Protective antibodies target cryptic epitope unmasked by cleavage of malaria sporozoite protein.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 39745947.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/science.adr0510 and PMC identifier 11804177.
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Abstract
The most advanced monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and vaccines against malaria target the central repeat region or closely related sequences within the <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP). Here, using an antigen-agnostic strategy to investigate human antibody responses to whole sporozoites, we identified a class of mAbs that target a cryptic PfCSP epitope that is only exposed after cleavage and subsequent pyroglutamylation (pGlu) of the newly formed N terminus. This pGlu-CSP epitope is not targeted by current anti-PfCSP mAbs and is not included in the licensed malaria vaccines. MAD21-101, the most potent mAb in this class, confers sterile protection against <i>Pf</i> infection in a human liver-chimeric mouse model. These findings reveal a site of vulnerability on the sporozoite surface that can be targeted by next-generation antimalarial interventions.
Medical subject headings
- Protozoan Proteins
- Plasmodium falciparum
- Sporozoites
- Malaria, Falciparum
- Malaria Vaccines
- Antibodies, Protozoan
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Epitopes