Malaria is a devastating disease that continues to affect millions of people worldwide every year. Specifically, Plasmodium falciparum is the most common human malaria parasite, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. P. falciparum causes the most malignant and debilitating symptoms with the highest mortality and complication rates. Even with the worldwide efforts of many researchers and organizations, the road to discovering a vaccine has been difficult and challenging. Due do to the improvements in in vitro liver stage assays as well as rodent models of mammalian malaria, pre-erythrocytic stages of malaria have become a more accessible target for experimental studies. These vaccine candidates target Plasmodium sporozoites in the liver and liver stages to prevent development to the blood-stage forms, which is responsible for the debilitating symptoms of the disease. Scanning electron microscopy has been used for decades to provide insight on the morphology and topography of specimens, which cannot be seen through a light microscope. The purpose of this study was to analyze the morphology of sporozoites with some target antibodies. Sporozoites have previously shown uncharacterized appearances and development in an immunofluorescent stain at different concentrations of particular antibodies. With this further understanding on the morphological impact few of the target antibodies have on sporozoites through scanning electron microscopy, further grasp can be acquired.

Antikörper gegen Circumsporozoite protein (CSP), ein Oberflächenantigen von Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), können sterile Immunität hervorrufen und dadurch die Entwicklung von Malaria im Tierversuch verhindern. Im Menschen werden protektive B-Zell Gedächtnisantworten gegen CSP durch natürliche Malariaerkrankung bzw. Vakzinierung jedoch nur unzureichend erzeugt. - Für die Entwicklung von Gedächtnis-B-Zellen stellt die Affinitätsreifung, welche durch somatische Immungobulin Hypermutation sowie der nachfolgenden Selektion von B-Zellen mit verbesserter Antigenaffinität charakterisiert ist, eine Schlüsselfunktion in der Generierung von protektiven Immunantworten dar. Wie Affinitätsreifung gegen CSP im Menschen stattfindet ist jedoch nicht bekannt. In dieser Arbeit wird die Affinitätsreifung von CSP Gedächtnis B-Zellen auf Einzelzellebene im Menschen über drei kontrollierte Infektionen mit Pf Sporozoiten unter Chemoprophylaxe untersucht. Durch Hochdurchsatz-Einzelzell-Sequenzierung der Immunoglobulin (Ig) gene loci und der Produktion von rekombinanten monoklonalen Antikörpern gewährt diese Arbeit Einsicht in die Selektion und Affinitätsreifung von humanen Gedächtnis-B-Zell Antworten gegen komplexe Proteinantigene und identifiziert Keimbahn kodierte Immunglobulin Charakteristika, die mit hoher CSP-Affinität und Pf-Inhibition einhergehen. Überraschenderweise zeigen die Daten, dass initiale klonale Selektion von hochaffinen B Zellen eine weitaus wichtigere Rolle als Affinitätsreifung in dieser Infektion spielt. Diese Arbeit zeigt fundamentale Eigenschaften von humanen Gedächtnisantworten in einer komplexen Parasiteninfektion und liefert die Grundlage für ein mögliches Design von neuartigen Immunogenen um hoch-affine B-Zellen gegen CSP effizienter zu induzieren. / Antibodies against the major Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) sporozoite surface protein, circumsporozoite protein (CSP), can mediate sterile immunity thereby preventing malaria disease symptoms as shown by passive transfer in animal models. However, protective anti- CSP memory antibody responses are not efficiently induced by natural Pf exposure or vaccination. Affinity maturation, i.e. the diversification of antigen-activated naïve precursor B cells by a somatic immunoglobulin (Ig) gene mutation process and the subsequent selection of B cells expressing antigen receptors with improved antigen affinity in germinal center reactions is considered key to the formation of protective memory B cell responses. However, how the anti-PfCSP memory B cell response matures in humans is not known. To address this question, the clonal evolution of the human anti-Pf CSP memory B cell response over three successive controlled Pf infections under chemoprophylaxis was assessed at single cell level by high throughput paired full-length Ig gene sequencing and recombinant monoclonal antibody production. The work provides basic insights in the longitudinal development of human memory B cell responses and identified germline-encoded Ig gene features that were associated with high anti-CSP affinity and Pf inhibitory antibody activity. The clonal selection of germline B cells expressing such antibodies, rather than affinity maturation, was associated with high quality anti-PfCSP memory B cell responses. The data provide insights into the evolution of antibody response to a complex protein antigen during infection and a strong rational for the design of novel CSP immunogens to target naïve B cell precursors expressing potent anti-CSP antibodies for the induction of protective memory B cell responses by vaccination.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-11Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:21:45Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 melo_lms_dr_sjrp.pdf: 6146654 bytes, checksum: 861736c4cd6f9884be922b051977e3fb (MD5) / O presente estudo avaliou a resposta de anticorpos contra diferentes antígenos de merozoíto e esporozoíto de Plasmodium vivax, relacionando com as variantes da porção repetitiva do domínio central do gene da Proteína Circunsporozoítica (CSP) do parasito (VK210, VK247 e P. vivax-like) e com os polimorfismos do HLA-DRB1 no hospedeiro humano. A resposta de anticorpos foi avaliada para peptídeos das regiões conservadas e centrais variáveis da CSP, da porção N-terminal da Proteína de Superfície do Merozoíto 1-MSP1 (Pv200L), e recombinante do Antígeno 1 de Membrana Apical (AMA-1) e a Proteína de ligação ao Duffy (DBP) por ELISA, em amostras de plasma de pacientes naturalmente infectados com P. vivax. Inicialmente nós avaliamos a distribuição destas variantes da CSP em cinco diferentes áreas da Amazônia a fim de entender sua atual dinâmica de transmissão. A variante VK210 continua sendo a mais prevalente em todas as áreas estudadas. No entanto, pela primeira vez documentamos a presença das variantes VK247 e P. vivax-like como infecções simples na Amazônia brasileira evidenciando um novo perfil distribuição destas, o que possa sugerir um processo de adaptação das mesmas. Quando comparamos a resposta de anticorpos e a infecção pelas variantes de P. vivax, não foram observadas associações significativas entre a presença de determinada variante da CSP e a freqüência de resposta de anticorpos contra os três peptídeos do merozoíto analisados, MSP1 (Pv200L), AMA-1 e DBP e nem contra as frações conservadas da CSP no esporozíto, N-terminal [N] e C-terminal [C]. A falta de associações significativas entre resposta sorológica contra esses peptídeos fornece informações promissoras quanto à utilização destes antígenos para o desenvolvimento de uma vacina contra malária. Todavia, a variação na porção central da CSP deve ser considerada... / The present study evaluated the antibody response against merozoite and sporozoite antigens of Plasmodium vivax and its relationship with the variants of the repetitive central region of the gene for Circunsporozoite protein (CSP) in parasite (VK210, VK247 and P. vivax-like) and, with the HLA-DRB1 polymorphisms in human host. The antibody response to synthetic peptides of the CSP conserved and variable regions and of the N-terminal portion of Merozoite surface protein - MSP1 (Pv200L), and, to recombinants peptides of the Apical Membrane Antige 1 (AMA-1) and of the Duffy Binding Protein (DBP) was evaluable by ELISA in plasma samples of malaria patients naturally infected with P. vivax. Firstly, we evaluated the CSP variants distribution among five different areas from Brazilian Amazon, in order to understand their current dynamic of transmissions. VK210 variant remains the most prevalent in all study areas. However, it is the first detection of VK247 e P. vivax-like variants as simple infection in the Brazilian Amazon, showing a new distribution profile, which may suggest an adaptation process of them. When comparing the antibody response and infection by variants of P. vivax, there were no significant associations between the presence of particular CSP variant and the frequency of antibody response against all three merozoite peptides analyzed, MSP1 (Pv200L), AMA-1, DBP and against the CSP conserved fractions in the sporozoite, N-terminal and C-terminal. The lack of significant associations among immune response against these peptides provides promising information regarding the use of these antigens for malaria vaccine development. On the other hand, the central variability of CSP should be considered to employment of this region as an immunogen, since the antibody response appears to be variant-specific. In order to evaluate the polymorphisms... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

A busca de adjuvantes que estimulem de forma eficiente à resposta imune celular representa uma importante contribuição para a pesquisa de vacinas. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi a avaliação do efeito imunoestimulador de flagelinas expressas por linhagens de Salmonella sp., particularmente na ativação de respostas mediadas por células T CD8+, ao antígeno modelo ovalbumina. Em uma segunda etapa, foram investigados os efeitos adjuvantes da flagelina FliCd frente a um epítopo T CD8+, específico da proteína CS de P. yoelli. Animais foram imunizados com linhagens atenuadas de S. Dublin que expressam flagelinas geneticamente fusionadas ao epítopo CS ou com flagelina purificada co-administrada ou geneticamente fusionada ao antígeno alvo. A ativação de células T CD8+, foi monitorada por ELISPOT após estimulação com peptídeos específicos. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que a FliCd é capaz de modular o sistema imune, atuando particularmente na ativação de respostas mediadas por células T CD8+, sugerindo seu potencial para a composição de vacinas terapêuticas. / The search for adjuvants stimulating efficient cellular immune responses represents an important contribution in vaccine research. In the present work, we evaluated immunostimulatory effect of flagellins expressed by Salmonella sp. strains, particularly on activation of CD8+, T cells using ovalbumin as a model antigen. Secondly, we explored the adjuvant effect of the FliCd flagellin using an epitope from the CS protein of P. yoelli. Mice were immunized with S. Dublin strains that express flagellin genetically fused to CS epitope or purified flagellin co-administrated or genetically fused to the target antigen. The CD8+, T cells activation was monitored by ELISPOT after stimulation with specific peptides. Our results show that FliCd flagellin modulates the immune system, increasing CD8+, T cell activation, unveiling its potencial use in therapeutic vaccine approaches.

Orientador: Ricardo Luiz Dantas Machado / Banca: Cláudio Tadeu Daniel Ribeiro / Banca: Érika Martins Braga / Banca: Claudia Regina Bonini Domingos / Banca: Érika Cristina Pavarino Bertelli / Resumo: O presente estudo avaliou a resposta de anticorpos contra diferentes antígenos de merozoíto e esporozoíto de Plasmodium vivax, relacionando com as variantes da porção repetitiva do domínio central do gene da Proteína Circunsporozoítica (CSP) do parasito (VK210, VK247 e P. vivax-like) e com os polimorfismos do HLA-DRB1 no hospedeiro humano. A resposta de anticorpos foi avaliada para peptídeos das regiões conservadas e centrais variáveis da CSP, da porção N-terminal da Proteína de Superfície do Merozoíto 1-MSP1 (Pv200L), e recombinante do Antígeno 1 de Membrana Apical (AMA-1) e a Proteína de ligação ao Duffy (DBP) por ELISA, em amostras de plasma de pacientes naturalmente infectados com P. vivax. Inicialmente nós avaliamos a distribuição destas variantes da CSP em cinco diferentes áreas da Amazônia a fim de entender sua atual dinâmica de transmissão. A variante VK210 continua sendo a mais prevalente em todas as áreas estudadas. No entanto, pela primeira vez documentamos a presença das variantes VK247 e P. vivax-like como infecções simples na Amazônia brasileira evidenciando um novo perfil distribuição destas, o que possa sugerir um processo de adaptação das mesmas. Quando comparamos a resposta de anticorpos e a infecção pelas variantes de P. vivax, não foram observadas associações significativas entre a presença de determinada variante da CSP e a freqüência de resposta de anticorpos contra os três peptídeos do merozoíto analisados, MSP1 (Pv200L), AMA-1 e DBP e nem contra as frações conservadas da CSP no esporozíto, N-terminal [N] e C-terminal [C]. A falta de associações significativas entre resposta sorológica contra esses peptídeos fornece informações promissoras quanto à utilização destes antígenos para o desenvolvimento de uma vacina contra malária. Todavia, a variação na porção central da CSP deve ser considerada... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The present study evaluated the antibody response against merozoite and sporozoite antigens of Plasmodium vivax and its relationship with the variants of the repetitive central region of the gene for Circunsporozoite protein (CSP) in parasite (VK210, VK247 and P. vivax-like) and, with the HLA-DRB1 polymorphisms in human host. The antibody response to synthetic peptides of the CSP conserved and variable regions and of the N-terminal portion of Merozoite surface protein - MSP1 (Pv200L), and, to recombinants peptides of the Apical Membrane Antige 1 (AMA-1) and of the Duffy Binding Protein (DBP) was evaluable by ELISA in plasma samples of malaria patients naturally infected with P. vivax. Firstly, we evaluated the CSP variants distribution among five different areas from Brazilian Amazon, in order to understand their current dynamic of transmissions. VK210 variant remains the most prevalent in all study areas. However, it is the first detection of VK247 e P. vivax-like variants as simple infection in the Brazilian Amazon, showing a new distribution profile, which may suggest an adaptation process of them. When comparing the antibody response and infection by variants of P. vivax, there were no significant associations between the presence of particular CSP variant and the frequency of antibody response against all three merozoite peptides analyzed, MSP1 (Pv200L), AMA-1, DBP and against the CSP conserved fractions in the sporozoite, N-terminal and C-terminal. The lack of significant associations among immune response against these peptides provides promising information regarding the use of these antigens for malaria vaccine development. On the other hand, the central variability of CSP should be considered to employment of this region as an immunogen, since the antibody response appears to be variant-specific. In order to evaluate the polymorphisms... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

A busca de adjuvantes que estimulem de forma eficiente à resposta imune celular representa uma importante contribuição para a pesquisa de vacinas. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi a avaliação do efeito imunoestimulador de flagelinas expressas por linhagens de Salmonella sp., particularmente na ativação de respostas mediadas por células T CD8+, ao antígeno modelo ovalbumina. Em uma segunda etapa, foram investigados os efeitos adjuvantes da flagelina FliCd frente a um epítopo T CD8+, específico da proteína CS de P. yoelli. Animais foram imunizados com linhagens atenuadas de S. Dublin que expressam flagelinas geneticamente fusionadas ao epítopo CS ou com flagelina purificada co-administrada ou geneticamente fusionada ao antígeno alvo. A ativação de células T CD8+, foi monitorada por ELISPOT após estimulação com peptídeos específicos. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que a FliCd é capaz de modular o sistema imune, atuando particularmente na ativação de respostas mediadas por células T CD8+, sugerindo seu potencial para a composição de vacinas terapêuticas. / The search for adjuvants stimulating efficient cellular immune responses represents an important contribution in vaccine research. In the present work, we evaluated immunostimulatory effect of flagellins expressed by Salmonella sp. strains, particularly on activation of CD8+, T cells using ovalbumin as a model antigen. Secondly, we explored the adjuvant effect of the FliCd flagellin using an epitope from the CS protein of P. yoelli. Mice were immunized with S. Dublin strains that express flagellin genetically fused to CS epitope or purified flagellin co-administrated or genetically fused to the target antigen. The CD8+, T cells activation was monitored by ELISPOT after stimulation with specific peptides. Our results show that FliCd flagellin modulates the immune system, increasing CD8+, T cell activation, unveiling its potencial use in therapeutic vaccine approaches.

Submitted by Maria Aparecida (cidazen@gmail.com) on 2017-11-13T14:56:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Bruno de Paulo Ribeiro.pdf: 5961190 bytes, checksum: b316a82f1788938af665bf050e74095d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-13T14:56:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bruno de Paulo Ribeiro.pdf: 5961190 bytes, checksum: b316a82f1788938af665bf050e74095d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-11-09 / CAPES, CNPq, FAPEMA / Mechanisms involved in severe P. vivax malaria remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the influence of different Circumsporozoite Protein (CSP) variants on circulating plasma cytokines, parasite load and enzymes as arginase, nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), variables that determine the malária outcome, in individuals infected with Plasmodium vivax from a pre-Amazon area from Brazil. Samples of 25 patients infected exclusively with P. vivax and 9 healthy controls were collected and processed to obtain plasma, erythrocytes and mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Acute infection increases IL-6 and IL-10 and reduction TGF- compared to healthy controls. Only 8 patients had detectable concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-2, IL-4, TNF-, and IL-17 cytokines showed very low or undetectable concentrations in both groups. The activities of arginase and SOD were similarly increased in patients, whereas NOS2 activity, assessed indirectly by nitrite production, was unchanged relative to healthy subjects. CSP polymorphisms showed influence on the results. In addition to inducing the highest parasite loads in relation to VK210, VK247 variant also had higher concentrations of IL-6. Although IL-6 and IL-10 has been correlated in plasma, this correlation was only maintained in individuals infected with VK210. VK210 has also been shown to be related to the arginase activity increase, which may be related to the IL-10 increase induced by this variant. Polymorphisms of CSP and parasite load did not influence SOD activity. The systemic influence of the parasite was determinant for the observed profiles since all parameters of the host immune response that were altered in plasma returned to normal levels in the 48 h PBMCs culture supernatant. Finally, although increased in the patients, the production of IL- 10 followed against TGF- levels. This, associated to the increased levels of arginase, indicate that IL-10 may be produced by an alternative source in malaria. Thus, we propose that regulatory macrophages have an important role in the acute phase of vivax malaria and that CSP polymorphisms directly affect the control of the inflamed response and, consequently, the infection outcome. / Os mecanismos envolvidos na gravidade da malária causada por P. vivax ainda não foram completamente esclarecidos. Neste estudo foi avaliada a influência das diferentes variantes da Proteína Circunsporozoíta (CSP) sobre os níveis de citocinas plasmáticas, da carga parasitária e das enzimas arginase, óxido nítrico sintase (NOS2) e superóxido dismutase (SOD), variáveis que influenciam diretamente o desfecho da infecção, utilizando indivíduos infectados com Plasmodium vivax provenientes de uma área da pré-Amazônia brasileira. Amostras de 25 pacientes infectados exclusivamente por P. vivax e 9 controles saudáveis foram coletadas e processadas para obtenção do plasma, dos eritrócitos e das células mononucleares (PBMCs). A infecção aguda induziu aumentos nos níveis de IL-6 e IL-10 e redução nos níveis de TGF- em relação aos controles saudáveis. Apenas 8 pacientes tiveram concentrações detectáveis de IFN-  e as citocinas IL-2, IL-4, TNF- e IL-17 apresentaram concentrações muito baixas ou indetectáveis em ambos os grupos. As atividades de arginase e SOD estavam igualmente aumentadas, ao passo que a atividade de NOS2, avaliada indiretamente pela produção de nitritos, estava inalterada em relação aos indivíduos saudáveis. Os polimorfismos da CSP influenciaram diretamente os resultados obtidos. Além de induzir as maiores cargas parasitárias em relação à VK210, a variante VK247 também apresentou as maiores concentrações de IL-6. Apesar de IL-6 e IL-10 terem apresentado níveis correlacionados no plasma, esta correlação só se manteve nos indivíduos infectados com VK210, variante que também induziu aumento na atividade de arginase. Os polimorfismos da CSP e a carga parasitária não apresentaram correlação com as atividades da SOD e da NOS2. Ratificando que a influência sistêmica do parasito foi determinante para os perfis observados, todos os parâmetros da resposta imune do hospedeiro que estavam alterados no plasma voltaram a patamares normais no sobrenadante de cultura de 48 h das PBMCs. Por fim, apesar de aumentada nos pacientes, a produção de IL-10 não foi acompanhada pela produção de TGF-. Isto, associado aos níveis aumentados de arginase observados, indicam que a IL-10 pode estar sendo produzida por uma fonte alternativa na malária. Desta forma, propomos que macrófagos reguladores têm importante participação na fase aguda da malária vivax e que os polimorfismos da CSP afetam diretamente o controle da resposta inflamatória e, consequentemente, o desfecho da infecção.

Plasmodien spp. sind obligat intrazellulär lebende Parasiten, welche einen evolutionär konservierten aktinabhängigen molekularen Motor für die Fortbewegung und den Wirtszellein- und -austritt nutzen. In dieser Arbeit werden die Aktinregulatoren Adenylyl- Zyklase- assoziierte Protein (C-CAP), Profilin sowie die Aktin depolymerizierenden Faktoren 1 und 2 (ADF1, ADF2) in Plasmodium berghei charakterisiert. Die Geninaktivierung von C-CAP besitzt keinen Einfluss auf die Entwicklung von pathogenen Blutstadien. C-cap(-) Ookineten bewegen sich jedoch deutlich langsamer, sind aber in der Lage den invertebraten Wirt zu infizieren. Defekte treten während der extrazellulären Replikationsphase im Mosquito auf und führen zu Abbruch des Lebenszykluses. Die erfolgreiche Komplementierung der Defekte mit dem orthologen Gen aus Cryptosporidium parvum CpC-CAP bestätigt die funktionale Redundanz zwischen beiden Proteinen. Profilin, als ein weiteres G-Aktin bindendes Protein, ist hingegen nicht in der Lage die Defekte des c-cap(-) Parasiten auszugleichen. Mittels transgener Parasiten welche ein C-CAPmCherry Fusionsprotein exprimieren, wird das C-CAP Protein im Zytoplasma lokalisiert. Erstmals wird mit dieser Arbeit ein G-Aktin bindendes Protein, C-CAP beschrieben, welches eine essentielle Funktion während der Oozystenreifung in Plasmodium berghei besitzt. Die Transkription der Aktinregulatoren Profilin, ADF1 und ADF2 wird in Sporozoiten drastisch herunterreguliert und Profilin kann als Protein nicht mehr nachgewiesen werden. Um die Funktion von C-CAP und Profilin zu überprüfen, wurden beide Proteine spezifisch in Sporozoiten überexprimiert. Diese Parasiten sind nicht in der Lage die Speicheldrüsen des Wirtes zu besiedeln, was zum Abbruch des Lebenszykluses führt. Anhand dieser Ergebnisse entwickele ich ein „minimalistisches“ Model zur Beschreibung der Aktinregulation in Sporozoiten in welchem das ADF1 als regulatorisches Protein im Mittelpunkt steht. / Plasmodium spp. are obligate intracellular parasites, which employ an conserved actin-dependent molecular motor machinery that facilitates their motility, host cell invasion and egress. In this work I report implications of the actin-regulators adenylyl cyclase-associated protein (C-CAP), profilin and actin depolymerization factor 1 and 2 (ADF1, ADF2) in distinct and previously unanticipated cellular processes during the life cycle of in the rodent malarial parasite Plasmodium berghei. Fluorescent tagging of the endogenous C-CAP genetic locus with mCherry revealed cytosolic distribution of the protein. Gene deletion demonstrates that the G-actin binding protein C-CAP is entirely dispensable for the pathogenic blood stages. Ookinetes show reduced motility, but are competent infecting the mosquito host. Defects emerging in the extracellular replication phase, leading to attenuation of oocyst maturation. Successful trans-species complementation with the C. parvum C-CAP ortholog, rescues the c-cap(-) phenotype and proves functional redundancy. The actin regulator profilin fails to rescue the defects of c-cap(-) parasites, despite sharing its actin sequestering activity with C-CAP. Taken together, C-CAP is the first G-actin sequestering protein of Plasmodium species that is not required for motility but performs essential functions during oocyst maturation. Characterization of the actin regulators profilin, ADF1 and ADF2 revealed dramatic transcriptional down-regulation and the absence of the profilin protein in sporozoites. To test whether G-actin binding proteins interfere with sporozoite functions, I ectopically overexpressed of profilin and C-CAP stage-specifically in sporozoites. This conducted to abolishment of salivary gland invasion and lifecycle arrest. Based on these unexpected findings and the available literature data, I developed a “minimalistic model” for actin regulation in sporozoites that predicts ADF1 as the main actin-turnover regulating factor.