Progress towards a vaccine against malaria is advancing rapidly with several candidate antigens being tested for their safety and efficacy. In present investigation, two polypeptides (43 and 48 kDa) of Plasmodium berghei (NK-65) were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of both these polypeptides formulated in saponin has been compared in Balb/c mice against challenge infection with P. berghei. Antibody responses were evaluated by indirect fluorescent antibody test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Merozoite invasion inhibition assay and challenge infections revealed that 48 kDa antigen is better immunogen as compared to 43 kDa and provide better protection against rodent malaria infection.
Keywords: 43 kDa; 48 kDa; Antibody; Immunity; Malaria; Plasmodium; Vaccine.