Regulation of Plasmodium sporozoite motility by formulation components

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Clarize M. de Korne, Luuk T. Lageschaar, Matthias N. van Oosterom, Els Baalbergen, Beatrice M. F. Winkel, Severine C. Chevalley-Maurel, Aldrik H. Velders, Blandine M. D. Franke-Fayard, Fijs W. B. van Leeuwen, Meta Roestenberg
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2019
• Subjects: Motility regulation; Live in vitro imaging; Plasmodium berghei; Vaccine formulation; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-019-2794-y; https://doaj.org/article/b00aceff87de40a1bd56a4febb838fb9

Abstract Background The protective efficacy of the most promising malaria whole-parasite based vaccine candidates critically depends on the parasite’s potential to migrate in the human host. Key components of the parasite motility machinery (e.g. adhesive proteins, actin/myosin-based motor, geometrical properties) have been identified, however the regulation of this machinery is an unknown process. Methods In vitro microscopic live imaging of parasites in different formulations was performed and analysed, with the quantitative analysis software SMOOT In vitro , their motility; their adherence capacity, movement pattern and velocity during forward locomotion. Results SMOOT In vitro enabled the detailed analysis of the regulation of the motility machinery of Plasmodium berghei in response to specific (macro)molecules in the formulation. Albumin acted as an essential supplement to induce parasite attachment and movement. Glucose, salts and other whole serum components further increased the attachment rate and regulated the velocity of the movement. Conclusions Based on the findings can be concluded that a complex interplay of albumin, glucose and certain salts and amino acids regulates parasite motility. Insights in parasite motility regulation by supplements in solution potentially provide a way to optimize the whole-parasite malaria vaccine formulation.