TY - JOUR

T1 - Dynamics of anti-VAR2CSA immunoglobulin G response in a cohort of senegalese pregnant women

AU - Tuikue Ndam, N G

AU - Salanti, A

AU - Le-Hesran, J-Y

AU - Cottrell, G

AU - Fievet, N

AU - Turner, L

AU - Sow, S

AU - Dangou, J-M

AU - Theander, T

AU - Deloron, P

N1 - Keywords: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Antigens, Protozoan; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Malaria, Falciparum; Placenta; Plasmodium falciparum; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Proteochondroitin Sulfates; Recombinant Proteins; Senegal

PY - 2006

Y1 - 2006

N2 - BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) is precipitated by the accumulation of parasites in the placental intervillous spaces and causes maternal anemia and low birth weight. In PAM, placental parasites adhere to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) through a unique set of variant surface antigens (VSAPAM). Several studies have shown that 1 var gene, var2csa, is transcribed at high levels and expressed in CSA-binding Plasmodium falciparum parasites. METHODS: Plasma levels of anti-VAR2CSA immunoglobulin G (IgG) in Senegalese women were measured during pregnancy by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using 3 recombinant proteins representing 3 domains of the var2csa gene product. RESULTS: The 3 recombinant proteins were specifically recognized by plasma from pregnant women but not by control plasma. A parity-dependent recognition pattern was observed with 2 of the 3 VAR2CSA antigens. A kinetic study demonstrated that a single P. falciparum infection was able to trigger a VAR2CSA-specific antibody response. Among women with infected placentas, women with high anti-VAR2CSA IgG levels at enrollment were more likely to present with a past infection than with an acute/chronic infection. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-VAR2CSA IgGs are involved in clinical protection against pregnancy-associated malaria and strengthens the hope for making a VAR2CSA-based vaccine.

AB - BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) is precipitated by the accumulation of parasites in the placental intervillous spaces and causes maternal anemia and low birth weight. In PAM, placental parasites adhere to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) through a unique set of variant surface antigens (VSAPAM). Several studies have shown that 1 var gene, var2csa, is transcribed at high levels and expressed in CSA-binding Plasmodium falciparum parasites. METHODS: Plasma levels of anti-VAR2CSA immunoglobulin G (IgG) in Senegalese women were measured during pregnancy by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using 3 recombinant proteins representing 3 domains of the var2csa gene product. RESULTS: The 3 recombinant proteins were specifically recognized by plasma from pregnant women but not by control plasma. A parity-dependent recognition pattern was observed with 2 of the 3 VAR2CSA antigens. A kinetic study demonstrated that a single P. falciparum infection was able to trigger a VAR2CSA-specific antibody response. Among women with infected placentas, women with high anti-VAR2CSA IgG levels at enrollment were more likely to present with a past infection than with an acute/chronic infection. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-VAR2CSA IgGs are involved in clinical protection against pregnancy-associated malaria and strengthens the hope for making a VAR2CSA-based vaccine.

U2 - 10.1086/500146

DO - 10.1086/500146

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 16453268

VL - 193

SP - 713

EP - 720

JO - Journal of Infectious Diseases

JF - Journal of Infectious Diseases

SN - 0022-1899

IS - 5

ER -