Immunogenicity of a hybrid Plasmodium falciparum malaria antigen

Parasitology. 1993 Jun:106 ( Pt 5):451-7. doi: 10.1017/s0031182000076733.

Abstract

A recombinant baculovirus-expressed hybrid protein containing epitopes for the C-terminal fragment of the Plasmodium falciparum precursor to the major merozoite surface antigens (PMMSA) and the tetrapeptide repeats of the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) was assessed for its immunogenicity. Murine MHC-II restriction of the antibody response to the CSP repeats was not overcome by the PMMSA component, the response to which showed no restriction. In an adjuvant trial the highest antibody titres in rabbits to both components of the hybrid were obtained using Freund's adjuvant. Lack of a boosting antibody response to the CSP repeats appeared to be linked to the conformation of the PMMSA component. Formulation of the hybrid protein into Iscoms gave antibody titres of only short duration to both components.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology*
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • ISCOMs / immunology
  • Immunization
  • Immunization, Secondary
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plasmodium falciparum / immunology*
  • Protein Precursors / immunology
  • Protozoan Proteins / immunology
  • Protozoan Vaccines / immunology*
  • Rabbits
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Antigens, Surface
  • ISCOMs
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1
  • Protein Precursors
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Protozoan Vaccines
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • circumsporozoite protein, Protozoan