Protection induced by malaria virus-like particles containing codon-optimized AMA-1 of Plasmodium berghei

Abstract

BackgroundDespite the extensive endeavours, developing an effective malaria vaccine remains as a great challenge. Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) located on the merozoite surface of parasites belonging to the genus Plasmodium is involved in red blood cell invasion.MethodsInfluenza virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines containing codon-optimized or native (non-codon optimized) AMA-1 from Plasmodium berghei were generated. VLP-induced protective immunity was evaluated in a mouse model.ResultsMice immunized with VLP vaccine containing the codon-optimized AMA-1 elicited higher levels of P. berghei-specific IgG and IgG2a antibody responses compared to VLPs containing non-codon optimized AMA-1 before and after challenge infection. Codon-optimized AMA-1 VLP vaccination induced higher levels of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, and germinal centre cell responses compared to non-codon optimized AMA-1 VLPs. Importantly, the codon-optimized AMA-1 VLP vaccination showed lower body weight loss, longer survival and a significant decrease in parasitaemia compared to non-codon optimized VLP vaccination.ConclusionOverall, VLP vaccine expressing codon-optimized AMA-1 induced better protective efficacy than VLPs expressing the non-codon optimized AMA-1. Current findings highlight the importance of codon-optimization for vaccine use and its potential involvement in future malaria vaccine design strategies.

Virus‐like particles expressing Plasmodium berghei MSP‐8 induce protection against P. berghei infection

“…At 6 d after P. berghei infection, parasites in red blood cells were collected and counted by flow cytometry (C, *P < .05). The error bars represent SEMresults were consistent with published reports 14,24. Compared to nonimmunized mice, MSP-8 VLPs-immunized mice showed significantly reduced parasitemia upon challenge infection, exactly corresponding with the purpose of this study.…”

“…We found that VLPs vaccination induces P. berghei-specific IgG and IgG2a antibody responses, T-cell responses and protection against malaria infection in mice. 14 Thus, we hypothesized that VLPs expressing the MSP-8 could play a critical role in inducing protection against malaria infection.…”

“…Samples were incubated at 37°C for 30 minutes in the dark. After incubation, 0.1 M PBS was added to each sample and flow cytometry was performed 14,20.…”

Protective Immunity Induced by Virus-Like Particle Containing Merozoite Surface Protein 9 of Plasmodium berghei

“…In addition, VLPs effectively express robust immune responses in various cells of the humoral and cellular immune system without adjuvants [14,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. In our previous study, we evaluated the vaccine efficacies in mice immunized with VLPs containing apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) of Plasmodium berghei [23]. AMA-1 VLP immunization effectively elicited humoral and cellular immune responses in mice [23].…”

“…In our previous study, we evaluated the vaccine efficacies in mice immunized with VLPs containing apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) of Plasmodium berghei [23]. AMA-1 VLP immunization effectively elicited humoral and cellular immune responses in mice [23]. We sought to investigate in depth the immune response resulting from MSP-9 VLP immunization, using the advantage of the VLP vaccine platform.…”