Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite antigens (PfSA)

Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite antigens are a collection of proteins expressed on the surface of the malaria parasite during its transmission from mosquitoes to humans. The most prominent member, the Circumsporozoite Protein (CSP), forms a dense coat on the sporozoite and is critical for parasite motility and the invasion of human hepatocytes [1]. These antigens are the primary focus of pre-erythrocytic malaria interventions, which aim to stop the infection before it reaches the blood stage [2]. Vaccines such as RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M target the central repeat and C-terminal domains of CSP to induce protective antibody and T-cell responses [3]. Additionally, potent monoclonal antibodies like CIS43LS and L9LS are being developed to provide immediate, passive protection by binding to conserved epitopes on these antigens [4]. While these targets have led to the first licensed malaria vaccines, challenges such as high antigenic polymorphism and the need for high antibody thresholds for protection remain significant hurdles [5].

Other names

Circumsporozoite proteinCSPThrombospondin-related anonymous proteinTRAPCell-traversal protein for ookinetes and sporozoitesCelTOSPfCSPPfTRAPPfCelTOS

Neutralization of sporozoites by antibodies to prevent hepatocyte invasion and induction of cellular immunity to clear infected liver cells.