Last Updated: 11/05/2026

Development of novel P. falciparum malaria transmission-blocking vaccine targeted against Pf75

Objectives

This study was conducted to investigate the possibility of Plasmodium falciparum gamete surface protein (Pf75) as a transmission-blocking vaccine candidate antigen.

Principal Institution

Ehime University, Japan

Principal Investigators / Focal Persons

Motomi Torii

Partner Investigators

Mayumi Tachibana
Tomoko Ishino

Rationale and Abstract

Twelve kinds of recombinant Pf75 were synthesized using a wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system. To produce antiserum, a rabbit was immunized with each recombinant protein as an antigen. Three antisera showed strong reactivity to gametes of Plasmodium falciparum with immunofluorescence assay. Transmission-blocking efficacy was tested using standard membrane-feeding assay. The number of oocysts formed in the midgut of mosquitoes fed with infected erythrocytes mixed with anti-Pf75 antiserum or anti-GST antiserum was measured. A significant decrease in the number of oocysts was observed in the anti-Pf75 antiserum treated group compared to the anti-GST antiserum treated group (control), suggesting that the anti-Pf75 antibody has transmission-blocking activity.

External reference

Project Details

Themes

Immunology
Vaccines

Date

Apr 2015 — Mar 2018

Total Project Funding

$151,963

Funding Details

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Japan

Grant ID: 15H04725

JPY 17.16M