Immunization with recombinant duffy binding-like-gamma3 induces pan-reactive and adhesion-blocking antibodies against placental chondroitin sulfate A-binding Plasmodium falciparum parasites

J Infect Dis. 2003 Jul 1;188(1):153-64. doi: 10.1086/375800. Epub 2003 Jun 23.

Abstract

Maternal malaria is associated with the sequestration, in the placenta, of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes onto chondroitin sulfate A (CSA), via the duffy binding-like (DBL)-gamma3 domain of the P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1(CSA)) (DBL-gamma3(CSA)). The production of antibodies against CSA-binding infected erythrocytes (IEs(CSA)) is correlated with resistance to maternal malaria in multiparous women. We produced recombinant DBL-gamma3(CSA) (rDBL-gamma3(CSA)) in insect cells, corresponding to 2 variant DBL-gamma3(CSA) subtypes that mediate binding to CSA in laboratory lines and placental isolates. Both recombinant cysteine-rich DBL-gamma3(CSA) domains blocked IEs(CSA) binding to CSA. Immunization of mice, with the rDBL-gamma3(CSA)-FCR3 and rDBL-gamma3(CSA)-3D7 domains, resulted in the generation of antibodies recognizing homologous and heterologous rDBL-gamma3(CSA), a finding indicating conserved epitopes inducing a pan-reactive immune response. Mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against both recombinant proteins were pan-reactive with various IEs(CSA). One MAb efficiently inhibited and reversed IE(CSA) cytoadhesion to endothelial cells in vitro. Thus, DBL-gamma3(CSA) is the target of inhibitory and pan-reactive antibodies. Saimiri sciureus monkeys immunized with FCR3-rDBL-gamma3(CSA) developed pan-reactive and inhibitory antibodies, a finding suggesting that the development of a vaccine to prevent maternal malaria is feasible.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / immunology
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / pharmacology*
  • Antigens, Protozoan / chemistry
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology*
  • Antigens, Protozoan / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Chondroitin Sulfates / chemistry
  • Chondroitin Sulfates / metabolism*
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Female
  • Haplorhini / immunology
  • Humans
  • Malaria Vaccines / immunology
  • Malaria, Falciparum / immunology
  • Malaria, Falciparum / prevention & control
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Placenta / metabolism
  • Placenta / parasitology*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects
  • Plasmodium falciparum / immunology*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Protozoan Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protozoan Proteins / chemistry
  • Protozoan Proteins / immunology*
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / chemistry
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / immunology*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Duffy antigen binding protein, Plasmodium
  • Malaria Vaccines
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Chondroitin Sulfates