp.

Plasmodium cysteine proteases have been shown to be immunogenic and are being used as malaria potential serodiagnostic markers and vaccine targets. Genes encoding two Plasmodium chabaudi cysteine proteases chabaupain-1 (CP-1) and chabaupain-2 (CP-2) were identified and further expressed in Escherichia coli. Solubilisation of recombinant CP-1 and CP-2 was achieved by decreasing the temperature of induction.Anopheles gambiae tissues infected with Plasmodium were analyzed by Western blotting using the anti-CP-1 antibody showing that CP-1 is only present in the A. gambiae midguts being absent from other infected mosquito biological material. Anti-CP-1 anti-serum recognized a 30 kDa band in P. chabaudi, Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium yoelii lysates but does not recognize the recombinant CP-2 extracts suggesting high antibody specificity.     

Antibody Responses to a Novel Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein Vaccine Correlate with Protection against Experimental Malaria Infection in Aotus Monkeys

The Block 2 region of the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) of Plasmodium falciparum has been identified as a target of protective immunity by a combination of seroepidemiology and parasite population genetics. Immunogenicity studies in small animals and Aotus monkeys were used to determine the efficacy of recombinant antigens derived from this region of MSP-1 as a potential vaccine antigen. Aotus lemurinus griseimembra monkeys were immunized three times with a recombinant antigen derived from the Block 2 region of MSP-1 of the monkey-adapted challenge strain, FVO of Plasmodium falciparum, using an adjuvant suitable for use in humans. Immunofluorescent antibody assays (IFA) against erythrocytes infected with P. falciparum using sera from the immunized monkeys showed that the MSP-1 Block 2 antigen induced significant antibody responses to whole malaria parasites. MSP-1 Block 2 antigen-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) showed no significant differences in antibody titers between immunized animals. Immunized animals were challenged with the virulent P. falciparum FVO isolate and monitored for 21 days. Two out of four immunized animals were able to control their parasitaemia during the follow-up period, whereas two out of two controls developed fulminating parasitemia. Parasite-specific serum antibody titers measured by IFA were four-fold higher in protected animals than in unprotected animals. In addition, peptide-based epitope mapping of serum antibodies from immunized Aotus showed distinct differences in epitope specificities between protected and unprotected animals.     

Plasmodium berghei circumvents immune responses induced by merozoite surface protein 1- and apical membrane antigen 1-based vaccines

Background

Two current leading malaria blood-stage vaccine candidate antigens for Plasmodium falciparum, the C-terminal region of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1₁₉) and apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1), have been prioritized because of outstanding protective efficacies achieved in a rodent malaria Plasmodium yoelii model. However, P. falciparum vaccines based on these antigens have had disappointing outcomes in clinical trials. Discrepancies in the vaccine efficacies observed between the P. yoelii model and human clinical trials still remain problematic.

Methodology and Results

In this study, we assessed the protective efficacies of a series of MSP1₁₉- and AMA1-based vaccines using the P. berghei rodent malarial parasite and its transgenic models. Immunization of mice with a baculoviral-based vaccine (BBV) expressing P. falciparum MSP1₁₉ induced high titers of PfMSP1₁₉-specific antibodies that strongly reacted with P. falciparum blood-stage parasites. However, no protection was achieved following lethal challenge with transgenic P. berghei expressing PfMSP1₁₉ in place of native PbMSP1₁₉. Similarly, neither P. berghei MSP1₁₉- nor AMA1-BBV was effective against P. berghei. In contrast, immunization with P. yoelii MSP1₁₉- and AMA1-BBVs provided 100% and 40% protection, respectively, against P. yoelii lethal challenge. Mice that naturally acquired sterile immunity against P. berghei became cross-resistant to P. yoelii, but not vice versa.

Conclusion

This is the first study to address blood-stage vaccine efficacies using both P. berghei and P. yoelii models at the same time. P. berghei completely circumvents immune responses induced by MSP1₁₉- and AMA1-based vaccines, suggesting that P. berghei possesses additional molecules and/or mechanisms that circumvent the host''s immune responses to MSP1₁₉ and AMA1, which are lacking in P. yoelii. Although it is not known whether P. falciparum shares these escape mechanisms with P. berghei, P. berghei and its transgenic models may have potential as useful tools for identifying and evaluating new blood-stage vaccine candidate antigens for P. falciparum.