Analysis of circumsporozoite protein-specific immune responses following recent infection with Plasmodium vivax.
CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells are involved in immunity to the pre-erythrocytic stage of malaria. This study has been undertaken to define T cell epitopes on the Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein (CSP) and to analyze the early induction of immune response following infection. We identified CD4(+) and CD8(+) T epitopes recognized by different strains of mice as well as by humans. The CD4(+) T cell response in mice was found to be similar in all strains, but variation between strains was evident. Five H-2(d)-restricted CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes, but no H-2(k)-or H-2(b)-restricted epitopes, could be defined. Non-H-2 genes were also able to regulate the response. In recently infected Thai adults, poor immunoresponsiveness was demonstrated. CTL activity and proliferative responses of T cells from malaria-exposed donors were very low. In contrast, exposed individuals had specific antibodies against the immunodominant repeats of both common strains of the P. vivax CSP; however, titers decreased following treatment.
Suphavilai
Chaisuree
C
The Cooperative Research Centre for Vaccine Technology, The Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
Looareesuwan
Sornchai
S
Good
Michael F
MF
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D018604:Epitope Mapping; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D017780:Malaria Vaccines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000276:immunology*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D017780:Malaria Vaccines; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C041595:circumsporozoite protein, Protozoan