[Assessment of malaria DNA vaccines in mice and monkeys]

Cholera toxin B subunit is a good carrier protein and an effective adjuvant which can boost both cellular and humoral immunity. DNA fragments encoding B cell, Th cell and CTL epitopes of P. falciparum CS, MSA-1, MSA-2 and RESA antigens were cloned down-2 stream of cholera toxin B subunit gene in the same reading frame. High titer of anti-malaria epitopes antibodies and strong cellular immunogenicity were elicited after Balb/c mice were immunized three times with 100 micrograms recombinant plasmid DNA dissolved in 100 microliters PBS. A total of 120 vaccinees were challenged with mouse Plasmodium yoelli to investigate if cross protection existed. The protective efficacy was about 60%-80%. Four rhesus monkeys were challenged with 10(8) of P. cynomalgi, better results were obtained in the groups immunized with mixed plasmids including NANP, AWTE.