Surface antigens of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes--a new class of transmission-blocking vaccine targets?

Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2009 Aug;166(2):93-8. doi: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2009.03.007. Epub 2009 Mar 28.

Abstract

The re-establishment of elimination and eradication on the malaria control agenda has led to calls for renewed effort in the development of parasite transmission-blocking interventions. Vaccines are ideally suited to this task, but progress towards an anti-gamete transmission-blocking vaccine, designed to act on parasites in blood-fed mosquitoes, has been slow. Recent work has confirmed that the surface of the gametocyte-infected erythrocyte presents antigens to the host immune system, and elicits specific humoral immune responses to these antigens, termed gametocyte surface antigens (GSAs). Likely candidate molecules, including antigens encoded by sub-telomeric multi-gene families, are discussed, and a hypothetical group of parasite molecules involved in spatial and temporal signal transduction in the human host is proposed, the tropins and circadins. The next steps for development of anti-gametocyte transmission-blocking vaccines for P. falciparum and the other human malaria species are considered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Protozoan / genetics
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology*
  • Antigens, Surface / genetics
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology
  • Germ Cells / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Malaria Vaccines / genetics
  • Malaria Vaccines / immunology*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / immunology
  • Malaria, Falciparum / prevention & control
  • Malaria, Falciparum / transmission*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics
  • Plasmodium falciparum / growth & development
  • Plasmodium falciparum / immunology*
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Malaria Vaccines
  • Protozoan Proteins