Despite the many efforts of researchers around the world, there is currently no effective vaccine for malaria. Numerous studies have been developed to find vaccine antigens that are immunogenic and safe. Among antigen candidates, Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3) has stood out in a number of these studies for its ability to induce a consistent and protective immune response, also being safe for use in humans. This review presents the main studies that explored MSP3 as a vaccine candidate over the last few decades. MSP3 formulations were tested in animals and humans and the most advanced candidate formulations are MSP3-LSP, a combination of MSP3 and LSP1, and GMZ2 (a vaccine based on the recombinant protein fusion GLURP and MSP3) which is currently being tested in phase II clinical studies. This brief review highlights the history and the main formulations of MSP3-based vaccines approaches against P. falciparum .
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1678-9946202264023 | DOI Listing |
Cells
January 2025
Nuclear Signaling Laboratory, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
Signal-dependent transport into and out of the nucleus mediated by members of the importin (IMP) superfamily is crucial for eukaryotic function, with inhibitors targeting IMPα being of key interest as anti-infectious agents, including against the apicomplexan species and , causative agents of malaria and toxoplasmosis, respectively. We recently showed that the FDA-approved macrocyclic lactone ivermectin, as well as several other different small molecule inhibitors, can specifically bind to and inhibit and IMPα functions, as well as limit parasite growth. Here we focus on the FDA-approved antiparasitic moxidectin, a structural analogue of ivermectin, for its IMPα-targeting and anti-apicomplexan properties for the first time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Gossypol has demonstrated significant antimalarial activity against chloroquine-resistant and susceptible Plasmodium falciparum parasites. However, data on its potency in clinical isolates of P. falciparum remains limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVaccine
January 2025
Department of Global Health, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA. Electronic address:
Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) targeting sexual-stage antigens represent a critical tool for malaria control and elimination through inhibiting parasite development within mosquitoes. P230, displayed on the surface of gametocytes and gametes, plays a crucial role in gamete fertilization and is one of the leading TBV candidates for both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMalar J
January 2025
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland.
Background: The Highlands of Papua New Guinea are non-endemic for malaria compared to the rest of the country. This study aimed to explore the local transmission of malaria in the Highlands through a cross-sectional school survey coupled with reactive case detection.
Methods: Between July and November 2019, 5575 schoolchildren and 1048 household members were screened for malaria using Rapid Diagnostic Tests, subsequently validated by light microscopy.
Trends Parasitol
January 2025
Laboratory of Interactions in Immuno-Parasitology, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil. Electronic address:
Parasitic infections can profoundly impact brain function through inflammation within the central nervous system (CNS). Once viewed as an immune-privileged site, the CNS is now recognized as vulnerable to immune disruptions from both local and systemic infections. Recent studies reveal that certain parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum, can invade the CNS or influence it indirectly by triggering neuroinflammation.
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