Novel Long Peptide Antigens Containing MHC Class I and Class II Binding Sequences Designed from Plasmodium falciparum Enolase

Abstract

Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum continues to be a major public health problem especially in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Considering the growing resistance of parasites to anti-malarial drugs and of vector mosquitoes to insecticides, there is no doubt that the effective vaccine is the most awaiting tool to reduce the risk of malaria. Our synthetic studies have shown that a loop region (AD22 = 256ASEFYNSENKTYDLDFKTPNND277) of Plsmodium falciparum enolase has antigenic reactivity against patients’ sera and AD22 can produce inhibitory antibodies against in vitro parasite growth. In this paper, we will briefly present our ongoing research of malaria vaccine development and related model studies.