Dataset Information

Vaccination with chemically attenuated Plasmodium falciparum asexual blood-stage parasites induces parasite-specific cellular immune responses in malaria-naive volunteers: a pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The continuing morbidity and mortality associated with infection with malaria parasites highlights the urgent need for a vaccine. The efficacy of sub-unit vaccines tested in clinical trials in malaria-endemic areas has thus far been disappointing, sparking renewed interest in the whole parasite vaccine approach. We previously showed that a chemically attenuated whole parasite asexual blood-stage vaccine induced CD4⁺ T cell-dependent protection against challenge with homologous and heterologous parasites in rodent models of malaria.

Methods

In this current study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of chemically attenuated asexual blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) parasites in eight malaria-naïve human volunteers. Study participants received a single dose of 3?×?10⁷ Pf pRBC that had been treated in vitro with the cyclopropylpyrolloindole analogue, tafuramycin-A.

Results

We demonstrate that Pf asexual blood-stage parasites that are completely attenuated are immunogenic, safe and well tolerated in malaria-naïve volunteers. Following vaccination with a single dose, species and strain transcending Plasmodium-specific T cell responses were induced in recipients. This included induction of Plasmodium-specific lymphoproliferative responses, T cells secreting the parasiticidal cytokines, IFN-? and TNF, and CD3⁺CD45RO⁺ memory T cells. Pf-specific IgG was not detected.

Conclusions

This is the first clinical study evaluating a whole parasite blood-stage malaria vaccine. Following administration of a single dose of completely attenuated Pf asexual blood-stage parasites, Plasmodium-specific T cell responses were induced while Pf-specific antibodies were not detected. These results support further evaluation of this chemically attenuated vaccine in humans.

Trial registration

Trial registration: ACTRN12614000228684 . Registered 4 March 2014.

SUBMITTER: Stanisic DI

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6174572 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Vaccination with chemically attenuated Plasmodium falciparum asexual blood-stage parasites induces parasite-specific cellular immune responses in malaria-naïve volunteers: a pilot study.

Stanisic Danielle I DI Fink James J Mayer Johanna J Coghill Sarah S Gore Letitia L Liu Xue Q XQ El-Deeb Ibrahim I Rodriguez Ingrid B IB Powell Jessica J Willemsen Nicole M NM De Sai Lata SL Ho Mei-Fong MF Hoffman Stephen L SL Gerrard John J Good Michael F MF

BMC medicine 20181008 1

<h4>Background</h4>The continuing morbidity and mortality associated with infection with malaria parasites highlights the urgent need for a vaccine. The efficacy of sub-unit vaccines tested in clinical trials in malaria-endemic areas has thus far been disappointing, sparking renewed interest in the whole parasite vaccine approach. We previously showed that a chemically attenuated whole parasite asexual blood-stage vaccine induced CD4<sup>+</sup> T cell-dependent protection against challenge with ...[more]

PMID: 30293531

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