Universal T-cell epitopes for anti-malarial vaccines

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and compositions for eliciting protective immunity against malaria. In particular, the invention relates to universal T-cell epitopes that elicit T-cell responses; in individuals of differing genetic backgrounds. Immunogenic compositions and vaccines comprising malaria-specific universal T-cell epitopes are disclosed.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 060,450, filed Jan. 21, 1998, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119 from provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 033,916, filed Jan. 21, 1997, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to vaccines effective in eliciting protective immunity against malaria, in particular vaccines comprising universal T-cell epitopes that elicit T-cell responses in individuals of differing genetic backgrounds. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The public health problems caused by malaria, which currently infects 400-500 million individuals world-wide, have been exacerbated by the emergence of multi-drug resistant parasite strains and insecticide-resistant mosquito vectors. These developments have led to increased efforts to provide an effective vaccine to prevent the mortality and morbidity due to malaria, in particula...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] In another aspect, the invention provides methods for inhibiting the propagation of malarial organisms in a susceptible animal, preferably by eliciting protective immunity a

Problems solved by technology

Following intracellular multiplication and release from ruptured hepatocytes, the parasites invade red blood cells and initiate the malaria erythrocytic cycle; this phase of infection is responsible for clinical disease and, in the case of P. falciparum, may be lethal.

Use of the (NANP)3 peptide in a vaccine, however, resulted in only a limited immune response, most probably due to low epitope density and / or lack of a suitable T-cell epitope (Herrington et al., Nature 328:257, 1987).

If the T-cell epitopes contained within a synthetic malaria vaccine bind to only a limited range of class II molecules, the vaccine may fail to elicit immune responses in individuals of diverse genetic backgrounds.

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