Antigen Functional Characterization

Our research aims to significantly expand the portfolio of functionally characterized candidate malaria vaccines, with a specific focus on Plasmodium falciparum. This endeavor involves identifying and evaluating new vaccine candidates, enhancing our understanding of their mechanisms of action. By targeting Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly of the malaria parasites, our goal is to contribute to the development of effective vaccines that can reduce the global burden of malaria, particularly in regions most affected by this disease. Our comprehensive approach includes advanced immunological studies, innovative vaccine design, and collaboration with international research partners to ensure the broad applicability and impact of our findings.

Key Achievements:

• Genome-Wide Identification: Conducted a comprehensive genome-wide identification of several novel blood-stage malaria vaccine candidates of P. falciparum using a functional approach based on malaria genome information.

• Detailed Characterization: Performed detailed characterization of these novel blood-stage vaccine candidates, enhancing our understanding of their potential as effective vaccines.

• Identification of Proteins/Epitopes: Successfully identified proteins and epitopes for further downstream characterization as vaccine molecules.

Our work significantly contributes to the development of new malaria vaccines, offering promising candidates for expedited testing and potential deployment in malaria-endemic regions.

Key publications 

1. Nagaoka H, Kanoi BN, Ntege EH, Aoki M, Fukushima A, Tsuboi T, Takashima E. Antibodies against a short region of PfRipr inhibit Plasmodium falciparum merozoite invasion and PfRipr interaction with Rh5 and SEMA7A. Sci Rep. 2020 Apr 20;10(1):6573. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-63611-6. PMID: 32313230; PMCID: PMC7171142.

2. Nagaoka H, Kanoi BN, Jinoka K, Morita M, Arumugam TU, Palacpac NMQ, Egwang TG, Horii T, Tsuboi T, Takashima E. The N-Terminal Region of Plasmodium falciparum MSP10 Is a Target of Protective Antibodies in Malaria and Is Important for PfGAMA/PfMSP10 Interaction. Front Immunol. 2019 Nov 20;10:2669. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02669. PMID: 31824483; PMCID: PMC6880778.

3. Yuguchi T, Kanoi BN, Nagaoka H, Miura T, Ito D, Takeda H, Tsuboi T, Takashima E, Otsuki H. Plasmodium yoelii Erythrocyte Binding Like Protein Interacts With Basigin, an Erythrocyte Surface Protein. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021 Apr 14;11:656620. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.656620. PMID: 33937099; PMCID: PMC8079763.

4. Nagaoka H, Kanoi BN, Morita M, Nakata T, Palacpac NMQ, Egwang TG, et al. Characterization of a Plasmodium falciparum PHISTc protein, PF3D7_0801000, in blood- stage malaria parasites. Parasitol Int. 2021;80:102240; doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102240. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33147497.

Complete list of publications can be found  here