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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Characterisation of the merozoite thrombospondin related anonymous protein (MTRAP) of Plasmodium berghei as a transmission-blocking antigen

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Author(s):
Xiomara Alexandra Gaitán [1] ; Juliana Calit [2] ; Irina Dobrescu [3] ; Marisé Solórzano Ramos [4] ; Alba Marina Gimenez [5] ; Daniel Youssef Bargieri [6]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Departamento de Parasitologia - Brasil
[2] Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Departamento de Parasitologia - Brasil
[3] Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Departamento de Parasitologia - Brasil
[4] Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Departamento de Parasitologia - Brasil
[5] Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Departamento de Parasitologia - Brasil
[6] Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Departamento de Parasitologia - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 6
Document type: Journal article
Source: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz; v. 119, 2024-03-22.
Abstract

BACKGROUND Malaria is an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Plasmodium. Human-to-human transmission depends on a mosquito vector; thus, the interruption of parasite transmission from humans to mosquitoes is an important approach in the fight against malaria. The parasite stages infectious to mosquitoes are the gametocytes, sexual stages that are ingested by the vector during a blood meal and transform into male and female gametes in the midgut. Immunity against sexual stage antigens expressed by gametocytes, gametes, and the zygote formed after fertilisation can interrupt the parasite sexual cycle in the mosquito. This transmission blocking immunity is mediated by specific antibodies ingested during the mosquito blood feed, inhibiting the parasite development in the midgut. Merozoite thrombospondin related anonymous protein (MTRAP) is a merozoite and gametocyte surface protein essential for gamete egress from erythrocytes and for parasite transmission to mosquitoes. OBJECTIVES Here, we evaluated the potential of the P. berghei MTRAP to elicit antibodies with the ability to inhibit gamete fertilisation in vitro. METHODS We expressed a soluble recombinant PbMTRAP and used it to immunise BALB/c mice. The transmission blocking activity of the anti-rPbMTRAP antibodies was tested through in vivo challenge experiments followed by in vitro conversion assays. FINDINGS Immunisations with the rPbMTRAP induced a strong antibody response and the antibodies recognised the native protein by Western Blot and IFA. Anti-rPbMTRAP present in the blood stream of immunised mice partially inhibited gamete conversion into ookinetes. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that antibodies to PbMTRAP may reduce but are not sufficient to completely block transmission. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 19/21507-2 - Characterization of the cysteine-rich small secreted (CSs) protein as a vaccine candidate against Plasmodium
Grantee:Xiomara Alexandra Gaitán
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 13/13119-6 - Cell biology and molecular genetics of hemoparasites
Grantee:Daniel Youssef Bargieri
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
FAPESP's process: 21/06769-0 - Discovery of vaccine targets and compounds against Malaria transmission
Grantee:Daniel Youssef Bargieri
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants - Phase 2
FAPESP's process: 18/24878-9 - Search for Plasmodium transmission-blocking compounds using new experimental models
Grantee:Juliana Calit Paim
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
FAPESP's process: 14/23083-1 - Plasmodium vivax vaccine development and antigen discovery using P. berghei malaria models.
Grantee:Irina Dobrescu
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate