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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
1

Identification of binding partners of a novel P. falciparum exported protein

Zapata, Monica 15 April 2009 (has links)
Plasmodium falciparum is the causative agent of the most severe form of malaria. This parasite drastically modifies its host cell, the erythrocyte, to create a hospitable environment for its growth and reproduction. In order for these modifications to occur, the parasite secretes proteins into the erythrocyte. While the secretion machinery is still unknown, many secreted proteins have been found to have a hydrophobic signal sequence and a novel host-targeting signal downstream of the hydrophobic sequence. A novel P. falciparum protein has been shown to be secreted from the parasitophorous vacuole, yet it lacks both a hydrophobic signal sequence and a host-targeting signal. It was hypothesized that this protein, Pfl2110c, must interact with other proteins as it migrates into the erythrocyte. Using immunofluorescence assays and co-immunoprecipitation experiments, I found that Pfl2110c interacts with several parasite proteins as well as with the erythrocyte cytoskeleton. Therefore, Pfl2110c was renamed skeleton-binding protein 2 (SBP-2).
2

Functional genomics analysis of the effects of co-inhibition of the malarial S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase/ornithine decarboxylase

Van Brummelen, Anna Catharina 30 May 2009 (has links)
Polyamines are ubiquitous components of all living cells and their depletion usually causes growth arrest or cytostasis, a strategy employed for treatment of West-African trypanosomiasis. In the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, polyamine biosynthesis is regulated by the uniquely bifunctional protein, Sadenosylmethionine decarboxylase/ornithine decarboxylase (PfAdoMetDC/ODC). The unique nature of this protein could provide a selective mechanism for antimalarial treatment. To validate polyamine depletion and specifically PfAdoMetDC/ODC, as drug target for antimalarial therapeutic intervention, polyamine biosynthesis was completely restrained via the inhibition of both catalytic sites of PfAdoMetDC/ODC with DFMO and MDL73811. The physiological effects during the resulting cytostasis were studied with a comprehensive functional genomics approach. The study was preceded by various assays to determine the treatment dosage that would result in complete cytostasis, without non-specific chemical cytotoxicity. The results obtained revealed that the cytostatic mechanism with growth arrest of the treated parasites and normal progression of the untreated controls require special consideration for basic comparisons of response in terms of the assay methodology used and data analysis. This is particularly important when studying a multistage organism such as P. falciparum, which constantly develops and change during the intraerythrocytic developmental cycle, such that growth arrest compared to normal progression would result in significant differences merely due to stage. This critical principle was kept in mind throughout the investigation and was applied to the relative quantification of RNA, proteins and metabolites via a relative time zero approach as opposed to the standard parallel time point comparison. Three independent functional genomics investigations, namely transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics were conducted, in which highly synchronised 3D7 parasite cultures were treated during the schizont stage and parasites were sampled during a time course at three time points (just before and during cytostasis). Transcriptome analysis revealed the occurrence of a generalised transcriptional arrest just prior to the growth arrest. To our knowledge this is the first time that transcriptional arrest as the preceding mechanism of cytostasis due to polyamine depletion, was demonstrated. However, despite the transcriptional arrest, the abundance of 538 transcripts was differentially affected and included three perturbation-specific compensatory transcriptional responses: the increased abundance of the transcripts for lysine decarboxylase and ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) and the decreased abundance of that for S-adenosylmethionine synthetase (AdoMet synthetase). Pearson correlations indicated more subtle effects of the perturbation on the proteome and even more so on the metabolome where homeostasis was generally maintained, except downstream to the enzymatic blockade at PfAdoMetDC/ODC. The perturbation-specific compensatory roles of OAT in the regulation of ornithine and AdoMet synthetase in the regulation of AdoMet were confirmed on both the protein and metabolite levels, confirming their biological relevance. The results provide evidence that P. falciparum respond to alleviate the detrimental effects of polyamine depletion via the regulation of its transcriptome and subsequently the proteome and metabolome, which supports a role for transcriptional control in the regulation of polyamine and methionine metabolism within the parasite. The study concludes that polyamines are essential molecules for parasite survival and that PfAdoMetDC/ODC is a valid target for antimalarial drug development. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Biochemistry / unrestricted
3

Interactions génomes - environnement dans le système vectoriel Anopheles gambiae / P. falciparum : rôle de la flore microbienne du moustique dans la modulation du développement de P. falciparum / Genomes - environment interactions in the Anopheles gambiae vector system / P. falciparum : the role of the mosquito bacterial flora in the modulation of P. falciparum development

Tchioffo Tsapi, Majoline 19 December 2013 (has links)
Le parasite Plasmodium falciparum, responsable des formes graves du paludisme chez l'homme, est transmis par Anopheles gambiae, son principal vecteur en Afrique sub-saharienne. Les nouvelles stratégies de lutte contre la maladie visent à limiter ou à interrompre le développement du parasite chez le moustique vecteur, et il est donc nécessaire d'améliorer notre compréhension des interactions entre le vecteur, son environnement et le parasite. L'objectif de ce projet de thèse a été de caractériser la flore microbienne du vecteur An. gambiae en conditions naturelles de transmission, d'étudier le rôle des principales espèces bactériennes colonisant l'estomac du moustique sur le développement de P. falciparum et de mesurer l'influence des bactéries sur la réponse immunitaire des moustiques femelles et leur capacité à transmettre le parasite. Pour mener à bien ce projet, nous avons collecté des populations de moustiques sauvages au Cameroun pour la caractérisation de la flore microbienne, nous avons ensuite exposé des moustiques de la colonie de laboratoire Ngousso à des cultures bactériennes puis infecté ces moustiques avec des isolats naturels de P. falciparum. Notre étude a montré que les souches bactériennes naturelles de l'intestin du moustique Serratia, Pseudomonas et Escherichia réduisaient la prévalence et l'intensité de l'infection et que le degré d'inhibition variait selon les taxons bactériens et les porteurs de gamétocytes. L'analyse des flores bactériennes des différents épithéliums de l'insecte par pyroséquençage a révélé des similarités entre la flore intestinale et celles retrouvées dans les ovaires et les glandes salivaires pour un même moustique. Les analyses d'expression suggèrent que la régulation de l'expression des gènes l'immunité par les bactéries intestinales pourrait participer à la modulation de la réponse antiplasmodiale. Les mécanismes impliqués dans les interactions bactéries-Plasmodium-vecteur sont complexes et multifactorielle et la modélisation de l'ensemble des interactions qui permettent à P. falciparum d'accomplir son cycle chez le moustique vecteur sera nécessaire pour envisager de nouvelles méthodes de lutte efficaces et durables. / Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the severe form of malaria, is transmitted by Anopheles gambiae, its major vector in sub-Saharan Africa. Novel strategies for malaria control envision interrupting the sporogonic development in An. gambiae, then it is important to better understand vector*environment*parasite interactions that underlie parasite transmission. The aim of this project was to characterize the microbial flora of An. gambiae in natural conditions, to study the role of the main bacterial strains on sporogonic development using natural isolates of parasites and to measure the influence of bacterial exposure on the mosquito immunity and its successive ability to transmit P. falciparum. To carry out this project, we used wild mosquito populations from Cameroon to characterize the mosquito microbial flora, next we challenged female mosquitoes of the Ngousso colony to bacterial strains and then infected the mosquitoes with natural isolates of P. falciparum. Our study showed that Serratia, Pseudomonas and Escherichia isolated from the mosquito midgut reduced infection prevalence and intensity and that the effect of the bacterial exposure on parasite infection levels varied between bacterial strains and gametocyte carriers. The analysis of the 454 sequencing of the different mosquito epithelia revealed intriguing similarities between bacterial communities in the midgut, ovaries and salivary glands of a single mosquito. Expression analyses suggested that immune gene regulation by midgut bacteria could help the mosquitoes to mount an effective antiplasmodial response. Mechanisms involved bacteria-Plasmodium-vector interactions are complex and rely on multiple factors. Deeper investigations on these interactions that allow P. falciparum to complete its cycle in the mosquito vector will be necessary for modeling parasite transmission in the field and for developing new methods for effective malaria control.
4

O papel de dois fatores de transcrição ApiAP2 no controle da transcrição de genes variantes em Plasmodium falciparum / The role of ApiAP2 transcription factors in the control of variant gene transcription in Plasmodium falciparum.

Cubillos, Eliana Fernanda Galindo 11 February 2016 (has links)
O parasita Plasmodium falciparum causa a forma mais grave da malária humana.Para evadir a resposta imune do hospedeiro, as formas assexuadas do parasita podem usar variação antigênica ou podem se diferenciar em formas sexuais como estratégia para sobreviver e garantir a sua transmissão para o mosquito.A base molecular desses processos ainda é pouco compreendida. Por manipulação genética, nos identificamos a participação de um fator de transcrição da família ApiAP2 ( PF3D7_1143100), no controle da transcrição de genes variantes e no desenvolvimento em formas sexuais na fase intraeritrocítica. Demonstramos ainda que um outro membro desta família, PF3D7_1466400, não é essencial no ciclo assexual de P. falciparum, já que seu silenciamento não afeto o normal desenvolvimento do parasita. / The parasite Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form of human malaria. To evade the host immune response, asexual parasite forms can employ antigenic variation or differentiation to gametocytes as a means to survive and secure their transmission to the mosquito. The molecular basis behind these processes is still poorly understood. By genetic manipulation, we indentified the participation of a ApiAP2 transcription factor, PF3D7_1143100, in the control of variant gene transcription as well as in the switching from asexual to sexual development in the intraerythrocytic stage. We also demonstrate that the ApiAP2 transcription factor PF3D7_1466400 is not essential in the asexual stage of P. falciparum, since its knockdown did not affect the normal development of the parasite.
5

O papel de dois fatores de transcrição ApiAP2 no controle da transcrição de genes variantes em Plasmodium falciparum / The role of ApiAP2 transcription factors in the control of variant gene transcription in Plasmodium falciparum.

Eliana Fernanda Galindo Cubillos 11 February 2016 (has links)
O parasita Plasmodium falciparum causa a forma mais grave da malária humana.Para evadir a resposta imune do hospedeiro, as formas assexuadas do parasita podem usar variação antigênica ou podem se diferenciar em formas sexuais como estratégia para sobreviver e garantir a sua transmissão para o mosquito.A base molecular desses processos ainda é pouco compreendida. Por manipulação genética, nos identificamos a participação de um fator de transcrição da família ApiAP2 ( PF3D7_1143100), no controle da transcrição de genes variantes e no desenvolvimento em formas sexuais na fase intraeritrocítica. Demonstramos ainda que um outro membro desta família, PF3D7_1466400, não é essencial no ciclo assexual de P. falciparum, já que seu silenciamento não afeto o normal desenvolvimento do parasita. / The parasite Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form of human malaria. To evade the host immune response, asexual parasite forms can employ antigenic variation or differentiation to gametocytes as a means to survive and secure their transmission to the mosquito. The molecular basis behind these processes is still poorly understood. By genetic manipulation, we indentified the participation of a ApiAP2 transcription factor, PF3D7_1143100, in the control of variant gene transcription as well as in the switching from asexual to sexual development in the intraerythrocytic stage. We also demonstrate that the ApiAP2 transcription factor PF3D7_1466400 is not essential in the asexual stage of P. falciparum, since its knockdown did not affect the normal development of the parasite.
6

Preclinical evaluation of the possible enhancement of the efficacy of anti-malarial drugs by pheroid technology / Natasha Langley

Langley, Natasha January 2007 (has links)
Malaria is currently one of the most imperative parasitic diseases of the developing world. Current effective treatment options are limited because of increasing drug resistance, treatment cost effectiveness and treatment availability. Novel drug delivery systems are a new approach for increased efficacy in the treatment of the disease. Pheroid™ technology, a proven drug delivery system, in combination with anti-malarial drugs was evaluated in this study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible enhancement of the efficacy of the existing anti-malarial drugs in combination with Pheroid™ technology. The efficacy of existing anti-malarial drugs in combination with Pheroids was investigated in vitro with a chloroquine RB-1-resistant strain of P. falciparum. Two different Pheroid formulations, vesicles and microsponges, were used and the control medium consisted of sterile water for injection. Parasitaemia levels were determined microscopically and expressed as a percentage. An in vivo pilot study was also conducted using the P. berghei mouse model. The mice were grouped into seven batches of three mice each. The control group was treated with a Pheroid vesicle formulation only. Three of the groups were treated with three different concentrations of chloroquine dissolved in water namely 2 mg/kg; 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg bodyweight (bw) respectively, while the other three groups received the same three concentrations of chloroquine entrapped in Pheroid vesicle formulations. The measure of parasite growth inhibition (percentage parasitaemia), the survival rates and the percentage chemosuppresion was determined. In the in vivo study, all concentrations of chloroquine entrapped in Pheroid vesicles showed suppressed parasitaemia levels up to 11 days post infection. From day 11, the parasitaemia increases rapidly and becomes higher than that in groups treated with chloroquine in water. Chloroquine entrapped in Pheroid vesicles showed improved activity against a chloroquine resistant strain (RB-1) in vitro. The efficacy was enhanced by 1544.62%. The efficacy of mefloquine, artemether and artesunate in Pheroid microsponges were enhanced by 314.32%, 254.86% and 238.78% respectively. It can be concluded that Pheroid™ technology has potential to enhance the efficacy of anti-malaria drugs. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.
7

Expressão heteróloga, purificação e caracterização da proteína hipoxantina guanina fosforribosiltransferase de Plasmodium falciparum.

Wohlk, Bruna Lovizutto Protti 27 March 2012 (has links)
Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-11T13:38:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bruna Lovizutto Protti Wohlke.pdf: 1421829 bytes, checksum: 1654b1beeb77d5566e82213f52b50a17 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A malária continua a ser a maior causa de morbidade e mortalidade mundial com até três milhões de mortes anuais. O tratamento da malária, causada por Plasmodium. falciparum, dependeu por décadas do uso da aminoquinolina cloroquina. Contudo a resistência à cloroquina em uma escala global expôs a capacidade com que o parasita pode desenvolver resistência a drogas. É, portanto, necessário o desenvolvimento de estudos que assegurem que drogas mais eficazes sejam descobertas de forma sustentável e que novos alvos moleculares para agentes antimalária sejam revelados. Através de análises de biologia celular e molecular foi possível sequenciar o genoma de P. falciparum e identificou-se novos alvos alvos terapêuticos antimalária. A proteína alvo estudada neste projeto foi a Hipoxantina guanina fosforribosiltransferase do P. falciparum, que está relacionada com a via de recuperação das purinas .O gene da enzima foi identificado no genoma do P. falciparum, e produzido por síntese química com códons preferenciais de Escherichia coli, clonado em um forte promotor de expressão para esta bactéria, expresso e a proteína recombinante purificada mostrou-se ativa. A enzima será utilizada futuramente em estudos de binding e inibição com novos compostos químicos e/ou componentes de extratos de microrganismos e plantas amazônicas
8

T cell and antibody responses in <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> malaria and their relation to disease susceptibility

Farouk, Salah Eldin January 2004 (has links)
<p>Malaria antigen-induced polarization of T cells into effectors Th1 and/or Th2 cells and their subsequent release of cytokines is known to affect antibody production. This thesis includes studies on early innate responses to the parasite, with a focus on γδT cells, and acquired specific responses in African sympatric ethnic tribes. In the last part of this thesis, a method for enrichment for the asexual blood stages of <i>P. falciparum </i>and their use in <i>in vitro</i> T-cell studies is presented.</p><p>To investigate mechanisms involved in parasite growth inhibition by γδT cells, an <i>in vitro</i> system was set up using blood stage parasites co-cultured with differently treated γδT cells. The results showed that Vγ9/δ2<sup>+</sup> γδT cells inhibited the in vitro growth of <i>P. falciparum</i> parasites whereas CD4<sup>+ </sup>and CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells did not. This inhibition was positively correlated with the expression of cytolytic molecules in the cell lines tested. Anti-granulysin antibodies reversed γδT cell-mediated inhibition, suggesting a role for granulysin in the parasite growth inhibition. Thus, our data suggest that Vγ9/δ2<sup>+</sup> γδT cells inhibit the parasite growth by a granulysin-exocytosis dependent cytotoxic pathway that needs perforin.</p><p>To study the humoral responses and their relation to Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles, antibody levels, numbers of cytokine-producing cells and spleen rates were measured in two sympatric tribes living in Mali, the Fulani and the Dogon. Our results revealed significantly elevated malaria-specific IgG and IgE antibody levels and spleen rates in the Fulani compared to the Dogon. The Fulani exhibited elevated numbers of both IL-4 and IFN-γ-producing cells, a typical profile seen of CD1-restricted NKT cells. This together with the higher spleen rates and elevated anti-malarial antibodies suggests a role of CD1-restricted cells in the different responses seen between these tribes.</p><p>To investigate whether such responses were specifically confined to malaria or a reflection of a generally activated immune system, total levels of IgG and of IgM as well as IgG antibodies to non-malarial antigens were examined in the Fulani in Burkina Faso and Mali. The results showed that the Fulani consistently mounted stronger malaria-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG3 and IgM responses. Total IgM levels were significantly higher in the Fulani than the non-Fulani, whereas total IgG did not differ between the two tribes. While IgG levels to some non-malarial antigens were significantly higher in the Fulani, no such differences were seen in the responses to several other non-malarial antigens suggesting that the Fulani are not generally hyper-reactive and that other specific factors are of importance for their higher malaria resistance.</p><p>Finally, a new method to enrich for early and late asexual blood stages of <i>P. falciparum</i> parasite from a single parasite culture was developed, using a 3-step centrifugation procedure. Such enriched parasite fractions beside other malaria-parasite antigen preparations were used in an in vitro system to analyse T-cell responses in malaria-exposed and non-exposed donors. Such analysis revealed significant proliferative cell response and CD4<sup>+</sup> T cell expansion to whole-cell parasite antigens, but not to acellular parasite fractions, in the malaria-exposed as compared to the non-exposed ones. Our data suggest that natural infection preferentially leads to formation of memory cells against certain antigen expressed in live parasites.</p><p>Malaria antigen-induced polarization of T cells into effectors Th1 and/or Th2 cells and their subsequent release of cytokines is known to affect antibody production. This thesis includes studies on early innate responses to the parasite, with a focus on γδT cells, and acquired specific responses in African sympatric ethnic tribes. In the last part of this thesis, a method for enrichment for the asexual blood stages of P. falciparum and their use in in vitro T-cell studies is presented.</p><p>To investigate mechanisms involved in parasite growth inhibition by γδT cells, an in vitro system was set up using blood stage parasites co-cultured with differently treated γδT cells. The results showed that Vγ9/δ2<sup>+</sup> γδT cells inhibited the in vitro growth of P. falciparum parasites whereas CD4<sup>+ </sup>and CD8<sup>+ </sup>T cells did not. This inhibition was positively correlated with the expression of cytolytic molecules in the cell lines tested. Anti-granulysin antibodies reversed γδT cell-mediated inhibition, suggesting a role for granulysin in the parasite growth inhibition. Thus, our data suggest that Vγ9/δ2<sup>+</sup> γδT cells inhibit the parasite growth by a granulysin-exocytosis dependent cytotoxic pathway that needs perforin.</p><p>To study the humoral responses and their relation to Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles, antibody levels, numbers of cytokine-producing cells and spleen rates were measured in two sympatric tribes living in Mali, the Fulani and the Dogon. Our results revealed significantly elevated malaria-specific IgG and IgE antibody levels and spleen rates in the Fulani compared to the Dogon. The Fulani exhibited elevated numbers of both IL-4 and IFN-γ-producing cells, a typical profile seen of CD1-restricted NKT cells. This together with the higher spleen rates and elevated anti-malarial antibodies suggests a role of CD1-restricted cells in the different responses seen between these tribes.</p><p>To investigate whether such responses were specifically confined to malaria or a reflection of a generally activated immune system, total levels of IgG and of IgM as well as IgG antibodies to non-malarial antigens were examined in the Fulani in Burkina Faso and Mali. The results showed that the Fulani consistently mounted stronger malaria-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG3 and IgM responses. Total IgM levels were significantly higher in the Fulani than the non-Fulani, whereas total IgG did not differ between the two tribes. While IgG levels to some non-malarial antigens were significantly higher in the Fulani, no such differences were seen in the responses to several other non-malarial antigens suggesting that the Fulani are not generally hyper-reactive and that other specific factors are of importance for their higher malaria resistance.</p><p>Finally, a new method to enrich for early and late asexual blood stages of <i>P. falciparum</i> parasite from a single parasite culture was developed, using a 3-step centrifugation procedure. Such enriched parasite fractions beside other malaria-parasite antigen preparations were used in an in vitro system to analyse T-cell responses in malaria-exposed and non-exposed donors. Such analysis revealed significant proliferative cell response and CD4<sup>+</sup> T cell expansion to whole-cell parasite antigens, but not to acellular parasite fractions, in the malaria-exposed as compared to the non-exposed ones. Our data suggest that natural infection preferentially leads to formation of memory cells against certain antigen expressed in live parasites.</p><p>Malaria antigen-induced polarization of T cells into effectors Th1 and/or Th2 cells and their subsequent release of cytokines is known to affect antibody production. This thesis includes studies on early innate responses to the parasite, with a focus on γδT cells, and acquired specific responses in African sympatric ethnic tribes. In the last part of this thesis, a method for enrichment for the asexual blood stages of <i>P. falciparum</i> and their use in <i>in vitro</i> T-cell studies is presented.</p><p>To investigate mechanisms involved in parasite growth inhibition by γδT cells, an <i>in vitro</i> system was set up using blood stage parasites co-cultured with differently treated γδT cells. The results showed that Vγ9/δ2<sup>+</sup> γδT cells inhibited the in vitro growth of<i> P. falciparum</i> parasites whereas CD4<sup>+</sup> and CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells did not. This inhibition was positively correlated with the expression of cytolytic molecules in the cell lines tested. Anti-granulysin antibodies reversed γδT cell-mediated inhibition, suggesting a role for granulysin in the parasite growth inhibition. Thus, our data suggest that Vγ9/δ2<sup>+</sup> γδT cells inhibit the parasite growth by a granulysin-exocytosis dependent cytotoxic pathway that needs perforin.</p><p>To study the humoral responses and their relation to Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles, antibody levels, numbers of cytokine-producing cells and spleen rates were measured in two sympatric tribes living in Mali, the Fulani and the Dogon. Our results revealed significantly elevated malaria-specific IgG and IgE antibody levels and spleen rates in the Fulani compared to the Dogon. The Fulani exhibited elevated numbers of both IL-4 and IFN-γ-producing cells, a typical profile seen of CD1-restricted NKT cells. This together with the higher spleen rates and elevated anti-malarial antibodies suggests a role of CD1-restricted cells in the different responses seen between these tribes.</p><p>To investigate whether such responses were specifically confined to malaria or a reflection of a generally activated immune system, total levels of IgG and of IgM as well as IgG antibodies to non-malarial antigens were examined in the Fulani in Burkina Faso and Mali. The results showed that the Fulani consistently mounted stronger malaria-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG3 and IgM responses. Total IgM levels were significantly higher in the Fulani than the non-Fulani, whereas total IgG did not differ between the two tribes. While IgG levels to some non-malarial antigens were significantly higher in the Fulani, no such differences were seen in the responses to several other non-malarial antigens suggesting that the Fulani are not generally hyper-reactive and that other specific factors are of importance for their higher malaria resistance.</p><p>Finally, a new method to enrich for early and late asexual blood stages of <i>P. falciparum</i> parasite from a single parasite culture was developed, using a 3-step centrifugation procedure. Such enriched parasite fractions beside other malaria-parasite antigen preparations were used in an <i>in vitro</i> system to analyse T-cell responses in malaria-exposed and non-exposed donors. Such analysis revealed significant proliferative cell response and CD4<sup>+</sup> T cell expansion to whole-cell parasite antigens, but not to acellular parasite fractions, in the malaria-exposed as compared to the non-exposed ones. Our data suggest that natural infection preferentially leads to formation of memory cells against certain antigen expressed in live parasites.</p>
9

Preclinical evaluation of the possible enhancement of the efficacy of anti-malarial drugs by pheroid technology / Natasha Langley

Langley, Natasha January 2007 (has links)
Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.
10

T cell and antibody responses in Plasmodium falciparum malaria and their relation to disease susceptibility

Farouk, Salah Eldin January 2004 (has links)
Malaria antigen-induced polarization of T cells into effectors Th1 and/or Th2 cells and their subsequent release of cytokines is known to affect antibody production. This thesis includes studies on early innate responses to the parasite, with a focus on γδT cells, and acquired specific responses in African sympatric ethnic tribes. In the last part of this thesis, a method for enrichment for the asexual blood stages of P. falciparum and their use in in vitro T-cell studies is presented. To investigate mechanisms involved in parasite growth inhibition by γδT cells, an in vitro system was set up using blood stage parasites co-cultured with differently treated γδT cells. The results showed that Vγ9/δ2+ γδT cells inhibited the in vitro growth of P. falciparum parasites whereas CD4+ and CD8+ T cells did not. This inhibition was positively correlated with the expression of cytolytic molecules in the cell lines tested. Anti-granulysin antibodies reversed γδT cell-mediated inhibition, suggesting a role for granulysin in the parasite growth inhibition. Thus, our data suggest that Vγ9/δ2+ γδT cells inhibit the parasite growth by a granulysin-exocytosis dependent cytotoxic pathway that needs perforin. To study the humoral responses and their relation to Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles, antibody levels, numbers of cytokine-producing cells and spleen rates were measured in two sympatric tribes living in Mali, the Fulani and the Dogon. Our results revealed significantly elevated malaria-specific IgG and IgE antibody levels and spleen rates in the Fulani compared to the Dogon. The Fulani exhibited elevated numbers of both IL-4 and IFN-γ-producing cells, a typical profile seen of CD1-restricted NKT cells. This together with the higher spleen rates and elevated anti-malarial antibodies suggests a role of CD1-restricted cells in the different responses seen between these tribes. To investigate whether such responses were specifically confined to malaria or a reflection of a generally activated immune system, total levels of IgG and of IgM as well as IgG antibodies to non-malarial antigens were examined in the Fulani in Burkina Faso and Mali. The results showed that the Fulani consistently mounted stronger malaria-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG3 and IgM responses. Total IgM levels were significantly higher in the Fulani than the non-Fulani, whereas total IgG did not differ between the two tribes. While IgG levels to some non-malarial antigens were significantly higher in the Fulani, no such differences were seen in the responses to several other non-malarial antigens suggesting that the Fulani are not generally hyper-reactive and that other specific factors are of importance for their higher malaria resistance. Finally, a new method to enrich for early and late asexual blood stages of P. falciparum parasite from a single parasite culture was developed, using a 3-step centrifugation procedure. Such enriched parasite fractions beside other malaria-parasite antigen preparations were used in an in vitro system to analyse T-cell responses in malaria-exposed and non-exposed donors. Such analysis revealed significant proliferative cell response and CD4+ T cell expansion to whole-cell parasite antigens, but not to acellular parasite fractions, in the malaria-exposed as compared to the non-exposed ones. Our data suggest that natural infection preferentially leads to formation of memory cells against certain antigen expressed in live parasites. Malaria antigen-induced polarization of T cells into effectors Th1 and/or Th2 cells and their subsequent release of cytokines is known to affect antibody production. This thesis includes studies on early innate responses to the parasite, with a focus on γδT cells, and acquired specific responses in African sympatric ethnic tribes. In the last part of this thesis, a method for enrichment for the asexual blood stages of P. falciparum and their use in in vitro T-cell studies is presented. To investigate mechanisms involved in parasite growth inhibition by γδT cells, an in vitro system was set up using blood stage parasites co-cultured with differently treated γδT cells. The results showed that Vγ9/δ2+ γδT cells inhibited the in vitro growth of P. falciparum parasites whereas CD4+ and CD8+ T cells did not. This inhibition was positively correlated with the expression of cytolytic molecules in the cell lines tested. Anti-granulysin antibodies reversed γδT cell-mediated inhibition, suggesting a role for granulysin in the parasite growth inhibition. Thus, our data suggest that Vγ9/δ2+ γδT cells inhibit the parasite growth by a granulysin-exocytosis dependent cytotoxic pathway that needs perforin. To study the humoral responses and their relation to Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles, antibody levels, numbers of cytokine-producing cells and spleen rates were measured in two sympatric tribes living in Mali, the Fulani and the Dogon. Our results revealed significantly elevated malaria-specific IgG and IgE antibody levels and spleen rates in the Fulani compared to the Dogon. The Fulani exhibited elevated numbers of both IL-4 and IFN-γ-producing cells, a typical profile seen of CD1-restricted NKT cells. This together with the higher spleen rates and elevated anti-malarial antibodies suggests a role of CD1-restricted cells in the different responses seen between these tribes. To investigate whether such responses were specifically confined to malaria or a reflection of a generally activated immune system, total levels of IgG and of IgM as well as IgG antibodies to non-malarial antigens were examined in the Fulani in Burkina Faso and Mali. The results showed that the Fulani consistently mounted stronger malaria-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG3 and IgM responses. Total IgM levels were significantly higher in the Fulani than the non-Fulani, whereas total IgG did not differ between the two tribes. While IgG levels to some non-malarial antigens were significantly higher in the Fulani, no such differences were seen in the responses to several other non-malarial antigens suggesting that the Fulani are not generally hyper-reactive and that other specific factors are of importance for their higher malaria resistance. Finally, a new method to enrich for early and late asexual blood stages of P. falciparum parasite from a single parasite culture was developed, using a 3-step centrifugation procedure. Such enriched parasite fractions beside other malaria-parasite antigen preparations were used in an in vitro system to analyse T-cell responses in malaria-exposed and non-exposed donors. Such analysis revealed significant proliferative cell response and CD4+ T cell expansion to whole-cell parasite antigens, but not to acellular parasite fractions, in the malaria-exposed as compared to the non-exposed ones. Our data suggest that natural infection preferentially leads to formation of memory cells against certain antigen expressed in live parasites. Malaria antigen-induced polarization of T cells into effectors Th1 and/or Th2 cells and their subsequent release of cytokines is known to affect antibody production. This thesis includes studies on early innate responses to the parasite, with a focus on γδT cells, and acquired specific responses in African sympatric ethnic tribes. In the last part of this thesis, a method for enrichment for the asexual blood stages of P. falciparum and their use in in vitro T-cell studies is presented. To investigate mechanisms involved in parasite growth inhibition by γδT cells, an in vitro system was set up using blood stage parasites co-cultured with differently treated γδT cells. The results showed that Vγ9/δ2+ γδT cells inhibited the in vitro growth of P. falciparum parasites whereas CD4+ and CD8+ T cells did not. This inhibition was positively correlated with the expression of cytolytic molecules in the cell lines tested. Anti-granulysin antibodies reversed γδT cell-mediated inhibition, suggesting a role for granulysin in the parasite growth inhibition. Thus, our data suggest that Vγ9/δ2+ γδT cells inhibit the parasite growth by a granulysin-exocytosis dependent cytotoxic pathway that needs perforin. To study the humoral responses and their relation to Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles, antibody levels, numbers of cytokine-producing cells and spleen rates were measured in two sympatric tribes living in Mali, the Fulani and the Dogon. Our results revealed significantly elevated malaria-specific IgG and IgE antibody levels and spleen rates in the Fulani compared to the Dogon. The Fulani exhibited elevated numbers of both IL-4 and IFN-γ-producing cells, a typical profile seen of CD1-restricted NKT cells. This together with the higher spleen rates and elevated anti-malarial antibodies suggests a role of CD1-restricted cells in the different responses seen between these tribes. To investigate whether such responses were specifically confined to malaria or a reflection of a generally activated immune system, total levels of IgG and of IgM as well as IgG antibodies to non-malarial antigens were examined in the Fulani in Burkina Faso and Mali. The results showed that the Fulani consistently mounted stronger malaria-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG3 and IgM responses. Total IgM levels were significantly higher in the Fulani than the non-Fulani, whereas total IgG did not differ between the two tribes. While IgG levels to some non-malarial antigens were significantly higher in the Fulani, no such differences were seen in the responses to several other non-malarial antigens suggesting that the Fulani are not generally hyper-reactive and that other specific factors are of importance for their higher malaria resistance. Finally, a new method to enrich for early and late asexual blood stages of P. falciparum parasite from a single parasite culture was developed, using a 3-step centrifugation procedure. Such enriched parasite fractions beside other malaria-parasite antigen preparations were used in an in vitro system to analyse T-cell responses in malaria-exposed and non-exposed donors. Such analysis revealed significant proliferative cell response and CD4+ T cell expansion to whole-cell parasite antigens, but not to acellular parasite fractions, in the malaria-exposed as compared to the non-exposed ones. Our data suggest that natural infection preferentially leads to formation of memory cells against certain antigen expressed in live parasites.

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