Parasite-infected Red Cells Research Articles

Fast processing of microscopic images using object-based extended depth of field.

BackgroundMicroscopic analysis requires that foreground objects of interest, e.g. cells, are in focus. In a typical microscopic specimen, the foreground objects may lie on different depths of field necessitating capture of multiple images taken at different focal planes. The extended depth of field (EDoF) technique is a computational method for merging images from different depths of field into a composite image with all foreground objects in focus. Composite images generated by EDoF can be applied in automated image processing and pattern recognition systems. However, current algorithms for EDoF are computationally intensive and impractical, especially for applications such as medical diagnosis where rapid sample turnaround is important. Since foreground objects typically constitute a minor part of an image, the EDoF technique could be made to work much faster if only foreground regions are processed to make the composite image. We propose a novel algorithm called object-based extended depths of field (OEDoF) to address this issue.MethodsThe OEDoF algorithm consists of four major modules: 1) color conversion, 2) object region identification, 3) good contrast pixel identification and 4) detail merging. First, the algorithm employs color conversion to enhance contrast followed by identification of foreground pixels. A composite image is constructed using only these foreground pixels, which dramatically reduces the computational time.ResultsWe used 250 images obtained from 45 specimens of confirmed malaria infections to test our proposed algorithm. The resulting composite images with all in-focus objects were produced using the proposed OEDoF algorithm. We measured the performance of OEDoF in terms of image clarity (quality) and processing time. The features of interest selected by the OEDoF algorithm are comparable in quality with equivalent regions in images processed by the state-of-the-art complex wavelet EDoF algorithm; however, OEDoF required four times less processing time.ConclusionsThis work presents a modification of the extended depth of field approach for efficiently enhancing microscopic images. This selective object processing scheme used in OEDoF can significantly reduce the overall processing time while maintaining the clarity of important image features. The empirical results from parasite-infected red cell images revealed that our proposed method efficiently and effectively produced in-focus composite images. With the speed improvement of OEDoF, this proposed algorithm is suitable for processing large numbers of microscope images, e.g., as required for medical diagnosis.

A Plasmodium falciparum S33 proline aminopeptidase is associated with changes in erythrocyte deformability

Infection with the apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium falciparum is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. One of the striking features of this parasite is its ability to remodel and decrease the deformability of host red blood cells, a process that contributes to disease. To further understand the virulence of Pf we investigated the biochemistry and function of a putative Pf S33 proline aminopeptidase (PfPAP). Unlike other P. falciparum aminopeptidases, PfPAP contains a predicted protein export element that is non-syntenic with other human infecting Plasmodium species. Characterization of PfPAP demonstrated that it is exported into the host red blood cell and that it is a prolyl aminopeptidase with a preference for N-terminal proline substrates. In addition genetic deletion of this exopeptidase was shown to lead to an increase in the deformability of parasite-infected red cells and in reduced adherence to the endothelial cell receptor CD36 under flow conditions. Our studies suggest that PfPAP plays a role in the rigidification and adhesion of infected red blood cells to endothelial surface receptors, a role that may make this protein a novel target for anti-disease interventions strategies.

Platelet Factor 4 Enables Platelets to Suppress Early Parasite Growth in a Mouse Model of Blood Stage Malarial Infection

Platelets are best known for their roles in hemostasis, but there is accumulating evidence for their importance in immunity and host defence against infection. We have shown that platelets are required for host protection during malarial infection and are a major determinant for survival. Platelets control the growth of intraerythrocytic Plasmodium parasites by directly binding to infected erythrocytes and killing the parasite inside 1. We 2 and others 3 have also described the parasite killing mechanism exerted by platelets. Upon binding to parasite-infected red cells, platelets release a protein with dual chemokine and antimicrobial functions called platelet factor 4 (PF4). PF4 binds to the red cell Duffy antigen chemokine receptor, and is then absorbed into the parasite where it lyses the parasite food vacuole and kills the parasite.This work aimed to further investigate the role of PF4 in vivo using mice a PF4 knockout mouse strain (Pf4tm1Mako/tm1Mako; 4) and blood stage infection with a murine malaria model parasite, P. chabaudi. We confirmed that the homozygous mutant mice did not produce any PF4 protein. Following challenge with P. chabaudi (1 x 104 parasites administered intravenously), rates of survival amongst cohorts of age and sex matched wild type and homozygous mice (both on a C57BL/6 background) were not significantly different (approximately 30% for females and 10% for males). However, a deficiency of PF4 resulted in significant differences in parasite growth during the pre-peak parasitemia phase of the infection. Between days 5 and 8 following infection, proportions of parasite-infected red cells in the circulation of PF4-null mice were double those in wild-type mice. This coincided with a 50-60% reduction in the frequency of growth arrested or dead parasites (detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling, also known as TUNEL labelling).Together these data indicate that platelet-derived PF4 has an important in vivo malaria-protective role. The protein is necessary for the platelet to control parasite growth during the early stage of erythrocytic malarial infection. However, the highly virulent nature of the P. chabaudi strain used in these experiments precluded detection of any predicted survival disadvantage in the PF4-null mice. 1.McMorran BJ, Marshall VM, de Graaf C, et al. Platelets kill intraerythrocytic malarial parasites and mediate survival to infection. Science. 2009;323(5915):797-800.2.McMorran BJ, Wieczorski L, Drysdale KE, et al. Platelet factor 4 and Duffy antigen required for platelet killing of Plasmodium falciparum. Science. 2012;338(6112):1348-1351.3.Love MS, Millholland MG, Mishra S, et al. Platelet Factor 4 Activity against P. falciparum and Its Translation to Nonpeptidic Mimics as Antimalarials. Cell host & microbe. 2012;12(6):815-823.4.Eslin DE, Zhang C, Samuels KJ, et al. Transgenic mice studies demonstrate a role for platelet factor 4 in thrombosis: dissociation between anticoagulant and antithrombotic effect of heparin. Blood. 2004;104(10):3173-3180. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Parasite impairment by targeting Plasmodium-infected RBCs using glyceryl-dilaurate nanostructured lipid carriers

Antimalarial therapy is a major contributor to declining malaria morbidity and mortality. However, the high toxicity and low bioavailability of current antimalarials and emerging drug resistance necessitates drug-delivery research. We have previously developed glyceryl-dilaurate nanolipid carriers (GDL-NLCs) for antimalarial drug delivery. Here, we show evidence that GDL-NLCs themselves selectively target Plasmodium-infected red blood cells (iRBCs), and cause severe parasite impairment. The glyceryl-dilaurate lipid-moiety was important in the targeting. GDL-NLCs localized to the parasite mitochondrion and uptake led to mitochondrial-membrane polarization and Ca2+ ion accumulation, ROS release, and stage-specific iRBC lysis. GDL-NLC treatment also resulted in externalization of iRBC-membrane phosphatidylserine and enhanced iRBC clearance by macrophages. GDL-NLC uptake disrupted the parasite-induced tubulovesicular network, which is vital for nutrient import by the parasite. Laser optical trap studies revealed that GDL-NLCs also restored iRBC flexibility. Such restoration of iRBC flexibility may help mitigate the vasculature clogging that can lead to cerebral malaria. We demonstrate the suitability of GDL-NLCs for intravenous delivery of antimalarial combinations artemether–clindamycin and artemether–lumefantrine in the murine model. Complete parasite clearance was achieved at 5−20% of the therapeutic dose of these combinations. Thus, this nanostructured lipid formulation can solubilize lipophilic drugs, selectively target and impair the parasite-infected red cell, and therefore constitutes a potent delivery vehicle for antimalarials.

Failure to respond to the surface of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes predicts susceptibility to clinical malaria amongst African children

Following infection with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, children in endemic areas develop antibodies specific to antigens on the parasite-infected red cell surface of the infecting isolate, antibodies associated with protection against subsequent infection with that isolate. In some circumstances induction of antibodies to heterologous parasite isolates also occurs and this has been suggested as evidence for cross-reactivity of responses against the erythrocyte surface. The role of these relatively cross-reactive antibodies in protection from clinical malaria is currently unknown. We studied the incidence of clinical malaria amongst children living on the coast of Kenya through one high transmission season. By categorising individuals according to their pre-season parasite status and antibody response to the surface of erythrocytes infected with four parasite isolates we were able to identify a group of children, those who failed to make a concomitant antibody response in the presence of an asymptomatic parasitaemia, at increased susceptibility to clinical malaria in the subsequent 6 months. The fact that this susceptible group was identified regardless of the parasite isolate tested infers a cross-reactive or conserved target is present on the surface of infected erythrocytes. Identification of this target will significantly aid understanding of naturally acquired immunity to clinical malaria amongst children in endemic areas.

Malaria parasite-infected erythrocytes inhibit glucose utilization in uninfected red cells

The erythrocytic stages of the malaria parasite depend on anaerobic glycolysis for energy. Using [2- 13C]glucose and nuclear magnetic resonance, the glucose utilization rate and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) level produced in normal RBCs and Plasmodium falciparum infected red blood cell populations (IRBCs, with <4% parasite infected red cells), were measured. The glucose flux in IRBCs was several-folds greater, was proportional to parasitemia, and maximal at trophozoite stage. The 2,3-DPG levels were disproportionately lower in IRBCs, indicating a downregulation of 2,3-DPG flux in non-parasitized RBCs. This may be due to lowered pH leading to selective differential inhibition of the regulatory glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase. This downregulation of the glucose utilization rate in the majority (>96%) of uninfected RBCs in an IRBC population may have physiological implications in malaria patients.

Oxidative stress in malaria parasite-infected erythrocytes: host–parasite interactions

Experimenta naturae, like the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, indicate that malaria parasites are highly susceptible to alterations in the redox equilibrium. This offers a great potential for the development of urgently required novel chemotherapeutic strategies. However, the relationship between the redox status of malarial parasites and that of their host is complex. In this review article we summarise the presently available knowledge on sources and detoxification pathways of reactive oxygen species in malaria parasite-infected red cells, on clinical aspects of redox metabolism and redox-related mechanisms of drug action as well as future prospects for drug development. As delineated below, alterations in redox status contribute to disease manifestation including sequestration, cerebral pathology, anaemia, respiratory distress, and placental malaria. Studying haemoglobinopathies, like thalassemias and sickle cell disease, and other red cell defects that provide protection against malaria allows insights into this fine balance of redox interactions. The host immune response to malaria involves phagocytosis as well as the production of nitric oxide and oxygen radicals that form part of the host defence system and also contribute to the pathology of the disease. Haemoglobin degradation by the malarial parasite produces the redox active by-products, free haem and H 2O 2, conferring oxidative insult on the host cell. However, the parasite also supplies antioxidant moieties to the host and possesses an efficient enzymatic antioxidant defence system including glutathione- and thioredoxin-dependent proteins. Mechanistic and structural work on these enzymes might provide a basis for targeting the parasite. Indeed, a number of currently used drugs, especially the endoperoxide antimalarials, appear to act by increasing oxidant stress, and novel drugs such as peroxidic compounds and anthroquinones are being developed.

Plasmodium falciparum and blood monocyte induced abnormalities in human erythrocyte cation homeostasis.

The role of Plasmodium falciparum and activated blood monocytes in bringing about erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation and in altering the enzyme activity associated with Ca2+ and K+ efflux was studied. An attempt was made to investigate the role of parasite and monocyte-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in inhibiting Ca(2+)-Mg2+ ATPase and Na(+)-K+ ATPase in order to find out the cause of reported high intra-erythrocytic calcium and depleted potassium levels in parasitized erythrocytes (PRBC). The PRBC showed enhanced lipid peroxidation as indicated by increased malonyldialdehyde (MDA) formation which coincided with the maturity of the parasite. This was further enhanced following exposure of PRBC to activated blood monocytes. The Ca(2+)-Mg2+ ATPase activity was decreased as the parasite matured and was further hampered significantly in mature parasite-infected red cells exposed to activated blood monocytes. There was a good negative correlation between MDA formation and Ca(2+)-efflux from red blood cells suggesting the negative influence of ROS on Ca(2+)-efflux. The Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity did not reveal any significant change, both during parasite maturation as well as upon exposure to ROS from activated monocytes. We therefore suggest that inhibition of Ca(2+)-efflux and the resulting increased cytosolic Ca2+ in PRBC might have a role in structural and functional abnormalities of red blood cell, thus enhancing the red cell loss during P. falciparum infection.

P-Aminobenzoic acid transport by normal and Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes

De novo folate biosynthesis is required for the growth of malarial parasites and is inhibited by several important antimalarial agents. We show here that exogenous p-aminobenzoic acid (pABA) can be utilized by malaria parasites to synthesize folates. The transport of pABA into parasite infected red cells was therefore characterized. Normal red cells transport pABA in a saturable and energy-dependent manner, with a dissociation constant of 83 nM. pABA transport in parasite-infected red cells may use the same mechanism, as demonstrated by similarities in time course, concentration-response, and dissociation constant (111 nM). The transport capacity of red cells is temperature-, energy- and pH-dependent. It is inhibited by the proton ionophore, carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), but not by the sodium ionophores nigericin and monensin. p-Aminosalicylic acid (PAS) inhibits pABA transport competitively, with a inhibition constant of 378 nM. Phloritin, flufanamic acid, and 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DITS), which are inhibitors of the anion transporter (band 3), and oxalic acid, a substrate of this transporter, partially inhibit pABA transport into both normal and infected red cells. Interestingly, in both normal and infected red cells, the inhibitory effects of PAS and the anion transport inhibitors are additive, suggesting the involvement of 2 independent mechanisms.

Plasmodium berghei: Glycolytic enzymes of the infected mouse erythrocyte

This paper documents the maximal activities of the glycolytic enzymes in the red blood cells of normal mice and mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. There appears to be sufficient parasite-related activity of each glycolytic enzyme to support the increased glycolytic rate, i.e., increased glucose consumption, of the parasite-infected red blood cell. The relative proportions of glycolytic enzyme activities in parasite-infected red cells are different from the proportions in either normal or reticulocyte-rich blood, indicating that the increased enzyme activities associated with infected cells are not due to contaminating host red cells or reticulocytes. A comparison of maximal enzyme activities to the rate of whole cell glucose consumption indicates that different glycolytic control mechanisms are operating in the infected RBC from those in the uninfected cells.