Development of molecular adjuvants for design of malaria vaccines

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

We have developed a novel strategy to increase immune responses by creating genetic protein fusion complex composed of three physically linked molecular entities : (i) a vaccine antigen, (ii) an α-helical coiled-coil, and (iii) an antigen-presenting cell-targeting ligand. Vaccine efficacy of the tricomponent complex was evaluated using an ookinete surface protein of Plasmodium vivax and a merozoite surface protein of Plasmodium yoelii. Immunization of mice conferred substantial levels of P. vivax transmission blockade as well as protection from lethal P. yoelii infection in mice. This system, designated as the tricomponent immunopotentiating system (TIPS), onto which any recombinant antigens could be loaded, may be a promising strategy in devising subunit vaccines against malaria.