Human antibodies to the polymorphic block 2 domain of the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) exhibit a highly skewed, peptide-specific light chain distribution.
Antibodies to polymorphic block 2 of the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) present a paradoxical association with acquired protection against clinical malaria, while showing restricted and fixed specificity, reminiscent of antigenic sin. We report here that these antibodies present a highly imbalanced, peptide-specific light chain distribution. This was not observed with several other parasite-derived peptides or antigens. These data point to a skewed immune response to MSP-1 block 2 that is constrained both in specificity and chain usage. This is the first report of a biased response to polymorphic epitopes of a surface antigen in malaria parasites.
Jouin
Hélène
H
Parasite Molecular Immunology Unit, CNRS URA 2581, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France. hajouin@pasteur.fr
Garraud
Olivier
O
Longacre
Shirley
S
Baleux
Françoise
F
Mercereau-Puijalon
Odile
O
Milon
Geneviève
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1; D010455:Peptides