Cellular responses to modified Plasmodium falciparum MSP119 antigens in individuals previously exposed to natural malaria infection.

BACKGROUND: MSP1 processing-inhibitory antibodies bind to epitopes on the 19 kDa C-terminal region of the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1(19)), inhibiting erythrocyte invasion. Blocking antibodies also bind to this antigen but prevent inhibitory antibodies binding, allowing invasion to proceed. Recombinant MSP1(19) had been modified previously to allow inhibitory but not blocking antibodies to continue to bind. Immunization with these modified proteins, therefore, has the potential to induce more effective protective antibodies. However, it was unclear whether the modification of MSP1(19) would affect critical T-cell responses to epitopes in this antigen. METHODS: The cellular responses to wild-type MSP1(19) and a panel of modified MSP1(19) antigens were measured using an in-vitro assay for two groups of individuals: the first were malaria-naïve and the second had been naturally exposed to Plasmodium falciparum infection. The cellular responses to the modified proteins were examined using cells from malaria-exposed infants and adults. RESULTS: Interestingly, stimulation indices (SI) for responses induced by some of the modified proteins were at least two-fold higher than those elicited by the wild-type MSP1(19). A protein with four amino acid substitutions (Glu27-->Tyr, Leu31-->Arg, Tyr34-->Ser and Glu43-->Leu) had the highest stimulation index (SI up to 360) and induced large responses in 64% of the samples that had significant cellular responses to the modified proteins. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that specific MSP1(19) variants that have been engineered to improve their antigenicity for inhibitory antibodies, retain T-cell epitopes and the ability to induce cellular responses. These proteins are candidates for the development of MSP1-based malaria vaccines.

Cytokine profiles and antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection in individuals living in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The ability of the host immune system to efficiently clear Plasmodium falciparum parasites during a malaria infection depends on the type of immune response mounted by the host. STUDY DESIGN: In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the cellular-and antibody responses in individuals with P. falciparum infection, in an attempt to identify immunological signs indicative of the development of natural immunity against malaria in Ibadan, Nigeria. Levels of IL-10, IL-12(p70), IFN-gamma, and IgM, IgG and IgG1-4 subclasses in the serum of 36 symptomatic children with microscopically confirmed malaria parasitaemia and 54 asymptomatic controls were analysed by ELISA. RESULTS: IFN-gamma and IL-10 were significantly higher in the symptomatic children (p=0.009, p=0.025 respectively) than in the asymptomatic controls but no differences were seen for IL-12(p70). Estimated higher ratios of IFN-gamma/IL-10 and IFN-gamma/IL-12 were also observed in the symptomatic children while the asymptomatic controls had higher IL-12/IL-10 ratio. The mean concentration levels of anti-P. falciparum IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 antibodies were statistically significantly higher in the individuals >5 years of age than <5 years while anti-P. falciparum IgG3 antibodies were notably low in <5 years category. Children <5 years had higher IgM antibodies than IgG and the expression of IgG subclasses increased with age. CONCLUSION: Taken together, malaria infection is on a delicate balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The higher levels of IFN-gamma seen in the symptomatic children (<6 months) may be instrumental in immune-protection against malaria by limiting parasite replication. The observed variations in immunoglobulin subclass levels were age-dependent and exposure-related.

Epidemiological factors that promote the development of severe malaria anaemia in children in Ibadan.

BACKGROUND: Effective control and management of severe malaria cases depends on a clear understanding of the local epidemiological factors and specific clinical manifestations of the disease in the different endemic regions. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of severe malaria and epidemiological factors that affect the development of malaria anaemia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among children below 5 years of age, at the Adeoyo State Maternity Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Questionnaires and case histories were taken from patients clinically diagnosed of malaria. Thus, 372 volunteers were recruited into the study from the 3131 paediatric cases that reported over the 10-week period to the out-patient department (OPD) of the hospital. 229 (61.6%) of the recruited volunteers presented with fever (>37.5 degrees C) at consultation. These had malaria parasite and PCV tests done. RESULTS: Clinical diagnosis was confirmed microscopically in 78% (290/372) for Plasmodium infection using thick film slides. Anaemia (PCV <28%) prevalence was 28.2%. Factors that contributed to the rapid progression of uncomplicated malaria to severe status included: age of the child, level of parasitaemia, careless response and attitude of parents or guardians to fever in the children; parents' preoccupation with their jobs or other healthy children and unwillingness to use available health facilities. CONCLUSION: The study underscores the need for community involved partnership for malaria control especially through health education for the home management of malaria, especially among those experiencing some form of inequity in access to healthcare.