Search bioRxiv⌕ Search

Biology subjects

Mboup, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Mboup, S..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

A cell surface proteomic atlas reveals socioeconomic status associated immune diversity

Socioeconomic status (SES) is a potent determinant of immune variation, yet unbiased approaches to holistically map the effect of SES on the immune system are lacking. We developed a high-dimensional flow cytometry-based profiling approach to analyse 331 cell surface proteins across 33 immune cell subsets within an SES-stratified Senegalese cohort, alongside a European cohort (Netherlands). We identified 108 SES-related markers across the immune system, revealing that lower SES individuals exhibited downregulation of surface proteins, affecting in particular adhesins, chemokine and complement receptors. Conversely, lower SES was associated with hallmarks of chronic activation and exhaustion including upregulation of immune checkpoints. Metabolic profiling demonstrated that while lower SES individuals displayed elevated baseline RNA transcription, higher SES individuals exhibited superior protein translation rates. We validated these SES-related immune trends in an independent cohort and provide an interactive online resource for exploring this surface protein atlas on immune cell subsets. Taken together, these findings provide a global overview of how the cell surface proteome varies by SES, and identify molecular changes that can affect vaccine efficacy and disease outcomes.

immunology↗

Molecular characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated in a university teaching hospital Dakar-Senegal

Extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC), a predominant Gram-negative bacterial pathogen, express a wide range of virulence factors and is responsible of several diseases including urinary tract infections (UTI), nosocomial pneumonia, bacteremia, and neonatal meningitis. ExPEC isolates are often multidrug resistant (MDR) and clones producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) are increasingly reported all over the world. Seventy-eight clinical ExPEC strains were selected for this study. The majority was from UTIs (n=51), while the rest (n=27) was from pus, sputum, bronchial fluid and vaginal samples (non-uropathogenic ExPEC). Interestingly, 49 out of the 78 ExPEC isolates where considered as community-acquired (CA) and 29 hospital-acquired (HA) bacteria. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to screen major ESBL genes (blaCTX-M, blaOXA-1, blaTEM, blaSHV) and blaCTX-M variants (blaCTX-M-1, blaCTX-M-9, blaCTX-M-15, blaCTX-M-25). All the ExPEC strains were resistant to ampicillin, ticarcillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination, cefalotin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepime and aztreonam, but showed a high susceptibity to fosfomycin (98.7%, n = 77), ertapenem (96.2%, n = 75), and imipenem (100%). Moreover, isolates harbored at least one ESBL gene, including blaCTX-M (98.7%), blaOXA-1 (78.2%), blaTEM (44.9%) and blaSHV (3.8%). The CTX-M variants were also found with the predominance of blaCTX-M-1 (90.9%) and blaCTX-M-15 (90.9%) followed by blaCTX-M-9 (11.7%), while blaCTX-M-25 was not detected. Despite the resistance to most of the tested antibiotics, ExPEC isolates showed fortunately a good susceptibility to fosfomycin and carbapenems. blaCTX-M (blaCTX-M1, blaCTX-M15) and blaOXA-1 seem to be E. coli major ESBL genes circulating in Senegal. No significant difference was noted when comparing prevalence of ESBL genes detected from CA and HA strains, and from UPEC and non-uropathogenic ExPEC. The high level of resistance to antimicrobials observed stresses the need of establishing an epidemiological surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in both community and hospital settings.

microbiology↗

Plasmodium falciparum population genetic complexity influences transcriptional profile and immune recognition of highly related genotypic clusters

As transmission intensity has declined in Senegal, so has the genetic complexity of circulating Plasmodium falciparum parasites, resulting in specific genotypes emerging and persisting over years. We address whether changes in parasite genetic signatures can alter the immune repertoire to variant surface antigens, and whether such responses can influence the expansion or contraction of specific parasite genotypes in the population. We characterize parasites within genotypic clusters, defined as identical by a 24-SNP molecular barcode and a haplotype identifier for other highly polymorphic loci; we measure expression of variant surface antigens (VSA) such as PfEMP-1 by transcript expression typing and expressed var DBL1 sequencing in ex vivo and short-term adapted RNA samples; and we measure IgG responses against VSAs from short-term adapted parasites. We find that parasites within genotypic clusters are genetically identical at other highly polymorphic loci. These parasites express similar Ups var classes and largely the same dominant var DBL1 sequences ex vivo. These parasites are recognized similarly by anti-VSA antibodies after short-term adaptation to culture; however, antibody responses do not correlate with genotype frequencies over time. Both genotype-specific and multiple genotype-reactive surface IgG responses are observed in this population. Parasites with identical genomes are extremely similar in their expression and host antibody recognition of VSAs. Monitoring changes in population-level parasite genomics and transmission dynamics is critical, as fluctuations will influence the breadth of resulting host immune responses to circulating parasite genotypes. These findings suggest shared immune recognition of genetically similar parasites, which has implications for both our understanding of immunity and vaccine development strategies in malaria elimination settings.

microbiology↗

Accounting for red blood cell accessibility reveals distinct invasion strategies in Plasmodium falciparum strains

The growth of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum in human blood causes all clinical manifestations of malaria, a process that begins with the invasion of red blood cells. Parasites enter red blood cells using distinct pairs of parasite ligands and host receptors that define particular invasion pathways. Parasite strains have the capacity to switch between invasion pathways. This flexibility is thought to facilitate immune evasion against particular parasite ligands, but may also reflect the fact that red blood cell surfaces are dynamic and composed of heterogeneous invasion targets. Different host genetic backgrounds affecting red blood cell structure have long been recognized to impact parasite growth in vivo, but even within a host, red blood cells undergo dramatic changes in morphology and receptor density as they age. The consequences of these heterogeneities for parasite growth in vivo remain unclear. Here, we measured the ability of laboratory strains of P. falciparum relying on distinct invasion pathways to enter red blood cells of different ages. We estimated invasion efficiency while accounting for the fact that even if the red blood cells display the appropriate receptors, not all are physically accessible to invading parasites. This approach revealed a tradeoff made by parasites between the fraction of susceptible cells and their invasion rate into them. We were able to distinguish between \"specialist\" strains exhibiting high invasion rate in fewer cells versus \"generalist\" strains invading less efficiently into a larger fraction of cells. We developed a mathematical model to predict that infection with a generalist strain would lead to higher peak parasitemias in vivo when compared with a specialist strain with similar overall proliferation rate. Thus, the heterogeneous ecology of red blood cells may play a key role in determining the rate of parasite proliferation between different strains of P. falciparum.

systems biology↗