Baculovirus-expressed constructs induce immunoglobulin G that recognizes VAR2CSA on Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes.
We raised specific antisera against recombinant VAR2CSA domains produced in Escherichia coli and in insect cells. All were reactive in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, but only insect cell-derived constructs induced immunoglobulin G (IgG) that was reactive with native VAR2CSA on the surface of infected erythrocytes. Our data show that five of the six VAR2CSA Duffy-binding-like domains are surface exposed and that induction of surface-reactive VAR2CSA-specific IgG depends critically upon antigen conformation. These findings have implications for the development of vaccines against pregnancy-associated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
Barfod
Lea
L
Institute for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Panum Institute 24-2, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
Nielsen
Morten A
MA
Turner
Louise
L
Dahlbäck
Madeleine
M
Jensen
Anja T R
AT
Hviid
Lars
L
Theander
Thor G
TG
Salanti
Ali
A
D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016367:Baculoviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000378:metabolism; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D007106:Immune Sera; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C512601:VAR2CSA protein, Plasmodium falciparum