2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Comprehensive analysis of antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum repetitive interspersed family (RIFIN) proteins
| Project/Area Number |
19K16630
|
|---|
| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
|
| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
|---|
| Review Section |
Basic Section 49040:Parasitology-related
|
|---|
| Research Institution | Ehime University |
|---|
Principal Investigator |
|
|---|
| Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
|
| Keywords | マラリア / Vaccine / RIFIN / SURFIN / STEVOR / PF3D7_0801000 |
|---|
| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
The aim of this study was to identify the proteins that are targets of naturally acquired immunity against Plasmodium falciparum malaria in individuals residing in a malaria endemic regions. In the initial phase, we observed that >98% of the 265 proteins that were assayed were immunogenic in malaria-exposed individuals in Uganda. Meaning, children had antibodies to these proteins. Additionally, children with high levels of antibodies to some proteins (4 RIFINs, a STEVOR, and a SURFIN 1.2) had lower risk of developing clinical malaria. Subsequently, we observed that antibodies to a potential vaccine antigen, PF3D7_0801000 which localizes in parasite merozoites, blocks malaria parasite growth in in vitro cultures. The protein is strongly immunoreactive with serum of malaria exposed individuals, and antibodies are acquired with increasing with age. These selected proteins need further evaluation as asexual blood-stage vaccine candidate antigens.
|
| Free Research Field |
Malaria, マラリア
|
| Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements |
The need for a vaccine against malaria is urgent. Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19, has greatly interrupted malaria control efforts. The findings in this study directly support malaria vaccine studies towards protecting residents of the malaria endemic countries as well as travelers to this regions.
|
