Immunogenicity of the Plasmodium falciparum serine repeat antigen (p126) expressed by vaccinia virus

Assessment of a vaccinia virus vectored multi-epitope live vaccine candidate for Plasmodium falciparum

We constructed a live recombinant vaccinia virus vaccine candidate containing a synthesised hybrid gene termed 'HGFSP' encoding circumsporozoite protein (CSP), major merozoite surface antigen-1(MSA1), major merozoite surface antigen-2 (MSA2), and ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA) of Plasmodium falciparum, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tetanus toxin (TT) epitopes. Anti-recombinant vaccinia virus rabbit sera and IgG were tested in inhibition experiments in vitro. Results showed that the recombinant vaccinia virus had some capability to inhibit the growth of P. falciparum in vitro. The sera of rabbits, rats, and mice immunised with recombinant virus showed obvious IL-2 activity 4-6 weeks after immunisation. The interferon (IFN) level of sera from these animals 6 weeks after immunisation was significantly higher than before immunisation. These results indicate that the recombinant vaccinia virus can stimulate cell mediated responses (Th1 cell response) in immunised animals, and has the capability to inhibit multiplication of in vitro cultured P. falciparum. Thus this recombinant vaccinia virus is an appropriate vaccine candidate for further evaluation in Aotus monkey or human clinical trails.

Plasmodium falciparum: heterologous synthesis of the transmission-blocking vaccine candidate Pfs48/45 in recombinant vaccinia virus-infected cells

With the aim of developing transmission-blocking vaccines based on the sexual stage-specific surface antigen Pfs48/45 of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the gene encoding Pfs48/45 was incorporated into the genome of a recombinant vaccinia virus. In virus-infected mammalian tissue culture cells, recombinant Pfs48/45 antigen (rPfs48/45) is posttranslational modified to produce a highly N-glycosylated polypeptide. The rPfs48/45 protein was radiolabeled with ethanolamine, consisting of a further posttranslational modification in the form of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor at its carboxy-terminal end. The rPfs48/45 was not detected on the surface of the infected cells; instead, it remained within the secretion pathway of mammalian cells irrespective of the duration of infection or culture temperature. Studies with monoclonal antibodies specific for disulfide band-dependent epitopes of Pfs48/45 revealed that recombinant Pfs48/45 is not folded in its authentic conformation even if N-glycosylation was chemically inhibited. Infection of mice and rabbits with recombinant virus elicited Pfs48/45-specific antibodies; however, the antisera failed to block parasite transmission in a standard mosquito membrane-feeding assay.

NYVAC-Pf7: a poxvirus-vectored, multiantigen, multistage vaccine candidate for Plasmodium falciparum malaria

The highly attenuated NYVAC vaccinia virus strain has been utilized to develop a multiantigen, multistage vaccine candidate for malaria, a disease that remains a serious global health problem and for which no highly effective vaccine exists. Genes encoding seven Plasmodium falciparum antigens derived from the sporozoite (circumsporozoite protein and sporozoite surface protein 2), liver (liver stage antigen 1), blood (merozoite surface protein 1, serine repeat antigen, and apical membrane antigen 1), and sexual (25-kDa sexual-stage antigen) stages of the parasite life cycle were inserted into a single NYVAC genome to generate NYVAC-Pf7. Each of the seven antigens was expressed in NYVAC-Pf7-infected culture cells, and the genotypic and phenotypic stability of the recombinant virus was demonstrated. When inoculated into rhesus monkeys, NYVAC-Pf7 was safe and well tolerated. Antibodies that recognize sporozoites, liver, blood, and sexual stages of P. falciparum were elicited. Specific antibody responses against four of the P.falciparum antigens (circumsporozoite protein, sporozoite surface protein 2, merozoite surface protein 1, and 25-kDa sexual-stage antigen) were characterized. The results demonstrate that NYVAC-Pf7 is an appropriate candidate vaccine for further evaluation in human clinical trials.

Attenuated vaccinia virus-circumsporozoite protein recombinants confer protection against rodent malaria

NYVAC-based vaccinia virus recombinants expressing the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) were evaluated in the Plasmodium berghei rodent malaria model system. Immunization of mice with a NYVAC-based CSP recombinant elicited a high level of protection (60 to 100%). Protection did not correlate with CS repeat-specific antibody responses and was abrogated by in vivo CD8+ T-cell depletion. Protection was not enhanced by modification of the subcellular localization of CSP. These results suggest the potential of poxvirus-based vectors for the development of vaccine candidates for human malaria.

Immunogenicity of the Plasmodium falciparum glutamate-rich protein expressed by vaccinia virus

The glurp gene of Plasmodium falciparum F32 has been inserted into a vaccinia virus, and the recombinant virus was designated VVG4. Expression of glurp in VVG4-infected Vero cells was analyzed by immunoprecipitation and revealed a primary GLURP product of approximately 220,000 Da; GLURP was detected both intracellularly and in culture supernatants. To study the immunogenicity of vaccinia virus-expressed GLURP, mice were immunized with VVG4 and serum samples were analyzed for antibody reactivity with three polypeptides, covering almost the entire GLURP molecule; these three polypeptides were produced in recombinant form in Escherichia coli. The immune response was primarily directed against a carboxy-terminal repeat region. The mouse anti-GLURP serum recognized authentic GLURP by immunoprecipitation analysis from P. falciparum grown in vitro. These results demonstrate that vaccinia virus-expressed glurp product can induce a humoral immune response against GLURP derived from blood-stage parasites.