Genetic Diversity and Antigenic Polymorphism in Plasmodium falciparum : Extensive Serological Cross-Reactivity between Allelic Variants of Merozoite Surface Protein 2

• DOI: 10.1128/iai.71.6.3485-3495.2003
• Publication Date: 2003-05-21T23:33:12Z
• Authors: Simon Franks; Luke Baton; Kevin Tetteh; Eric Tongren; David Dewin; Bartholomew D. Ak...; Kojo A. Koram; Lisa Ranford-Cart...; Eleanor M. Riley
• Keywords: Antigenic variation; Merozoite surface protein

Diversity in the surface antigens of malaria parasites is generally assumed to be a mechanism for immune evasion, but there little direct evidence that this leads evasion protective immunity. Here we show alleles highly polymorphic merozoite protein 2 (MSP-2) can grouped (within known dimorphic families) into distinct serogroups; variants within serogroup extensive serological cross-reactivity. Cross-reactive epitopes are immunodominant, and responses them may boosted at expense novel (original antigenic sin). The data imply selection explains only some diversity msp-2 gene MSP-2 vaccines need include subset order induce pan-reactive antibodies.