In silico Identification and Validation of a Linear and Naturally Immunogenic B-Cell Epitope of the Plasmodium vivax Malaria Vaccine Candidate Merozoite Surface Protein-9
ABSTRACT
Merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-119) is a leading malaria vaccine candidate. Specific antibodies contribute to immunity; binding to macrophages is believed to represent the main action of malaria antibodies. We show that an MSP-119-specific immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3) monoclonal antibody can passively transfer protection to mice deficient in the α chain of Fc-γRI whose macrophages cannot bind IgG3.