Immunogenicity of a chimeric Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein vaccine in Aotus monkeys (original) (raw)

The production of properly folded, recombinant sub-unit Plasmodium falciparum malaria vaccine candidates in sufficient quantities is often a challenge. Success in vaccine immunogenicity studies in small animal models does not always predict immunogenicity in non-human primates and/or human subjects. The aim of this study was to assess the immunogenicity of a chimeric blood-stage malaria vaccine in Aotus monkeys. This vaccine candidate includes the neutralizing B cell epitopes of P. falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (rPfMSP119) genetically linked to a highly immunogenic, well-conserved P. falciparum merozoite surface protein 8 (rPfMSP8 (ΔAsn/Asp)) partner. Aotus nancymaae monkeys were immunized with purified rPfMSP1/8 or rPfMSP8 (ΔAsn/Asp) formulated with Montanide ISA 720 as adjuvant, or with adjuvant alone. Antibody responses to MSP119 and MSP8 domains were measured by ELISA following primary, secondary and tertiary immunizations. The functionality of vaccine-induced antibodie...