Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2409376 Vaccine 2007 8 Pages PDF
Abstract

Due to the complex life cycle and high antigenic diversity of the malaria parasite, a multistage vaccine may be necessary for optimal protection against the disease. Our previous studies demonstrated that a blood-stage recombinant protein PfCP-2.9 has significant potential for vaccine development and is currently in human clinical trials. This study constructed two recombinant antigens derived from the Plasmodium falciparum CSP, designated PfCSP-C and PfCSP-RC. They were expressed as secreted proteins at high yield (1–3 g/l) in Pichia pastoris and purified by a two-step purification procedure. There was no evidence of antigen competition in mice and rabbits co-immunized with the pre-erythrocytic antigens and PfCP-2.9. Moreover, the immune sera recognized both the blood-stage parasite and sporozoite, and interacted with the NANP repeats of PfCSP. Rabbits antisera to combination antigens strongly inhibited blood-stage parasite growth in vitro. These results suggest that the recombinant antigens are potential candidates for multistage combination vaccines against malarial parasite.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Immunology and Microbiology Immunology
Authors
, , , ,