Onchocerca volvulus vaccine antigens (Ov antigens)

Onchocerca volvulus antigens are specific proteins derived from the filarial nematode responsible for onchocerciasis, or river blindness, which are targeted for vaccine development (Lustigman et al., 2017). These antigens, most notably Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2, are primarily expressed during the infective third-stage larvae (L3) and are critical for the parasite's transition and survival within the human host (Hess et al., 2014). The biological function of Ov-103 involves structural roles in the parasite cuticle, while Ov-RAL-2 is involved in lipid binding, essential for larval development (Yao et al., 2019). By utilizing these proteins as immunogens, vaccines aim to elicit high levels of protective antibodies and cellular responses that prevent the larvae from maturing into adult worms (Hotez et al., 2015). This intervention is crucial because adult worms produce millions of microfilariae that cause severe skin disease and visual impairment (WHO, 2022). Currently, the most advanced vaccine strategy involves a recombinant fusion of Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2, which has demonstrated significant efficacy in pre-clinical animal models (Lustigman et al., 2018).

Other names

Onchocerciasis vaccine candidatesRiver blindness antigensOv-103Ov-RAL-2Ov-ASP-1Ov-L3-CPITOVA vaccine antigens

Induction of neutralizing antibodies and T-cell mediated immunity to inhibit the molting, development, and survival of infective L3 larvae (Lustigman et al., 2017).