Construction and evaluation of a multistage combination vaccine against malaria

Vaccine. 2007 Mar 1;25(11):2112-9. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.11.015. Epub 2006 Nov 21.

Abstract

Due to the complex life cycle and high antigenic diversity of the malaria parasite, a multistage vaccine may be necessary for optimal protection against the disease. Our previous studies demonstrated that a blood-stage recombinant protein PfCP-2.9 has significant potential for vaccine development and is currently in human clinical trials. This study constructed two recombinant antigens derived from the Plasmodium falciparum CSP, designated PfCSP-C and PfCSP-RC. They were expressed as secreted proteins at high yield (1-3 g/l) in Pichia pastoris and purified by a two-step purification procedure. There was no evidence of antigen competition in mice and rabbits co-immunized with the pre-erythrocytic antigens and PfCP-2.9. Moreover, the immune sera recognized both the blood-stage parasite and sporozoite, and interacted with the NANP repeats of PfCSP. Rabbits antisera to combination antigens strongly inhibited blood-stage parasite growth in vitro. These results suggest that the recombinant antigens are potential candidates for multistage combination vaccines against malarial parasite.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Protozoan / genetics
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Malaria / immunology*
  • Malaria Vaccines / genetics
  • Malaria Vaccines / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Models, Animal
  • Pichia / genetics
  • Plasmodium falciparum / growth & development
  • Plasmodium falciparum / immunology*
  • Rabbits
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Vaccines, Subunit / genetics
  • Vaccines, Subunit / immunology
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / genetics
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Malaria Vaccines
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Vaccines, Subunit
  • Vaccines, Synthetic