AMA1 has been identified in Plasmodium sporozoites [11] suggesting that T cell responses specific for AMA1 may also click here function in protection. MSP1 is a large protein that is proteolytically processed into at least four distinct fragments, of which the C-terminal 42 kDa fragment (MSP142) is of particular interest [12]. MSP142 contains a C-terminal

19 kDa fragment (MSP119) that remains attached to the merozoite membrane through a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor during invasion as well as N-terminal T cell epitopes. Antibodies that target the 19 kDa fragment are associated with Plasmodium falciparum growth inhibition in vitro and with reduced burden of malaria disease in endemic populations in some epidemiologic studies [13]. Immunization with MSP1 fragments can

protect mice against Plasmodium yoelii challenge [14] and monkeys against INCB018424 molecular weight P. falciparum challenge [15] and [16]. MSP1, like AMA1, is expressed in Plasmodium-infected hepatocytes [17], [18] and [19] but its expression has not been identified in sporozoites. Adenovectors induce strong and protective antibody- and T cell-mediated immune responses in multiple infectious disease systems [20] and [21], including malaria [22], [23] and [24] and in multiple animal models including mice and non-human primates. Adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vectors are currently being evaluated

in clinical trials for vaccines against HIV [25], [26] and [27], tuberculosis, and malaria. CD4+ T cell, CD8+ T cell, and antibody responses have been induced in a majority of volunteers Electron transport chain by Ad5-based HIV vaccines [25] and [26]. Since studies in animal models demonstrate that CD8+ T cells are critical effectors in pre-erythrocytic stage immunity directed against the liver stage of the parasite life cycle [26a], these findings suggest that adenovectors may be able to induce the requisite immune responses for protection against P. falciparum malaria. Induction of strong antibody responses against blood stage antigens is likely required for an effective vaccine targeting the blood stage of the malaria parasite, although T cell responses may also play a role. The way an antigen is presented to the immune system impacts the capacity of that antigen to induce potent antibody responses. For example, secretion or cell surface expression as opposed to intracellular expression can induce a more robust antibody response [28] and [29]. In contrast, antigen secretion is not a prerequisite for the induction of T cell responses [30] and [31]. Another factor that could influence the humoral response is the presence or absence of glycosylation sites. P. falciparum parasites do not contain significant amounts of N- and O-linked carbohydrates [32].