title: The role of PfEMP1 as targets of naturally acquired immunity to childhood malaria: prospects for a vaccine.
abstract: The Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 antigens that are inserted onto the surface of P. falciparum infected erythrocytes play a key role both in the pathology of severe malaria and as targets of naturally acquired immunity. They might be considered unlikely vaccine targets because they are extremely diverse. However, several lines of evidence suggest that underneath this molecular diversity there are a restricted set of epitopes which may act as effective targets for a vaccine against severe malaria. Here we review some of the recent developments in this area of research, focusing on work that has assessed the potential of these molecules as possible vaccine targets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology,University of Cambridge,Tennis Court Rd,Cambridge CB2 1QP,UK.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Bull
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology,University of Cambridge,Tennis Court Rd,Cambridge CB2 1QP,UK.
authors.forename: Abdirahman I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Abdi
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D017780:Malaria Vaccines; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D017780:Malaria Vaccines; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C085731:erythrocyte membrane protein 1, Plasmodium falciparum
keywords: PfEMP1; immunity; malaria; vaccine; variant surface antigens