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Publication Abstract from PubMed

IGHV3-33-encoded antibodies are prevalent in the human humoral response against the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP). Among VH3-33 antibodies, cross-reactivity between PfCSP major repeat (NANP), minor (NVDP), and junctional (NPDP) motifs is associated with high affinity and potent parasite inhibition. However, the molecular basis of antibody cross-reactivity and the relationship with efficacy remain unresolved. Here, we perform an extensive structure-function characterization of 12 VH3-33 anti-PfCSP monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with varying degrees of cross-reactivity induced by immunization of mice expressing a human immunoglobulin gene repertoire. We identify residues in the antibody paratope that mediate cross-reactive binding and delineate four distinct epitope conformations induced by antibody binding, with one consistently associated with high protective efficacy and another that confers comparably potent inhibition of parasite liver invasion. Our data show a link between molecular features of cross-reactive VH3-33 mAb binding to PfCSP and mAb potency, relevant for the development of antibody-based interventions against malaria.

Molecular determinants of cross-reactivity and potency by VH3-33 antibodies against the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein.,Thai E, Murugan R, Binter S, Burn Aschner C, Prieto K, Kassardjian A, Obraztsova AS, Kang RW, Flores-Garcia Y, Mathis-Torres S, Li K, Horn GQ, Huntwork RHC, Bolscher JM, de Bruijni MHC, Sauerwein R, Dennison SM, Tomaras GD, Zavala F, Kellam P, Wardemann H, Julien JP Cell Rep. 2023 Nov 28;42(11):113330. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113330. Epub 2023 , Oct 28. PMID:38007690^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.