Plant-produced monoclonal antibodies recognize the native circumsporozoite protein on Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites
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Issued Date
2026-03-01
Resource Type
eISSN
2215017X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105026623298
Journal Title
Biotechnology Reports
Volume
49
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Biotechnology Reports Vol.49 (2026)
Suggested Citation
Thiganta K., Rattanapisit K., Suwanchaikasem P., Roobsoong W., Bulaon C.J.I., Phoolcharoen W. Plant-produced monoclonal antibodies recognize the native circumsporozoite protein on Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites. Biotechnology Reports Vol.49 (2026). doi:10.1016/j.btre.2025.e00944 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/114770
Title
Plant-produced monoclonal antibodies recognize the native circumsporozoite protein on Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites
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Abstract
Malaria is primarily caused by Plasmodium parasites and remains a major global health threat due to drug resistance and limited vaccine efficacy. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the conserved NANP repeat region of the circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP), such as MS-1797, represent a promising prophylactic strategy. Here, we demonstrate the plant-based production of MS-1797 in glycoengineered Nicotiana benthamiana ΔXF. Two variants were generated: MS-01 (original MS-1797) and MS-02 (MS-1797-SEKDEL), which yielded up to 457.3 µg/g fresh weight and 415.7 µg/g FW at 6 days post-infiltration. The plant-derived mAbs were obtained in high purity (>90%) and displayed either human core glycans or high mannose structures. Notably, both MS-01 and MS-02 retained antigen specificity in vitro and bound native PfCSP on sporozoites by immunofluorescence assay. These results establish the feasibility of producing functional anti-malarial mAbs in plants and highlight their potential use as affordable reagents for malaria research, diagnostics, and future prophylactic interventions.