Vaccination with a limited number of AMA-1 variants is sufficient for an effective immune response against malaria

AMA-1 is an essential molecule of the malaria parasite to enable entry into the red blood cell. This makes this molecule an important vaccine candidate against malaria. By vaccinating with AMA-1 the immune system recognises this molecule and secretes substances that bind to AMA-1 resulting in the inability to invade red blood cells and the subsequent death of the parasite.

Unfortunately, numerous AMA-1 variants are present in nature, making it complicated to develop a vaccine that is equally effective in different populations. It is possible to produce a vaccine for each variant and mix them into a vaccine cocktail. However, this is costly and the minimal number of variants required is not known

Researchers of the department of Parasitology of the BPRC have studied this. They show in PlosOne that a limited number of AMA-1 variants is sufficient for an effective immune response. Substances that are included in the vaccine, so called adjuvantia, can further strengthen this effect, highlighting the need for further research.