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Clag9 is not essential for PfEMP1 surface expression in non-cytoadherent Plasmodium falciparum parasites with a chromosome 9 deletion.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The expression of the clonally variant virulence factor PfEMP1 mediates the sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes in the host vasculature and contributes to chronic infection. Non-cytoadherent parasites with a chromosome 9 deletion lack clag9, a gene linked to cytoadhesion in previous studies. Here we present new clag9 data that challenge this view and show that surface the non-cytoadherence phenotype is linked to the expression of a non-functional PfEMP1. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Loss of adhesion in P. falciparum D10, a parasite line with a large chromosome 9 deletion, was investigated. Surface iodination analysis of non-cytoadherent D10 parasites and COS-7 surface expression of the CD36-binding PfEMP1 CIDR1? domain were performed and showed that these parasites express an unusual trypsin-resistant, non-functional PfEMP1 at the erythrocyte surface. However, the CIDR1? domain of this var gene expressed in COS-7 cells showed strong binding to CD36. Atomic Force Microscopy showed a slightly modified D10 knob morphology compared to adherent parasites. Trafficking of PfEMP1 and KAHRP remained functional in D10. We link the non-cytoadherence phenotype to a chromosome 9 breakage and healing event resulting in the loss of 25 subtelomeric genes including clag9. In contrast to previous studies, knockout of the clag9 gene from 3D7 did not interfere with parasite adhesion to CD36. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our data show the surface expression of non-functional PfEMP1 in D10 strongly indicating that genes other than clag9 deleted from chromosome 9 are involved in this virulence process possibly via post-translational modifications.

SUBMITTER: Nacer A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3242772 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Clag9 is not essential for PfEMP1 surface expression in non-cytoadherent Plasmodium falciparum parasites with a chromosome 9 deletion.

Nacer Adéla A Roux Emeric E Pomel Sébastien S Scheidig-Benatar Christine C Sakamoto Hiroshi H Lafont Frank F Scherf Artur A Mattei Denise D

PloS one 20111219 12

<h4>Background</h4>The expression of the clonally variant virulence factor PfEMP1 mediates the sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes in the host vasculature and contributes to chronic infection. Non-cytoadherent parasites with a chromosome 9 deletion lack clag9, a gene linked to cytoadhesion in previous studies. Here we present new clag9 data that challenge this view and show that surface the non-cytoadherence phenotype is linked to the expression of a non-functional PfEMP ...[more]

PMID: 22205992

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Project description:BackgroundRosette-formation of Plasmodium falciparum parasitized erythrocytes is of importance in the development of severe malaria. The parasite-derived molecule PfEMP1 (Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1), central to rosetting, is suggested to be included in a multimeric vaccine targeting severe disease.MethodsThree recombinant NTS-DBL1?-domains of PfEMP1 were generated in Escherichia coli, purified and used for immunization of rats and goats. Antibody titres were determined in ELISA assays and responses were compared in-between different individual animals and species. Reactivity with the parasites was tested in live pRBC using FACS. B-cell epitopes prediction was carried out in silico and compared to the results obtained by peptide microarray. Screening for serological cross-reactivity with heterologous NTS-DBL1? variants was carried out by ELISA, peptide array and FACS on pRBC of different laboratory strains and patient isolates.ResultsAll three NTS-DBL1?-domains induced high titres of antibodies that were biologically active with no apparent difference between constructs covering slightly different parts of the DBL1?-sequence. The different animal species showed comparable titres of antibodies, while variations within individuals of the species could be observed.Mapping of the recognized epitopes revealed that most parts of the molecule were able to induce an antibody response with a tendency for the N and C terminal parts of the molecule for slightly higher recognition. Important differences to the epitopes predicted were found as some of the most conserved parts of the DBL1?-domain contained the main epitopes for antibody reactivity. ELISA assays and peptide microarray demonstrated substantial cross-reactivity to heterologous variants, while binding to native PfEMP1 was observed only in few combinations on the pRBC surface, underlining that mainly internal, conserved and not surface exposed parts of the DBL1?-domain are responsible for this observation.ConclusionBiologically active antibodies can be induced consistently, with high titres, in different animal species and the antibodies elicited by different constructs react with similar epitopes. Induced antibodies recognize epitopes localized in all subdomains of the DBL1?-sequence. Cross-reactivity between NTS-DBL1?-variants is common in ELISA, but rare with live pRBC emphasizing that also internal, conserved areas of PfEMP1 carry important highly immunogenic epitopes of the molecule.

Dataset Information

Clag9 is not essential for PfEMP1 surface expression in non-cytoadherent Plasmodium falciparum parasites with a chromosome 9 deletion.

Publications

Clag9 is not essential for PfEMP1 surface expression in non-cytoadherent Plasmodium falciparum parasites with a chromosome 9 deletion.

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