Multiple antigen constructs (MACs): induction of sterile immunity against sporozoite stage of rodent malaria parasites, Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium yoelii
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Abstract
We prepared multiple antigen constructs (MACs) using circumsporozoite (CS) protein-based
B-epitopes from Plasmodium berghei, (PPPPNPND)2 and Plasmodium yoelii, (QGPGAP)3QG,
along with a P. berghei T-helper epitope KQIRDSITEEWS. Mice were immunized with individual
MACs in oil-in-water or water-in-oil vehicles containing block copolymer (P1005) and
detoxified RaLPS (RaLPS) as well as other adjuvants. Sporozoite challenge results
demonstrated that MACs in adjuvant could induce antibodies capable of active and passive
protection. Water-in-oil vaccines induced the highest level of protection in mice
immunized with either P. berghei or P. yoelii MACs. In a study aimed at co-eliciting
immunity against P. berghei and P. yoelii, three immunizations with MACs induced protective
antibodies against P. berghei but not P. yoelii parasite challenge. Therefore, it
can be concluded that individually MACs are capable of inducing strong and protective
immune responses to either species of rodent malaria, and that protection can be passively
transferred. When MAC formulations were used together as a combined vaccine, P. berghei
MACs induced a strong protective antibody response while P. yoelii MACs induced a
weaker nonprotective response.