Plasmodium yoelii: experimental evidences for the conserved epitopes between mouse and human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum

Exp Parasitol. 2007 Jul;116(3):214-24. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2007.01.012. Epub 2007 Jan 27.

Abstract

Bioinformatic analyses of gene homologues have revealed functionally conserved epitopes between human and rodent malaria parasites. Here, we present experimental evidence for the presence of functionally and antigenically conserved domains between Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium yoelii asexual blood-stages. Merozoite released soluble proteins (MRSPs) from both P. falciparum and P. yoelii bound to heterologous mouse or human red blood cells, respectively. The presence of conserved antigenic epitopes between the two species of parasites was evident by the inhibitory effect of antibodies, developed against P. yoelii in convalescent mice, on P. falciparum growth and merozoite reinvasion in vitro. Furthermore, mice immunized with P. falciparum MRSPs were protected from infection by a P. yoelii challenge. These data indicate that different species of Plasmodium contain antigenically conserved interspecies domains, which are immunogenic and, thus constitute a potential novel antigen source for vaccine development and testing using a mouse model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / immunology
  • Antigens, Protozoan / chemistry
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology*
  • Conserved Sequence / immunology
  • Cross Reactions
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Epitopes / chemistry
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • Erythrocytes / immunology
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Malaria / prevention & control
  • Malaria Vaccines
  • Male
  • Merozoites / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Plasmodium falciparum / immunology*
  • Plasmodium yoelii / immunology*
  • Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Epitopes
  • Malaria Vaccines