What is it about?
Knowledge of specific targets and functions of antibodies that protect against severe malaria is limited. Antibodies were examined in a case-control study of young children in Papua New Guinea presenting with severe or uncomplicated malaria (n = 448), using isolates with a virulent phenotype associated with severe malaria, and functional opsonic phagocytosis assays. We used genetically modified isolates and recombinant proteins Findings suggest that PfEMP1 is a dominant target of antibodies associated with reduced risk of severe malaria, and function in part by promoting opsonic phagocytosis.
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Why is it important?
The global burden of malaria has declined in recent years due to improved access to malaria interventions. However, challenges of resistance to antimalarial drugs have escalated the need for an effective vaccine. To develop malaria vaccines with increased efficacy, especially against severe malaria (SM), further understanding of the targets of antibody responses that protect against disease is required. Among endemic populations with high transmission levels, SM mainly affects young children
Perspectives
Our study demonstrated a likely role of acquired antibodies to IE surface antigens in mediating protection against SM in young children from PNG. We showed that PfEMP1 is a dominant target of naturally acquired antibodies to the IE surface and a target of functional antibodies that promote opsonic phagocytosis of IEs. Furthermore, PfEMP1-specific antibodies were associated with protection against SM in children, whereas antibodies to other IE surface antigens were not. These findings significantly contribute to understanding malaria immunity and pathogenesis, and have implications for developing therapeutics or vaccines for preventing SM
James Beeson
Burnet Institute
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: OUP accepted manuscript, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, January 2018, Oxford University Press (OUP),
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy580.
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