VAR2CSA binding phenotype has ancient origin and arose before Plasmodium falciparum crossed to humans: implications in placental malaria vaccine design.

ABSTRACT: VAR2CSA is a leading candidate for developing a placental malaria (PM) vaccine that would protect pregnant women living in malaria endemic areas against placental infections and improve birth outcomes. Two VAR2CSA-based PM vaccines are currently under clinical trials, but it is still unclear if the use of a single VAR2CSA variant will be sufficient to induce a broad enough humoral response in humans to cross-react with genetically diverse parasite populations. Additional immuno-focusing vaccine strategies may therefore be required to identify functionally conserved antibody epitopes in VAR2CSA. We explored the possibility that conserved epitopes could exist between VAR2CSA from the chimpanzee parasite Plasmodium reichenowi and Plasmodium falciparum sequences. Making use of VAR2CSA recombin

SUBMITTER: Gangnard S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6861233 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature