Identifying Targets of Protective Antibodies against Severe Malaria in Papua, Indonesia, Using Locally Expressed Domains of Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1

Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1), a diverse family of multidomain proteins expressed on the surface of malaria-infected erythrocytes, is an important target of protective immunity against malaria. Our group recently studied transcription of the var genes encoding PfEMP1 in individuals from Papua, Indonesia, with severe or uncomplicated malaria. We cloned and expressed domains from 32 PfEMP1s, including 22 that were upregulated in severe malaria and 10 that were upregulated in uncomplicated malaria, using a wheat germ cell-free expression system. We used Luminex technology to measure IgG antibodies to these 32 domains and control proteins in 63 individuals (11 children). At presentation to hospital, levels of antibodies to PfEMP1 domains were either higher in uncomplicated malaria or were not significantly different between groups. Using principal component analysis, antibodies to 3 of 32 domains were highly discriminatory between groups. These included two domains upregulated in severe malaria, a DBL beta 13 domain and a CIDR alpha 1.6 domain (which has been previously implicated in severe malaria pathogenesis), and a DBL delta domain that was upregulated in uncomplicated malaria. Antibody to control non-PfEMP1 antigens did not differ with disease severity. Antibodies to PfEMP1 domains differ with malaria severity. Lack of antibodies to locally expressed PfEMP1 types, including both domains previously associated with severe malaria and newly identified targets, may in part explain malaria severity in Papuan adults.

Automated summary

The study found that levels of antibodies to PfEMP1 domains are associated with the severity of malaria. Three domains of PfEMP1 were highly discriminatory between severe and uncomplicated malaria. Lack of antibodies to locally expressed PfEMP1 types may partially explain the severity of malaria in Papuan adults.