Induction of sporozoite‐specific memory cells in mice immunized with a recombinantPlasmodium vivaxcircumsporozoite protein

摘要

AbstractA recombinantPlasmodium vivaxcircumsporozoite (CS) protein (rPvCS‐1) has been investigated as a possible malaria sporozoite vaccine candidate. Experiments were carried out to determine whether sporozoite‐specific memory cells develop in Swiss Webster mice immunized with rPvCS‐1. Challenge of rPvCS‐1‐immunized mice withP. vivaxsporozoites resulted in a 100‐fold increase in the mean serum anti‐sporozoite antibody titer. The presence of parasite‐specific T helper cells was demonstrated using anin vitroassay. Anti‐CS antibodies were detected in the culture supernatants of spleen cells of rPvCS‐1‐immunized mice followingin vitrochallenge withP. vivaxsporozoite extract. Immune spleen cells depleted of T cells did not produce antibodies when challenged with sporozoite extractin vitro.In conclusion, immunization of mice with the rPvCS‐1 protein induced memory T cells which recognized native CS antigen and functioned as T helper cells in the production of anti‐sporozoite antibodi