Evidence for multiple B- and T-cell epitopes in Plasmodium falciparum liver-stage antigen 3

Infect Immun. 2009 Mar;77(3):1189-96. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00780-07. Epub 2009 Jan 12.

Abstract

Liver-stage antigen 3 (LSA-3) is a new vaccine candidate that can induce protection against Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite challenge. Using a series of long synthetic peptides (LSP) encompassing most of the 210-kDa LSA-3 protein, a study of the antigenicity of this protein was carried out in 203 inhabitants from the villages of Dielmo (n = 143) and Ndiop (n = 60) in Senegal (the level of malaria transmission differs in these two villages). Lymphocyte responses to each individual LSA-3 peptide were recorded, some at high prevalences (up to 43%). Antibodies were also detected to each of the 20 peptides, many at high prevalence (up to 84% of responders), and were directed to both nonrepeat and repeat regions. Immune responses to LSA-3 were detectable even in individuals of less than 5 years of age and increased with age and hence exposure to malaria, although they were not directly related to the level of malaria transmission. Thus, several valuable T- and B-cell epitopes were characterized all along the LSA-3 protein, supporting the antigenicity of this P. falciparum vaccine candidate. Finally, antibodies specific for peptide LSP10 located in a nonrepeat region of LSA-3 were found significantly associated with a lower risk of malaria attack over 1 year of daily clinical follow-up in children between the ages of 7 and 15 years, but not in older individuals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / immunology
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Malaria Vaccines / immunology*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / immunology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Peptides / immunology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / immunology
  • Senegal

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Malaria Vaccines
  • Peptides
  • liver stage-specific antigen, Plasmodium