Antigens of the erythrocytes stages of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum detected by monoclonal antibodies

A range of 22 mouse anti-P. falciparum monoclonal antibodies have been characterized by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation. On the basis of these studies, 5 groups of antibodies and 6 classes of antigen were defined. Group I antibodies give, bright, uniform, generalised staining of all blood stages including gametocytes. Three of these antibodies precipitate a metabolically labelled molecule(s) of 35 kDa. One precipitates a 50 kDa antigen. Group II antibodies, which give strong localised immunofluorescence in merozoites, and a weak diffuse pattern in earlier stages, precipitate biosynthetically labelled molecules of 160 kDa. Group III antibodies react with all asexual stages. With merozoites they produce intense staining around the perimeter, both in fixed and unfixed preparations. They precipitate biosynthetic molecules of 190 kDa. Group IV antibodies are identical to Group III except they are stage restricted to schizonts and merozoites. They also precipitate 190 kDa antigens. These, however, in contrast to group III, are readily accessible to 125I-lactoperoxidase labelling. One antibody also precipitates a set of smaller peptides. Finally, Group V antibodies produce very bright ill-defined staining of pigment-containing parasites, as well as of inclusions in the red cell. They precipitate a series of molecules of 160, 60 and 35 kDa which are readily accessible to 125I. The 160 kDa molecule is also labelled by 35S]methionine. These results are discussed in the context of the development of a malaria vaccine and immunodiagnostic tests.