title: Recombinant Pvs48/45 antigen expressed in E. coli generates antibodies that block malaria transmission in Anopheles albimanus mosquitoes.
abstract: Transmission of malaria parasites from humans to Anopheles mosquitoes can be inhibited by specific antibodies elicited during malaria infection, which target surface Plasmodium gametocyte/gamete proteins. Some of these proteins may have potential for vaccine development. Pvs48/45 is a P. vivax gametocyte surface antigen orthologous to Pfs48/45, which may play a role during parasite fertilization and thus has potential for transmission blocking (TB) activity. Here we describe the expression of a recombinant Pvs48/45 protein expressed in Escherichia coli as a ∼60kDa construct which we tested for antigenicity using human sera and for its immunogenicity and transmission blocking activity of specific anti-mouse and anti-monkey Pvs48/45 antibodies. The protein reacted with sera of individuals from malaria-endemic areas and in addition induced specific IgG antibody responses in BALB/c mice and Aotus l. griseimembra monkeys. Sera from both immunized animal species recognized native P. vivax protein in Western blot (WB) and immunofluorescence assays. Moreover, sera from immunized mice and monkeys produced significant inhibition of parasite transmission to An. Albimanus mosquitoes as shown by membrane feeding assays. Results indicate the presence of reactive epitopes in the Pvs48/45 recombinant product that induce antibodies with TB activity. Further testing of this protein is ongoing to determine its vaccine potential.
authors.affiliation: Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali, Colombia; School of Health, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arévalo-Herrera
authors.affiliation: Caucaseco Scientific Research Center, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Andrés F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Vallejo
authors.affiliation: Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali, Colombia; Caucaseco Scientific Research Center, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rubiano
authors.affiliation: School of Health, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Yezid
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Solarte
authors.affiliation: Primates Center Foundation, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Catherin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.affiliation: Primates Center Foundation, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Angélica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castellanos
authors.affiliation: Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Céspedes
authors.affiliation: Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali, Colombia; Caucaseco Scientific Research Center, Cali, Colombia; Primates Center Foundation, Cali, Colombia.
authors.forename: Sócrates
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herrera
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000378:metabolism; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016645:Aotidae / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D017780:Malaria Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000939:Epitopes; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D017780:Malaria Vaccines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins