This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The long-term objective of this research is to provide basic fundamental molecular biological and immunobiological information that will aid in the development of a blood stage merozoite vaccine against Plasmodium vivax, one of the two most prevalent species of human malaria. This research is also relevant for increasing the understanding of the biology of P. falciparum merozoites, the other major species of human malaria. The related non-human primate malarias P. cynomolgi, P. coatneyi and P. knowlesi, which infected rhesus monkeys, are excellent models for these investigations. This project entails the characterization of several Plasmodium merozoite proteins and the genes encoding them, with emphasis on molecules that 1) have an apparent direct or indirect function in the receptor mediated processes of merozoite invasion of erythrocytes, and 2) are likely to have a role in affecting the immunobiological relationship between P. vivax and humans by stimulating anti-P. vivax immune responses. Three of these form a family that may also have a paradoxical role of promoting chronicity. The research is aimed at investigating aspects of the genetics and diversity of the family members and how this may affect the immune response mechanisms induced by these proteins. The coordinated use of in-vitro merozoite invasion and attachment assays, immunoelectron microscopy, gene knockout technologies, defined antibody and recombinant DNA reagents, and the use of the simian malaria models, aid in the precise determination and clarification of the location(s), function, structure and possible interactive relationships of the merozoite proteins under investigation. Understanding these properties is important for the rational development of potential malaria vaccine candidates. This past year special emphasis has been on interspecies comparative analyses, the evaluation of putative erythrocyte adhesion domains, development and expression of vaccine constructs, and ongoing studies evaluating the naturally acquire immune responses produced against these proteins.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Type
Primate Research Center Grants (P51)
Project #
2P51RR000165-46
Application #
7349182
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRR1-CM-8 (01))
Project Start
2006-06-09
Project End
2007-04-30
Budget Start
2006-06-09
Budget End
2007-04-30
Support Year
46
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$40,116
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Otolaryngology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
Claw, Katrina G; George, Renee D; MacCoss, Michael J et al. (2018) Quantitative evolutionary proteomics of seminal fluid from primates with different mating systems. BMC Genomics 19:488
Adekambi, Toidi; Ibegbu, Chris C; Cagle, Stephanie et al. (2018) High Frequencies of Caspase-3 Expressing Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Specific CD4+ T Cells Are Associated With Active Tuberculosis. Front Immunol 9:1481
Beck, Goichi; Maehara, Shunsuke; Chang, Phat Ly et al. (2018) A Selective Phosphodiesterase 10A Inhibitor Reduces L-Dopa-Induced Dyskinesias in Parkinsonian Monkeys. Mov Disord 33:805-814
Georgieva, Maria; Sia, Jonathan Kevin; Bizzell, Erica et al. (2018) Mycobacterium tuberculosis GroEL2 Modulates Dendritic Cell Responses. Infect Immun 86:
Tedesco, Dana; Grakoui, Arash (2018) Environmental peer pressure: CD4+ T cell help in tolerance and transplantation. Liver Transpl 24:89-97
Mavigner, Maud; Habib, Jakob; Deleage, Claire et al. (2018) Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Persistence in Cellular and Anatomic Reservoirs in Antiretroviral Therapy-Suppressed Infant Rhesus Macaques. J Virol 92:
Walker, Lary C (2018) Prion-like mechanisms in Alzheimer disease. Handb Clin Neurol 153:303-319
Kamberov, Yana G; Guhan, Samantha M; DeMarchis, Alessandra et al. (2018) Comparative evidence for the independent evolution of hair and sweat gland traits in primates. J Hum Evol 125:99-105
Wakeford, Alison G P; Morin, Elyse L; Bramlett, Sara N et al. (2018) A review of nonhuman primate models of early life stress and adolescent drug abuse. Neurobiol Stress 9:188-198
Singh, Arun; Jenkins, Meagan A; Burke Jr, Kenneth J et al. (2018) Glutamatergic Tuning of Hyperactive Striatal Projection Neurons Controls the Motor Response to Dopamine Replacement in Parkinsonian Primates. Cell Rep 22:941-952

Showing the most recent 10 out of 912 publications