scholarly journals Overcoming Allelic Specificity by Immunization with Five Allelic Forms of Plasmodium falciparum Apical Membrane Antigen 1

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. 1491-1501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazutoyo Miura ◽  
Raul Herrera ◽  
Ababacar Diouf ◽  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Jianbing Mu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rational Design ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Allelic Polymorphism ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen 1 ◽  
Percent Inhibition ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen ◽  
Single Allele ◽  
Mixture Group

ABSTRACTApical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) is a leading vaccine candidate, but the allelic polymorphism is a stumbling block for vaccine development. We previously showed that a global set of AMA1 haplotypes could be grouped into six genetic populations. Using this information, six recombinant AMA1 proteins representing each population were produced. Rabbits were immunized with either a single recombinant AMA1 protein or mixtures of recombinant AMA1 proteins (mixtures of 4, 5, or 6 AMA1 proteins). Antibody levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and purified IgG from each rabbit was used for growth inhibition assay (GIA) with 12 different clones of parasites (a total of 108 immunogen-parasite combinations). Levels of antibodies to all six AMA1 proteins were similar when the antibodies were tested against homologous antigens. When the percent inhibitions in GIA were plotted against the number of ELISA units measured with homologous AMA1, all data points followed a sigmoid curve, regardless of the immunogen. In homologous combinations, there were no differences in the percent inhibition between the single-allele and allele mixture groups. However, all allele mixture groups showed significantly higher percent inhibition than the single-allele groups in heterologous combinations. The 5-allele-mixture group showed significantly higher inhibition to heterologous parasites than the 4-allele-mixture group. On the other hand, there was no difference between the 5- and 6-allele-mixture groups. These data indicate that mixtures with a limited number of alleles may cover a majority of the parasite population. In addition, using the data from 72 immunogen-parasite combinations, we mathematically identified 13 amino acid polymorphic sites which significantly impact GIA activities. These results could be a foundation for the rational design of a future AMA1 vaccine.

scholarly journals In Immunization with Plasmodium falciparum Apical Membrane Antigen 1, the Specificity of Antibodies Depends on the Species Immunized

2007 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 5827-5836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazutoyo Miura ◽  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Olga V. Muratova ◽  
Andrew C. Orcutt ◽  
Birgitte Giersing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Rabbit Model ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Allelic Polymorphism ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen 1 ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen

ABSTRACT At least a million people, mainly African children under 5 years old, still die yearly from malaria, and the burden of disease and death has increased. Plasmodium falciparum apical membrane antigen 1 (PfAMA1) is one of the most promising blood-stage malarial vaccine candidates. However, the allelic polymorphism observed in this protein is a potential stumbling block for vaccine development. To overcome the polymorphism- and strain-specific growth inhibition in vitro, we previously showed in a rabbit model that vaccination with a mixture of two allelic forms of PfAMA1 induced parasite growth-inhibitory antisera against both strains of P. falciparum parasites in vitro. In the present study, we have established that, in contrast to a single-allele protein, the antigen mixture elicits primarily antibodies recognizing antigenic determinants common to the two antigens, as judged by an antigen reversal growth inhibition assay (GIA). We also show that a similar reactivity pattern occurs after immunization of mice. By contrast, sera from rhesus monkeys do not distinguish the two alleles when tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or by GIA, regardless of whether the immunogen is a single AMA1 protein or the mixture. This is the first report that a malarial vaccine candidate induced different specificities of functional antibodies depending on the animal species immunized. These observations, as well as data available on human immune responses in areas of endemicity, suggest that polymorphism in the AMA1 protein may not be as formidable a problem for vaccine development as anticipated from studies with rabbits and mice.

scholarly journals High-Level Expression of Plasmodium vivax Apical Membrane Antigen 1 (AMA-1) in Pichia pastoris: Strong Immunogenicity in Macaca mulatta Immunized with P. vivax AMA-1 and Adjuvant SBAS2

1999 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clemens H. M. Kocken ◽  
Martin A. Dubbeld ◽  
Annemarie Van Der Wel ◽  
Jack T. Pronk ◽  
Andrew P. Waters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pichia Pastoris ◽  
Plasmodium Vivax ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Methylotrophic Yeast ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen 1 ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen ◽  
High Level

ABSTRACT The apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) family is a promising family of malaria blood-stage vaccine candidates that have induced protection in rodent and nonhuman primate models of malaria. Correct conformation of the protein appears to be essential for the induction of parasite-inhibitory responses, and these responses appear to be primarily antibody mediated. Here we describe for the first time high-level secreted expression (over 50 mg/liter) of thePlasmodium vivax AMA-1 (PV66/AMA-1) ectodomain by using the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. To prevent nonnative glycosylation, a conservatively mutagenized PV66/AMA-1 gene (PV66Δglyc) lacking N-glycosylation sites was also developed. Expression of the PV66Δglyc ectodomain yielded similar levels of a homogeneous product that was nonglycosylated and was readily purified by ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatographies. Recombinant PV66Δglyc43–487 was reactive with conformation-dependent monoclonal antibodies. With the SBAS2 adjuvant,Pichia-expressed PV66Δglyc43–487 was highly immunogenic in five rhesus monkeys, inducing immunoglobulin G enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers in excess of 1:200,000. This group of monkeys had a weak trend showing lower cumulative parasite loads following a Plasmodium cynomolgi infection than in the control group.

scholarly journals Prediction of Merozoite Surface Protein 1 and Apical Membrane Antigen 1 Vaccine Efficacies against Plasmodium chabaudi Malaria Based on Prechallenge Antibody Responses

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle M. Lynch ◽  
Amy Cernetich-Ott ◽  
William P. Weidanz ◽  
James M. Burns
Keyword(s):  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Merozoite Surface Protein ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Plasmodium Chabaudi ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen 1 ◽  
Merozoite Surface Protein 1 ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen

ABSTRACT For the development of blood-stage malaria vaccines, there is a clear need to establish in vitro measures of the antibody-mediated and the cell-mediated immune responses that correlate with protection. In this study, we focused on establishing correlates of antibody-mediated immunity induced by immunization with apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) and merozoite surface protein 142 (MSP142) subunit vaccines. To do so, we exploited the Plasmodium chabaudi rodent model, with which we can immunize animals with both protective and nonprotective vaccine formulations and allow the parasitemia in the challenged animals to peak. Vaccine formulations were varied with regard to the antigen dose, the antigen conformation, and the adjuvant used. Prechallenge antibody responses were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and were tested for a correlation with protection against nonlethal P. chabaudi malaria, as measured by a reduction in the peak level of parasitemia. The analysis showed that neither the isotype profile nor the avidity of vaccine-induced antibodies correlated with protective efficacy. However, high titers of antibodies directed against conformation-independent epitopes were associated with poor vaccine performance and may limit the effectiveness of protective antibodies that recognize conformation-dependent epitopes. We were able to predict the efficacies of the P. chabaudi AMA1 (PcAMA1) and P. chabaudi MSP142 (PcMSP142) vaccines only when the prechallenge antibody titers to both refolded and reduced/alkylated antigens were considered in combination. The relative importance of these two measures of vaccine-induced responses as predictors of protection differed somewhat for the PcAMA1 and the PcMSP142 vaccines, a finding confirmed in our final immunization and challenge study. A similar approach to the evaluation of vaccine-induced antibody responses may be useful during clinical trials of Plasmodium falciparum AMA1 and MSP142 vaccines.

scholarly journals Structural and immunological characterization of an epitope within the PAN motif of ectodomain I in Babesia bovis apical membrane antigen 1 for vaccine development

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11765
Author(s):  
Amarin Rittipornlertrak ◽  
Boondarika Nambooppha ◽  
Anucha Muenthaisong ◽  
Veerasak Punyapornwithaya ◽  
Saruda Tiwananthagorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Rabbit Antiserum ◽  
Babesia Bovis ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Bovine Babesiosis ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen 1 ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen ◽  
Domain I

Background Bovine babesiosis caused by Babesia bovis (B. bovis) has had a significant effect on the mobility and mortality rates of the cattle industry worldwide. Live-attenuated vaccines are currently being used in many endemic countries, but their wide use has been limited for a number of reasons. Although recombinant vaccines have been proposed as an alternative to live vaccines, such vaccines are not commercially available to date. Apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) is one of the leading candidates in the development of a vaccine against diseases caused by apicomplexan parasite species. In Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) AMA-1 (PfAMA-1), several antibodies against epitopes in the plasminogen, apple, and nematode (PAN) motif of PfAMA-1 domain I significantly inhibited parasite growth. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to predict an epitope from the PAN motif of domain I in the B. bovis AMA-1 (BbAMA-1) using a combination of linear and conformational B-cell epitope prediction software. The selected epitope was then bioinformatically analyzed, synthesized as a peptide (sBbAMA-1), and then used to immunize a rabbit. Subsequently, in vitro growth- and the invasion-inhibitory effects of the rabbit antiserum were immunologically characterized. Results Our results demonstrated that the predicted BbAMA-1 epitope was located on the surface-exposed α-helix of the PAN motif in domain I at the apex area between residues 181 and 230 with six polymorphic sites. Subsequently, sBbAMA-1 elicited antibodies capable of recognizing the native BbAMA-1 in immunoassays. Furthermore, anti-serum against sBbAMA-1 was immunologically evaluated for its growth- and invasion-inhibitory effects on B. bovis merozoites in vitro. Our results demonstrated that the rabbit anti-sBbAMA-1 serum at a dilution of 1:5 significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) the growth of B. bovis merozoites by approximately 50–70% on days 3 and 4 of cultivation, along with the invasion of merozoites by approximately 60% within 4 h of incubation when compared to the control groups. Conclusion Our results indicate that the epitope predicted from the PAN motif of BbAMA-1 domain I is neutralization-sensitive and may serve as a target antigen for vaccine development against bovine babesiosis caused by B. bovis.

scholarly journals Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Apical Membrane Antigen 1: an Asexual Blood-Stage Vaccine for Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 3677-3685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elissa M. Malkin ◽  
David J. Diemert ◽  
Julie H. McArthur ◽  
John R. Perreault ◽  
Aaron P. Miles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Malaria Vaccine ◽  
Vaccine Candidate ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Blood Stage ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen 1 ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen ◽  
Microscopic Evaluation

ABSTRACT Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1), a polymorphic merozoite surface protein, is a leading blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate. A phase 1 trial was conducted with 30 malaria-naïve volunteers to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the AMA1-C1 malaria vaccine. AMA1-C1 contains an equal mixture of recombinant proteins based on sequences from the FVO and 3D7 clones of Plasmodium falciparum. The proteins were expressed in Pichia pastoris and adsorbed on Alhydrogel. Ten volunteers in each of three dose groups (5 μg, 20 μg, and 80 μg) were vaccinated in an open-label study at 0, 28, and 180 days. The vaccine was well tolerated, with pain at the injection site being the most commonly observed reaction. Anti-AMA1 immunoglobulin G (IgG) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 15/28 (54%) volunteers after the second immunization and in 23/25 (92%) after the third immunization, with equal reactivity to both AMA1-FVO and AMA1-3D7 vaccine components. A significant dose-response relationship between antigen dose and antibody response by ELISA was observed, and the antibodies were predominantly of the IgG1 isotype. Confocal microscopic evaluation of sera from vaccinated volunteers demonstrated reactivity with P. falciparum schizonts in a pattern similar to native parasite AMA1. Antigen-specific in vitro inhibition of both FVO and 3D7 parasites was achieved with IgG purified from sera of vaccinees, demonstrating biological activity of the antibodies. To our knowledge, this is the first AMA1 vaccine candidate to elicit functional immune responses in malaria-naïve humans, and our results support the further development of this vaccine.

scholarly journals Structural and immunological characterization of an epitope within the PAN motif of ectodomain I in Babesia bovis apical membrane antigen 1

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amarin Rittipornlertrak ◽  
Boondarika Nambooppha ◽  
Anucha Muenthaisong ◽  
Veerasak Punyapornwithaya ◽  
Saruda Tiwananthagorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Cell Epitope ◽  
Babesia Bovis ◽  
Target Antigen ◽  
Bovine Babesiosis ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen 1 ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen ◽  
Domain I

Abstract Background Bovine babesiosis caused by Babesia bovis (B. bovis) affects the cattle industry worldwide with high mobility and mortality. Live-attenuated vaccines are currently used in some of the endemic countries, but their wide use is limited due to various reasons. Although recombinant vaccines have been proposed as an alternative to the live vaccines, such vaccines are not commercially available to date. Apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) is one of the leading candidates for vaccine development against diseases caused by apicomplexan parasite species. In this study, we predicted an epitope from the plasminogen, apple and nematode (PAN) motif of domain I in the B. bovis AMA-1 (BbAMA-1) using a combination of linear and conformational B-cell epitope prediction software. The selected epitope was bioinformatically analyzed, synthesized as a peptide (sBbAMA-1), and then used to immunize a rabbit. Results The anti-sBbAMA-1 serum obtained was evaluated for its growth- and invasion-inhibitory effects on B. bovis merozoites in vitro. Our results demonstrated that the predicted BbAMA-1 epitope, which is located on surface-exposed α-helix of PAN motif in domain I at the apex area, elicits antibodies capable of recognizing the native BbAMA-1 in immunoassays. Importantly, as compared to the control groups, the rabbit anti-sBbAMA-1 serum at dilution of 1:5 significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) the growth of B. bovis merozoites by approximately 50–70% on day 3 and 4 of cultivation and the invasion of merozoites by approximately 60% within 4 h of incubation. Conclusion Our results indicate the epitope predicted from the PAN motif of BbAMA-1 domain I is neutralization-sensitive and may serve as a target antigen for vaccine development against bovine babesiosis caused by B. bovis.

scholarly journals Vaccination of Monkeys with Recombinant Plasmodium falciparum Apical Membrane Antigen 1 Confers Protection against Blood-Stage Malaria

2002 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 6961-6967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony W. Stowers ◽  
Michael C. Kennedy ◽  
Brian P. Keegan ◽  
Allan Saul ◽  
Carole A. Long ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Malaria Vaccine ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Merozoite Surface Protein ◽  
Lethal Challenge ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen 1 ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen

ABSTRACT A major challenge facing malaria vaccine development programs is identifying efficacious combinations of antigens. To date, merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) is regarded as the leading asexual vaccine candidate. Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) has been identified as another leading candidate for an asexual malaria vaccine, but without any direct in vivo evidence that a recombinant form of Plasmodium falciparum AMA1 would have efficacy. We evaluated the efficacy of a form of P. falciparum AMA1, produced in Pichia pastoris, by vaccinating Aotus vociferans monkeys and then challenging them with P. falciparum parasites. Significant protection from this otherwise lethal challenge with P. falciparum was observed. Five of six animals had delayed patency; two of these remained subpatent for the course of the infection, and two controlled parasite growth at <0.75% of red blood cells parasitized. The protection induced by AMA1 was superior to that obtained with a form of MSP1 used in the same trial. The protection induced by a combination vaccine of AMA1 and MSP1 was not superior to the protection obtained with AMA1 alone, although the immunity generated appeared to operate against both vaccine components.

scholarly journals Expression, Purification, and Biological Characterization of Babesia microti Apical Membrane Antigen 1

2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (10) ◽  
pp. 3890-3901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prasun Moitra ◽  
Hong Zheng ◽  
Vivek Anantharaman ◽  
Rajdeep Banerjee ◽  
Kazuyo Takeda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apical Membrane ◽  
The United States ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Type I ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen 1 ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen ◽  
Extracellular Region

The intraerythrocytic apicomplexanBabesia microti, the primary causative agent of human babesiosis, is a major public health concern in the United States and elsewhere. Apicomplexans utilize a multiprotein complex that includes a type I membrane protein called apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) to invade host cells. We have isolated the full-lengthB. microtiAMA1 (BmAMA1) gene and determined its nucleotide sequence, as well as the amino acid sequence of the AMA1 protein. This protein contains an N-terminal signal sequence, an extracellular region, a transmembrane region, and a short conserved cytoplasmic tail. It shows the same domain organization as the AMA1 orthologs from piroplasm, coccidian, and haemosporidian apicomplexans but differs from all other currently known piroplasmida, including otherBabesiaandTheileriaspecies, in lacking two conserved cysteines in highly variable domain III of the extracellular region. Minimal polymorphism was detected in BmAMA1 gene sequences of parasite isolates from six babesiosis patients from Nantucket. Immunofluorescence microscopy studies showed that BmAMA1 is localized on the cell surface and cytoplasm near the apical end of the parasite. Native BmAMA1 from parasite lysate and refolded recombinant BmAMA1 (rBmAMA1) expressed inEscherichia colireacted with a mouse anti-BmAMA1 antibody using Western blotting.In vitrobinding studies showed that both native BmAMA1 and rBmAMA1 bind to human red blood cells (RBCs). This binding is trypsin and chymotrypsin treatment sensitive but neuraminidase independent. Incubation ofB. microtiparasites in human RBCs with a mouse anti-BmAMA1 antibody inhibited parasite growth by 80% in a 24-h assay. Based on its antigenically conserved nature and potential role in RBC invasion, BmAMA1 should be evaluated as a vaccine candidate.

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