Functional Characterization of Plasmodium falciparum Surface-Related Antigen as a Potential Blood-Stage Vaccine Target

Emmanuel Amlabu, Henrietta Mensah-Brown, Prince B. Nyarko, Ojo Ajogu Akuh, Grace Opoku, Philip Ilani, Richard Oyagbenro, Kwame Asiedu, Yaw Aniweh, Gordon A. Awandare

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte invasion is a multistep process that involves a spectrum of interactions that are not well characterized. We have characterized a 113-kDa immunogenic protein, PF3D7_1431400 (PF14_0293), that possesses coiled-coil structures. The protein is localized on the surfaces of both merozoites and gametocytes, hence the name Plasmodium falciparum surface-related antigen (PfSRA). The processed 32-kDa fragment of PfSRA binds normal human erythrocytes with different sensitivities to enzyme treatments. Temporal imaging from initial attachment to internalization of viable merozoites revealed that a fragment of PfSRA, along with PfMSP119, is internalized after invasion. Moreover, parasite growth inhibition assays showed that PfSRA P1 antibodies potently inhibited erythrocyte invasion of both sialic acid-dependent and -independent parasite strains. Also, immunoepidemio-logical studies show that malaria-infected populations have naturally acquired antibodies against PfSRA. Overall, the results demonstrate that PfSRA has the structural and functional characteristics of a very promising target for vaccine development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)778-790
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume218
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Jul 2018

Keywords

  • Erythrocyte invasion
  • Malaria vaccine
  • Naturally acquired immunity
  • Novel antigens
  • Plasmodium falciparum

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