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Immunization of mice with Plasmodium TCTP delays establishment of Plasmodium infection
K J Taylor1, T T H Van, S M MacDonald
1School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIc., Australia.
Abstract:
Translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) may play an important role in the establishment or maintenance of parasitemia in a malarial infection. In this study, the potential of TCTP as a malaria vaccine was investigated in two trials. In the initial vaccine trial, Plasmodium falciparum TCTP (PfTCTP) was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and used to immunize BALB/c mice. Following challenge with Plasmodium yoelii YM, parasitemia was significantly reduced during the early stages of infection. In the second vaccine trial, the TCTP from P. yoelii and P. berghei was expressed in Escherichia coli and used in several mouse malaria models. A significant reduction in parasitemia in the early stages of infection was observed in BALB/c mice challenged with P. yoelii YM. A significantly reduced parasitemia at each day leading up to a delayed and reduced peak parasitemia was also observed in BALB/c mice challenged with the nonlethal Plasmodium chabaudi (P.c.) chabaudi AS. These results suggest that TCTP has an important role for parasite establishment and may be important for pathogenesis.
Insights
Translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) shows promise as a malaria vaccine candidate. Immunization with TCTP significantly reduced parasite levels in early infection stages across multiple Plasmodium species in mouse models.
Area of Science:
- Malariology
- Immunology
- Parasitology
Background:
- The translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) is implicated in establishing and maintaining malaria parasite levels.
- Investigating TCTP as a potential target for malaria vaccine development is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) as a malaria vaccine.
- To assess the impact of TCTP-based immunization on parasite establishment and pathogenesis in murine models.
Main Methods:
- Two vaccine trials were conducted using expressed Plasmodium falciparum TCTP (PfTCTP) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and TCTP from P. yoelii and P. berghei in Escherichia coli.
- BALB/c mice were immunized and subsequently challenged with various Plasmodium species (P. yoelii YM, P. chabaudi AS) to assess parasitemia levels.
Main Results:
- Early-stage parasitemia was significantly reduced in mice challenged with P. yoelii YM after immunization with PfTCTP.
- Immunization with TCTP from P. yoelii and P. berghei also led to significantly reduced early-stage parasitemia in P. yoelii YM challenged mice.
- Mice challenged with Plasmodium chabaudi AS exhibited delayed and reduced peak parasitemia following TCTP immunization.
Conclusions:
- Translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) plays a significant role in parasite establishment during malaria infections.
- TCTP may be a critical factor in malaria pathogenesis, suggesting its potential as a vaccine target.
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