Vivaxin family (Vivaxin)

The Vivaxin family consists of at least 124 transmembrane glycoproteins found on the surface of Trypanosoma vivax, the protozoan parasite responsible for Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT), also known as Nagana (Nature, 2021; PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2022). These antigens are a major component of the parasite's glycocalyx and are distinct from the Variant Surface Glycoproteins (VSGs) that facilitate immune evasion through rapid variation (Nature, 2021). Because many Vivaxin proteins are relatively invariant across different parasite strains, they have emerged as high-priority targets for vaccine development and monoclonal antibody therapies (Wellcome Sanger Institute, 2021). Experimental studies have demonstrated that targeting specific members, such as the Invariant Flagellum cell surface protein (IFX or VIVβ1), can induce sterile immunity or even cure established infections in murine models (Nature, 2021; White Rose Research Online, 2021). Other members like V23 and V31 have also shown potential as subunit vaccine candidates capable of eliciting protective immune responses (University of York, 2021). These findings provide a promising alternative to existing trypanocidal drugs, which are increasingly hampered by widespread resistance in endemic regions (MDPI, 2024). The discovery of this family represents a significant advance in understanding the T. vivax cell surface and its interactions with the host immune system (PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2022). Future therapeutic strategies may involve multivalent vaccines or antibody-based drugs to overcome challenges such as target accessibility and host immunosuppression (MDPI, 2024).

Other names

Trypanosoma vivax surface Vivaxin-family transmembrane antigensFam34Invariant surface glycoproteinsIFXVIVβ1V23V31VIVβ8

Induction of protective humoral and cellular immunity and antibody-mediated parasite clearance via complement recruitment or direct lysis (Nature, 2021; White Rose Research Online, 2021).