title: Using the PfEMP1 head structure binding motif to deal a blow at severe malaria.
abstract: Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria causes 200 million cases worldwide, 8 million being severe and complicated leading to ∼1 million deaths and ∼100,000 abortions annually. Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) has been implicated in cytoadherence and infected erythrocyte rosette formation, associated with cerebral malaria; chondroitin sulphate-A attachment and infected erythrocyte sequestration related to pregnancy-associated malaria and other severe forms of disease. An endothelial cell high activity binding peptide is described in several of this ∼300 kDa hypervariable protein's domains displaying a conserved motif (GACxPxRRxxLC); it established H-bonds with other binding peptides to mediate red blood cell group A and chondroitin sulphate attachment. This motif (when properly modified) induced PfEMP1-specific strain-transcending, fully-protective immunity for the first time in experimental challenge in Aotus monkeys, opening the way forward for a long sought-after vaccine against severe malaria.
authors: Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia ; School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors: Manuel E
authors: ME
authors: Patarroyo
authors: Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia ; School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá. Colombia.
authors: Martha Patricia
authors: MP
authors: Alba
authors: Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia ; School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá. Colombia.
authors: Hernando
authors: H
authors: Curtidor
authors: Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia ; School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá. Colombia.
authors: Magnolia
authors: M
authors: Vanegas
authors: Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia.
authors: Hannia
authors: H
authors: Almonacid
authors: Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia ; School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá. Colombia.
authors: Manuel A
authors: MA
authors: Patarroyo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016645:Aotidae; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017780:Malaria Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000276:immunology; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017780:Malaria Vaccines; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C085731:erythrocyte membrane protein 1, Plasmodium falciparum; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates