Antibody DNA Vaccine Against Malaria. Phase 1.
Abstract
The overall goal of this contract was to study the characteristics of the immune response against a malaria parasite antigen using vaccination with DNA. During the tenure of the contract we have analyzed in great detail all the immunologic aspects we had anticipated we would investigate. Collectively, the findings indicate the following: (a) A single intra-spleen inoculation of DNA of an antigenized antibody H chain coding for a malaria parasite is sufficient to elicit immunity against the malaria. The initial antibody response is primarily IgM. (b) A single DNA injection is also sufficient to induce immunologic memory. Following protein booster injection (challenge) a vigorous secondary antibody response develops with isotype switch to IgOl. (c) The initial IgM antibodies can be switched to IgGi by immunizing with a gene chimerized with the DNA coding for the cytokine (3M-CSF. (d) DNA immunization induces antibodies that react with P. falciparum sporozoites, hence suggesting that the immunogenic process mimics natural immunity by the parasite. We deem that these results are new and have brought new understanding on how immunity to the malaria parasite may work and how DNA immunization can be exploited to program the immune system to mount an effective immune response.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADB206148
Entities
People
- Maurizio Zanetti