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J Gysin

Publications and source records attributed to J Gysin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Ultrastructural aspects of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocyte adherence to endothelial cells of Saimiri brain microvasculature.

We have recently shown that some squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) develop cerebral malaria when experimentally infected with asexual blood stage forms of different Plasmodium falciparum isolates. Since cerebral malaria is neither an inconsistent nor predictable event, several clones of endothelial cells isolated from the squirrel monkey brain microvasculature have been developed. Infected red blood cell (IRBC) adherence involved the knobs and direct membrane interactions through pseudopodes and microvilli on the Saimiri brain endothelial cell (SBEC) surface, similar to that observed with both brain microvascular endothelial cells from a patient who died of cerebral malaria and the rhesus monkey/P. coatneyi cerebral malaria model. The involvement of pseudopodes and microvilli increase the endothelial cell surface for the attachment of IRBCs; however, they are already present before the SBECs are exposed to IRBCs. With some SBEC phenotypes, embedding of IRBCs into the cytoplasma membrane of the endothelial cell was observed, resulting in an extremely close apposition of both SBEC and IRBC membranes during the adherence process. Once IRBCs are adherent, particularly for the embedding type, heterocellular communication-like structures between the cells become apparent. The upregulation of CD36 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 by soluble recombinant (sr)-tumor necrosis factor-alpha or sr-interferon-gamma did not modify the IRBC interactions with SBECs at the ultrastructural level. The study shows further that the observed differences of IRBC adherence are due to unidentified phenotypic differences of SBECs rather than to a parasite isolate or particular endothelial cell receptor-associated phenomenon. Exploring P. falciparum IRBC cytoadherence in the squirrel monkey using a homologous physiologic target cell model in vitro should be useful for the evaluation of vaccine strategies and drugs to prevent human cerebral malaria.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of brain microvascular endothelial cells from Saimiri monkeys. An in vitro model for sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes.

The adhesion of parasitized red blood cells (PRBC) to the endothelium (sequestration) may contribute to the pathogenic events in severe human malaria caused by P. falciparum. However, the factors involved in the pathophysiology, especially cerebral malaria are poorly understood. Previously, we have shown that the squirrel monkey Saimiri sciureus is a potential model for human cerebral malaria. In this paper we describe five stable clones of endothelial cell lines isolated immediately postmortem from different regions of the brain of Saimiri monkeys. The endothelial cell characteristics of these clones were confirmed by analyzing their ultrastructural aspects by transmission electron microscopy and by immunodetection of various endothelial cell markers. The Saimiri brain endothelial cell clones (SBEC) varied in their expression of different surface molecules. For example, various combinations of receptors involved in P. falciparum PRBC adherence such as CD36, ICAM-1 and E-selectin, were expressed at baseline values and could be up-regulated by human srTNF-alpha and human srIFN-gamma. One of the SBEC clones showed a strong cytoadherence for various laboratory strains of P. falciparum despite the absence of surface expression of any of the known endothelial receptors implicated in PRBC adherence. This finding suggests the existence of a new and uncharacterized PRBC binding receptor. The use of target organ specific endothelial cell lines expressing a number of different potential P. falciparum PRBC cytoadherence receptors, will be a useful in vitro system for the evaluation of strategies for the development of vaccine and antimalarial drugs to prevent human cerebral malaria.

Animals↗

Karyotype analysis of virulent Plasmodium falciparum strains propagated in Saimiri sciureus: strain adaptation leads to deletion of the RESA gene.

The squirrel monkey, Saimiri sciureus, is an important experimental model for the study of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. A detailed karyotype analysis of four different P. falciparum strains propagated in S. sciureus was done using various subtelomeric antigen gene probes. We observed deletion of the complete RESA gene from chromosome 1 in all four strains. Interestingly, a loss of RESA was observed immediately upon adaptation to the squirrel monkey, suggesting that this DNA rearrangement is fundamental for the P. falciparum infection of S. sciureus erythrocytes. However, a RESA-specific gene probe hybridized with chromosome 1 of wild isolates from 28 different patients, indicating that this gene is maintained during infection of humans.

Animals↗

Manipulating blood T cells and B cells from squirrel monkeys: some technical considerations.

The squirrel monkey Saimiri sciureus is an experimental host for a range of human pathogens, and for the assessment of vaccine candidate antigens and vaccine strategies. This experimental host is thus particularly suitable for the follow-up of humoral responses. To understand some of the mechanisms that underlie the defense against experimental pathogens, there is a need of basic knowledge on cellular immune effectors also. The authors report here their experience in characterizing squirrel monkey blood T and B lymphocytes, and in studying in vitro induced activation and proliferation of T and B cells. Particular emphasis is given to the in vitro differentiation of squirrel monkey B cells into immunoglobulin secreting cells, with respect to Plasmodium falciparum antigens.

Animals↗

Plasmodium falciparum: the Pf332 antigen is secreted from the parasite by a brefeldin A-dependent pathway and is translocated to the erythrocyte membrane via the Maurer's clefts.

The transport of the megadalton protein Pf332 was studied during the asexual bloodstage development of Plasmodium falciparum. Four mouse monoclonal antibodies, produced against a recombinant polypeptide derived from the Pf332 protein, were used to analyze the kinetics of synthesis, the subcellular location, and transport of this giant molecule to the erythrocyte membrane. After parasite invasion of a red blood cell, the Pf332 antigen is first detected in young trophozoites at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane or in the cytoplasm of the erythrocyte as large vesicle-like structures. The number of vesicles increases during maturation of the parasite and thus forms a rim-like immunofluorescence pattern between the erythrocyte membrane and the parasitophorous vacuole at very late stages. The various anti-Pf332 antibodies react with the surface of erythrocytes infected with very mature parasites (segmenter stage 42-46 hr postinvasion). Immunoelectron microscopic analysis shows that the Pf332 antigen is transported in association with Maurer's clefts in the cytoplasm of the erythrocyte. This transport could be completely blocked by Brefeldin A, resulting in the accumulation of the antigen within the parasite. These data strongly suggest that the Pf332 antigen is exported to the erythrocyte cytoplasm via the classical Golgi secretory pathway.

Animals↗

Immunogenicity and antigenicity of a Plasmodium falciparum protein fraction (90-110 kDa) able to protect squirrel monkeys against asexual blood stages.

A monkey vaccination trial using a Plasmodium falciparum protein fraction containing antigens of 90-110 kDa is reported. The fraction was obtained by electroelution from preparative polyacrylamide gels. Three monkeys out of five resisted a heavy challenge dose of highly virulent parasites. Using specific antisera, several components of the fraction were identified, namely heat shock protein 90 (hsp90), Ag44/RhopH3, ABRA, 96tR/GBP130 and Pf96 protease. The fraction did not contain KAHRP, nor the SERP antigen. The antibody response of the monkeys was studied on these individual antigens purified by preparative immunoprecipitation. Surprisingly, hsp90 was found in the immunoprecipitates obtained with SERP antisera. Interestingly, the response to hsp90 correlated with protection, high antibody titres being found only in the protected monkeys. In contrast, no correlation with protection could be found for the response to the other antigens.

Animals↗

Synthetic peptides based on motifs present in human band 3 protein inhibit cytoadherence/sequestration of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Synthetic peptides patterned on the amino acid sequences found in two exofacial regions of band 3 protein (residues 824-829 of loop 7 and residues 547-553 of loop 3) blocked, in a dose-dependent fashion, the in vitro adherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes to C32 amelanotic melanoma cells. Intravenous infusion of these synthetic peptides into Aotus and Saimiri monkeys infected with sequestering isolates of P. falciparum resulted in the appearance of mature forms of the parasite in the peripheral circulation. The finding that the peptides were effective as adhesion blockers in the micromolar range suggests that cerebral malaria could be managed through antiadhesion therapy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In vitro phagocytosis inhibition assay for the screening of potential candidate antigens for sub-unit vaccines against the asexual blood stage of Plasmodium falciparum.

We have previously established a direct correlation between immune protection against the asexual blood stage Plasmodium falciparum infection and the presence of opsonizing antibodies promoting phagocytosis of parasitized red blood cells. In the present communication we describe an in vitro assay for measuring phagocytosis inhibition (PIA) specific for P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes. The phagocytosis inhibition assay is a simple procedure for screening potential candidates for sub-unit vaccines against P. falciparum based on the correlation between opsonizing antibodies and immunoprotection. The assay was used to analyse 18 recombinant molecules, corresponding to 11 distinct antigens of P. falciparum. Pre-incubation and selective antibody depletion experiments demonstrate the antigen-antibody specificity of the PIA. The presence of epitopes participating as targets of opsonic antibodies were demonstrated in six distinct polypeptide antigens.

Animals↗

Comparison of the effects of adjuvants and adjuvant doses on the quantitative and qualitative antibody response to selected antigens in New World squirrel monkeys Saimiri sciureus.

The effect of several adjuvants and of adjuvant doses on the quantitative and qualitative antibody response to tetanus toxoid (TT) and a recombinant herpes simplex virus peptide (HSVgD) was evaluated in the New World monkey Saimiri sciureus. All adjuvant formulations were effective in inducing a strong antibody response to these antigens. The qualitative antibody response, as defined by monoclonal antibodies 3A2/G6 and 4G3/B5, was determined. Only 3A2/G6+ antibodies were induced after immunization with HSVgD irrespective of the adjuvant used and after immunization with TT alone. However, both types of antibodies were induced against TT in the presence of the adjuvants tested. These data suggest that both adjuvant and antigens can intervene in driving the quality of the antibody response induced after immunization. Strong antibody response to TT was induced at any adjuvant dose tested, suggesting that lower doses are as effective as higher doses. These findings can have implications on the design of future trials of vaccine candidate constructs in monkeys and eventually in human beings.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Successful primate immunization with peptides conjugated to purified protein derivative or mycobacterial heat shock proteins in the absence of adjuvants.

We have previously shown in mice that antibodies can be induced to synthetic malaria peptides conjugated to mycobacterial antigens, such as purified protein derivative (PPD) or heat shock proteins (hsp), and given in the absence of adjuvants after a previous priming with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). In the present study we investigated this model of immunization in the non-human primates, Saimiri sciureus monkeys. Monkeys primed with BCG subcutaneously and then immunized subcutaneously with the Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite (NANP)40 synthetic peptide conjugated to PPD or mycobacterial hsp of 65 or 70 kD, in the absence of adjuvants, produced antipeptide and anti-sporozoite IgG antibodies. Interestingly, the carrier effect of the hsp of 70 kD for the induction of anti-(NANP)40 antibodies was also observed in the absence of a previous priming with BCG. These data suggest that such a vaccination strategy may be applied to humans.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Experimental Plasmodium falciparum cerebral malaria in the squirrel monkey Saimiri sciureus.

Infection of the squirrel monkey, Saimiri sciureus, with several strains of Plasmodium falciparum leads in a proportion of animals to neurological symptoms with a fatal outcome. This first simian model for human cerebral malaria was studied with three strains of parasites, the uncloned Palo Alto(FUP-1) strain, the Palo AltoPLF3 clone MHB11, and the recently monkey-adapted P. falciparum strain IPC/RAY. Cerebral malaria could develop during primo infection of monkeys, whether the animals had been splenectomized or not. It did not occur in all animals and the appearance of neurological symptoms could not be predicted, as it was not related to the degree of parasitemia or duration of parasite infections.

Animals↗

Protection of squirrel monkeys against virulent Plasmodium falciparum infections by use of attenuated parasites.

We previously showed that the Uganda Palo Alto line of Plasmodium falciparum propagated in Saimiri monkeys and the line maintained in culture in human erythrocytes for many years in our laboratory are genetically unrelated (T. Fandeur, S. Bonnefoy, and O. Mercereau-Puijalon, Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 47:167, 1991). When injected into a splenectomized Saimiri monkey, the in vitro-derived Palo Alto population procured a long-lasting, low-grade parasitemia that was spontaneously resolved by the animal. This line was propagated by serial blood transfers in two other monkeys without enhancement of the virulence of the parasites. The genetic characteristics of parasite samples corresponding to the different passages of the line in monkeys were stable for the several markers examined (pPF11.1, MSA1, and MSA2), although microheterogeneity was detected in telomeric and subtelomeric regions of chromosomes. Interestingly, in vitro-derived Palo Alto parasites induced a strong, potent immunity that enabled the monkeys to completely block subsequent challenge with two different heterologous lethal P. falciparum lines. These attenuated parasites are thus genetically stable in monkeys and represent an attractive model for assessing the feasibility of a live attenuated malaria vaccine.

Animals↗

Mechanisms of protective immunity against asexual blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum in the experimental host Saimiri.

In the Saimiri monkey, an experimental host for human malaria, acquired protection against Plasmodium falciparum blood stages depends on the IgG antibody populations developed. In vivo protective anti-falciparum activity of IgG antibodies is correlated with the in vitro opsonizing activity promoting phagocytosis of parasitized red blood cells. In contrast, non protective antibodies inhibit this mechanism by competing at the target level. A similar phenomenon can be observed in human infection. Anti-cytoadherent and anti-rosette antibodies developed by Saimiri and humans prevent the development of physiopathological events like cerebral malaria which can also occur in this experimental host. Furthermore, transfer to protective human anti-falciparum IgG antibodies into infected Saimiri monkeys exerts an anti parasite activity as efficient as that observed when it is transferred into acute falciparum malaria patients, making the Saimiri an even more attractive host. Studies on the role of immunocompetent cells in the protective immune response are still in their infancy, however the existence of a restricted polymorphism of MHC II class molecules in the Saimiri confers additional theoretical and practical importance to this model.

Animals↗

Occurrence of severe leptospirosis in a breeding colony of squirrel monkeys.

Although experimental leptospirosis has been studied in various species of monkeys, the occurrence of acute leptospirosis in a population of nonhuman primates is uncommon. We report on a number of severe cases of icterohemorrhagic leptospirosis that appeared in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) colony of 109 animals at the Institute Pasteur in French Guiana. Initially, 11 animals had acute illness, with jaundice and a hemorrhagic syndrome, leading to 10 deaths. Two Leptospira interrogans strains were isolated from blood cultures of sick monkeys, and one was isolated from the urine of a rat trapped in the breeding park. All three belonged to serovar copenhageni, and tests using monoclonal antibodies showed that these three strains were extremely similar. In the following weeks, five pregnant female monkeys had miscarriages; two of them had antibodies against the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup. An epidemiologic study conducted on the 93 remaining animals demonstrated a seropositivity rate of 26% (microagglutination test [MAT] titer greater than or equal to 100) primarily for the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup, but also for the Ballum, Grippotyphosa, Sejroe, and Panama serogroups. In addition, 12% showed lower MAT titers (50) for the same serogroups. Lastly, recently trapped feral squirrel monkeys were shown to have agglutinins against the Grippotyphosa and Sejroe serogroups. A vaccine, which was prepared from one of the strains isolated, was used in addition to antibiotic prophylaxis to control the enzootic disease. This confirms that the squirrel monkey is highly susceptible to icterohemorrhagic leptospirosis and is probably receptive to other serogroups, and that this animal may be useful in studying experimental leptospirosis and for testing new human vaccines.

Acute Disease↗

Disruption of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte rosettes by standard heparin and heparin devoid of anticoagulant activity.

We have studied the ability of heparin to disrupt spontaneous rosettes formed between Plasmodium falciparum-infected and uninfected red blood cells, which has been proposed to have importance in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria. Substantial variation in this activity was found among six laboratory stains of P. falciparum. Rosettes formed by three of these strains were highly sensitive to heparin (50% disruption at 0.5-25 micrograms/ml; 1 microgram/ml corresponds to 0.15 IU/ml). The rosettes formed by two other strains showed a much lower sensitivity (50% disruption at 700-2,500 micrograms/ml), while the rosettes formed by another strain were almost completely resistant to heparin (20% disruption at 6,500 micrograms/ml). The ability of heparin (65 or 650 micrograms/ml) to disrupt rosettes formed by 54 fresh Gambian isolates of P. falciparum also varied. Rosettes of 27 (50%) of the 54 isolates were disrupted to a significant degree (greater than or equal to 15%), while rosettes of the other 27 isolates remained unaffected at the concentrations tested. Heparin was fractionated by molecular weight and/or affinity for antithrombin III. We found that its property of rosette disruption was associated, to some extent, with size (high molecular weight) but not with its anticoagulant potential (affinity for antithrombin III). A heparin fraction with low affinity for antithrombin III and one with combined high molecular weight and low affinity for antithrombin III were as effective at disrupting rosettes as standard heparin, while a chemically modified (N-acetylated) high molecular weight-heparin fraction, similarly devoid of anticoagulant activity, lacked strong anti-rosette potential.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The squirrel monkey as an experimental model for Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte rosette formation.

Experimental cerebral malaria was recently found to occur in the squirrel monkey Saimiri sciureus when infected with the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This report is concerned with the existence of spontaneous rosette formation ex vivo (infected blood samples) and in vitro (cultured parasites) between red blood cells (RBC) infected with squirrel monkey-adapted P. falciparum isolates and normal squirrel monkey RBC. Transfer of P. falciparum with high rosette formation tendencies (90-100 R+) from one donor monkey to several recipients gave rise to parasites that varied extensively in their ex vivo rosette formation capacity (4-96% R+). However, all individual parasites readily form rosettes after 24 hr of in vitro culture (60-95% R+). Host factors may be involved in the modulation of rosette formation, although it is found to occur both in splenectomized and spleen-intact animals. Cross-rosette formation is seen between parasitized human RBC and normal squirrel monkey RBC and vice versa, and rosettes formed by RBC of the two hosts are similarly affected by pH, temperature, EDTA, trypsin, as well as squirrel monkey and African human hyperimmune IgG. These characteristics of rosette formation are preserved after long-term in vitro culture in human RBC. Rosettes formed by some isolates are highly sensitive to heparin while others are not, suggesting at least two distinct mechanisms of rosette formation. This idea is also supported by the observation that specific squirrel monkey antisera to heparin-sensitive strains does not dissociate rosettes formed by a heparin-resistant strain. The results suggest that rosettes and anti-rosette formation antibodies formed by squirrel monkeys and humans exhibited similar characteristics, and that the squirrel monkey is therefore a good experimental model to study erythrocyte rosette formation and cerebral malaria.

Animals↗