We previously described a novel Plasmodium vivax invasion mechanism into human reticulocytes via the PvRBP2a-CD98 receptor-ligand pair. Using linear epitope mapping, we assessed the PvRBP2a epitopes involved in CD98 binding and recognized by antibodies from patients who were infected. We identified 2 epitope clusters mediating PvRBP2a-CD98 interaction. Cluster B (PvRBP2a431-448, TAALKEKGKLLANLYNKL) was the target of antibody responses in humans infected by P vivax. Peptides from each cluster were able to prevent live parasite invasion of human reticulocytes. These results provide new insights for development of a malaria blood-stage vaccine against P vivax.
The Journal of infectious diseases
09/2024
230
e737 - e742
A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore.
Reticulocytes, Humans, Plasmodium vivax, Malaria, Vivax, Membrane Proteins, Protozoan Proteins, Malaria Vaccines, Antibodies, Protozoan, Antigens, Protozoan, Epitopes, Epitope Mapping