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Biomedical subjects

J A Lyon

Publications and source records attributed to J A Lyon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

T lymphocytes from volunteers immunized with irradiated Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites recognize liver and blood stage malaria antigens.

The model of protective immunity induced by immunization with irradiated plasmodia sporozoites (SPZ) has become the prototype for a promising vaccine strategy based on Ab and CTL responses directed against pre-erythrocytic stage Ags, in particular the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) and sporozoite surface protein 2 (SSP2). However, results from recently conducted vaccine studies suggest that T cell responses directed against additional specificities might also be required for protection. We have tested this hypothesis by examining human T lymphocytes from irradiated Plasmodium falciparum SPZ-immune volunteers for proliferative reactivities to parasitized red blood cells (pRBC) and recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides representing certain liver and blood stage Ags. In this work, we report that although SPZ-induced protective immunity is stage-specific, SPZ-immune lymphocytes recognized determinants associated with erythrocytic and liver stage parasites. Thus, protective immunity induced by irradiated SPZ may depend upon responses against pre-erythrocytic Ags in addition to CSP and SSP2.

Adult

Replication of influenza A viruses in an avian macrophage cell line.

The virulent avian influenza virus A/Ty/Ont/7732/66 (H5N9) (Ty/Ont) causes severe destruction of the lymphoid cells in infected birds. Previous studies have suggested that viral infection of macrophages may be involved. However, Ty/Ont failed to replicate productively in primary cultures of chicken macrophages. Therefore, in an effort to develop an in vitro system for our studies, we examined the susceptibility of an avian macrophage cell line, HD11, to Ty/Ont. We found that Ty/Ont replicated in the HD11 cells to high titres, as measured by haemagglutination (HA) assays and infectivity yields. To determine whether this property was unique to Ty/Ont, we also examined the replication of influenza viruses representative of all 13 HA subtypes and an attenuated variant of Ty/Ont. All of the tested viruses replicated in HD11 cells; the avirulent strains required the presence of trypsin in the culture medium whereas virulent viruses and the attenuated variant of Ty/Ont did not. These results suggest that the HD11 cells can support the replication of a wide variety of influenza viruses and that this continuous avian cell line may prove useful for in vitro studies on these viruses.

Animals

Characterization of naturally acquired antibody responses to a recombinant fragment from the N-terminus of Plasmodium falciparum glycoprotein 195.

Antibody responses to the glycoprotein precursor of the major merozoite surface antigens of Plasmodium falciparum (gp195) were investigated in acutely infected Thai adults. Specific IgG antibody was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a recombinant fragment derived from the N-terminal region of gp195 as the capture antigen. Two control groups were found to be without significant cross-reacting antibody. Among occupationally exposed soldiers, 84 of 85 men developed positive antibody responses during acute falciparum malaria. Mean antibody levels began to increase at the time of diagnosis, peaking, often at high titers, within two weeks, and then decreased with an initial serum half-life of less than one month. The high frequency of gp195 antibody responses underscores a potential role in serodiagnosis, whereas the dynamic nature of the response suggests that a rigorous schedule of prospective serum sampling will be required to accurately assess the relationship between these antibodies and protection.

Adolescent

Sequence comparison of allelic forms of the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface antigen MSA2.

MSA2 is a strain variable blood-stage merozoite surface antigen of Plasmodium falciparum. We have derived the MSA2 nucleotide sequence for four cloned parasite isolates. Comparison with three other published sequences suggests that variation may be limited, and that the architecture of the gene can be conveniently described by segregation into four distinct regions. The N and C terminal regions (Regions 1 and 4) are highly conserved in all seven genes. Six of these seven MSA2 genes can be grouped in a single family, within which variation is largely limited to a region characterized by the presence of tandem repeats (Region 2). We have observed two new forms of repeat in a Gly, Ser, Ala-rich block, and noted the absence of repeat in this block of the CAMP strain. The region downstream of the repeat region (Region 3) is highly conserved within this family. Immunochemical analysis reveals that MSA2 is one of the antigens recognized by immune antibodies eluted from intact merozoites. Regions 2 and 3, expressed as recombinant proteins, are recognized by these antibodies, suggesting that these regions are exposed at the surface of the intact merozoite.

Alleles

Specificities of antibodies that inhibit merozoite dispersal from malaria-infected erythrocytes.

When malaria schizont-infected erythrocytes are cultured with immune serum, antibodies prevent dispersal of merozoites, resulting in the formation of immune clusters of merozoites (ICM) and inhibition of parasite growth. Antigens recognized by these antibodies were identified by probing two dimensional immunoblots of Plasmodium falciparum antigens with antibodies dissociated from immune complexes present at the surface of merozoites in ICM. Total immune serum recognized 88 of the 135 protein spots detected by colloidal gold staining, but antibodies dissociated from immune complexes recognized only 15 protein spots attributable to no more than eight distinct antigens. Antigens recognized by antibodies that inhibit merozoite dispersal include the precursor to the major merozoite surface antigens (gp195), a 126-kDa serine-repeat antigen (SERA), the 130-kDa protein that appears to bind to glycophorin (GBP130), and the approx. 45-kDa merozoite surface antigen. One other antigen (230/215-kDa doublet) was identified by using antibodies affinity purified from recombinant expression proteins. The identities of the other three antigens (150 kDa, 127 kDa and less than 30 kDa) were not determined. This approach provides a strategy for identifying epitopes accessible at the merozoite surface which may be important components of a multivalent vaccine against blood stages of P. falciparum.

Amino Acid Sequence

Primary structure of a Plasmodium falciparum malaria antigen located at the merozoite surface and within the parasitophorous vacuole.

DNA encoding an antigen of 101,000 apparent molecular weight from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum was cloned and sequenced. Genomic DNA from the Camp strain covering the complete coding region along with cDNA from the FCR3 strain covering 81% of the coding region were obtained. The cloned DNA specified a full-length protein of 743 amino acids which included two tandemly repeated regions, one near the amino terminus containing eight hexapeptide repeats of sequence TVNDEDED, and the second near the carboxyl terminus containing primarily KE and KEE repeats. The latter repeated region is encoded by a 174-base stretch of mRNA containing only a single pyrimidine. Except for a putative leader sequence located at the amino terminus of the protein, the protein is hydrophilic and highly charged with a calculated isoelectric point of 5.6. Sequences from the Camp and FCR3 strains are very close and are also nearly identical to the partial cDNA sequence of the acidic basic repeated antigen (ABRA) protein from the FC27 strain (Stahl, H.D., Bianco, A.E., Crewther, R.F., Anders, R.F., Kyne, A.P., Coppel, R. L., Mitchell, G.F., Kemp, D.J., and Brown, G.V. (1986) Mol. Biol. Med. 3, 351-368). ABRA was previously shown to be located at the merozoite surface and in the parasitophorous vacuole. Because of its location and because it becomes complexed to merozoites when schizonts rupture in the presence of immune serum, ABRA is a candidate component of a malaria vaccine.

Amino Acid Sequence

Two approximately 300 kilodalton Plasmodium falciparum proteins at the surface membrane of infected erythrocytes.

Two very large Plasmodium falciparum proteins are identified as constituents of the infected erythrocyte membrane. Sera were obtained from Aotus monkeys that had been repeatedly infected with asexual P. falciparum from one of four strains. The capacity of these sera to block in vitro cytoadherence of infected erythrocytes and agglutinate intact infected cells was determined. The sera were also used to immunoprecipitate protein antigens from detergent extracts of 125I-surface labeled or biosynthetically radiolabeled infected erythrocytes. For each serum/antigen combination, precipitation of only one protein correlated with the ability of the serum to interfere with cytoadherence and agglutinate infected cells. This malarial protein, denoted Pf EMP 1 (P. falciparum-erythrocyte-membrane-protein 1) bore strain-specific epitope(s) on the cell surface and displayed size heterogeneity (Mr approximately 220,000-350,000). Pf EMP 1 was strongly labeled by cell-surface radioiodination but was a quantitatively very minor malarial protein. Pf EMP 1 was distinguished by its size, surface accessibility and antigenic properties from a more predominant malarial protein in the same size range (Pf EMP 2) that is under the infected erythrocyte membrane at knobs. Monoclonal antibodies and rabbit antisera raised against Pf EMP 2 were used to show that this size heterogeneous antigen was indistinguishable from the previously described MESA (mature parasite infected erythrocyte surface antigen), identified by precipitation with rabbit antisera raised against the MESA hexapeptide repeats. Antibodies raised against Pf EMP 2/MESA did not precipitate Pf EMP 1. We conclude that Pf EMP 1 is either directly responsible for the cytoadherence phenomenon, or is very closely associated with another as yet unidentified functional molecule. Pf EMP 2/MESA must have a structural property/function that is important under the host cell membrane.

Animals

Allelic forms of gp195, a major blood-stage antigen of Plasmodium falciparum, are expressed in liver stages.

Mature exoerythrocytic (EE) forms of two cloned lines (3D7 and HB3) of Plasmodium falciparum were obtained in the livers of splenectomized chimpanzees. Sectioned preparations were examined by immunofluorescence (IFA) using mAbs that distinguished allelic variants of the blood-form antigen gp195 and mAbs that recognized multiple conserved epitopes of gp195. EE forms and blood schizonts exhibited identical IFA reactions for each respective clone, showing that the antigen was expressed identically in liver and blood-stage parasites. A third chimpanzee was infected with sporozoites derived from a mixture of 3D7 and HB3 gametocytes that had undergone cross-fertilization in the mosquitoes. IFAs on the EE forms in this animal showed that segregation of each gp195 allele had occurred earlier in the life cycle, providing evidence that the parasite is haploid for the whole of its mammalian development.

Alleles

Mature liver stages of cloned Plasmodium falciparum share epitopes with proteins from sporozoites and asexual blood stages.

The liver merozoites of malaria parasites are of paramount importance, as they initiate the parasite invasion of red blood cells and start the cycle associated with the clinical features of malaria. Investigating liver merozoite antigen is difficult because of the lack of a rodent model of human malaria. In addition, only a low proportion of cells are obtained in vivo, the parasites from Cebus and Aotus monkeys are immature, and in-vitro experiments with liver cells are often confounded by contamination with the natural mosquito flora copurified with the sporozoites used for seeding the liver cultures. In our study, mature liver schizonts were shown to possess many of the antigenic determinants recognized by MoAbs and sera specific for defined sporozoite and blood-stage antigens. We employed an immunofluorescence procedure based on evaluating parasites in cryosections prepared from infected chimpanzee liver. Sufficient numbers of sectioned parasites were evaluated with each antibody to assure the reproducibility of the results, and the fixation procedure used was sufficiently non-destructive to parasite antigens so that clear differences between reactions of specific antibodies and negative controls were observed. Our evidence for sharing of epitopes by liver merozoites and sporozoites or by liver merozoites and asexual blood-stage parasites raises the possibility that immune responses elicited against sporozoites or asexual stage antigens being considered as vaccine candidates may also act against this important, little-studied stage of the parasite.

Animals

Availability of iron from four prenatal multivitamin/multimineral products.

Iron absorption from four prenatal multivitamin/multimineral preparations was compared in 36 healthy pregnant women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy. The products studied were the currently marketed formulations of Stuartnatal 1 + 1, Stuart Prenatal, Materna, and Natalins Rx. Each fasted subject received each of the four preparations, according to a randomized sequence, at intervals of three to seven days between drug administrations. Stuartnatal 1 + 1 demonstrated the best iron absorption. Total iron absorbed from Stuartnatal 1 + 1 and Stuart Prenatal was well above the additional daily 3.5 mg recommended during pregnancy. Following administration of Materna the amount of iron was only slightly above that recommended, and following Natalins Rx it was well below. All formulations were generally well tolerated by the subjects.

Adolescent

Monoclonal antibody characterization of Plasmodium falciparum antigens in immune complexes formed when schizonts rupture in the presence of immune serum.

When Plasmodium falciparum parasites are cultured with some immune sera, merozoites are agglutinated by antibodies to form immune clusters of merozoites and prevent their invasion into erythrocytes. Within these immune clusters of merozoites, several antigens that are normally found in the soluble fraction after detergent extraction accumulate in relatively insoluble immune complexes. From mice immunized with these immune complexes, we obtained hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that react with various immune clusters of merozoites antigens, including mAb 3D5, which recognizes a 101-kDa antigen (p101) and mAb, 5E3, which recognizes a 113-kDa antigen (p113). Both mAb reacted with antigens at the surface of schizonts, in the vacuolar space, and at the surface of merozoites before their release from schizont-infected cells. Both p101 and p113 were synthesized by mature trophozoites and young schizonts. In pulse-chase experiments, p113 was processed to 100-, 70-, 55-, and 50-kDa products. Both p101 and p113 appeared in the culture medium when schizont rupture occurred in normal culture medium but were found in immune complexes when schizont rupture occurred in the presence of immune serum. Antibodies in immune complexes, when dissociated with acid and used to probe immunoblots, reacted with affinity-purified p101 and p113. Antigens such as these, which are accessible at the parasite surface and react with antibodies present in immune serum that inhibits parasite invasion, are logical candidates to study in the search for a vaccine against the erythrocytic stages of malaria.

Animals

Monoclonal antibody characterization of the 195-kilodalton major surface glycoprotein of Plasmodium falciparum malaria schizonts and merozoites: identification of additional processed products and a serotype-restricted repetitive epitope.

The gp195 from Camp strain parasites was characterized with eight monoclonal antibodies (MAb) that recognize different epitopes on gp195 and three of its merozoite-associated processed products. Four MAb (3H7, 3B10, 7F1, and 4G12) reacted with different epitopes on the 45-kDa glycosylated product (gp45), shown by differences in their reactivities with soluble and immunoblotted gp45. One MAb (7H10) reacted with a conformational epitope probably formed as a result of the interaction of gp45 with a nonglycosylated 45-kDa product (p45). Three other MAb (3D3, 7B11, and 7B2) reacted with different epitopes on a nonglycosylated 83-kDa product (p83), shown by differences in their reactivities against various parasite isolates in immunofluorescent antibody assays. Immunoprecipitation of antigens that were pulse-labeled with [3H]isoleucine and chased with cold isoleucine showed that p45 and gp45 were processed products of gp195 and p83 was sequentially processed into smaller fragments of 73 and 67 kDa (p73 and p67). Immunoblots showed that the 7B11 and 7B2 epitopes were present on p83, p73, and p67, but that the 3D3 epitope was present only on p83 and p73. A two-site immunoassay showed the 3D3 epitope to be repetitive. The 3D3 and 7B11 epitopes were serotype restricted (present in seven and 24 of 33 isolates, respectively), but the other five epitopes were common to all isolates tested. The gp195 and its processed products have Mr that are consistent with the Mr of a number of antigens shown previously to be associated with the immune complexes that are formed when merozoites are agglutinated by antibodies contained in some growth inhibitory immune sera.

Animals

Plasmodium berghei: cloning of the circumsporozoite protein gene.

A DNA fragment encoding the carboxy terminal 80% of the Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite protein was selected from a genomic DNA expression library. Sequencing revealed that the P. berghei circumsporozoite protein was similar in overall structure to circumsporozoite proteins from other malaria species, although the central repeat region was unique in comprising two different blocks of tandem peptide repeats: 11 eight amino acid repeats with predominant sequence DPAPPNAN were followed by 16 two amino repeats, predominantly PQ. The P. berghei circumsporozoite protein exhibited limited, but about equal amino acid homology to circumsporozoite proteins from P. knowlesi, P. vivax, and P. falciparum, indicating that P. berghei is not closely related to any of these other malaria species. Cloning of the P. berghei circumsporozoite protein gene will allow direct testing of sporozoite vaccines in mice.

Amino Acid Sequence

Characterization of gp195 processed products purified from Plasmodium falciparum culture supernates.

Schizonts of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum synthesize a 195 kDa surface glycoprotein (gp195) that is processed into several smaller products including one of 83 kDa, which, in the case of the Camp strain, is sequentially processed into 73 and 67 kDa products. gp195 and its processing intermediates larger than 83 kDa were not precipitated from culture supernates, but the 83 and 73 kDa products were precipitated by three monoclonal antibodies (McAbs). The 83 and 73 kDa products were affinity purified from culture supernates by adsorbing to McAb 7B2 coupled to Affigel 10 and eluting either with 0.2 N acetic acid, pH 2.8, or with 3 M potassium isothiocyanate (KSCN). The epitope recognized by McAb 7B2 was denatured by acid elution but could be regenerated by treating with 8 M urea followed by dialysis. The implications of renaturing antigens to regenerate epitopes should be considered in studies on the purification, function and immunogenicity of malaria antigens.

Animals

Transport of an Mr approximately 300,000 Plasmodium falciparum protein (Pf EMP 2) from the intraerythrocytic asexual parasite to the cytoplasmic face of the host cell membrane.

The profound changes in the morphology, antigenicity, and functional properties of the host erythrocyte membrane induced by intraerythrocytic parasites of the human malaria Plasmodium falciparum are poorly understood at the molecular level. We have used mouse mAbs to identify a very large malarial protein (Mr approximately 300,000) that is exported from the parasite and deposited on the cytoplasmic face of the erythrocyte membrane. This protein is denoted P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 2 (Pf EMP 2). The mAbs did not react with the surface of intact infected erythrocytes, nor was Pf EMP 2 accessible to exogenous proteases or lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radioiodination of intact cells. The mAbs also had no effect on in vitro cytoadherence of infected cells to the C32 amelanotic melanoma cell line. These properties distinguish Pf EMP 2 from Pf EMP 1, the cell surface malarial protein of similar size that is associated with the cytoadherent property of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes. The mAbs did not react with Pf EMP 1. In one strain of parasite there was a significant difference in relative mobility of the 125I-surface-labeled Pf EMP 1 and the biosynthetically labeled Pf EMP 2, further distinguishing these proteins. By cryo-thin-section immunoelectron microscopy we identified organelles involved in the transit of Pf EMP through the erythrocyte cytoplasm to the internal face of the erythrocyte membrane where the protein is associated with electron-dense material under knobs. These results show that the intraerythrocytic malaria parasite has evolved a novel system for transporting malarial proteins beyond its own plasma membrane, through a vacuolar membrane and the host erythrocyte cytoplasm to the erythrocyte membrane, where they become membrane bound and presumably alter the properties of this membrane to the parasite's advantage.

Animals

Serotypic antigens of Plasmodium falciparum recognized by serotype-restricted inhibitory human sera.

Immune sera from some Cambodian refugees contain functional serotypic antibodies that inhibit invasion of erythrocytes by the Camp strain but not by the FCR-3 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Using a new assay, the "competitive heterologous antigen assay" (CHAA), the serotypic antibodies in a pool of three inhibitory sera were characterized by the antigens they precipitated. In the CHAA, immunoprecipitation of antigens by antibodies to common or cross-reacting antigenic determinants was blocked with excess heterologous unlabeled FCR-3 antigens before 3H-labeled Camp schizont and merozoite antigens were immunoprecipitated. The predominant Camp strain serotypic antigens revealed after electrophoresis and autoradiography were the major 195 Kd glycoprotein surface antigen (gp195) and its processed products at 150, 83, 73, and possibly 45 Kd. Additional serotypic antigens were identified at 180, 130, 65, 50, and 32 Kd. It is likely that one or more of these serotypic antigens is a target for the serotypic antibodies that inhibit invasion.

Animals