Research note: HLA degenerate T-cell epitopes from Plasmodium falciparum liver stage-specific antigen 1 (LSA-1) are highly conserved in isolates from geographically distinct areas

Parasite Immunol. 2000 Sep;22(9):469-73. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3024.2000.00324.x.

Abstract

Considerable effort is directed at the development of a malaria vaccine that elicits antigen-specific T-cell responses against pre-erythrocytic antigens of Plasmodium falciparum. Genetic restriction of host T-cell responses and polymorphism of target epitopes on parasite antigens pose obstacles to the development of such a vaccine. Liver stage-specific antigen-1 (LSA-1) is a prime candidate vaccine antigen and five T-cell epitopes that are degenerately restricted by HLA molecules common in most populations have been identified on LSA-1. To define the extent of polymorphism within these T-cell epitopes, the N-terminal non-repetitive region of the LSA-1 gene from Malaysian P. falciparum field isolates was sequenced and compared with data of isolates from Brazil, Kenya and Papua New Guinea. Three of the T-cell epitopes were completely conserved while the remaining two were highly conserved in the isolates examined. Our findings underscore the potential of including these HLA-degenerate T-cell epitopes of LSA-1 in a subunit vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Protozoan / genetics*
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology
  • Base Sequence
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / genetics*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • HLA Antigens / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Malaria Vaccines
  • Malaria, Falciparum / immunology
  • Malaria, Falciparum / parasitology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plasmodium falciparum / immunology*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / isolation & purification
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • HLA Antigens
  • Malaria Vaccines
  • liver stage-specific antigen, Plasmodium

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF086793
  • GENBANK/AF086802