Knowledge of the Plasmodium falciparum
antigens that comprise the human liver stage immunoproteome is important for pre-erythrocytic
vaccine development, but, compared with the erythrocytic stage immunoproteome, more challenging to classify. Previous studies of P. falciparum antibody responses report
IgG and rarely
IgA responses. We assessed
IgG and
IgA antibody responses in adult sera collected during two controlled human
malaria infection (
CHMI) studies in
malaria-naïve volunteers and in 1- to 6-year-old
malaria-exposed Malian children on a 251 P. falciparum
antigen protein microarray.
IgG profiles in the two
CHMI groups were equivalent and differed from Malian children.
IgA profiles were robust in the
CHMI groups and a subset of Malian children. We describe immunoproteome differences in naïve vs. exposed individuals and report pre-erythrocytic
proteins recognized by the immune system.
IgA responses detected in this study expand the list of pre-erythrocytic
antigens for further characterization as potential
vaccine candidates.