A novel approach to identify the specific antibody characteristics important for protection from malaria in pregnant women

• Grant number: 17/50181-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2017
• End date: August 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Protozoology of Parasites
• Agreement: University of Melbourne
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Cláudio Romero Farias Marinho
• Grantee: Cláudio Romero Farias Marinho
• Principal researcher abroad: Stephen J. Rogerson
• Institution abroad: University of Melbourne, Australia
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/07030-0 - Characterization of autophagic activity and inflammasome in placental malaria, AP.R

Abstract

Over 100 million pregnant women are at risk of malaria each year. Effects include maternal anemia, miscarriage and low birth weight, and central to their pathogenesis is the placental sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum- infected erythrocytes (IE), termed placental malaria, and mediated by a parasite protein called VAR2CSA. First-time mothers are at greatest risk, as they lack antibody to VAR2CSA. Very little is known about immunity to malaria in pregnancy, and the importance of VAR2CSA immunity, in protection of South American women from malaria in pregnancy. Using Systems Serology, which combines multiple novel and established antibody assays with advanced statistical analysis, we will identify components of the naturally acquired and vaccine-induced antibody responses required to protect pregnant women. Thus, project aims to better understand to Plasmodium falciparum antibody responses correlate with protection from malaria in pregnancy in a population of women in the Brazilian Amazon. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

KASSA, MESERET W.; HASANG, WINA; BARATEIRO, ANDRE; DAMELANG, TIMON; BREWSTER, JESSICA; DOMBROWSKI, JAMILLE G. G.; LONGLEY, RHEA J. J.; CHUNG, AMY W.; WUNDERLICH, GERHARD; MUELLER, IVO; et al. Acquisition of antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax antigens in pregnant women living in a low malaria transmission area of Brazil. Malaria Journal, v. 21, n. 1, p. 14-pg., 2022-12-01. (19/12068-5, 18/20468-0, 17/50181-2, 17/03939-7)