Last Updated: 25/04/2020
Defining Targets of Protective Immunity to Vivax Malaria using Human Monoclonal Antibodies
Objectives
This research aims to:
- isolate human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from individuals with immunity to vivax Malaria that recognize a few key molecules known to be essential for invasion of liver and red Blood cells;
- evaluate isolated mAbs as whether they block parasite invasion of liver and red cells in vitro, and in vivo using murine models and generally modified parasites; and
- further characterize mAbs with potent blocking activities as to exactly know how and where they interact with parasite proteins and whether individuals in diverse populations also have the same or similar antibodies.
Malaria caused by plasmodium vivax is the most widely distributed type of Malaria with 3.3 billion people at risk and at least 15 million clinical cases worldwide each year. As the most common from of Malaria outside Sub-Saharan Africa, it can cause severe illness and death across a large segment of the world’s population. Most individuals exposed to P. vivax through repeated infection gain partial immunity over time. The immunity is mediated, in part, by acquired antibodies (Abs) to essential parasite proteins that can block the parasite invasion into liver and red blood cells thereby preventing infections and if infected reduce the risk of disease. The production and characterization of these human monoclonal antibodies with potent blocking activities, will help in the design and development of vaccines against vivax Malaria and provide novel therapeutics for prevention and treatment of individuals at risk or infected with this parasite.
Enabling Technologies & Assays
P. vivax
Vaccines (Immune Correlates)
Mar 2020 — Feb 2025
$774,283
Related Resources
