Murine immune responses to a Plasmodium vivax -derived chimeric recombinant protein expressed in Brassica napus

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Chung Nam-Jun, Kim Tong-Soo, Jang Mi, Choi Yien, Won Chung Kyung, Mi Choi Kyung, Kim Hyung-Hwan, Lee Choonghee, Rhie Ho-Gun, Lee Ho-Sa, Sohn Youngjoo, Kim Hyuck, Lee Sung-Jae, Lee Hyeong-Woo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-10-106; https://doaj.org/article/740be3b3fc5a4467afb38b83dc2c7686

Abstract Background To develop a plant-based vaccine against Plasmodium vivax , two P. vivax candidate proteins were chosen. First, the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1), a major asexual blood stage antigen that is currently considered a strong vaccine candidate. Second, the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), a component of sporozoites that contains a B-cell epitope. Methods A synthetic chimeric recombinant 516 bp gene encoding containing PvMSP-1, a Pro-Gly linker motif, and PvCSP was synthesized; the gene, named MLC, encoded a total of 172 amino acids. The recombinant gene was modified with regard to codon usage to optimize gene expression in Brassica napus . The Ti plasmid inducible gene transfer system was used for MLC chimeric recombinant gene expression in B. napus . Gene expression was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), beta-glucuronidase reporter gene (GUS) assay, and Western blot. Results The MLC chimeric recombinant protein expressed in B. napus had a molecular weight of approximately 25 kDa. It exhibited a clinical sensitivity of 84.21% (n = 38) and a clinical specificity of 100% (n = 24) as assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Oral immunization of BALB/c mice with MLC chimeric recombinant protein successfully induced antigen-specific IgG1 production. Additionally, the Th1-related cytokines IL-12 (p40), TNF, and IFN-γ were significantly increased in the spleens of the BALB/c mice. Conclusions The chimeric MLC recombinant protein produced in B. napus has potential as both as an antigen for diagnosis and as a valuable vaccine candidate for oral immunization against vivax malaria.