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The mosquito innate immune response is able to clear the majority of Plasmodium parasites. This immune clearance is controlled by a number of regulatory molecules including serine protease inhibitors (serpins). To determine whether such molecules could represent a novel target for a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine, we vaccinated mice with Anopheles gambiae serpin-2. Antibodies against Anopheles gambiae serpin-2 significantly reduced the infection of a heterologous Anopheles species (Anopheles stephensi) by Plasmodium berghei, however this effect was not observed with Plasmodium falciparum. Therefore, this approach of targeting regulatory molecules of the mosquito immune system may represent a novel approach to transmission-blocking malaria vaccines.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.06.004

Type

Journal article

Journal

Int J Parasitol

Publication Date

10/2013

Volume

43

Pages

869 - 874

Keywords

Antibodies, Malaria, Mosquito, Serpins, Vaccine, Animals, Anopheles, Immunity, Innate, Insect Proteins, Mice, Plasmodium berghei, Serpins