New potential target for vaccines against Plasmodium vivax: Immunological, molecular and functional study of a new protein from blood forms

Objectives

*Original title in Portuguese: Novo alvo potencial para vacinas contra o Plasmodium vivax: Estudo imunológico, molecular e funcional de uma nova proteína de formas sanguíneas

The main objectives of the proposal presented here involve (i) producing recombinant EBP2 and evaluating its immunogenicity in an animal model; (ii) to evaluate naturally acquired immunity in populations exposed to P. vivax infection; (iii) evaluate the EBP2 genetic diversity in circulating parasites in Brazil; (iv) perform in vitro functional assays to evaluate the ability of EBP2 to interact with reticulocytes and human erythrocytes, as well as its ability to induce antibodies that block ligand-receptor interaction.