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Malaria Journal
Published in: Malaria Journal 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Mosquito Akirin as a potential antigen for malaria control

Authors: Mário da Costa, Renato Pinheiro-Silva, Sandra Antunes, Juan A Moreno-Cid, Ana Custódio, Margarita Villar, Henrique Silveira, José de la Fuente, Ana Domingos

Published in: Malaria Journal | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

The control of vector-borne diseases is important to improve human and animal health worldwide. Malaria is one of the world’s deadliest diseases and is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which are transmitted by Anopheles spp. mosquitoes. Recent evidences using Subolesin (SUB) and Akirin (AKR) vaccines showed a reduction in the survival and/or fertility of blood-sucking ectoparasite vectors and the infection with vector-borne pathogens. These experiments suggested the possibility of using AKR for malaria control.

Methods

The role of AKR on Plasmodium berghei infection and on the fitness and reproduction of the main malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae was characterized by evaluating the effect of akr gene knockdown or vaccination with recombinant mosquito AKR on parasite infection levels, fertility and mortality of female mosquitoes.

Results

Gene knockdown by RNA interference in mosquitoes suggested a role for akr in mosquito survival and fertility. Vaccination with recombinant Aedes albopictus AKR reduced parasite infection in mosquitoes fed on immunized mice when compared to controls.

Conclusions

These results showed that recombinant AKR could be used to develop vaccines for malaria control. If effective, AKR-based vaccines could be used to immunize wildlife reservoir hosts and/or humans to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission. However, these vaccines need to be evaluated under field conditions to characterize their effect on vector populations and pathogen infection and transmission.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Mosquito Akirin as a potential antigen for malaria control
Authors
Mário da Costa
Renato Pinheiro-Silva
Sandra Antunes
Juan A Moreno-Cid
Ana Custódio
Margarita Villar
Henrique Silveira
José de la Fuente
Ana Domingos
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Malaria Journal / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2875
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-13-470

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