Characterizing Antibody Responses to Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum Antigens in India Using Genome-Scale Protein Microarrays

Abstract

Understanding naturally acquired immune responses to Plasmodium in India is key to improving malaria surveillance and diagnostic tools. Here we describe serological profiling of immune responses at three sites in India by probing protein microarrays consisting of 515 Plasmodium vivax and 500 Plasmodium falciparum proteins with 353 plasma samples. A total of 236 malaria-positive (symptomatic and asymptomatic) plasma samples and 117 malaria-negative samples were collected at three field sites in Raurkela, Nadiad, and Chennai. Indian samples showed significant seroreactivity to 265 P. vivax and 373 P. falciparum antigens, but overall seroreactivity to P. vivax antigens was lower compared to P. falciparum antigens. We identified the most immunogenic antigens of both Plasmodium species that were recognized at all three sites in India, as well as P. falciparum antigens that were associated with asymptomatic malaria. This is the first genome-scale analysis of serological responses to the two major species of malaria parasite in India. The range of immune responses characterized in different endemic settings argues for targeted surveillance approaches tailored to the diverse epidemiology of malaria across the world.

Identification and validation of a novel panel of Plasmodium knowlesi biomarkers of serological exposure

“…knowlesi species-specific reagents to identify additional serological tools. Beyond this we envisage employing high throughput antigen discovery approaches such as the protein microarray to help identify additional important targets of immunity [ 51 , 78 ]. Further validation of the SERA3 antigen 2 at the population level has recently been performed [ 71 ].…”

Naturally acquired antibody responses to more than 300 Plasmodium vivax proteins in three geographic regions

“…vivax proteins in individuals from numerous geographic regions, it has been difficult to directly compare these responses due to the different protein expression and antibody measurement systems used. For example, whilst Finney and colleagues reported a greater breadth of antibody response in asymptomatic individuals in PNG compared to febrile patients [ 11 ], as noted above, the opposite was later reported in Thailand [ 13 ] and no difference was identified in India [ 19 ]. This could be due to the different geographic region and transmission intensity of the study sites, or due to the use of different P .…”

Antibody Profiling by Proteome Microarray with Multiplex Isotype Detection Reveals Overlap between Human and Aotus nancymaae Controlled Malaria Infections

“…Protein microarrays are a useful tool to identify immunodominant and serodiagnostic antigens against infectious agents in humans and animals . In human clinical trials protein microarrays have identified vaccine antigen candidates associated with protective immunity, and they have also been used to quantify worldwide seroprevalence of infectious agents . Although the specimens for these studies come from dozens of laboratories and clinical sites over the world, probing, quantification, and analysis of them has been done in a few specialized labs with instrumentation resources and analysis experience.…”

“…Although the specimens for these studies come from dozens of laboratories and clinical sites over the world, probing, quantification, and analysis of them has been done in a few specialized labs with instrumentation resources and analysis experience. We have published results showing that probing of specimens can be done reproducibly with different people at clinical locations wherever the samples are collected by following a simple protocol, so probing is not a bottleneck . More widespread deployment of the platform is limited by the lack of a robust and affordable instrument and accessible analysis software.…”