Jerome P. Vanderberg

Bio: Jerome P. Vanderberg is an academic researcher from New York University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Plasmodium berghei & Plasmodium. The author has an hindex of 39, co-authored 108 publications receiving 10084 citations. Previous affiliations of Jerome P. Vanderberg include Case Western Reserve University.

Synchronization of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocytic stages in culture.

Abstract: Synchronous development of the erythrocytic stages of a human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, in culture was accomplished by suspending cultured parasites in 5% D-sorbitol and subsequent reintroduction into culture. Immediately after sorbitol treatment, cultures consisted mainly of single and multiple ring-form infections. At the same time, varying degrees of lysis of erythrocytes infected with the more mature stages of the parasite was evident. Approximately 95% of the parasites were in the ring stage of development at 48 and 96 hr after sorbitol treatment-likewise, a high percentage of trophozoite and schizont stages was observed at 24, 72, and 120 hr. D-Mannitol produced similar, selective, lytic effects.

Protective Immunity produced by the Injection of X-irradiated Sporozoites of Plasmodium berghei

Abstract: STUDIES with avian malaria have shown that killed sporozoites as well as sporozoites inactivated with ultraviolet light can produce a partial immunity after injection into birds1,2. On the other hand, attempts to use the erythrocytic stages of the parasite as the source of antigen have met with only limited success with avian3, rodent4 and monkey malaria5,6. Previous attempts to use killed sporozoites of the rodent malarial parasite, Plasmodium berghei, to immunize rodents have been unsuccessful. We therefore sought to determine whether protective immunity to this parasite could be achieved by partial inactivation of the injected sporozoites as opposed to injection of dead parasites. X-irradiation was chosen as the inactivating agent, because of the partial immunity obtained by vaccination with irradiated blood forms of malaria parasites7–9. This communication reports preliminary results on the production of protective immunity in mice by vaccination with X-irradiated sporozoites of P. berghei.

Migration of Plasmodium Sporozoites Through Cells Before Infection

Abstract: Intracellular bacteria and parasites typically invade host cells through the formation of an internalization vacuole around the invading pathogen. Plasmodium sporozoites, the infective stage of the malaria parasite transmitted by mosquitoes, have an alternative mechanism to enter cells. We observed breaching of the plasma membrane of the host cell followed by rapid repair. This mode of entry did not result in the formation of a vacuole around the sporozoite, and was followed by exit of the parasite from the host cell. Sporozoites traversed the cytosol of several cells before invading a hepatocyte by formation of a parasitophorous vacuole, in which they developed into the next infective stage. Sporozoite migration through several cells in the mammalian host appears to be essential for the completion of the life cycle.

The pathogenic basis of malaria

Abstract: Malaria is today a disease of poverty and underdeveloped countries In Africa, mortality remains high because there is limited access to treatment in the villages We should follow in Pasteur's footsteps by using basic research to develop better tools for the control and cure of malaria Insight into the complexity of malaria pathogenesis is vital for understanding the disease and will provide a major step towards controlling it Those of us who work on pathogenesis must widen our approach and think in terms of new tools such as vaccines to reduce disease The inability of many countries to fund expensive campaigns and antimalarial treatment requires these tools to be highly effective and affordable

Discovery of Gene Function by Expression Profiling of the Malaria Parasite Life Cycle

Abstract: The completion of the genome sequence for Plasmodium falciparum, the species responsible for most malaria human deaths, has the potential to reveal hundreds of new drug targets and proteins involved in pathogenesis. However, only approximately 35% of the genes code for proteins with an identifiable function. The absence of routine genetic tools for studying Plasmodium parasites suggests that this number is unlikely to change quickly if conventional serial methods are used to characterize encoded proteins. Here, we use a high-density oligonucleotide array to generate expression profiles of human and mosquito stages of the malaria parasite's life cycle. Genes with highly correlated levels and temporal patterns of expression were often involved in similar functions or cellular processes.

Acquired immunity to malaria.

Abstract: Naturally acquired immunity to falciparum malaria protects millions of people routinely exposed to Plasmodium falciparum infection from severe disease and death. There is no clear concept about how this protection works. There is no general agreement about the rate of onset of acquired immunity or what constitutes the key determinants of protection; much less is there a consensus regarding the mechanism(s) of protection. This review summarizes what is understood about naturally acquired and experimentally induced immunity against malaria with the help of evolving insights provided by biotechnology and places these insights in the context of historical, clinical, and epidemiological observations. We advocate that naturally acquired immunity should be appreciated as being virtually 100% effective against severe disease and death among heavily exposed adults. Even the immunity that occurs in exposed infants may exceed 90% effectiveness. The induction of an adult-like immune status among high-risk infants in sub-Saharan Africa would greatly diminish disease and death caused by P. falciparum. The mechanism of naturally acquired immunity that occurs among adults living in areas of hyper- to holoendemicity should be understood with a view toward duplicating such protection in infants and young children in areas of endemicity.