Molecular Markers of Radiation Induced Attenuation in Intrahepatic Plasmodium falciparum Parasites.

ABSTRACT: Experimental immunization with radiation attenuated sporozoites (RAS) and genetically attenuated sporozoites has proved to be a promising approach for malaria vaccine development. However, parasite biomarkers of growth attenuation and enhanced immune protection in response to radiation remain poorly understood. Here, we report on the effect of an attenuating dose of γ-irradiation (15 krad) on the Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite (PfSPZ) ultrastructure by electron microscopy, growth rate of liver stage P. falciparum in liver cell cultures, and genome-wide transcriptional profile of liver stage parasites by microarray. We find that γ-irradiation treated PfSPZ retained a normal cellular structure except that they were vacuous with a partially disrupted plasma membrane and inner membrane compl

SUBMITTER: Oakley MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5135057 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature