Allelic family-specific humoral responses to merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2) in Gabonese residents with Plasmodium falciparum infections

Merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2) expressed by Plasmodium falciparum asexual blood stages has been identified as a promising vaccine candidate. In order to explore allelic family-specific humoral responses which may be responsible for parasite neutralization during natural infections, isolates from individuals with either asymptomatic infections or uncomplicated malaria and residing in a Central African area where Plasmodium transmission is high and perennial, were analysed using MSP2 as polymorphic marker. The family-specific antibody responses were assessed by ELISA using MSP2 synthetic peptides. We observed an age-dependence of P. falciparum infection complexity. The decrease of infection complexity around 15 years of age was observed simultaneously with an increase in the mean number of MSP2 variants recognized. No significant difference in the P. falciparum genetic diversity and infection complexity was found in isolates from asymptomatic subjects and patients with uncomplicated malaria. The longitudinal follow-up showed a rapid development of immune responses to various regions of MSP2 variants within one week. Comparing humoral responses obtained with the other major antigen on the merozoite surface, MSP1, our findings suggest that different pathways of responsiveness are involved in antibody production to merozoite surface antigens.