immunogenicity

Detailed functional studies on the antigen have remained hampered by the cross-reactive nature of antibodies generated to Pf332. Pf332-C231, identified in the C-terminal region of Pf332 was cloned and antibodies against the C231 fragment were shown to react with intact Pf332 antigen by both immunofluorescence and immunoblotting analyses.

These data showing that Vaxfectin® can enhance the immunogenicity of plasmid DNA vaccines administered at low doses per body weight, and in combinations, has important clinical implications for the development of a vaccine against malaria, as well as against other public health threats.

A chimeric gene, MSP-Fu24, was constructed by genetically coupling immunodominant, conserved regions of the two leading malaria vaccine candidates, Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (C-terminal 19-kDa region [PfMSP-119]) and merozoite surface protein 3 (11-kDa conserved region [PfMSP-311]).

In this study, the P. vivax merozoite surface protein 10 (MSP-10) was expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography. 

Antigen Pf332, a megadalton protein has been shown to be associated with the membrane of infected erythrocytes. Detailed functional studies on the antigen have remained hampered by the cross-reactive nature of antibodies generated to Pf332.