Novel malaria vaccines by VaccibodyTM DNA immunization

Novel malaria vaccines by VaccibodyTM DNA immunization L Bjerkan1, GR Visweswaran1, R Braathen1, G Labbe 3, SJ Draper3, B Bogen1,2 1K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Influenza Vaccines, Oslo 0450, Norway 2Centre for Immune Regulation Institute of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 0027, Norway 3 The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom DNA vaccines have a multitude of advantages such as ease of construction, mass production, and safety. In this study, we exploit a new strategy for DNA vaccination where transfected cells secrete bivalent fusion proteins, denoted vaccibodies. These molecules target antigen to antigen presenting cells (APCs) resulting in efficient stimulation of B and T cells. Results from this study show that BALB/c mice immunized with vaccibody homodimers bearing the Plasmodium falciparum blood stage antigen reticulocyte binding homolog RH5, induce high antibody titers and exhibit a targeting effect even after viral boost. This DNA vaccination platform will also be tested in larger animals.