Cross-species immunity following immunization with a circumsporozoite protein-based vaccine for malaria

J Infect Dis. 2012 May 1;205(9):1456-63. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jis220. Epub 2012 Mar 29.

Abstract

Malaria continues to be a major public health concern, and there are concerted efforts to eliminate it. The quest for a vaccine remains a top priority, and vaccines based on the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) are among the lead candidates, with the RTS,S vaccine currently undergoing phase 3 testing in Africa. Previous studies have reported anti-CSP antibody-mediated enhancement of in vitro invasion of homologous sporozoites. This effect has been shown to be concentration dependent; high-level antibodies are inhibitory, whereas low-level antibodies lead to enhancement of invasion. Nondominant shared epitopes may lead to the generation of low titers of cross-reactive antibodies that may prove to be detrimental. We report cross-species recognition of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei sporozoites by anti-Plasmodium vivax CSP serum samples. In addition, we report that vaccination of mice with VMP001, a P. vivax CSP vaccine candidate, reduces, not enhances, P. berghei infection in mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Africa
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Cross Protection*
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Female
  • Immunization
  • Malaria / immunology*
  • Malaria / prevention & control*
  • Malaria Vaccines / genetics
  • Malaria Vaccines / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plasmodium berghei / immunology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / immunology
  • Plasmodium vivax / immunology
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / immunology*
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Species Specificity
  • Sporozoites / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Epitopes
  • Malaria Vaccines
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • circumsporozoite protein, Protozoan