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Author: search.filters.author.Wakai, Theophilus N.Subject: search.filters.subject.telomeres

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    Global research landscape of telomere biology in infectious diseases: mechanistic links between host–pathogen interactions and immune ageing
    (Frontiers in Aging, 2026) Wakai, Theophilus N.; Yensii, Nina Ghislaine; Kernyuy, Fabrice Banadzem; Bella-Omunagbe, Mercy; Chinedu, Shalom Nwodo; Afolabi, Sunmola
    Telomeres, nucleoprotein structures located at the ends of chromosomes, maintain genomic stability and regulate cellular lifespan, particularly in immune cells. Telomere shortening, driven by cell division and limited telomerase activity, accelerates immune ageing and increases susceptibility to infectious diseases. Chronic infections like HIV and tuberculosis exacerbate telomere attrition through sustained immune activation and oxidative stress. This study presents a bibliometric review of research on telomere length and infectious diseases from 2005 to 2025. Data from the Web of Science Core Collection were analysed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace, software tools for visualising co-authorship, citation, and keyword networks, to assess publication trends, collaborations, and themes. A total of 123 publications were identified, showing steady growth with a 60% increase in publications from 2020 to 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leading journals included Frontiers in Immunology, PLoS ONE, and Scientific Reports. The United States produced the largest share of publications, followed by Canada and Spain, with notable contributions from the University of British Columbia and Université de Montréal. Influential authors such as Côté HCF, Pick N, and Maan EJ have advanced research, particularly in the areas of HIV and tuberculosis. Keyword analysis highlighted two dominant themes: immune ageing and infection-related stress. Malaria research was comparatively scarce, underscoring a gap for future investigation. These findings inform future research on telomere-targeted interventions and epidemiological studies aimed at enhancing infectious disease management. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the field’s progress and identifies key areas for future investigation.
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    Plasmodium telomere maintenance: uncovering the Achilles’ heel for novel antimalarials
    (Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2025-09) Wakai, Theophilus N.; Anzaku, Dorathy O.; Afolabi, Israel S.
    This review examines the potential of disrupting telomere maintenance in Plasmodium as a novel antimalarial strategy. Telomeres are repetitive DNA– protein structures located at chromosome termini, where they preserve genome stability and protect against degradation. Telomere maintenance is crucial for rapid growth, genome integrity, and immune evasion in Plasmodium parasites. Unlike humans, Plasmodium maintains continuous telomerase activity and uses unique telomere-binding proteins across its lifecycle. These features drive parasite virulence and antigenic variation. Emerging evidence suggests that Plasmodium telomeres harbor G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures, which help stabilize telomeres during replication and may be good targets for small molecules to disrupt their function. Additionally, the parasite depends heavily on its telomerase catalytic subunit, PfTERT, for survival. Inhibiting PfTERT has shown promising results in blocking telomere elongation and impairing replication. Targeting this parasite-specific telomere–telomerase axis may offer a strategic means to destabilize chromosomes, weaken immune evasion, and limit parasite survival, making it a promising antimalarial approach. However, researchers must consider the risks of off-target effects in future drug designs. Though current studies are limited and remain inconclusive, we suggest that future research should investigate combining telomere-directed therapies with existing antimalarials to help overcome resistance and improve treatment outcomes. Herein, we review advances in understanding Plasmodium telomere biology, highlighting its distinct structures, critical telomereassociated proteins, and roles in pathogenesis. We further explore how selective targeting could exploit an Achilles’ heel in parasite survival, offering fresh possibilities for next-generation, parasite-specific malaria therapies.