This work was funded by grant PRB-009 to CS and a doctoral scholarship to LC, from the Secretar&#237;a Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnolog&#237;a (SENACYT), Panama.

All steps of the protocol, except for centrifugations, should be carried out inside a hood to keep the sample sterile.
1. Late Stage Isolation of P. falciparum-infected Erythrocytes
All late stages of Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes can be separated with this methodology, since hemozoin, which confers paramagnetism on the parasite, is a common metabolite to the genus. A high parasitemia (3-10%) in culture is recommended to get better yields with this protocol, although a typical culture will contain 2-4% hematocrit (volume percentage of red blood cells) and 1-8% parasitemia (percentage of infected red blood cells). Parasites can be cultured as described by Trager and Jansen 1.
<ol>
 <li>A simple, multi-part setup must be assembled for every schizont isolation procedure. For this, LS columns, a Magnetic MidiMACS Separator and a MACS MultiStand from Miltenyi BioTec (Figure 1) are used. First, attach the magnetic separator to the metal stand and then place the magnetic column on the separator.
 </li>
 <li>In a separate tube (use 50 ml conicals throughout), mix 23.2 ml of RPMI 1640 and 750 &mu;l of 7.5% sodium bicarbonate to create the work solution. Have additional tubes on hand for discarding and collecting the flow-through of the parasite culture. 
 </li>
 <li>Add 3 ml of the work solution to the column to equilibrate it, and discard the flow-through into a tube. </li>
 <li>Add 8 ml of the P. falciparum culture to the column, making sure that as soon as the last part of the work solution has been pushed out of the column by the culture, the receiving tube is replaced by the collecting one to begin recovery of the unbound culture. This is necessary to avoid diluting the culture any further. </li>
 <li>Once the flow of the culture through the column has ceased, add 1 ml of the work solution to push the remaining RBCs out of the column. </li>
 <li>Washing step: Add another 3 ml of the work solution to the column and collect the flowing liquid into the "discard" tube in order to avoid diluting the culture being saved as flow-through in the other tube. 
 </li>
 <li>Elution: Once the 3 ml have passed through the column, detach the latter from the stand and place it on top of a 15 ml tube. </li>
 <li>Again, add 3 ml of work solution to the column. This step elutes the erythrocytes infected with late stage parasites that were trapped in the beads of the column. </li>
</ol>
Note: At this point, and depending on the amount of parasites required, start another round/s of collection, obviously subject to the limits of the parasitemia in the original culture. The column can be reused as long as the flow maintains a steady state.
<ol start="9">
 <li>Concentration of the collected parasites: Centrifuge the 15 ml tube containing the eluate for 5 min at 150 x g at room temperature to form a dark pellet from the parasitized erythrocytes.
 </li>
 <li>Remove the supernatant leaving enough liquid to take a very small sample and determine the concentration and total yield through microscopy (See step 2 below). </li>
 <li>At this moment, if the isolation and capture of late stage parasites is accomplished satisfactorily, incubate the collected culture again with fresh media. </li>
 <li>Dilute the collected parasites in the volume and solution needed for subsequent experiments. </li>
</ol>
2. Purity and Yield Analysis 
<ol>
 <li>Verify the concentration of parasites obtained by using a hemocytometer and counting under a light microscope. To count, add 10 &mu;l of the mix of the collected parasites and the media under the cover slip of the hemocytometer. Count the number of parasites in the four quadrants of the hemocytometer and divide the total number by 4. Multiply that number by 104 to obtain the concentration of infected erythrocytes per ml. 
 </li>
</ol>
Notes: a) The concentration of the mix will be decided by the user at the moment of resuspending the pellet, by adding more or less medium. A suggested working concentration is 5.5 X 104 schizontes per &mu;l (this is typically achieved by adding 100-300 &mu;l to the collected parasites). If 20 &mu;l of this concentration is added to a final volume of 100 &mu;l mix of media and erythrocytes, a parasitemia of about 1% in a typical 4% hematocrit culture will be obtained. b) Counting under the hemocytometer has to be quick, since the erythrocytes start lysing as the sample dries inside the chamber. Infected erythrocytes, which should be the majority, will show a dark spot inside, which differentiates them from non-infected ones. 
<ol start="2">
 <li>Perform a thin-layer Giemsa stain to assess the purity of the collection by fixing the slides very rapidly in 10% methanol, drying them, and immersing them in a 20% solution of Giemsa stain diluted with distilled water. Stain the slides for 10 min, after which they can be dried by air and examined under the microscope. A parasitemia well above 70% should be achievable. </li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Jensen, J. B., Trager, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Plasmodium+falciparum+in+culture:+use+of+outdated+erythrocytes+and+description+of+the+candle+jar+method.">Plasmodium falciparum in culture: use of outdated erythrocytes and description of the candle jar method.</a> J. Parasitology. 63 (5), 883-886 (1977).</li><li>Guzman, I. Y., Francis, S. E., Oksman, A., Smith, C. E., Duffin, K. L., Goldberg, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Order+and+specificity+of+the+Plasmodium+falciparum+hemoglobin+degradation+pathway.">Order and specificity of the Plasmodium falciparum hemoglobin degradation pathway.</a> J. Clin. Invest. 93, 1602-1608 (1994).</li><li>Rosenthal, P. J., Meshnick, S. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hemoglobin+catabolism+and+iron+utilization+by+malaria+parasites.">Hemoglobin catabolism and iron utilization by malaria parasites.</a> Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 83 (2), 131-139 (1996).</li><li>Fitch, C. D., Chevli, R., Kanjananggulpan, P., Dutta, P., Chevli, K., Chou, A. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intracellular+ferriprotoporphyrin+IX+is+a+lytic+agent.">Intracellular ferriprotoporphyrin IX is a lytic agent.</a> Blood. 62 (6), 1165-1168 (1983).</li><li>Hebbel, R. P., Eaton, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pathobiology+of+heme+interaction+with+the+erythrocyte+membrane.">Pathobiology of heme interaction with the erythrocyte membrane.</a> Semin. Hematol. 26 (2), 136-149 (1989).</li><li>Egan, T. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Haemozoin+formation.">Haemozoin formation.</a> Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 157 (2), 127-136 (2008).</li><li>Hempelmann, E., Marques, H. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+of+malaria+pigment+from+Plasmodium+falciparum.">Analysis of malaria pigment from Plasmodium falciparum.</a> J. Pharmacol. Toxicol. Methods. 32 (1), 25-30 (1994).</li><li>Fitch, C. D., Kanjananggulpan, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+state+of+ferriprotoporphyrin+IX+in+malaria+pigment.">The state of ferriprotoporphyrin IX in malaria pigment.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 262 (32), 15552-15555 (1987).</li><li>Moore, L. R., Fujioka, H., Williams, P. S., Chalmers, J. J., Grimberg, B., Zimmerman, P. A., Zborowski, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hemoglobin+degradation+in+malaria-infected+erythrocytes+determined+from+live+cell+magnetophoresis.">Hemoglobin degradation in malaria-infected erythrocytes determined from live cell magnetophoresis.</a> FASEB J. 20 (6), 747-749 (2006).</li><li>Spadafora, C., Gerena, L., Kopydlowski, K. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+the+in+vitro+invasive+capabilities+of+Plasmodium+falciparum+schizonts+isolated+by+Percoll+gradient+or+using+magnetic+based+separation.">Comparison of the in vitro invasive capabilities of Plasmodium falciparum schizonts isolated by Percoll gradient or using magnetic based separation.</a> Malaria J. 10, 96 (2011).</li><li>Jackson, K. E., Spielmann, T., Hanssen, E., Adisa, A., Separovic, F., Dixon, M. W., Trenholme, K. R., Hawthorne, P. L., Gardiner, D. L., Gilberger, T., Tilley, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Selective+permeabilization+of+the+host+cell+membrane+of+Plasmodium+falciparum-infected+red+blood+cells+with+streptolysin+O+and+equinatoxin+II.">Selective permeabilization of the host cell membrane of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells with streptolysin O and equinatoxin II.</a> Biochem. J. 403, 167-175 (2007).</li><li>Goodyer, I. D., Johnson, J., Eisenthal, R., Hayes, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Purification+of+mature-stage+Plasmodium+falciparum+by+gelatine+flotation.">Purification of mature-stage Plasmodium falciparum by gelatine flotation.</a> Ann. Trop. Med. Parasitol. 88 (2), 209-211 (1994).</li><li>Pasvol, G., Wilson, R. J., Smalley, M. E., Brown, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Separation+of+viable+schizont-infected+red+cells+of+Plasmodium+falciparum+from+human+blood.">Separation of viable schizont-infected red cells of Plasmodium falciparum from human blood.</a> Ann. Trop. Med. Parasitol. 72, 87-88 (1978).</li><li>Pertoft, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fractionation+of+cells+and+subcellular+particles+with+Percoll.">Fractionation of cells and subcellular particles with Percoll.</a> J. Biochem. Biophys. Methods. 44 (1-2), 1-30 (2000).</li><li>Paul, F., Roath, S., Melville, D., Warhurst, D. C., Osisanya, J. O. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Separation+of+malaria-infected+erythrocytes+from+whole+blood:+use+of+a+selective+high-gradient+magnetic+separation+technique.">Separation of malaria-infected erythrocytes from whole blood: use of a selective high-gradient magnetic separation technique.</a> The Lancet. 318, 70-71 (1981).</li><li>Trang, D. T., Huy, N. T., Kariu, T., Tajima, K., Kamei, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=One-step+concentration+of+malarial+parasite-infected+red+blood+cells+and+removal+of+contaminating+white+blood+cells.">One-step concentration of malarial parasite-infected red blood cells and removal of contaminating white blood cells.</a> Malar. J. 3, 7 (2004).</li><li>Nillni, E. A., Londner, M. V., Spira, D. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+simple+method+for+separation+of+uninfected+erythrocytes+from+those+infected+with+Plasmodium+berghei+and+for+isolation+of+artificially+released+parasites.">A simple method for separation of uninfected erythrocytes from those infected with Plasmodium berghei and for isolation of artificially released parasites.</a> Z. Parasitenkd. 64, 279-284 (1981).</li></ol>

We have nothing to disclose.

In vitro cultures of the malaria parasite P. falciparum exhibit a limited parasitemia, with more than half of the red blood cells uninfected at the highest proliferation point of culture. For most research experiments, it is desirable to work only with the infected erythrocytes. To this end, a separation technique is necessary to divide the culture according to infection. Useful methods include the use of streptolysin O to permeabilize and lyze the uninfected RBCs 11 and a series of variation...

<table border="1">
<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of the reagent</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue number</td>
 <td>Comments (optional)</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>
RPMI 1640 Hepes Modified</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td> R4130</td>
 <td>Supplemented with 10% human serum, 2% glucose, and 0.2% sodium bicarbonate</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>MidiMACS Separator</td>
 <td>MACS Miltenyi BioTec</td>
 <td>130-042-302</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>MACS MultiStand</td>
 <td>MACS Miltenyi BioTec</td>
 <td>130-042-303</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>LS Columns</td>
 <td>MACS Miltenyi BioTec</td>
 <td>130-042-401</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td> Hemacytometer</td>
 <td> Grafco</td>
 <td> Grafco Neubauer Chamber</td>
 <td>Can be found through many other suppliers</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

separation of plasmodium falciparum late stage-infected erythrocytes by magnetic means

Unlike other Plasmodium species, P. falciparum can be cultured in the lab, which facilitates its study 1. While the parasitemia achieved can reach the &asymp;40% limit, the investigator usually keeps the percentage at around 10%. In many cases it is necessary to isolate the parasite-containing red blood cells (RBCs) from the uninfected ones, to enrich the culture and proceed with a given experiment. 
When P. falciparum infects the erythrocyte, the parasite degrades and feeds from haemoglobin 2, 3. However, the parasite must deal with a very toxic iron-containing haem moiety 4, 5. The parasite eludes its toxicity by transforming the haem into an inert crystal polymer called haemozoin 6, 7. This iron-containing molecule is stored in its food vacuole and the metal in it has an oxidative state which differs from the one in haem 8. The ferric state of iron in the haemozoin confers on it a paramagnetic property absent in uninfected erythrocytes. As the invading parasite reaches maturity, the content of haemozoin also increases 9, which bestows even more paramagnetism on the latest stages of P. falciparum inside the erythrocyte.
Based on this paramagnetic property, the latest stages of P. falciparum infected-red blood cells can be separated by passing the culture through a column containing magnetic beads. These beads become magnetic when the columns containing them are placed on a magnet holder. Infected RBCs, due to their paramagnetism, will then be trapped inside the column, while the flow-through will contain, for the most part, uninfected erythrocytes and those containing early stages of the parasite.
Here, we describe the methodology to enrich the population of late stage parasites with magnetic columns, which maintains good parasite viability 10. After performing this procedure, the unattached culture can be returned to an incubator to allow the remaining parasites to continue growing.

In Figure 2, the culture passing through the magnetic column is shown, before (A) and after the procedure (B). One to two infected erythrocytes are usually seen on a 100X magnification field as shown in Figure 2, with the arrows pointing to infected erythrocytes in Figure 2A. In a typical procedure, starting with a culture at 5% parasitemia (Figure 2A), the performance of this procedure usually produces erythrocytes with...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Separation of Plasmodium falciparum Late Stage-infected Erythrocytes by Magnetic Means at JoVE.com

Separation of Plasmodium falciparum Late Stage-infected Erythrocytes by Magnetic Means

The paramagnetic properties of hemozoin are used to isolate late stages of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells growing in culture. The method is simple and fast and does not affect the subsequent invasive capabilities of the parasites.

Separation of Plasmodium falciparum Late Stage-infected Erythrocytes by Magnetic Means

Unlike other Plasmodium species, P. falciparum can be cultured in the lab, which facilitates its study 1. While the parasitemia achieved can reach the ...

separation-plasmodium-falciparum-late-stage-infected-erythrocytes

Research

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Immunology and Infection

13.8K Views.  Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP). The paramagnetic properties of hemozoin are used to isolate late stages of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells growing in culture. The method is simple and fast and does not affect the subsequent invasive capabilities of the parasites.

Video: Separation of Plasmodium falciparum Late Stage-infected Erythrocytes by Magnetic Means

Ex vivo Expansion of Tumor-reactive T Cells by Means of Bryostatin 1/Ionomycin and the Common Gamma Chain Cytokines Formulation

It was reported that breast cancer patients have pre-existing immune responses against their tumors1,2. However, such immune responses fail to provide complete protection against the development or recurrence of breast cancer. To overcome this problem by increasing the frequency of tumor-reactive T cells, adoptive immunotherapy has been employed. A variety of protocols have been used for the expansion of tumor-specific T cells. These protocols, however, are restricted to the use of tumor antigens ex vivo for the activation of antigen-specific T cells. Very recently, common gamma chain cytokines such as IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 have been used alone or in combination for the enhancement of anti-tumor immune responses3. However, it is not clear what formulation would work best for the expansion of tumor-reactive T cells. Here we present a protocol for the selective activation and expansion of tumor-reactive T cells from the FVBN202 transgenic mouse model of HER-2/neu positive breast carcinoma for use in adoptive T cell therapy of breast cancer. The protocol includes activation of T cells with bryostatin-1/ionomycin (B/I) and IL-2 in the absence of tumor antigens for 16 hours. B/I activation mimics intracellular signals that result in T cell activation by increasing protein kinase C activity and intracellular calcium, respectively4. This protocol specifically activates tumor-specific T cells while killing irrelevant T cells. The B/I-activated T cells are cultured with IL-7 and IL-15 for 24 hours and then pulsed with IL-2. After 24 hours, T cells are washed, split, and cultured with IL-7 + IL-15 for additional 4 days. Tumor-specificity and anti-tumor efficacy of the ex vivo expanded T cells is determined.

Ex vivo Expansion of Tumor-reactive T Cells by Means of Bryostatin 1/Ionomycin and the Common Gamma Chain Cytokines Formulation

An efficient protocol for the ex vivo expansion of tumor-reactive T cells from tumor-draining lymph nodes or other secondary lymphoid tissues of tumor-bearing hosts is described. This protocol selectively expands tumor-specific T cells for use in adoptive immunotherapy of breast cancer.

It was reported that breast cancer patients have pre-existing immune responses against their tumors1,2. However, such immune responses fail to provide ...

Selection of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites for Cytoadhesion to Human Brain Endothelial Cells

Most human malaria deaths are caused by blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Cerebral malaria, the most life-threatening complication of the disease, is characterised by an accumulation of Plasmodium falciparum infected red blood cells (iRBC) at pigmented trophozoite stage in the microvasculature of the brain2-4. This microvessel obstruction (sequestration) leads to acidosis, hypoxia and harmful inflammatory cytokines (reviewed in 5). Sequestration is also found in most microvascular tissues of the human body2, 3. The mechanism by which iRBC attach to the blood vessel walls is still poorly understood.
The immortalized Human Brain microvascular Endothelial Cell line (HBEC-5i) has been used as an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier6. However, Plasmodium falciparum iRBC attach only poorly to HBEC-5i in vitro, unlike the dense sequestration that occurs in cerebral malaria cases. We therefore developed a panning assay to select (enrich) various P. falciparum strains for adhesion to HBEC-5i in order to obtain populations of high-binding parasites, more representative of what occurs in vivo.
A sample of a parasite culture (mixture of iRBC and uninfected RBC) at the pigmented trophozoite stage is washed and incubated on a layer of HBEC-5i grown on a Petri dish. After incubation, the dish is gently washed free from uRBC and unbound iRBC. Fresh uRBC are added to the few iRBC attached to HBEC-5i and incubated overnight. As schizont stage parasites burst, merozoites reinvade RBC and these ring stage parasites are harvested the following day. Parasites are cultured until enough material is obtained (typically 2 to 4 weeks) and a new round of selection can be performed. Depending on the P. falciparum strain, 4 to 7 rounds of selection are needed in order to get a population where most parasites bind to HBEC-5i. The binding phenotype is progressively lost after a few weeks, indicating a switch in variant surface antigen gene expression, thus regular selection on HBEC-5i is required to maintain the phenotype.
In summary, we developed a selection assay rendering P. falciparum parasites a more "cerebral malaria adhesive" phenotype. We were able to select 3 out of 4 P. falciparum strains on HBEC-5i. This assay has also successfully been used to select parasites for binding to human dermal and pulmonary endothelial cells. Importantly, this method can be used to select tissue-specific parasite populations in order to identify candidate parasite ligands for binding to brain endothelium. Moreover, this assay can be used to screen for putative anti-sequestration drugs7.

Selection of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites for Cytoadhesion to Human Brain Endothelial Cells

An in vitro model for cerebral malaria sequestration is described1. Plasmodium falciparum infected red blood cells are selected for binding to immortalized human brain microvascular endothelial cells. The selected parasites show a distinct phenotype. The selection process can be applied using various P. falciparum strains and endothelial cell lines.

Most human malaria deaths are caused by blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Cerebral malaria, the most life-threatening complication of the ...

An In vitro Co-infection Model to Study Plasmodium falciparum-HIV-1 Interactions in Human Primary Monocyte-derived Immune Cells

Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the deadliest form of malaria, and human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) are among the most important health problems worldwide, being responsible for a total of 4 million deaths annually1. Due to their extensive overlap in developing regions, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, co-infections with malaria and HIV-1 are common, but the interplay between the two diseases is poorly understood. Epidemiological reports have suggested that malarial infection transiently enhances HIV-1 replication and increases HIV-1 viral load in co-infected individuals2,3. Because this viremia stays high for several weeks after treatment with antimalarials, this phenomenon could have an impact on disease progression and transmission.
The cellular immunological mechanisms behind these observations have been studied only scarcely. The few in vitro studies investigating the impact of malaria on HIV-1 have demonstrated that exposure to soluble malarial antigens can increase HIV-1 infection and reactivation in immune cells. However, these studies used whole cell extracts of P. falciparum schizont stage parasites and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), making it hard to decipher which malarial component(s) was responsible for the observed effects and what the target host cells were4,5. Recent work has demonstrated that exposure of immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells to the malarial pigment hemozoin increased their ability to transfer HIV-1 to CD4+ T cells6,7, but that it decreased HIV-1 infection of macrophages8. To shed light on this complex process, a systematic analysis of the interactions between the malaria parasite and HIV-1 in different relevant human primary cell populations is critically needed.
Several techniques for investigating the impact of HIV-1 on the phagocytosis of micro-organisms and the effect of such pathogens on HIV-1 replication have been described. We here present a method to investigate the effects of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes on the replication of HIV-1 in human primary monocyte-derived macrophages. The impact of parasite exposure on HIV-1 transcriptional/translational events is monitored by using single cycle pseudotyped viruses in which a luciferase reporter gene has replaced the Env gene while the effect on the quantity of virus released by the infected macrophages is determined by measuring the HIV-1 capsid protein p24 by ELISA in cell supernatants.

An In vitro Co-infection Model to Study Plasmodium falciparum-HIV-1 Interactions in Human Primary Monocyte-derived Immune Cells

We have developed an in vitro malaria-HIV-1 co-infection model to study the impact of Plasmodium falciparum on the HIV-1 replicative cycle in human primary monocyte-derived macrophages. This versatile system can easily be adapted to other primary cell types susceptible to HIV-1 infection.

Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent  of the deadliest form of malaria, and human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) are among the most important ...

A Simple Protocol for Platelet-mediated Clumping of Plasmodium falciparum-infected Erythrocytes in a Resource Poor Setting

P. falciparum causes the majority of severe malarial infections. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cerebral malaria (CM) are not fully understood and several hypotheses have been put forward, including mechanical obstruction of microvessels by P. falciparum-parasitized red blood cells (pRBC). Indeed, during the intra-erythrocytic stage of its life cycle, P. falciparum has the unique ability to modify the surface of the infected erythrocyte by exporting surface antigens with varying adhesive properties onto the RBC membrane. This allows the sequestration of pRBC in multiple tissues and organs by adhesion to endothelial cells lining the microvasculature of post-capillary venules 1. By doing so, the mature forms of the parasite avoid splenic clearance of the deformed infected erythrocytes 2 and restrict their environment to a more favorable low oxygen pressure 3. As a consequence of this sequestration, it is only immature asexual parasites and gametocytes that can be detected in peripheral blood.
Cytoadherence and sequestration of mature pRBC to the numerous host receptors expressed on microvascular beds occurs in severe and uncomplicated disease. However, several lines of evidence suggest that only specific adhesive phenotypes are likely to be associated with severe pathological outcomes of malaria. One example of such specific host-parasite interactions has been demonstrated in vitro, where the ability of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 to support binding of pRBC with particular adhesive properties has been linked to development of cerebral malaria 4,5. The placenta has also been recognized as a site of preferential pRBC accumulation in malaria-infected pregnant women, with chondrotin sulphate A expressed on syncytiotrophoblasts that line the placental intervillous space as the main receptor 6. Rosetting of pRBC to uninfected erythrocytes via the complement receptor 1 (CD35)7,8 has also been associated with severe disease 9.
One of the most recently described P. falciparum cytoadherence phenotypes is the ability of the pRBC to form platelet-mediated clumps in vitro. The formation of such pRBC clumps requires CD36, a glycoprotein expressed on the surface of platelets. Another human receptor, gC1qR/HABP1/p32, expressed on diverse cell types including endothelial cells and platelets, has also been shown to facilitate pRBC adhesion on platelets to form clumps 10. Whether clumping occurs in vivo remains unclear, but it may account for the significant accumulation of platelets described in brain microvasculature of Malawian children who died from CM 11. In addition, the ability of clinical isolate cultures to clump in vitro was directly linked to the severity of disease in Malawian 12 and Mozambican patients 13, (although not in Malian 14).
With several aspects of the pRBC clumping phenotype poorly characterized, current studies on this subject have not followed a standardized procedure. This is an important issue because of the known high variability inherent in the assay 15. Here, we present a method for in vitro platelet-mediated clumping of P. falciparum with hopes that it will provide a platform for a consistent method for other groups and raise awareness of the limitations in investigating this phenotype in future studies. Being based in Malawi, we provide a protocol specifically designed for a limited resource setting, with the advantage that freshly collected clinical isolates can be examined for phenotype without need for cryopreservation.

A Simple Protocol for Platelet-mediated Clumping of Plasmodium falciparum-infected Erythrocytes in a Resource Poor Setting

This method investigates the platelet-mediated clumping phenotype of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (pRBC) in clinical isolates. This is performed by isolating and co-incubating platelet-rich plasma and a suspension of pRBC.

P. falciparum causes the majority of severe malarial infections. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cerebral malaria (CM) are not fully ...

Isolation and Analysis of Brain-sequestered Leukocytes from Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected Mice

We describe a method for isolation and characterization of adherent inflammatory cells from brain blood vessels of P. berghei ANKA-infected mice. Infection of susceptible mouse-strains with this parasite strain results in the induction of experimental cerebral malaria, a neurologic syndrome that recapitulates certain important aspects of Plasmodium falciparum-mediated severe malaria in humans 1,2 . Mature forms of blood-stage malaria express parasitic proteins on the surface of the infected erythrocyte, which allows them to bind to vascular endothelial cells. This process induces obstructions in blood flow, resulting in hypoxia and haemorrhages 3 and also stimulates the recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes to the site of parasite sequestration.
Unlike other infections, i.e neutrotopic viruses4-6, both malaria-parasitized red blood cells (pRBC) as well as associated inflammatory leukocytes remain sequestered within blood vessels rather than infiltrating the brain parenchyma. Thus to avoid contamination of sequestered leukocytes with non-inflammatory circulating cells, extensive intracardial perfusion of infected-mice prior to organ extraction and tissue processing is required in this procedure to remove the blood compartment. After perfusion, brains are harvested and dissected in small pieces. The tissue structure is further disrupted by enzymatic treatment with Collagenase D and DNAse I. The resulting brain homogenate is then centrifuged on a Percoll gradient that allows separation of brain-sequestered leukocytes (BSL) from myelin and other tissue debris. Isolated cells are then washed, counted using a hemocytometer and stained with fluorescent antibodies for subsequent analysis by flow cytometry.
This procedure allows comprehensive phenotypic characterization of inflammatory leukocytes migrating to the brain in response to various stimuli, including stroke as well as viral or parasitic infections. The method also provides a useful tool for assessment of novel anti-inflammatory treatments in pre-clinical animal models.

Isolation and Analysis of Brain-sequestered Leukocytes from Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected Mice

A method for isolation of adherent inflammatory leukocytes from brain blood vessels of Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected mice is described. The method allows quantification as well as phenotypic characterization of isolated leukocytes after staining with fluorescent antibodies and subsequent analysis by flow cytometry.

We describe a method for isolation and  characterization of adherent inflammatory cells from brain blood vessels of P. berghei ANKA-infected mice. ...

Automated Separation of C. elegans Variably Colonized by a Bacterial Pathogen

The wormsorter is an instrument analogous to a FACS machine that is used in studies of Caenorhabditis elegans, typically to sort worms based on expression of a fluorescent reporter. Here, we highlight an alternative usage of this instrument, for sorting worms according to their degree of colonization by a GFP-expressing pathogen. This new usage allowed us to address the relationship between colonization of the worm intestine and induction of immune responses. While C. elegans immune responses to different pathogens have been documented, it is still unknown what initiates them. The two main possibilities (which are not mutually exclusive) are recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns, and detection of damage caused by infection. To differentiate between the two possibilities, exposure to the pathogen must be dissociated from the damage it causes. The wormsorter enabled separation of worms that were extensively-colonized by the Gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with the damage likely caused by pathogen load, from worms that were similarly exposed, but not, or marginally, colonized. These distinct populations were used to assess the relationship between pathogen load and the induction of transcriptional immune responses. The results suggest that the two are dissociated, supporting the possibility of pathogen recognition.

Automated Separation of C. elegans Variably Colonized by a Bacterial Pathogen

The wormsorter facilitates genetic screens in Caenorhabditis elegans by sorting worms according to expression of fluorescent reporters. Here, we describe a new usage:&#160;sorting according to colonization by a GFP-expressing pathogen, and we employ it to examine the poorly understood role of pathogen recognition in initiating immune responses.

The wormsorter is an instrument analogous to a FACS machine that is used in studies of Caenorhabditis elegans, typically to sort worms based on expression ...

High Yield Purification of Plasmodium falciparum Merozoites For Use in Opsonizing Antibody Assays

Plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigens are under development as potential malaria vaccines. One aspect of immunity against malaria is the removal of free merozoites from the blood by phagocytic cells. However assessing the functional efficacy of merozoite specific opsonizing antibodies is challenging due to the short half-life of merozoites and the variability of primary phagocytic cells. Described in detail herein is a method for generating viable merozoites using the E64 protease inhibitor, and an assay of merozoite opsonin-dependent phagocytosis using the pro-monocytic cell line THP-1. E64 prevents schizont rupture while allowing the development of merozoites which are released by filtration of treated schizonts. &#160;Ethidium bromide labelled merozoites are opsonized with human plasma samples and added to THP-1 cells. Phagocytosis is assessed by a standardized high throughput protocol. Viable merozoites are a valuable resource for assessing numerous aspects of P. falciparum biology, including assessment of immune function. Antibody levels measured by this assay are associated with clinical immunity to malaria in naturally exposed individuals. The assay may also be of use for assessing vaccine induced antibodies. &#160;

High Yield Purification of Plasmodium falciparum Merozoites For Use in Opsonizing Antibody Assays

Measuring antibody function is key to understanding immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria. This method describes the purification of viable merozoites, and measurement of opsonization-dependent phagocytosis by flow cytometry.

Plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigens are under development as potential malaria vaccines. One aspect of immunity against malaria is the removal of ...

In Vivo Assessment of Rodent Plasmodium Parasitemia and Merozoite Invasion by Flow Cytometry

During blood stage infection, malaria parasites invade, mature, and replicate within red blood cells (RBCs). This results in a regular growth cycle and an exponential increase in the proportion of malaria infected RBCs, known as parasitemia. We describe a flow cytometry based protocol which utilizes a combination of the DNA dye Hoechst, and the mitochondrial membrane potential dye, JC-1, to identify RBCs which contain parasites and therefore the parasitemia, of in vivo blood samples from Plasmodium chabaudi adami DS infected mice. Using this approach, in combination with fluorescently conjugated antibodies, parasitized RBCs can be distinguished from leukocytes, RBC progenitors, and RBCs containing Howell-Jolly bodies (HJ-RBCs), with a limit of detection of 0.007% parasitemia. Additionally, we outline a method for the comparative assessment of merozoite invasion into two different RBC populations. In this assay RBCs, labeled with two distinct compounds identifiable by flow cytometry, are transfused into infected mice. The relative rate of invasion into the two populations can then be assessed by flow cytometry based on the proportion of parasitized RBCs in each population over time. This combined approach allows the accurate measurement of both parasitemia and merozoite invasion in an in vivo model of malaria infection.

In Vivo Assessment of Rodent Plasmodium Parasitemia and Merozoite Invasion by Flow Cytometry

The malaria parasite invades and replicates within red blood cells. The accurate assessment of merozoite invasion and parasitemia is therefore crucial in assessing the course of malaria infection. Here we describe a flow cytometry based protocol for the measurement of these parameters in a mouse model of malaria.

During blood stage infection, malaria parasites invade, mature, and replicate within red blood cells (RBCs). This results in a regular growth cycle and an ...

Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum

The genetic variation responsible for the sickle cell allele (HbS) enables erythrocytes to resist infection by the malaria parasite, P. falciparum. The molecular basis of this resistance, which is known to be multifactorial, remains incompletely understood. Recent studies found that the differential expression of erythrocyte microRNAs, once translocated into malaria parasites, affect both gene regulation and parasite growth. These miRNAs were later shown to inhibit mRNA translation by forming a chimeric RNA transcript via 5&#39; RNA fusion with discreet subsets of parasite mRNAs. Here, the techniques that were used to study the functional role and putative mechanism underlying erythrocyte microRNAs on the gene regulation and translational potential of P. falciparum, including the transfection of modified synthetic microRNAs into host erythrocytes, will be detailed.&#160; Finally, a polysome gradient method is used to determine the extent of translation of these transcripts. Together, these techniques allowed us to demonstrate that the dysregulated levels of erythrocyte microRNAs contribute to cell-intrinsic malaria resistance of sickle erythrocytes.

Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum

Human microRNAs translocate from host erythrocytes to Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Here, the techniques used to transfect synthetic microRNAs into host erythrocytes and isolate all RNAs from P. falciparum are described. In addition, this paper will detail a method of polysome isolation in P. falciparum to determine the ribosomal occupancy and translational potential of parasite transcripts.

The genetic variation responsible for the sickle cell allele (HbS) enables erythrocytes to resist infection by the malaria parasite, P. falciparum. The ...

Bioluminescence Imaging to Detect Late Stage Infection of African Trypanosomiasis

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a multi-stage disease that manifests in two stages; an early blood stage and a late stage when the parasite invades the central nervous system (CNS). In vivo study of the late stage has been limited as traditional methodologies require the removal of the brain to determine the presence of the parasites.
Bioluminescence imaging is a non-invasive, highly sensitive form of optical imaging that enables the visualization of a luciferase-transfected pathogen in real-time. By using a transfected trypanosome strain that has the ability to produce late stage disease in mice we are able to study the kinetics of a CNS infection in a single animal throughout the course of infection, as well as observe the movement and dissemination of a systemic infection.
Here we describe a robust protocol to study CNS infections using a bioluminescence model of African trypanosomiasis, providing real time non-invasive observations which can be further analyzed with optional downstream approaches.

This manuscript describes the use of a bioluminescent strain of African trypanosomes to enable the tracking of late stage infection and demonstrates how in vivo live imaging can be used to visualize infections within the central nervous system in real-time.

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a multi-stage disease that manifests in two stages; an early blood stage and a late stage when the parasite invades ...