New approach toward a broad spectrum malaria vaccine
Monday, October 19, 2015 - 18:00
in Biology & Nature
Malaria affects millions of people worldwide. Plasmodium falciparum enolase participates in parasite invasion of host red blood cells and mosquito midgut epithelium. Anti-enolase antibodies interfere with the invasion, inhibiting parasite growth and transmission. A pentapeptide insert of parasite enolase, conserved in all Plasmodia species, but absent from host enolases, shows considerable protection against malaria when displayed on Archaeal gas vesicle nanoparticles. A vaccine based on this motif could confer protection against all malaria parasites.