Scientists Reveal Key to Immunity and Potential Vaccine Targets for Malaria

Scientists identify activated immune system pathways and potential vaccine targets for malaria.

A research team from Houston Methodist Research Institute, have discovered a set of immune proteins which are capable of facilitating long-lasting immunity against malaria.

The study published in Immunity reported that elevated levels of immune proteins are capable of regulating the immune system within one day of infection is essential for a sustained anti-malarial immunity in mice.

Malaria - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention, Treatment
Malaria is caused by a parasite that enters blood through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is characterized by fever, vomiting, shivering, sweating and other symptoms.

‘Elevated levels of immune proteins with 24 hours of infection is essential for initial and long-term antimalarial immunity.’

"Nearly half a million people die from malaria every year," said Rongfu Wang, Ph.D., director of the Center for Inflammation & Epigenetics at Houston Methodist Research Institute. "This is in part due to the lack of an effective malaria vaccine and a limited understanding of the body's immune response during infection. We have identified the immune system pathways activated during infection and potential targets for a malaria vaccine."

Using mouse models, the research team led by Wang carefully dissected pathways in the immune system to identify sensors in the genes that recognize malaria DNA and RNA and activate interferon type I signaling following malaria infection. The increased production of interferon type I proteins within 24 hours of infection were essential for initial and long-term malaria immunity.

Current antimalarial drugs vary by country and are not 100 percent protective, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The Centers for Disease Control reports that the malaria causing parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, has developed resistance to nearly all of the available antimalarial drugs, including chloroquine.

Quiz on Malaria
Malaria is a common parasitic disease of the tropics, resulting in a million deaths every year. It is most commonly found in tropical countries. The symptoms of malaria include fever with chills, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Malaria fatalities can be reduced if they are detected early and treated appropriately

Wang hopes that his team's findings will help researchers understand how lethal malaria blocks type I interferon signaling and how regulating such signaling will aid in the development of effective anti-malaria vaccines for long-lasting malaria protection.

Source-Eurekalert

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