Structural analysis of owl monkey MHC-DR shows that fully-protective malaria vaccine components can be readily used in humans

Carlos F. Suárez, Laura Pabón, Ana Barrera, Jorge Aza-Conde, Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo, Manuel Elkin Patarroyo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

More than 50 years ago the owl monkey (genus Aotus) was found to be highly susceptible to developing human malaria, making it an excellent experimental model for this disease. Microbes and parasites' (especially malaria) tremendous genetic variability became resolved during our malaria vaccine development, involving conserved peptides having high host cell binding activity (cHABPs); however, cHABPs are immunologically silent and must be specially modified (mHABPs) to induce a perfect fit into major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (HLA in humans). Since malarial immunity is mainly antibody-mediated and controlled by the HLA-DRB genetic region, ∼1000 Aotus have been molecularly characterised for MHC-DRB, revealing striking similarity between human and Aotus MHC-DRB repertories. Such convergence suggested that a large group of immune protection-inducing protein structures (IMPIPS), highly immunogenic and protection inducers against malarial intravenous challenge in Aotus, could easily be used in humans for inducing full protection against malaria. We highlight the value of a logical and rational methodology for developing a vaccine in an appropriate animal model: Aotus monkeys.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1062-1069
Number of pages8
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume491
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 30 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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