Determination of Cytochrome P450 Isoenzyme 2D6 (CYP2D6) Genotypes and Pharmacogenomic Impact on Primaquine Metabolism in an Active-Duty US Military Population.

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium vivax malaria requires a 2-week course of primaquine (PQ) for radical cure. Evidence suggests that the hepatic isoenzyme cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is the key enzyme required to convert PQ into its active metabolite. METHODS: CYP2D6 genotypes and phenotypes of 550 service personnel were determined, and the pharmacokinetics (PK) of a 30-mg oral dose of PQ was measured in 45 volunteers. Blood and urine samples were collected, with PQ and metabolites were measured using ultraperformance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Seventy-six CYP2D6 genotypes were characterized for 530 service personnel. Of the 515 personnel for whom a single phenotype was predicted, 58% had a normal metabolizer (NM) phenotype, 35% had an intermediate metabolizer (IM) phenotype, 5% had a poor metabolizer (PM) phenotype, and 2% had an ultrametabolizer phenotype. The median PQ area under the concentration time curve from 0 to ∞ was lower for the NM phenotype as compared to the IM or PM phenotypes. The novel 5,6-ortho-quinone was detected in urine but not plasma from all personnel with the NM phenotype. CONCLUSION: The plasma PK profile suggests PQ metabolism is decreased in personnel with the IM or PM phenotypes as compared to those with the NM phenotype. The finding of 5,6-ortho-quinone, the stable surrogate for the unstable 5-hydroxyprimaquine metabolite, almost exclusively in personnel with the NM phenotype, compared with sporadic or no production in those with the IM or PM phenotypes, provides further evidence for the role of CYP2D6 in radical cure. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02960568.

Delayed fractional dose regimen of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine candidate enhances an IgG4 response that inhibits serum opsonophagocytosis.

A recent study of the RTS,S malaria vaccine, which is based on the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), demonstrated an increase in efficacy from 50-60% to 80% when using a delayed fractional dose regimen, in which the standard 0-1-2 month immunization schedule was modified to a 0-1-7 month schedule and the third immunization was delivered at 20% of the full dose. Given the role that antibodies can play in RTS,S-induced protection, we sought to determine how the modified regimen alters IgG subclasses and serum opsonophagocytic activity (OPA). Previously, we showed that lower CSP-mediated OPA was associated with protection in an RTS,S study. Here we report that the delayed fractional dose regimen resulted in decreased CSP-mediated OPA and an enhanced CSP-specific IgG4 response. Linear regression modeling predicted that CSP-specific IgG1 promote OPA, and that CSP-specific IgG4 interferes with OPA, which we subsequently confirmed by IgG subclass depletion. Although the role of IgG4 antibodies and OPA in protection is still unclear, our findings, combined with previous results that the delayed fractional dose increases CSP-specific antibody avidity and somatic hypermutation frequency in CSP-specific B cells, demonstrate how changes in vaccine regimen alone can significantly alter the quality of antibody responses to improve vaccine efficacy.

Acetalated Dextran Microparticulate Vaccine Formulated via Coaxial Electrospray Preserves Toxin Neutralization and Enhances Murine Survival Following Inhalational Bacillus Anthracis Exposure.

Subunit formulations are regarded as the safest type of vaccine, but they often contain a protein-based antigen that can result in significant challenges, such as preserving antigenicity during formulation and administration. Many studies have demonstrated that encapsulation of protein antigens in polymeric microparticles (MPs) via emulsion techniques results in total IgG antibody titers comparable to alum formulations, however, the antibodies themselves are non-neutralizing. To address this issue, a coaxial electrohydrodynamic spraying (electrospray) technique is used to formulate a microparticulate-based subunit anthrax vaccine under conditions that minimize recombinant protective antigen (rPA) exposure to harsh solvents and high shear stress. rPA and the adjuvant resiquimod are encapsulated either in separate or the same acetalated dextran MPs. Using a murine model, the electrospray formulations lead to higher IgG2a subtype titers as well as comparable total IgG antibody titers and toxin neutralization relative to the FDA-approved vaccine (BioThrax). BioThrax provides no protection against a lethal inhalational challenge of the highly virulent Ames Bacillus anthracis anthrax strain, whereas 50% of the mice vaccinated with separately encapsulated electrospray MPs survive. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential use of electrospray for encapsulating protein antigens in polymeric MPs.

Protection induced by Plasmodium falciparum MSP1(42) is strain-specific, antigen and adjuvant dependent, and correlates with antibody responses.

Vaccination with Plasmodium falciparum MSP1(42)/complete Freund's adjuvant (FA) followed by MSP1(42)/incomplete FA is the only known regimen that protects Aotus nancymaae monkeys against infection by erythrocytic stage malaria parasites. The role of adjuvant is not defined; however complete FA cannot be used in humans. In rodent models, immunity is strain-specific. We vaccinated Aotus monkeys with the FVO or 3D7 alleles of MSP1(42) expressed in Escherichia coli or with the FVO allele expressed in baculovirus (bv) combined with complete and incomplete FA, Montanide ISA-720 (ISA-720) or AS02A. Challenge with FVO strain P. falciparum showed that suppression of cumulative day 11 parasitemia was strain-specific and could be induced by E. coli expressed MSP1(42) in combination with FA or ISA-720 but not with AS02A. The coli42-FVO antigen induced a stronger protective effect than the bv42-FVO antigen, and FA induced a stronger protective effect than ISA-720. ELISA antibody (Ab) responses at day of challenge (DOC) were strain-specific and correlated inversely with c-day 11 parasitemia (r = -0.843). ELISA Ab levels at DOC meeting a titer of at least 115,000 ELISA Ab units identified the vaccinees not requiring treatment (noTx) with a true positive rate of 83.3% and false positive rate of 14.3 %. Correlation between functional growth inhibitory Ab levels (GIA) and cumulative day 11 parasitemia was weaker (r = -0.511), and was not as predictive for a response of noTx. The lowest false positive rate for GIA was 30% when requiring a true positive rate of 83.3%. These inhibition results along with those showing that antigen/FA combinations induced a stronger protective immunity than antigen/ISA-720 or antigen/AS02 combinations are consistent with protection as ascribed to MSP1-specific cytophilic antibodies. Development of an effective MSP1(42) vaccine against erythrocytic stage P. falciparum infection will depend not only on antigen quality, but also upon the selection of an optimal adjuvant component.

Towards an RTS,S-based, multi-stage, multi-antigen vaccine against falciparum malaria: progress at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

The goal of the Malaria Vaccine Program at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) is to develop a licensed multi-antigen, multi-stage vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum able to prevent all symptomatic manifestations of malaria by preventing parasitemia. A secondary goal is to limit disease in vaccinees that do develop malaria. Malaria prevention will be achieved by inducing humoral and cellular immunity against the pre-erythrocytic circumsporozoite protein (CSP) and the liver stage antigen-1 (LSA-1). The strategy to limit disease will target immune responses against one or more blood stage antigens, merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) and apical merozoite antigen-1 (AMA-1). The induction of T- and B-cell memory to achieve a sustained vaccine response may additionally require immunization with an adenovirus vector such as adenovirus serotype 35. RTS,S, a CSP-derived antigen developed by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals in collaboration with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research over the past 17 years, is the cornerstone of our program. RTS,S formulated in AS02A (a GSK proprietary formulation) is the only vaccine candidate shown in field trials to prevent malaria and, in one instance, to limit disease severity. Our vaccine development plan requires proof of an individual antigen's efficacy in a Phase 2 laboratory challenge or field trial prior to its integration into an RTS,S-based, multi-antigen vaccine. Progress has been accelerated through extensive partnerships with industrial, academic, governmental, and non-governmental organizations. Recent safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy trials in the US and Africa are presented, as well as plans for the development of a multi-antigen vaccine.

The clinical-grade 42-kilodalton fragment of merozoite surface protein 1 of Plasmodium falciparum strain FVO expressed in Escherichia coli protects Aotus nancymai against challenge with homologous erythrocytic-stage parasites.

A 42-kDa fragment from the C terminus of major merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) is among the leading malaria vaccine candidates that target infection by asexual erythrocytic-stage malaria parasites. The MSP1(42) gene fragment from the Vietnam-Oak Knoll (FVO) strain of Plasmodium falciparum was expressed as a soluble protein in Escherichia coli and purified according to good manufacturing practices. This clinical-grade recombinant protein retained some important elements of correct structure, as it was reactive with several functional, conformation-dependent monoclonal antibodies raised against P. falciparum malaria parasites, it induced antibodies (Abs) that were reactive to parasites in immunofluorescent Ab tests, and it induced strong growth and invasion inhibitory antisera in New Zealand White rabbits. The antigen quality was further evaluated by vaccinating Aotus nancymai monkeys and challenging them with homologous P. falciparum FVO erythrocytic-stage malaria parasites. The trial included two control groups, one vaccinated with the sexual-stage-specific antigen of Plasmodium vivax, Pvs25, as a negative control, and the other vaccinated with baculovirus-expressed MSP1(42) (FVO) as a positive control. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Ab titers induced by E. coli MSP1(42) were significantly higher than those induced by the baculovirus-expressed antigen. None of the six monkeys that were vaccinated with the E. coli MSP1(42) antigen required treatment for uncontrolled parasitemia, but two required treatment for anemia. Protective immunity in these monkeys correlated with the ELISA Ab titer against the p19 fragment and the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain 2 fragment of MSP1(42), but not the MSP1(42) protein itself or the EGF-like domain 1 fragment. Soluble MSP1(42) (FVO) expressed in E. coli offers excellent promise as a component of a vaccine against erythrocytic-stage falciparum malaria.

Efecto de jugos vegetales en el crecimiento de promastigotes de Leishmania en cultivo

En este estudio investigamos el efecto de los componentes crudos de plantas existentes en una área endémica de leishmaniasis del Ecuador, sobre el crecimiento de promastigotes de Leishmania en cultivo. Los promastigotes cultivados en medio 199 con las muestras de mandarina y naranja mostraron mejor desarrollo, al compararlos con el control, a las 48 horas. Aunque las muestras de piñón y agave favorecieron el desarrollo de promastigotes hasta 24 horas en cultivo, el número de parásitos en el medio de prueba fue menor que en el medio control a las 72 horas de cultivo. En todos los experimentos, el largo de los flagelos de los promastigotes aumentó con el paso del tiempo. A las 72 horas de cultivo. En todos los experimentos...