Conference Agenda
Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).
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CP5.2: Immunology 1 - 5 min talks Location: Lecture Theatre 2 Session Chair: Danielle Stanisic, Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, Griffith University Session Chair: Hannah Siddle, The University of Queensland | |
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Naturally Acquired Antibody Responses to Polymorphic MSP1 Domains in Papua New Guinean Children 1: Burnet Institute, Australia; 2: Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research, Deakin Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Treatment, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong; 3: The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; 4: Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Papua New Guinea; 5: Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 6: Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; 7: Infection and Global Health Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 8: Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 9: Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia Malaria vaccine development is heavily challenged by the extensive genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum antigens. The full-length merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) is a promising blood-stage vaccine candidate, but its global diversity remains a critical hurdle for broad efficacy. To inform rational vaccine design, we evaluated the population genetic diversity and patterns of selection across MSP1 domains, followed by serological analysis of one highly polymorphic region. Using 10,974 P. falciparum genomes from 26 countries globally, our population genomic analyses identified Block 4 as a putative target of immune selection, with high levels of polymorphism and strong signatures of balancing selection. We synthesised a peptide representing the most common variant of the MSP1 Block 4 domain and measured IgG antibody reactivity against it using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs), utilising sera from Papua New Guinean children exposed to natural infection. Despite the extensive polymorphism and balancing selection, we found antibody reactivity to the MSP1 Block 4 peptide in children developing immunity. Further work will include testing additional circulating variants individually and in combination using competition ELISAs to identify antigenically distinct variants, defining their relevance for multivalent vaccine design. | |