Elucidating functional epitopes within the N-terminal region of malaria transmission blocking vaccine antigen Pfs230.

ABSTRACT: Pfs230 is a leading malaria transmission blocking vaccine (TBV) candidate. Comprising 3135 amino acids (aa), the large size of Pfs230 necessitates the use of sub-fragments as vaccine immunogens. Therefore, determination of which regions induce functional antibody responses is essential. We previously reported that of 27 sub-fragments spanning the entire molecule, only five induced functional antibodies. A "functional" antibody is defined herein as one that inhibits Plasmodium falciparum parasite development in mosquitoes in a standard membrane-feeding assay (SMFA). These five sub-fragments were found within the aa 443-1274 range, and all contained aa 543-730. Here, we further pinpoint the location of epitopes within Pfs230 that are recognized by functional antibodies using antibody depleti

SUBMITTER: Miura K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8758780 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature