2020 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Comprehensive analysis of antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum repetitive interspersed family (RIFIN) proteins
Project/Area Number |
19K16630
|
Research Institution | Ehime University |
Principal Investigator |
|
Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
|
Keywords | Malaria / Immunity / Falciparum |
Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
This study aimed at assessing the the specific proteins that are targets of naturally acquired immunity against Plasmodium falciparum clinical malaria in individuals residing in a malaria endemic region in Uganda. In the initial phase, we observed that >98% of assayed proteins were immunogenic in malaria-exposed individuals in Uganda. Children with high levels of antibodies to four RIFINs a STEVOR, and SURFIN 1.2 displayed reduced the risk of developing clinical malaria. Subsequently, we observed that antibodies to a potential vaccine antigen, PF3D7_0801000 which localizes in merozoites, inhibit P. falciparum parasite growth in in vitro culture. The protein is strongly immunoreactive with serum obtained from a malaria-exposed Ugandan population, with antibody acquisition increasing with age. The selected proteins need further evaluation as asexual blood-stage vaccine candidate antigens. These and other findings were summarized in Kanoi et al (2021). Leveraging the wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system to accelerate malaria vaccine development. Parasitol Int 80, 102224, doi:10.1016/j.parint.2020.102224.
|
-
-
[Journal Article] Characterization of a Plasmodium falciparum PHISTc protein, PF3D7_0801000, in blood- stage malaria parasites.2021
Author(s)
Nagaoka, H., Kanoi, B.N., Morita, M., Nakata, T., Palacpac, N.M.Q., Egwang, T.G., Horii, T., Tsuboi, T., and Takashima, E.
-
Journal Title
Parasitology International
Volume: 80
Pages: 1-5
DOI
Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research