Protection induced by malaria virus-like particles containing codon-optimized AMA-1 of Plasmodium berghei.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Despite the extensive endeavours, developing an effective malaria vaccine remains as a great challenge. Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) located on the merozoite surface of parasites belonging to the genus Plasmodium is involved in red blood cell invasion.

METHODS:

Influenza virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines containing codon-optimized or native (non-codon optimized) AMA-1 from Plasmodium berghei were generated. VLP-induced protective immunity was evaluated in a mouse model.

RESULTS:

Mice immunized with VLP vaccine containing the codon-optimized AMA-1 elicited higher levels of P. berghei-specific IgG and IgG2a antibody responses compared to VLPs containing non-codon optimized AMA-1 before and after challenge infection. Codon-optimized AMA-1 VLP vaccination induced higher levels of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, and germinal centre cell responses compared to non-codon optimized AMA-1 VLPs. Importantly, the codon-optimized AMA-1 VLP vaccination showed lower body weight loss, longer survival and a significant decrease in parasitaemia compared to non-codon optimized VLP vaccination.

CONCLUSION:

Overall, VLP vaccine expressing codon-optimized AMA-1 induced better protective efficacy than VLPs expressing the non-codon optimized AMA-1. Current findings highlight the importance of codon-optimization for vaccine use and its potential involvement in future malaria vaccine design strategies.

• Authors: Dong-Hun Lee, Ki-Back Chu, Hae-Ji Kang, Su-Hwa Lee, Manika Chopra, Hyo-Jick Choi, Eun-Kyung Moon, Kyung-Soo Inn, Fu-Shi Quan
• Journal: Malaria journal (Malar J) Vol. 18 Issue 1 Pg. 394 (Dec 03 2019) ISSN: 1475-2875 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 31796032 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Protozoan
• Codon
• Malaria Vaccines
• Membrane Proteins
• Protozoan Proteins
• Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle
• apical membrane antigen I, Plasmodium

Topics

• Animals
• Antigens, Protozoan (therapeutic use)
• Codon (immunology)
• Female
• Malaria (prevention & control)
• Malaria Vaccines (pharmacology)
• Membrane Proteins (therapeutic use)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Plasmodium berghei (immunology)
• Protozoan Proteins (therapeutic use)
• Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle (pharmacology)