Plasmodium falciparum VAR2CSA-specific IgG subclass responses reflect protection against low birth weight and pregnancy-associated malaria

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Bernard Tornyigah
  • Tania d'Almeida
  • Guillaume Escriou
  • Firmine Viwami
  • Nadine Fievet
  • Adrian J F Luty
  • Achille Massougbodji
  • Nielsen, Morten Agertoug
  • Philippe Deloron
  • Nicaise Tuikue Ndam

Sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes expressing the VAR2CSA antigen in the placenta results in poor pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight and maternal anemia. Antigen-specific antibody-mediated immunity is acquired during successive pregnancies. Thus, evaluating VAR2CSA-specific IgG profiles among pregnant women will increase knowledge on the immunological mechanisms associated with protection, and help in the development of VAR2CSA-based placental malaria vaccines. Using the PAMVAC candidate vaccine antigen, we assessed anti-VAR2CSA IgG subclass responses of a cohort of pregnant Beninese, and analyzed their relationships with pregnancy outcomes. Cytophilic IgG1 and IgG3 responses were the most frequent, with prevalences ranging from 28% (IgG3) up to 50% (IgG1). Elevated levels of VAR2CSA-specific total IgG and cytophilic IgG3 during pregnancy were consistently associated with higher birth weights, whilst high levels of IgG4 were associated with a reduced risk of placental infections. This suggests that protective anti-VAR2CSA IgG responses are coordinated between both cytophilic and non-cytophilic antibodies.

Original languageEnglish
Article number610305
JournalFrontiers in Immunology
Volume12
Number of pages8
ISSN1664-3224
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2021 Tornyigah, d’Almeida, Escriou, Viwami, Fievet, Luty, Massougbodji, Nielsen, Deloron and Tuikue Ndam.

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