HLA degenerate T-cell epitopes from Plasmodium falciparum liver stage-specific antigen 1 (LSA-1) are highly conserved in isolates from geographically distinct areas

M Ravichandran, D L Doolan, J Cox-Singh, S L Hoffman, B Singh, Janet Cox Singh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Consider able effort is directed at the development of a malaria vaccine that elicits antigen-specific T-cell responses against pre-erythrocytic antigens of Plasmodium falciparum. Genetic restriction of host T-cell responses and polymorphism of target epitopes on parasite antigens pose obstacles to the development of such a vaccine. Liver stage specific antigen-1 (LSA-1) is a prime candidate vaccine antigen and five T-cell epitopes that are degenerately restricted by HLA molecules common in most populations have been identified on LSA-1. To define the extent of polymorphism within these T-cell epitopes, the N-terminal non-repetitive region of the LSA-1 gene from Malaysian P. falciparum field isolates was sequenced and compared with data of isolates from Brazil, Kenya and Papua New Guinea. Three of the T-cell epitopes were completely conserved while the remaining two were highly conserved in the isolates examined. Our findings underscore the potential of including these HLA-degenerate T-cell epitopes of LSA-1 in a subunit vaccine.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)469-473
Number of pages5
JournalParasite Immunology
Volume22
Issue number9
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2000

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