Measurement of antibody-mediated reduction of plasmodium yoelii liver burden by bioluminescent imaging

Brandon K. Sack, Jessica L. Miller, Ashley M. Vaughan, Stefan H.I. Kappe

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Antibodies against the infectious sporozoite stage of malaria have been shown to be effective in preventing infection of the liver and in mitigating the ensuing blood stage. However, only a handful of antibody targets have been vetted and shown to be successful in mediating in vivo protection. Even more limited are the means with which to measure how effectively antibodies can reduce the number of parasites establishing infection in the liver. Traditionally, only qPCR of infected mouse livers could accurately measure liver parasite burden. However, this procedure requires sacrifice of the animal and precludes monitoring of the ensuing blood stage infection. Herein we describe a method of accurately assessing antibody-mediated reduction of parasite liver burden by combining passive or active immunization of mice and mosquito bite challenge with luciferase-expressing transgenic P. yoelii parasites. This method is rapid, reliable and allows for observation of blood stage disease in the same animal. This model will prove integral in screening the efficacy of novel antibody targets as the search for a more effective malaria vaccine continues.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMethods in Molecular Biology
PublisherHumana Press Inc.
Pages69-80
Number of pages12
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume1325
ISSN (Print)1064-3745

Keywords

  • Antibody
  • Bioluminescent imaging
  • Humoral immunity
  • Liver stage
  • Malaria
  • Pre-erythrocytic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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