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Updated: Dec 29, 2025
Measuring Naturally Acquired Phagocytosis-Inducing Antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum Parasites by a Flow Cytometry-Based Assay
Published on: August 6, 2020
Dynamics of PfEMP1 Antibody Profile From Birth to 12 Months of Age in Beninese Infants
A Moussiliou1, L Turner2,3, G Cottrell1
1Université de Paris, MERIT, IRD, Paris, France.
Insights
Maternal antibodies targeting Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) cysteine-rich interdomain regions (CIDR) are acquired by infants. Antibody levels decline but are reacquired by 12 months, influenced by maternal immunity and infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Malariology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes express PfEMP1 proteins on their surface, mediating cytoadherence to endothelial receptors.
- Different PfEMP1 cysteine-rich interdomain regions (CIDR) bind specific receptors: CIDRα1 to EPCR and CIDRα2-6 to CD36, with unknown specificity for CIDRβ/γ/δ domains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibody levels targeting various PfEMP1 CIDR types in infants during their first year of life.
- To explore the correlation between maternal immunity, infant antibody responses, and the timing of Plasmodium falciparum infections.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal plasma samples were collected from infants born to mothers followed throughout pregnancy.
- Quantification of IgG antibodies targeting different PfEMP1 CIDR types (CIDRα1, CIDRα2-6, CIDRβ/γ/δ) was performed.
Main Results:
- Cord blood showed higher antibodies to CIDRα1 than CIDRα2-6 domains.
- IgG levels to EPCR-binding CIDRα1 variants correlated positively with the timing of initial infections.
- Antibodies to all PfEMP1 types waned within 6 months but were reacquired by 12 months, particularly in infected infants.
Conclusions:
- Infant antibody acquisition against PfEMP1 CIDR domains is influenced by maternal antibody status.
- The timing and characteristics of the first Plasmodium falciparum infections are shaped by maternal immune contributions.
Background:
Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes bind to specific endothelial cell receptors via members of the PfEMP1 family exported onto the erythrocyte surface. These interactions are mediated by different types of cysteine-rich interdomain region (CIDR) domains found in the N-terminal region of all PfEMP1. CIDRα1 domains bind endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), CIDRα2-6 domains bind CD36, whereas the receptor specificity of CIDRβ/γ/δ domains is unknown.
Methods:
In this study, we investigated the level of immunoglobulin (Ig)G targeting the different types of PfEMP1 CIDR during the first year of life. We used plasma collected longitudinally from children of pregnant women who had been followed closely through pregnancy.
Results:
Antibodies to CIDRα1 domains were more frequent in cord blood compared with antibodies to CIDRα2-6 domains. Higher IgG levels to EPCR-binding CIDRα1 variants positively correlated with the timing of first infections. Antibodies to all PfEMP1 types declined at similar rates to the point of disappearance over the first 6 months of life. At 12 months, children had acquired antibody to all types of CIDR domains, mostly in children with documented P falciparum infections.
Conclusions:
These observations agree with the notion that the timing and phenotype of first P falciparum infections in life are influenced by the immune status of the mother.
