Surface antigens of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes as immune targets and malaria vaccine candidates.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the targets and mechanisms of human immunity to malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is crucial for advancing effective vaccines and developing tools for measuring immunity and exposure in populations. Acquired immunity to malaria predominantly targets the blood stage of infection when merozoites of Plasmodium spp. infect erythrocytes and replicate within them. During the intra-erythrocytic development of P. falciparum, numerous parasite-derived antigens are expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes (IEs). These antigens enable P. falciparum-IEs to adhere in the vasculature and accumulate in multiple organs, which is a key process in the pathogenesis of disease. IE surface antigens, often referred to as variant surface antigens, are important targets of acquired pr

SUBMITTER: Chan JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4160571 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature