Characterization of Duffy Binding Protein II-specific CD4 <sup>+</sup>T cell responses in Plasmodium vivax patients
Issued Date
2023-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20452322
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85159201731
Journal Title
Scientific Reports
Volume
13
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Scientific Reports Vol.13 No.1 (2023)
Suggested Citation
Thawornpan P., Malee C., Kochayoo P., Wangriatisak K., Leepiyasakulchai C., Ntumngia F.B., De S.L., Adams J.H., Chootong P. Characterization of Duffy Binding Protein II-specific CD4 <sup>+</sup>T cell responses in Plasmodium vivax patients. Scientific Reports Vol.13 No.1 (2023). doi:10.1038/s41598-023-34903-4 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/82791
Title
Characterization of Duffy Binding Protein II-specific CD4 <sup>+</sup>T cell responses in Plasmodium vivax patients
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein region II (PvDBPII) is a leading vaccine candidate against blood-stage vivax malaria. Anti-PvDBPII antibodies potentially block parasite invasion by inhibition of erythrocyte binding. However, knowledge of PvDBPII-specific T cell responses is limited. Here, to assess the responses of PvDBPII-specific CD4+T cells in natural P. vivax infection, three cross-sectional studies were conducted in recovered subjects. In silico analysis was used for potential T cell epitope prediction and selection. PBMCs from P. vivax subjects were stimulated with selected peptides and examined for cytokine production by ELISPOT or intracellular cytokine staining. Six dominant T cell epitopes were identified. Peptide-driven T cell responses showed effector memory CD4+T cell phenotype, secreting both IFN-γ and TNF-α cytokines. Single amino acid substitutions in three T cell epitopes altered levels of IFN-γ memory T cell responses. Seropositivity of anti-PvDBPII antibodies were detected during acute malaria (62%) and persisted up to 12 months (11%) following P. vivax infection. Further correlation analysis showed four out of eighteen subjects had positive antibody and CD4+T cell responses to PvDBPII. Altogether, PvDBPII-specific CD4+T cells were developed in natural P. vivax infections. Data on their antigenicity could facilitate development of an efficacious vivax malaria vaccine.