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  1. Article ; Online: Distinctive Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Serological Profile during Acute Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Episodes

    Peter O. Oluoch / Catherine S. Forconi / Cliff I. Oduor / Dominic A. Ritacco / Hoseah M. Akala / Jeffrey A. Bailey / Jonathan J. Juliano / John M. Ong’echa / Christian Münz / Ann M. Moormann

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 24, Iss 6711, p

    2023  Volume 6711

    Abstract: The seroprevalence of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and the incidence of endemic Kaposi sarcoma (KS) overlap with regions of malaria endemicity in sub-Saharan Africa. Multiple studies have shown an increased risk of KSHV seroconversion in ... ...

    Abstract The seroprevalence of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and the incidence of endemic Kaposi sarcoma (KS) overlap with regions of malaria endemicity in sub-Saharan Africa. Multiple studies have shown an increased risk of KSHV seroconversion in children from high malaria compared to low malaria regions; however, the impact of acute episodes of Plasmodium falciparum ( P. falciparum ) malaria on KSHV’s biphasic life cycle and lytic reactivation has not been determined. Here, we examined KSHV serological profiles and viral loads in 134 children with acute malaria and 221 healthy children from high malaria regions in Kisumu, as well as 77 healthy children from low malaria regions in Nandi. We assayed KSHV, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), and P. falciparum malaria antibody responses in these three by multiplexed Luminex assay. We confirmed that KSHV seroprevalence was significantly associated with malaria endemicity (OR = 1.95, 1.18–3.24 95% CI, p = 0.01) with 71–77% seropositivity in high-malaria (Kisumu) compared to 28% in low-malaria (Nandi) regions. Furthermore, KSHV serological profiles during acute malaria episodes were distinct from age-matched non-malaria-infected children from the same region. Paired IgG levels also varied after malaria treatment, with significantly higher anti-ORF59 at day 0 but elevated ORF38, ORF73, and K8.1 at day 3. Acute malaria episodes is characterized by perturbation of KSHV latency in seropositive children, providing further evidence that malaria endemicity contributes to the observed increase in endemic KS incidence in sub-Saharan Africa.
    Keywords Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus ; Epstein–Barr virus ; acute malaria infection ; endemic Kaposi sarcoma ; sub-Saharan Africa ; lytic replication ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5 ; Chemistry ; QD1-999
    Subject code 616
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  2. Article ; Online: Sensitive detection of EBV microRNAs across cancer spectrum reveals association with decreased survival in adult acute myelocytic leukemia

    Mercedeh Movassagh / Cliff Oduor / Catherine Forconi / Ann M. Moormann / Jeffrey A. Bailey

    Scientific Reports, Vol 9, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    2019  Volume 10

    Abstract: Abstract Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is the etiologic agent involved in numerous human cancers. After infecting the host, EBV establishes a latent infection, with low levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression, evolved to evade immune recognition. ...

    Abstract Abstract Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is the etiologic agent involved in numerous human cancers. After infecting the host, EBV establishes a latent infection, with low levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression, evolved to evade immune recognition. Conversely, EBV microRNAs (miRNA) are expressed ubiquitously and abundantly within infected cells. Their role in tumor biology and clinical outcomes across the spectrum of cancer is not fully explained. Here, we applied our bioinformatics pipeline for quantitative EBV miRNA detection to examine sequencing data of 8,955 individual tumor samples across 27 tumor types representing the breadth of cancer. We uncover an association of intermediate levels of viral miRNA with decreased survival in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients (P = 0.00013). Prognostic modeling of this association suggests that increased EBV miRNA levels represent an independent risk factor for poor patient outcomes. Furthermore, we explore differences in expression between elevated and absent viral miRNA loads in adult AML tumors finding that EBV positivity was associated with proinflammatory signals. Together, given no associations were found for pediatric AML, our analyses suggests EBV positivity has the potential for being a prognostic biomarker and might represent a surrogate measure related to immune impairment in adult patients.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 616
    Language English
    Publishing date 2019-12-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Nature Portfolio
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  3. Article ; Online: The microbiota of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 and their infants

    Heidi K. Leftwich / Daniela Vargas-Robles / Mayra Rojas-Correa / Yan Rou Yap / Shakti Bhattarai / Doyle V. Ward / Gavin Fujimori / Catherine S. Forconi / Tracy Yeboah / Acara Carter / Alyssa Kastrinakis / Alison M. Asirwatham / Vanni Bucci / Ann M. Moormann / Ana Maldonado-Contreras

    Microbiome, Vol 11, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    2023  Volume 15

    Abstract: Abstract Background Infants receive their first bacteria from their birthing parent. This newly acquired microbiome plays a pivotal role in developing a robust immune system, the cornerstone of long-term health. Results We demonstrated that the gut, ... ...

    Abstract Abstract Background Infants receive their first bacteria from their birthing parent. This newly acquired microbiome plays a pivotal role in developing a robust immune system, the cornerstone of long-term health. Results We demonstrated that the gut, vaginal, and oral microbial diversity of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection is reduced, and women with early infections exhibit a different vaginal microbiota composition at the time of delivery compared to their healthy control counterparts. Accordingly, a low relative abundance of two Streptococcus sequence variants (SV) was predictive of infants born to pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions Our data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infections during pregnancy, particularly early infections, are associated with lasting changes in the microbiome of pregnant women, compromising the initial microbial seed of their infant. Our results highlight the importance of further exploring the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the infant’s microbiome-dependent immune programming. Video Abstract
    Keywords Microbial ecology ; QR100-130
    Subject code 610
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher BMC
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  4. Article ; Online: Broadly recognized, cross-reactive SARS-CoV-2 CD4 T cell epitopes are highly conserved across human coronaviruses and presented by common HLA alleles

    Aniuska Becerra-Artiles / J. Mauricio Calvo-Calle / Mary Dawn Co / Padma P. Nanaware / John Cruz / Grant C. Weaver / Liying Lu / Catherine Forconi / Robert W. Finberg / Ann M. Moormann / Lawrence J. Stern

    Cell Reports, Vol 39, Iss 11, Pp 110952- (2022)

    2022  

    Abstract: Summary: Sequence homology between SARS-CoV-2 and common-cold human coronaviruses (HCoVs) raises the possibility that memory responses to prior HCoV infection can affect T cell response in COVID-19. We studied T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 and HCoVs in ... ...

    Abstract Summary: Sequence homology between SARS-CoV-2 and common-cold human coronaviruses (HCoVs) raises the possibility that memory responses to prior HCoV infection can affect T cell response in COVID-19. We studied T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 and HCoVs in convalescent COVID-19 donors and identified a highly conserved SARS-CoV-2 sequence, S811-831, with overlapping epitopes presented by common MHC class II proteins HLA-DQ5 and HLA-DP4. These epitopes are recognized by low-abundance CD4 T cells from convalescent COVID-19 donors, mRNA vaccine recipients, and uninfected donors. TCR sequencing revealed a diverse repertoire with public TCRs. T cell cross-reactivity is driven by the high conservation across human and animal coronaviruses of T cell contact residues in both HLA-DQ5 and HLA-DP4 binding frames, with distinct patterns of HCoV cross-reactivity explained by MHC class II binding preferences and substitutions at secondary TCR contact sites. These data highlight S811-831 as a highly conserved CD4 T cell epitope broadly recognized across human populations.
    Keywords CP: Immunology ; CP: Microbiology ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
    Subject code 570
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-06-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Elsevier
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  5. Article ; Online: Association of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors with endemic Burkitt lymphoma in Kenyan children

    Beatrice M. Muriuki / Catherine S. Forconi / Peter O. Oluoch / Jeffrey A. Bailey / Anita Ghansah / Ann M. Moormann / John M. Ong’echa

    Scientific Reports, Vol 11, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    2021  Volume 9

    Abstract: Abstract Endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) is an aggressive pediatric B cell lymphoma, common in Equatorial Africa. Co-infections with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Plasmodium falciparum, coupled with c-myc translocation are involved in eBL etiology. ... ...

    Abstract Abstract Endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) is an aggressive pediatric B cell lymphoma, common in Equatorial Africa. Co-infections with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Plasmodium falciparum, coupled with c-myc translocation are involved in eBL etiology. Infection-induced immune evasion mechanisms to avoid T cell cytotoxicity may increase the role of Natural killer (NK) cells in anti-tumor immunosurveillance. Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes on NK cells exhibit genotypic and allelic variations and are associated with susceptibility to diseases and malignancies. However, their role in eBL pathogenesis remains undefined. This retrospective study genotyped sixteen KIR genes and compared their frequencies in eBL patients (n = 104) and healthy geographically-matched children (n = 104) using sequence-specific primers polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) technique. The relationship between KIR polymorphisms with EBV loads and eBL pathogenesis was investigated. Possession of ≥ 4 activating KIRs predisposed individuals to eBL (OR = 3.340; 95% CI 1.530–7.825; p = 0.004). High EBV levels were observed in Bx haplogroup (p = 0.016) and AB genotypes (p = 0.042) relative to AA haplogroup and AA genotype respectively, in eBL patients but not in healthy controls. Our results suggest that KIR-mediated NK cell stimulation could mute EBV control, contributing to eBL pathogenesis.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-05-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Nature Portfolio
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  6. Article ; Online: KSHV infection drives poorly cytotoxic CD56-negative natural killer cell differentiation in vivo upon KSHV/EBV dual infection

    Nicole Caduff / Donal McHugh / Lisa Rieble / Catherine S. Forconi / John M. Ong’echa / Peter O. Oluoch / Ana Raykova / Anita Murer / Michelle Böni / Lara Zuppiger / Thomas F. Schulz / David J. Blackbourn / Obinna Chijioke / Ann M. Moormann / Christian Münz

    Cell Reports, Vol 35, Iss 5, Pp 109056- (2021)

    2021  

    Abstract: Summary: Herpesvirus infections shape the human natural killer (NK) cell compartment. While Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) expands immature NKG2A+ NK cells, human cytomegalovirus (CMV) drives accumulation of adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells. Kaposi sarcoma-associated ... ...

    Abstract Summary: Herpesvirus infections shape the human natural killer (NK) cell compartment. While Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) expands immature NKG2A+ NK cells, human cytomegalovirus (CMV) drives accumulation of adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells. Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a close relative of EBV, and both are associated with lymphomas, including primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), which nearly always harbors both viruses. In this study, KSHV dual infection of mice with reconstituted human immune system components leads to the accumulation of CD56–CD16+CD38+CXCR6+ NK cells. CD56–CD16+ NK cells were also more frequently found in KSHV-seropositive Kenyan children. This NK cell subset is poorly cytotoxic against otherwise-NK-cell-susceptible and antibody-opsonized targets. Accordingly, NK cell depletion does not significantly alter KSHV infection in humanized mice. These data suggest that KSHV might escape NK-cell-mediated immune control by driving CD56–CD16+ NK cell differentiation.
    Keywords Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus ; KSHV ; Epstein-Barr virus ; EBV ; humanized mouse model ; natural killer cells ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-05-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Elsevier
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  7. Article ; Online: Regulatory T Cells in Endemic Burkitt Lymphoma Patients Are Associated with Poor Outcomes

    Emily Parsons / Juliana A Otieno / John Michael Ong'echa / Christina E Nixon / John Vulule / Christian Münz / V Ann Stewart / Ann M Moormann

    PLoS ONE, Vol 11, Iss 12, p e

    A Prospective, Longitudinal Study.

    2016  Volume 0167841

    Abstract: Deficiencies in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T cell immunosurveillance appear to precede the development of endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL), a malaria-associated pediatric cancer common in sub-Saharan Africa. However, T cell contributions to eBL ... ...

    Abstract Deficiencies in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T cell immunosurveillance appear to precede the development of endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL), a malaria-associated pediatric cancer common in sub-Saharan Africa. However, T cell contributions to eBL disease progression and survival have not been characterized. Our objective was to investigate regulatory and inflammatory T cell responses in eBL patients associated with clinical outcomes. By multi-parameter flow cytometry, we examined peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 38 eBL patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study in Kisumu, Kenya from 2008-2010, and 14 healthy age-matched Kenyan controls. Children diagnosed with eBL were prospectively followed and outcomes categorized as 2-year event-free survivors, cases of relapses, or those who died. At the time of diagnosis, eBL children with higher CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cell frequencies were less likely to survive than patients with lower Treg frequencies (p = 0·0194). Non-survivors also had higher absolute counts of CD45RA+Foxp3lo naïve and CD45RA-Foxp3hi effector Treg subsets compared to survivors and healthy controls. Once patients went into clinical remission, Treg frequencies remained low in event-free survivors. Patients who relapsed, however, showed elevated Treg frequencies months prior to their adverse event. Neither concurrent peripheral blood EBV load nor malaria infection could explain higher Treg cell frequencies. CD8+ T cell PD-1 expression was elevated in all eBL patients at time of diagnosis, but relapse patients tended to have persistently high PD-1 expression compared to long-term survivors. Non-survivors produced more CD4+ T-cell IL-10 in response to both Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen-1 (EBNA-1) (p = 0·026) and the malaria antigen Plasmodium falciparum Schizont Egress Antigen-1 (p = 0·0158) compared to survivors, and were concurrently deficient in (EBNA-1)-specific CD8+ T-cell derived IFN-γ production (p = 0·002). In addition, we identified the presence of Foxp3-IL10+ regulatory Type ...
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 610 ; 616
    Language English
    Publishing date 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  8. Article: Effect of transmission intensity and age on subclass antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum pre-erythrocytic and blood-stage antigens

    Noland, Gregory S / Ann M. Moormann / Bartholomew N. Ondigo / Chandy C. John / Gregory S. Park / James W. Kazura / John M. Vulule / Paul Jansen

    Acta tropica. 2015 Feb., v. 142

    2015  

    Abstract: Cytophilic immunoglobulin (IgG) subclass responses (IgG1 and IgG3) to Plasmodium falciparum antigens have been associated with protection from malaria, yet the relative importance of transmission intensity and age in generation of subclass responses to ... ...

    Abstract Cytophilic immunoglobulin (IgG) subclass responses (IgG1 and IgG3) to Plasmodium falciparum antigens have been associated with protection from malaria, yet the relative importance of transmission intensity and age in generation of subclass responses to pre-erythrocytic and blood-stage antigens have not been clearly defined. We analyzed IgG subclass responses to the pre-erythrocytic antigens CSP, LSA-1, and TRAP and the blood-stage antigens AMA-1, EBA-175, and MSP-1 in asymptomatic residents age 2 years or older in stable (n=116) and unstable (n=96) transmission areas in Western Kenya. In the area of stable malaria transmission, a high prevalence of cytophilic (IgG1 and IgG3) antibodies to each antigen was seen in all age groups. Prevalence and levels of cytophilic antibodies to pre-erythrocytic and blood-stage P. falciparum antigens increased with age in the unstable transmission area, yet IgG1 and IgG3 responses to most antigens for all ages in the unstable transmission area were less prevalent and lower in magnitude than even the youngest age group from the stable transmission area. The dominance of cytophilic responses over non-cytophilic (IgG2 and IgG4) was more pronounced in the stable transmission area, and the ratio of IgG3 over IgG1 generally increased with age. In the unstable transmission area, the ratio of cytophilic to non-cytophilic antibodies did not increase with age, and tended to be IgG3-biased for pre-erythrocytic antigens yet IgG1-biased for blood-stage antigens. The differences between areas could not be attributed to active parasitemia status, as there were minimal differences in antibody responses between those positive and negative for Plasmodium infection by microscopy in the stable transmission area. Individuals in areas of unstable transmission have low cytophilic to non-cytophilic IgG subclass ratios and low IgG3:IgG1 ratios to P. falciparum antigens. These imbalances could contribute to the persistent risk of clinical malaria in these areas and serve as population-level, age-specific biomarkers of transmission.
    Keywords antibodies ; antigens ; biomarkers ; immunoglobulin G ; malaria ; microscopy ; parasitemia ; Plasmodium falciparum ; risk ; Kenya
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2015-02
    Size p. 47-56.
    Publishing place Elsevier B.V.
    Document type Article
    ZDB-ID 210415-5
    ISSN 1873-6254 ; 0001-706X
    ISSN (online) 1873-6254
    ISSN 0001-706X
    DOI 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.10.011
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  9. Article ; Online: The dynamics of naturally acquired immunity to Plasmodium falciparum infection.

    Mykola Pinkevych / Janka Petravic / Kiprotich Chelimo / James W Kazura / Ann M Moormann / Miles P Davenport

    PLoS Computational Biology, Vol 8, Iss 10, p e

    2012  Volume 1002729

    Abstract: Severe malaria occurs predominantly in young children and immunity to clinical disease is associated with cumulative exposure in holoendemic settings. The relative contribution of immunity against various stages of the parasite life cycle that results in ...

    Abstract Severe malaria occurs predominantly in young children and immunity to clinical disease is associated with cumulative exposure in holoendemic settings. The relative contribution of immunity against various stages of the parasite life cycle that results in controlling infection and limiting disease is not well understood. Here we analyse the dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection after treatment in a cohort of 197 healthy study participants of different ages in order to model naturally acquired immunity. We find that both delayed time-to-infection and reductions in asymptomatic parasitaemias in older age groups can be explained by immunity that reduces the growth of blood stage as opposed to liver stage parasites. We found that this mechanism would require at least two components - a rapidly acting strain-specific component, as well as a slowly acquired cross-reactive or general immunity to all strains. Analysis and modelling of malaria infection dynamics and naturally acquired immunity with age provides important insights into what mechanisms of immune control may be harnessed by malaria vaccine strategists.
    Keywords Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
    Subject code 616
    Language English
    Publishing date 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  10. Article ; Online: Correction

    Cynthia J. Snider / Stephen R. Cole / Kiprotich Chelimo / Peter Odada Sumba / Pia D. M. MacDonald / Chandy C. John / Steven R. Meshnick / Ann M. Moormann

    PLoS ONE, Vol 7, Iss

    Recurrent Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Infections in Kenyan Children Diminish T-Cell Immunity to Epstein Barr Virus Lytic but Not Latent Antigens.

    2012  Volume 6

    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Language English
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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