Plasmodium falciparum non-circumsporozoite sporozoite surface proteins (Non-CSP SSPs)

Plasmodium falciparum non-circumsporozoite (non-CSP) sporozoite surface proteins are a collection of antigens found on the surface of the malaria parasite during the sporozoite stage, distinct from the dominant circumsporozoite protein (Source: PubMed PMC6060606). This group includes critical proteins such as Thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP), Cell-traversal protein for ookinetes and sporozoites (CelTOS), and the 6-cys family proteins P36 and P52 (Source: UniProt P17072, PubMed 21903655). These molecules facilitate essential biological processes including gliding motility, traversal through host skin and endothelial cells, and the specific recognition and invasion of hepatocytes (Source: PubMed 17513740). In the context of drug and vaccine development, these proteins are targeted to prevent the parasite from establishing a liver-stage infection, which is a prerequisite for the symptomatic blood-stage of malaria (Source: NIH/NIAID). While CSP-based vaccines like RTS,S/AS01 have reached implementation, non-CSP proteins are being explored as next-generation targets or as components of multi-antigen vaccines to provide broader and more durable protection (Source: WHO Malaria Vaccine Technology Roadmap). Therapeutic strategies include the use of viral-vectored vaccines to induce T-cell responses and monoclonal antibodies to neutralize parasite movement and entry (Source: PubMed 30038374).

Other names

Minor sporozoite surface proteinsNon-CSP antigensSporozoite surface antigens

Inhibition of gliding motility and blockade of hepatocyte invasion through antibody-mediated neutralization or T-cell-mediated clearance of infected cells.