T-cell responses to the DBLα-tag, a short semi-conserved region of the Plasmodium falciparum membrane erythrocyte protein 1.

ABSTRACT: The Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) is a variant surface antigen expressed on mature forms of infected erythrocytes. It is considered an important target of naturally acquired immunity. Despite its extreme sequence heterogeneity, variants of PfEMP1 can be stratified into distinct groups. Group A PfEMP1 have been independently associated with low host immunity and severe disease in several studies and are now of potential interest as vaccine candidates. Although antigen-specific antibodies are considered the main effector mechanism in immunity to malaria, the induction of efficient and long-lasting antibody responses requires CD4+ T-cell help. To date, very little is known about CD4+ T-cell responses to PfEMP1 expressed on clinical isolates. The DBLα-tag is a s

SUBMITTER: Gitau EN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3260199 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature