A mosquito salivary protein facilitates sporozoite traversal of host cells

Abstract Malaria begins when Plasmodium-infected Anopheles mosquitoes take a blood meal on a vertebrate. During the initial probing process, mosquitoes inject saliva and sporozoites into the host skin. Components of mosquito saliva have the potential to influence sporozoite functionality. Sporozoite-associated mosquito saliva protein 1 (SAMSP1, AGAP013726) was among several proteins identified when sporozoites were isolated from saliva, suggesting it may have an effect on Plasmodium. Recombinant SAMSP1 enhanced sporozoite gliding and cell traversal activity in vitro. Moreover, SAMSP1 decreased neutrophil chemotaxis in vivo and in vitro, thereby also exerting an influence on the host environment in which the sporozoites reside. Active or passive immunization of mice with SAMSP1 or SAMSP1 antisera diminished the initial Plasmodium burden following infection. Passive immunization of mice with SAMSP1 antisera also added to the protective effect of a circumsporozoite protein (CSP) monoclonal antibody. SAMSP1 is, therefore, a mosquito saliva protein that can influence sporozoite infectivity in the vertebrate host.

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Passive immunization of mice against Schistosoma mansoni with an IgM monoclonal antibody

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182000051684 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 84 (1) ◽

pp. 83-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

M. A. Smith ◽

J. A. Clegg ◽

D. Snary ◽

A. J. Trejdosiewicz

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Schistosoma Mansoni ◽

Fasciola Hepatica ◽

Passive Immunization ◽

Immune Serum ◽

The Other ◽

Passive Protection ◽

Igm Antibody

SUMMARYTwo hybridomas secreting monoclonal IgM antibody to Schistosoma mansoni have been isolated following fusion of spleen cells from Balb/c mice immunized with living S. mansoni and NS1 myeloma cells. One monoclonal IgM antibody (WP66.4) mediated about the same level of passive protection against a challenge infection as immune serum from mice with a chronic S. mansoni infection. The other monoclonal antibody (WP66.2) did not give a significant level of passive protection. This result indicates that the effective monoclonal antibody recognizes an antigen which may be a valuable candidate for experimental vaccination. In vitro one monoclonal antibody (WP66.4) caused a much higher level of complement-dependent cytotoxicity than the other (WP66.2), suggesting a possible mechanism for the effect observed in vivo. With indirect immunofluorescence both monoclonal antibodies reacted with surface determinants on living S. mansoni schistosomula, adult worms and miracidia but these determinants were not detected on cercariae or lung schistosomula. Neither monoclonal antibody cross-reacted with S. haematobium schistosomula or Fasciola hepatica metacercariae, indicating a possible use for these reagents in differential diagnosis of S. mansoni infections.

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The Anticoagulant Properties of a Modified Form of Protein S

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1647048 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 60 (02) ◽

pp. 298-304 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

C A Mitchell ◽

S M Kelemen ◽

H H Salem

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Anticoagulant Activity ◽

Activated Protein C ◽

Factor Xa ◽

Protein S ◽

Human Neutrophil Elastase ◽

Factor X ◽

Sds Page

SummaryProtein S (PS) is a vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant that acts as a cofactor to activated protein C (APC). To date PS has not been shown to possess anticoagulant activity in the absence of APC.In this study, we have developed monoclonal antibody to protein S and used to purify the protein to homogeneity from plasma. Affinity purified protein S (PSM), although identical to the conventionally purified protein as judged by SDS-PAGE, had significant anticoagulant activity in the absence of APC when measured in a factor Xa recalcification time. Using SDS-PAGE we have demonstrated that prothrombin cleavage by factor X awas inhibited in the presence of PSM. Kinetic analysis of the reaction revealed that PSM competitively inhibited factor X amediated cleavage of prothrombin. PS preincubated with the monoclonal antibody, acquired similar anticoagulant properties. These results suggest that the interaction of the monoclonal antibody with PS results in an alteration in the protein exposing sites that mediate the observed anticoagulant effect. Support that the protein was altered was derived from the observation that PSM was eight fold more sensitive to cleavage by thrombin and human neutrophil elastase than conventionally purified protein S.These observations suggest that PS can be modified in vitro to a protein with APC-independent anticoagulant activity and raise the possibility that a similar alteration could occur in vivo through the binding protein S to a cellular or plasma protein.

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ACIS, A Novel KepTide™, Binds to ACE-2 Receptor and Inhibits the Infection of SARS-CoV2 Virus in vitro in Primate Kidney Cells: Therapeutic Implications for COVID-19 (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.25089 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Avik Sotira Scientific

Keyword(s):

Social Life ◽

Plaque Assay ◽

Host Cells ◽

Surface Glycoprotein ◽

Crystallographic Structure ◽

Therapeutic Implications ◽

Biochemical Assays ◽

Targeted Medicine

UNSTRUCTURED Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by a virus known as SARS-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). Without a targeted-medicine, this disease has been causing a massive humanitarian crisis not only in terms of mortality, but also imposing a lasting damage to social life and economic progress of humankind. Therefore, an immediate therapeutic strategy needs to be intervened to mitigate this global crisis. Here, we report a novel KepTide™ (Knock-End Peptide) therapy that nullifies SARS-CoV2 infection. SARS-CoV2 employs its surface glycoprotein “spike” (S-glycoprotein) to interact with angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor for its infection in host cells. Based on our in-silico-based homology modeling study validated with a recent X-ray crystallographic structure (PDB ID:6M0J), we have identified that a conserved motif of S-glycoprotein that intimately engages multiple hydrogen-bond (H-bond) interactions with ACE-2 enzyme. Accordingly, we designed a peptide, termed as ACIS (ACE-2 Inhibitory motif of Spike), that displayed significant affinity towards ACE-2 enzyme as confirmed by biochemical assays such as BLItz and fluorescence polarization assays. Interestingly, more than one biochemical modifications were adopted in ACIS in order to enhance the inhibitory action of ACIS and hence called as KEpTide™. Consequently, a monolayer invasion assay, plaque assay and dual immunofluorescence analysis further revealed that KEpTide™ efficiently mitigated the infection of SARS-CoV2 in vitro in VERO E6 cells. Finally, evaluating the relative abundance of ACIS in lungs and the potential side-effects in vivo in mice, our current study discovers a novel KepTide™ therapy that is safe, stable, and robust to attenuate the infection of SARS-CoV2 virus if administered intranasally. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.13.337584

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Effective decellularisation of human saphenous veins for biocompatible arterial tissue engineering applications: Bench optimisation and feasibility in vivo testing

Journal of Tissue Engineering ◽

10.1177/2041731420987529 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 204173142098752

Author(s):

Nadiah S Sulaiman ◽

Andrew R Bond ◽

Vito D Bruno ◽

John Joseph ◽

Jason L Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tissue Engineering ◽

Mechanical Strength ◽

Vascular Tissue ◽

Sodium Dodecyl ◽

Host Cells ◽

Replacement Model ◽

In Vivo Testing ◽

Vascular Scaffolds

Human saphenous vein (hSV) and synthetic grafts are commonly used conduits in vascular grafting, despite high failure rates. Decellularising hSVs (D-hSVs) to produce vascular scaffolds might be an effective alternative. We assessed the effectiveness of a detergent-based method using 0% to 1% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) to decellularise hSV. Decellularisation effectiveness was measured in vitro by nuclear counting, DNA content, residual cell viability, extracellular matrix integrity and mechanical strength. Cytotoxicity was assessed on human and porcine cells. The most effective SDS concentration was used to prepare D-hSV grafts that underwent preliminary in vivo testing using a porcine carotid artery replacement model. Effective decellularisation was achieved with 0.01% SDS, and D-hSVs were biocompatible after seeding. In vivo xeno-transplantation confirmed excellent mechanical strength and biocompatibility with recruitment of host cells without mechanical failure, and a 50% patency rate at 4-weeks. We have developed a simple biocompatible methodology to effectively decellularise hSVs. This could enhance vascular tissue engineering toward future clinical applications.

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Lipoproteins Are Responsible for the Pro-Inflammatory Property of Staphylococcus aureus Extracellular Vesicles

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22137099 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (13) ◽

pp. 7099

Author(s):

Pradeep Kumar Kopparapu ◽

Meghshree Deshmukh ◽

Zhicheng Hu ◽

Majd Mohammad ◽

Marco Maugeri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Surface Proteins ◽

Host Cells ◽

Immune Stimulation ◽

Domains Of Life ◽

Major Surface ◽

Staphylococcal Aureus

Staphylococcal aureus (S. aureus), a Gram-positive bacteria, is known to cause various infections. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous array of membranous structures secreted by cells from all three domains of life, i.e., eukaryotes, bacteria, and archaea. Bacterial EVs are implied to be involved in both bacteria–bacteria and bacteria–host interactions during infections. It is still unclear how S. aureus EVs interact with host cells and induce inflammatory responses. In this study, EVs were isolated from S. aureus and mutant strains deficient in either prelipoprotein lipidation (Δlgt) or major surface proteins (ΔsrtAB). Their immunostimulatory capacities were assessed both in vitro and in vivo. We found that S. aureus EVs induced pro-inflammatory responses both in vitro and in vivo. However, this activity was dependent on lipidated lipoproteins (Lpp), since EVs isolated from the Δlgt showed no stimulation. On the other hand, EVs isolated from the ΔsrtAB mutant showed full immune stimulation, indicating the cell wall anchoring of surface proteins did not play a role in immune stimulation. The immune stimulation of S. aureus EVs was mediated mainly by monocytes/macrophages and was TLR2 dependent. In this study, we demonstrated that not only free Lpp but also EV-imbedded Lpp had high pro-inflammatory activity.

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A Novel Mouse Monoclonal Antibody C42 against C-Terminal Peptide of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22042141 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 2141

Author(s):

Srinu Tumpara ◽

Elena Korenbaum ◽

Mark Kühnel ◽

Danny Jonigk ◽

Beata Olejnicka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Flow Cytometry ◽

Western Blotting ◽

Complex Mixture ◽

Immunoglobulin M ◽

Confocal Laser ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Dot Blot

The C-terminal-fragments of alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) have been identified and their diverse biological roles have been reported in vitro and in vivo. These findings prompted us to develop a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes C-36 peptide (corresponding to residues 359–394) resulting from the protease-associated cleavage of AAT. The C-36-targeting mouse monoclonal Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody (containing κ light chains, clone C42) was generated and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-tested by Davids Biotechnologie GmbH, Germany. Here, we addressed the effectiveness of the novel C42 antibody in different immunoassay formats, such as dot- and Western blotting, confocal laser microscopy, and flow cytometry. According to the dot-blot results, our novel C42 antibody detects the C-36 peptide at a range of 0.1–0.05 µg and shows no cross-reactivity with native, polymerized, or oxidized forms of full-length AAT, the AAT-elastase complex mixture, as well as with shorter C-terminal fragments of AAT. However, the C42 antibody does not detect denatured peptide in SDS-PAGE/Western blotting assays. On the other hand, our C42 antibody, unconjugated as well as conjugated to DyLight488 fluorophore, when applied for immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry assays, specifically detected the C-36 peptide in human blood cells. Altogether, we demonstrate that our novel C42 antibody successfully recognizes the C-36 peptide of AAT in a number of immunoassays and has potential to become an important tool in AAT-related studies.

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Organic Nanocarriers for Bevacizumab Delivery: An Overview of Development, Characterization and Applications

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26144127 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (14) ◽

pp. 4127

Author(s):

Aline de Cristo Soares Alves ◽

Franciele Aline Bruinsmann ◽

Silvia Stanisçuaski Guterres ◽

Adriana Raffin Pohlmann

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Physicochemical Characterization ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Organic Nanoparticles ◽

Humanized Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Angiogenesis Process ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Drug Pharmacokinetics

Bevacizumab (BCZ) is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody against the vascular endothelial growth factor, which is involved in the angiogenesis process. Pathologic angiogenesis is observed in several diseases including ophthalmic disorders and cancer. The multiple administrations of BCZ can cause adverse effects. In this way, the development of controlled release systems for BCZ delivery can promote the modification of drug pharmacokinetics and, consequently, decrease the dose, toxicity, and cost due to improved efficacy. This review highlights BCZ formulated in organic nanoparticles providing an overview of the physicochemical characterization and in vitro and in vivo biological evaluations. Moreover, the main advantages and limitations of the different approaches are discussed. Despite difficulties in working with antibodies, those nanocarriers provided advantages in BCZ protection against degradation guaranteeing bioactivity maintenance.

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A sand fly salivary protein acts as a neutrophil chemoattractant

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-23002-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anderson B. Guimaraes-Costa ◽

John P. Shannon ◽

Ingrid Waclawiak ◽

Jullyanna Oliveira ◽

Claudio Meneses ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Calcium Influx ◽

Parasite Burden ◽

Salivary Protein ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Human Neutrophils ◽

Chemotactic Protein ◽

The Impact

AbstractApart from bacterial formyl peptides or viral chemokine mimicry, a non-vertebrate or insect protein that directly attracts mammalian innate cells such as neutrophils has not been molecularly characterized. Here, we show that members of sand fly yellow salivary proteins induce in vitro chemotaxis of mouse, canine and human neutrophils in transwell migration or EZ-TAXIScan assays. We demonstrate murine neutrophil recruitment in vivo using flow cytometry and two-photon intravital microscopy in Lysozyme-M-eGFP transgenic mice. We establish that the structure of this ~ 45 kDa neutrophil chemotactic protein does not resemble that of known chemokines. This chemoattractant acts through a G-protein-coupled receptor and is dependent on calcium influx. Of significance, this chemoattractant protein enhances lesion pathology (P < 0.0001) and increases parasite burden (P < 0.001) in mice upon co-injection with Leishmania parasites, underlining the impact of the sand fly salivary yellow proteins on disease outcome. These findings show that some arthropod vector-derived factors, such as this chemotactic salivary protein, activate rather than inhibit the host innate immune response, and that pathogens take advantage of these inflammatory responses to establish in the host.

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Lankesterella (Apicomplexa, Lankesterellidae) Blood Parasites of Passeriform Birds: Prevalence, Molecular and Morphological Characterization, with Notes on Sporozoite Persistence In Vivo and Development In Vitro

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11051451 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 1451

Author(s):

Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas ◽

Josef Harl ◽

Vytautas Preikša ◽

Dovilė Bukauskaitė ◽

Mikas Ilgūnas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Morphological Characterization ◽

Life Cycles ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Host Cells ◽

Blood Parasites ◽

Serinus Canaria ◽

Long Time ◽

Development In Vitro

Recent studies confirmed that some Hepatozoon-like blood parasites (Apicomplexa) of birds are closely related to the amphibian parasite Lankesterella minima. Little is known about the biology of these pathogens in birds, including their distribution, life cycles, specificity, vectors, and molecular characterization. Using blood samples of 641 birds from 16 species, we (i) determined the prevalence and molecular diversity of Lankesterella parasites in naturally infected birds; (ii) investigated the development of Lankesterella kabeeni in laboratory-reared mosquitoes, Culex pipiens forma molestus and Aedes aegypti; and (iii) tested experimentally the susceptibility of domestic canaries, Serinus canaria, to this parasite. This study combined molecular and morphological diagnostic methods and determined 11% prevalence of Lankesterella parasites in Acrocephalidae birds; 16 Lankesterella lineages with a certain degree of host specificity and two new species (Lankesterella vacuolata n. sp. and Lankesterella macrovacuolata n. sp.) were found and characterized. Lankesterella kabeeni (formerly Hepatozoon kabeeni) was re-described. Serinus canaria were resistant after various experimental exposures. Lankesterella sporozoites rapidly escaped from host cells in vitro. Sporozoites persisted for a long time in infected mosquitoes (up to 42 days post exposure). Our study demonstrated a high diversity of Lankesterella parasites in birds, and showed that several avian Hepatozoon-like parasites, in fact, belong to Lankesterella genus.

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Evaluation of Fab and F(ab′)2 Fragments and Isotype Variants of a Recombinant Human Monoclonal Antibody against Shiga Toxin 2

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.00867-09 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 78 (3) ◽

pp. 1376-1382 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Donna E. Akiyoshi ◽

Abhineet S. Sheoran ◽

Curtis M. Rich ◽

L. Richard ◽

Susan Chapman-Bonofiglio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Shiga Toxin ◽

Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells ◽

Human Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Chinese Hamster ◽

The Body ◽

Neutralization Activity ◽

Shiga Toxin 2

ABSTRACT 5C12 HuMAb is a human monoclonal antibody against the A subunit of Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2). We have previously shown that 5C12 HuMAb effectively neutralizes the cytotoxic effects of this toxin by redirecting its transport within the cell and also by neutralizing the toxin's ability to inhibit protein synthesis. The 5C12 HuMAb and its recombinant IgG1 version protect mice at a dose of 0.6 μg against a lethal challenge of Stx2. The contribution of the Fc region to this observed neutralization activity of the 5C12 antibody against Stx2 was investigated in this study. Using recombinant DNA technology, 5C12 isotype variants (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4) and antibody fragments [Fab, F(ab′)2] were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. All four 5C12 isotype variants showed protection in vitro, with the IgG3 and IgG4 variants showing the highest protection in vivo. The Fab and F(ab′)2 fragments also showed protection in vitro but no protection in the mouse toxicity model. Similar results were obtained for a second HuMAb (5H8) against the B subunit of Stx2. The data suggest the importance of the Fc region for neutralization activity, but it is not clear if this is related to the stability of the full-length antibody or if the Fc region is required for effective elimination of the toxin from the body.

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