Last Updated: 02/12/2025
Vaccine prototypes based on Plasmodium vivax duffy binding protein II (DBPII): Evaluation of long-term natural immunity
Objectives
*Original title in Portuguese: Protótipos vacinais baseados na duffy binding protein II (DBPII) do Plasmodium vivax: Avaliação da imunidade natural de longa-duração
This proposal has the general objective of defining the profile of antibodies and memory B cells in the so-called elite responders, as well as using this response to optimize Duffy binding protein II (DBPII) vaccine preparations. This proposal will benefit from previous studies carried out in Brazil (cross-sectional and cohort), where different profiles of DBPII responders have been identified, including those considered elite responders.
Duffy binding protein II (DBPII), the main candidate antigen for the vaccine against Plasmodium vivax, is weakly immunogenic in natural infections and induces strain-specific immunity. However, the group has reason to be optimistic, as some individuals were identified in the Amazon with long-lasting protective antibodies that transcend the parasite strain (elite-responders). The hypothesis is that elite responders mount an immune response against the protein’s conversational epitopes, therefore, this group could guide the development of broad-spectrum protective vaccines. In this sense, an approach is to develop vaccines against more conserved B-cell epitopes of the protein, which is being done by the US collaborator (some prototypes already developed). The proposal is also based on a solid and successful collaboration between the Brazilian proponent (LH Carvalho) and the research group of Dr. Adams (American contributor). The intention is to combine the strengths of each one of these groups to optimize DBPII as a human vaccine against malaria, a parasitic disease of great worldwide importance. Finally, the proposal serves the interests of the State of Minas Gerais, as it (i) addresses the disease that has caused autochthonous outbreaks and deaths in MG; (ii) involves technological innovation (development of vaccine prototypes and improvement of platform for the production of high-quality recombinant proteins) and, (iii) will contribute to the formation of human resources in research.
Mar 2016
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