Purification of Plasmodium lophurae Exoerythrocytic Merozoites by an Ion Exchange Column*

SYNOPSIS Exoerythrocytic merozoites of Plasmodium lophurae grown in embryonic turkey brain cells were successfully separated from host cell material by elution from a DEAE-cellulose column at ionic strength 0.22. Purity of parasite samples was assessed by sodium dodecyl sulphate acrylamide gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy. Increasing the ionic strength gave greater recoveries of merozoites, but host cell contamination increased.     

The Mitochondria of Pre-Erythrocytic Plasmodium berghei

Considerable sectioning was required to demonstrate the mitochondrial cristae of pre-erythrocytic Plasmodium berghei in rat liver. The cristae vary from thin, budding tubules to dilated cisternae and most are obliquely and tangentially sectioned. These factors give the impression of an unusually small number of cristae. Numerous variations of fixation protocols failed to alter significantly the appearance of pre-erythrocytic parasite membranes. The data confirm previous suppositions that certain cytoplasmic bodies noted in pre-erythrocytic mammalian malarial parasites are indeed mitochondria. The term “acristate mitochondria” should be used with great caution in that it raises a serious semantic problem.     

Biomechanical properties of red blood cells infected by Plasmodium berghei ANKA

Malaria is a pathogenic disease in mammal species and typically causes destruction of red blood cells (RBCs). The malaria-infected RBCs undergoes alterations in morphology and its rheological properties, and the altered rheological properties of RBCs have a significant impact on disease pathophysiology. In this study, we investigated detailed topological and biomechanical properties of RBCs infected with malaria Plasmodium berghei ANKA using atomic force microscopy. Mouse (BALB/c) RBCs were obtained on Days 4, 10, and 14 after infection. We found that malaria-infected RBCs changed significantly in shape. The RBCs maintained a biconcave disk shape until Day 4 after infection and then became lopsided on Day 7 after infection. The central region of RBCs began to swell beginning on Day 10 after infection. More schizont stages were present on Days 10 and 14 compared with on Day 4. The malaria-infected RBCs also showed changes in mechanical properties and the cytoskeleton. The stiffness of infected RBCs increased 4.4–4.6-fold and their cytoskeletal F-actin level increased 18.99–67.85% compared with the control cells. The increase in F-actin depending on infection time was in good agreement with the increased stiffness of infected RBCs. Because more schizont stages were found at a late period of infection at Days 10 and 14, the significant changes in biomechanical properties might contribute to the destruction of RBCs, possibly resulting in the release of merozoites into the blood circulation.     

Ultrastructural Analysis of Plasmodium berghei Sporozoite Antigens Prepared by Freeze Thawing and Heat Inactivation*

Ultrastructural analysis was performed on freeze-thawed and heat inactivated Plasmodium berghei NK65 sporozoite preparations, which in parallel studies served as the immunogens against a malarial infection in A/J mice. Sporozoites in the freeze-thawed sample appeared severely damaged with most of their cytoplasmic contents lost. The heat inactivated sporozoites remained intact and closely resembled the untreated controls.     

The Host Endocytic Pathway is Essential for Plasmodium berghei Late Liver Stage Development

The obligate intracellular liver stage of the Plasmodium parasite represents a bottleneck in the parasite life cycle and remains a promising target for therapeutic intervention. During this stage, parasites undergo dramatic morphological changes and achieve one of the fastest replication rates among eukaryotic species. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about the parasite interactions with the host hepatocyte. Using immunofluorescence, live cell imaging and electron microscopy, we show that Plasmodium berghei parasites are surrounded by vesicles from the host late endocytic pathway. We found that these vesicles are acidic and contain the membrane markers Rab7a, CD63 and LAMP1. When host cell vesicle acidification was disrupted using ammonium chloride or Concanamycin A during the late liver stage of infection, parasite survival was not affected, but schizont size was significantly decreased. Furthermore, when the host cell endocytic pathway was loaded with BSA-gold, gold particles were found within the parasite cytoplasm, showing the transport of material from the host endocytic pathway toward the parasite interior. These observations reveal a novel Plasmodium-host interaction and suggest that vesicles from the host endolysosomal pathway could represent an important source of nutrients exploited by the fast-growing late liver stage parasites.     

Superoxide Generation by Kupffer Cells and Priming of Neutrophils During Reperfusion After Hepatic Ischemia

The objective of this study was to identify the cellular source of the vascular oxidant stress in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in male Fischer rats. Nonparenchymal cells (Kupffer cells, endothelial cells) and neutrophils were isolated from postischemic liver lobes by collagenase-pronase digestion followed by centrifugal elutriation. The spontaneous and stimulated generation of superoxide by these cells were subsequently quantified in vitro. Large Kupffer cells from the postischemic lobes spontaneously generated 300% more superoxide than similar cells from control animals. No difference in spontaneous superoxide formation was found when the small Kupffer cells were compared. No other cells isolated from the postischemic lobes or control liver including neutrophils released any detectable superoxide spontaneously. In contrast, small Kupffer cells and neutrophils from the postischemic liver generated significantly more superoxide after stimulation with phorbol ester or opsonized zymosan than the controls. The considerably higher response with zymosan stimulation compared to phorbol ester indicates a particular priming for a receptor-mediated signal transduction pathway during reperfusion. These studies demonstrate that Kupffer cells are the principal source of the oxidant stress during the initial reperfusion phase after hepatic ischcmia. The priming of neutrophils during this time may be an important factor for the later neutrophil-induced injury phase.     

Adoptive Transfer of Immunity to Plasmodium berghei by Spleen and Lymph Node Cells from Young and Old Mice*

SYNOPSIS. Different numbers of spleen and lymph node cells of 6-week and 6–8 month A/J mice, immune to Plasmodium berghei, were transferred into normal 4-week old mice. Better protection was observed with 2.5 × 10^s than with 10⁷ spleen cells, and spleen cells afforded better protection than an equal number of lymph node cells. Further, spleen cells from older mice were more effective than those from young animals. Possible mechanisms of immunity transfer are discussed.     

In Vivo Delivery of Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotides into Rat Kupffer Cells

Abstract

Kupffer cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. Liver injury is believed to result from an excessive release of cytokines and prostanoids from these cells. A targeted delivery of antisense oligonucleotides into Kupffer cells might reduce or prevent liver injury. In this report, we describe a method in which anionic liposome-encapsulated antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (S-Oligos) are delivered to Kupffer cells in vivo. Delivery was assessed using an antisense S-Oligo (TJU-2749) targeted against the 3’ untranslated region of rat tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA. At 90 min post-intravenous injection, 90% of the S-Oligo was absorbed from circulation. Of this, 40% was found in the liver and 10% in spleen. Other organs, including lungs, kidneys, muscle, stomach, brain, testes and small intestine, showed only minor incorporation (<5%). Greater than 65% of the liver-associated S-Oligo was found in Kupffer cells. Relative accumulation of S-Oligo in Kupffer cells was 200-fold that of the combined body tissues. For an average injected dose of 1.2 mg antisense/Kg body weight, the intracellular concentration of the S-Oligo attained in Kupffer cells was 65 μM. These studies suggest that liposome-encapsulated delivery provides an efficient means of targeting antisense molecules to Kupffer cells in vivo.     

Application of a simple culture of Plasmodium berghei for assessment of antiparasitic activity.

and 1992. Application of a simple culture of Plasmodium berghei for assessment of antiparasitic activity. International Journal for Parasitology 22: 1137–1142. Mouse erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium berghei were incubated for a short period in microplate wells. The parasites changed morphologically from the immature ring form to mature schizonts, and free merozoites were released. However, reinvasion of the erythrocytes appeared not to be possible in this system. This intraerythrocytic one-step growth of the parasite could be determined quantitatively by counting incorporation of 'H-hypoxanthine. The incorporation was markedly decreased by addition of certain antiparasitic agents to the culture. The sensitivity of this growth inhibition test was comparable to or higher than the mouse protection test. The results suggested the practical utility of this simple assay in screening antimalarial activity.     

Host PI(3,5)P2 Activity Is Required for Plasmodium berghei Growth During Liver Stage Infection

Malaria parasites go through an obligatory liver stage before they infect erythrocytes and cause disease symptoms. In the host hepatocytes, the parasite is enclosed by a parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM). Here, we dissected the interaction between the Plasmodium parasite and the host cell late endocytic pathway and show that parasite growth is dependent on the phosphoinositide 5‐kinase (PIKfyve) that converts phosphatidylinositol 3‐phosphate [PI(3)P] into phosphatidylinositol 3,5‐bisphosphate [PI(3,5)P₂] in the endosomal system. We found that inhibition of PIKfyve by either pharmacological or non‐pharmacological means causes a delay in parasite growth. Moreover, we show that the PI(3,5)P₂ effector protein TRPML1 that is involved in late endocytic membrane fusion, is present in vesicles closely contacting the PVM and is necessary for parasite growth. Thus, our studies suggest that the parasite PVM is able to fuse with host late endocytic vesicles in a PI(3,5)P₂‐dependent manner, allowing the exchange of material between the host and the parasite, which is essential for successful infection.      

Stages of Merogony in Multinucleate Merozoites of Eimeria magna Pérard, 1925*

SYNOPSIS. Stages of merogony of Eimeria magna were observed with the electron microscope in schizonts in ultrathin intestinal sections from white rabbits killed 4 days after inoculation. Some of the mature schizonts observed had uninucleate merozoites, whereas others had multinucleate ones. In each of the latter were rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, micronemes, refractile bodies, and occasionally, lipid droplets; some nuclei had a nucleolus. In the interior of some multinucleate merozoites, anlagen of daughter merozoites were observed. Each anlage was associated closely with a nucleus. In some of these nuclei, a cone-shaped pole of a spindle was directed toward the anlage. Each early anlage consisted of an inner membrane complex with a rhoptry anlage. A Golgi complex frequently was seen at the base of the anlage. One multinucleate merozoite, still attached to the residual body, had a merozoite anlage. In later stages of merogony, the anlagen were longer and each had a conoid. In one such merozoite, 2 merozoite anlagen were observed in close association with an eccentric intranuclear spindle, and 1 anlage had a Golgi adjunct. Another merozoite had an eccentric spindle and associated centrioles, but no visible anlagen. The finding of stages of merogony in multinucleate merozoites of E. magna indicates that these might represent a further schizogonic generation occurring in the original parasitophorous vacuole.     

乳酸杆菌脂磷壁酸抑制脂多糖诱导的大鼠肝脏Kupffer 细胞TLR4 通路 的激活

目的：探讨保加利亚乳酸杆菌脂磷壁酸（Lipoteichoic Acid of ,LBG-LTA）对大鼠肝脏Kupffer细胞 Toll样受体4（Toll-like receptor 4,TLR4）信号通路的作用。方法：雄性健康Wistar大鼠10 只（2 月龄,体重250～300 g）处死后,分 离培养肝脏Kupffer 细胞;培养LBG,并提取制备LBG-LTA;Kupffer 细胞,在有或无LBG-LTA（0.1、1、10 ug/mL）预处理的情况 下,给予脂多糖（lipopolysaccharide,LPS,1 EU/mL）刺激后,Western blot 检测各孔Kupffer细胞的TLR4、TANK 结合激酶1（TANK binding kinase-1,TBK1）及核中的核因子B（nuclear factor-kB,NF-kB）水平,酶联免疫吸附法检测各孔培养上清中的肿瘤坏死因子 alpha（tumor necrosis factor-alpha,TNF-alpha）和白介素1beta（interleukin-1beta,IL-1beta）。结果：分离的Kupffer 细胞经不同浓度LBG-LTA 预处理 后,其在LPS刺激下所表达的TLR4、TBK1、核中NF- kB的水平及生成的TNF-alpha和IL-1茁明显低于无LBG-LTA预处理情况下的 LPS 孔（P<0.05）,且LBG-LTA 的作用呈浓度依赖性。结论：LBG-LTA以浓度依赖的方式抑制了LPS 诱导下大鼠Kupffer细胞 TLR4 通路的激活。     

Influence of Pregnancy on the Course of Malaria in Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei

The course of malarial infection was compared in pregnant mice inoculated with Plasmodium berghei at different stages of gestation. When 12–14 wk old, pregnant BALB/c mice were inoculated with 1 × 10⁶ of P. berghei NK65-infected red cells at gestation day 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 or 16, the mice inoculated on gestation days 6–12 expired 6.5 days after inoculation compared to 9.5 days in non-pregnant mice. Parasitemia in these pregnant mice increased rapidly on day 4 after inoculation and anemia also developed earlier on day 5. However, the degree of parasitemia and anemia in the terminal stage of infection in these pregnant mice was milder than that of non-pregnant controls. Blood urea nitrogen increased at the terminal stage although the degree of increase in mice inoculated on gestation days 6–10 was comparatively small. Pregnant malarial mice died earlier with less physiological changes than non-pregnant controls. It was concluded that pregnancy makes the host susceptible to physiological changes caused by malaria.     

Kupffer cell structure in the juvenile Nile crocodile,Crocodylus niloticus

The morphology of Kupffer cells was examined in the liver of the juvenile Nile crocodile using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Pleomorphic Kupffer cells were located in the sinusoids, in the space of Disse, in the hepatic parenchyma and often connected adjacent sinusoids. The cell surfaces were irregular due to the presence of filopodia and lamelliapodia with phagocytosis of white blood cells, red blood cells and thrombocytes being evident. The cells were in close contact with endothelial cells and pit cells in the sinusoidal lumen and with stellate cells in the space of Disse. The cytoplasm contained large phagosomes comprising a combination of ceroid pigment, melanosomes and siderosomes. The nuclei were often indented and eccentrically placed due to the presence of the phagosomes. Conspicuous clusters of membrane‐bound tubular organelles with a filamentous or crystalline interior were observed in the cytoplasm. The clusters were sometimes separated into smaller groups around phagosomes. A clear zone existed between the limiting membrane and the interior of these tubular organelles with the electron‐dense interior profiles being, respectively, circular, angular or divided. The tubular organelles have not previously been described in Kupffer cells and possibly represent lysosomes with specialized functions. Mitochondria, microtubules, Golgi profiles, granular and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and a few cytoplasmic lipid droplets were also present. The presence of the tubular organelles and the occurrence of the Kupffer cells in different locations in the liver of the juvenile Nile crocodile are indicative of particularly active and mobile cells. J. Morphol. 275:1–8, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Fine Structure of the Endogenous Stages of Eimeria labbeana. I. The First Generation Merozoites

SYNOPSIS. The fine structure of the 1st generation merozoites of Eimeria labbeana from the ileal mucosa of artificially infected pigeons ( Columba livia ) was investigated and described. The 1st generation merozoites which appeared between 36-48 hr after infection averaged 4.4 × 2.1 μm in size. The 3-membraned pellicle was irregular in texture and harbored a single micropore, and many micropore-like invaginations. Closely apposed to the inner pellicular membrane were seen 22 microtubules, each 22–25 nm in diameter. An apical vesicle, 50 nm in diameter, seen at the anterior extremity, was connected with the common duct of the micronemes. The conoid consisted of 9 spiral elements, each 30 × 25 nm. The paired organelle (rhoptries) varied in length (1.4–2.2 μm), and the ductules (23 nm diameter) were composed of 2 inner tubules, each 6 nm in diameter. A unit membrane enveloped the partially alveolar and differentially osmiophilic interior of the bulbous regions of the rhoptries. The "rod-like structure"was found to be tubular and represented the common duct of the micronemes.     

The Enzymic Synthesis of Dihydropteroate and Dihydrofolate by Plasmodium berghei

SYNOPSIS. Cell-free extracts of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei synthesized dihydropteroate (H₂pteroate) and dihydrofolate (H₂folate) from 2-amino-4-hydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropteridine (hydroxymethyldihydropteridine) and p-aminobenzoate (pAB) or p-aminobenzoylglutamate (pABG). The reaction was demonstrated also in extracts of Plasmodium gallinaceum, Plasmodium lophurae and Plasmodium knowlesi, by the use of a microbiologic assay method and pABG as cosubstrate. Some of the properties of the enzymes involved were investigated in P. berghei preparations, utilizing a radioactive assay which measures the conversion of [7-¹⁴C]pAB to [¹⁴C]H₂pteroate. Apparent K_m values of 0.28 μM for [7-¹⁴C]pAB, 0.037 mM for pABG and 0.8 μM for hydroxymethyldihydropteridine were obtained. The reaction had absolute requirements for ATP and Mg⁺⁺, and was stimulated by dithiothreitol. The enzymes required for the reaction were eluted together from Sephadex G-200 columns in a molecular weight range of 200,000–250,000. In bacteria hydroxymethyldihydropteridine is converted 1st by a pyrophosphokinase to pyrophosphorylmethyldihydropteridine, and this compound is then condensed with pAB to form H₂pteroate by H₂pteroate synthetase. Both enzymic activities were demonstrated in P. berghei preparations and separated by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. The enzymic synthesis of H₂pteroate by P. berghei is inhibited by several sulfonamides and diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS). The latter compound is shown to be competitive with pAB, with a K_i value of 0.38 μM; pABG is also a competitive inhibitor. These data establish an enzymic basis of support for the evidence obtained in vivo which indicate that malaria synthesize their folate cofactors de novo. It is suggested that the antimalarial action of sulfonamides and DDS is due to their inhibition of plasmodial H₂pteroate synthetase.     

Mutation underlying resistance of Plasmodium berghei to atovaquone in the quinone binding domain 2 (Qo(2)) of the cytochrome b gene

The anti-malarial agent atovaquone specifically targets the cytochrome bc₁ complex and inhibits the parasite respiration. Resistance to this drug, a coenzyme Q analogue, is associated with mutations in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. We previously reported atovaquone resistant mutations in Plasmodium berghei, in the first quinone binding domain (Qo₁) of the cytochrome b gene (M133I and L144S) with V284F in the sixth transmembrane domain. However, in P. falciparum the most common mutations are found in the Qo₂ region. To obtain a better model for biochemical and genetic studies, we have now extended our study to isolate a wider range of P. berghei resistant strains, in particular those in the Qo₂. Here we report four new mutations (Y268N, Y268C, L271V and K272R), all in the Qo₂ domain. Two of these mutations are convergent to codon 268 (nt802–804) drug-induced mutation in P. falciparum.     

SCARF1 promotes M2 polarization of Kupffer cells via calcium‐dependent PI3K‐AKT‐STAT3 signalling to improve liver transplantation

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the protective effect of SCARF1 on acute rejection (AR), phagocytic clearance of Kupffer cells (KCs), M2 polarization and the exact mechanism underlying these processes.MethodsAAV was transfected into the portal vein of rats, and AR and immune tolerance (IT) models of liver transplantation were established. Liver tissue and blood samples were collected. The level of SCARF1 was detected via WB and immunohistochemical staining. Pathological changes in liver tissue were detected using HE staining. Apoptotic cells were detected using TUNEL staining. KC polarization was assessed via immunohistochemical staining. Primary KCs were isolated and co‐cultured with apoptotic T lymphocytes. Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and polarization of KCs were both detected using immunofluorescence. Calcium concentration was determined using immunofluorescence and a fluorescence microplate reader. The levels of PI3K, p‐AKT and P‐STAT3 were assessed via WB and immunofluorescence.ResultsCompared to the IT group, the level of SCARF1 was significantly decreased in the AR group. Overexpression of SCARF1 in KCs improved AR and liver function markers. Enhanced phagocytosis mediated by SCARF1 is beneficial for improving the apoptotic clearance of AR and promoting M2 polarization of KCs. SCARF1‐mediated enhancement of phagocytosis promotes increased calcium concentration in KCs, thus further activating the PI3K‐AKT‐STAT3 signalling pathway.ConclusionsSCARF1 promotes the M2 polarization of KCs by promoting phagocytosis through the calcium‐dependent PI3K‐AKT‐STAT3 signalling pathway.     

An Electron Microscope-Cytochemical Method for Differentiating Membranes of Host Red Cells and Malaria Parasites*

Limiting membranes of malaria parasites and host red cells stain differently when exposed to positively charged iron colloid. Negatively charged red cell membranes avidly bind colloid, whereas parasite membranes do not. This selectivity in colloidal iron uptake by the 2 types of membranes can be utilized as an aid in discerning the amounts of contaminating host cell membranes in “free” malaria parasite preparations and in related cell-free membrane extracts.     

乳酸杆菌脂磷壁酸通过下调脂筏中Lck 激酶水平抑制大鼠肝脏Kupffer 细胞TLR4 通路

目的:探讨保加利亚乳酸杆菌脂磷壁酸(Lipoteichoic Acid of Lactobacillus bulgaricus,LBG-LTA)是否能下调细胞膜脂筏中的淋巴细胞特异性蛋白酪氨酸激酶(Lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase,Lck),进而抑制大鼠肝脏Kupffer细胞Toll样受体4(Toll-like receptor 4,TLR4)通路。方法:分离培养10只雄性Wistar大鼠的Kupffer细胞;培养LBG并制备LBG-LTA;有或无LBG-LTA、脂筏裂解剂甲基-β-环糊精(methyl-β-cyclodextrine,MβCD)、Lck抑制剂PP2分别预处理情况下,以脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)刺激Kupffer细胞,提取各组细胞的膜-浆蛋白及核蛋白,蔗糖密度梯度离心法提取膜-浆蛋白中的脂筏及非脂筏组分,Western blot检测脂筏及非脂筏组分中TLR4、TANK结合激酶1(TANK binding kinase-1,TBK1)、Lck及核蛋白中的核因子B(nuclear factor-κB,NF-κB),酶联免疫吸附法检测培养上清中的肿瘤坏死因子α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)和白介素1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)。结果:LPS上调的TLR4、Lck主要在脂筏内(与对照孔脂筏相应数值之比为0.95 0.23 vs 0.0120.0023,1.05 0.26 vs 0.022 0.0052,P均0.05),TBK1主要在非脂筏组分中(与对照孔非脂筏组分数值之比1.02 0.21 vs 0.0480.011,P0.05),核蛋白中的NF-B及培养上清中的TNF-α和IL-1β亦明显升高(与对照孔相应数值之比为0.78 0.16 vs 0.0760.014,189.2 27.1 vs 5.62 0.82,131.6 18.8 vs 7.24 1.14,P均0.05)。与MαCD或PP2一样,LBG-LTA也明显抑制LPS的作用(LTA+LPS孔脂筏中TLR4、Lck与LPS孔相应数值之比为0.15 0.036 vs 0.95 0.23,0.17 0.052 vs 1.05 0.26,非脂筏组分中TBK1与LPS孔的比较为0.25 0.062 vs 1.02 0.21,NF-B、TNF-α及IL-1β与LPS孔相应数值之比为0.17 0.035 vs 0.78 0.16,32.2 4.37 vs189.2 27.1,23.4 3.29 vs 131.6 18.8,P均0.05)。结论:LBG-LTA下调大鼠Kupffer细胞膜脂筏中的Lck,进而抑制其TLR4通路。