Lack of correlation between HLA class II alleles and immune responses to Pf155/ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA) from Plasmodium falciparum in Madagascar
Migot, F.; Chougnet, C.; Perichon, B.; Danze, P.M.; Lepers, J.P.; Krishnamoorthy, R.; Deloron, P.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 52(3): 252-257
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 7535015 Document Number: 454082
To investigate the relationships between predominant HLA class II alleles and immune responses to the Plasmodium falciparum ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (Pf155/RESA), 50 individuals from the highlands of Madagascar were followed-up from 1988 to 1991. The T cell reactivity and antibody responses to synthetic peptides (EENV)4, (EENVEHDA)4, and (DDEHVEEPTVA)3, representing major T and B epitopes of Pf155/RESA antigen, were assessed with an average of 5 determinations per individual over the 4-year follow-up period. The T cell reactivity was investigated by lymphocyte proliferation and assays for interferon- gamma and interleukin-2 release. Anti-peptide antibodies were measured using the FalconTM assay screening test-ELISA. The cumulative prevalence rates of cellular (range for the three peptides = 64-68%) and antibody responders (range = 70-74%) were similar for each peptide. The HLA class II typing was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The prevalent alleles or groups of alleles (frequency >20%) were similar in responders and nonresponders, both for cellular and antibody responses to each peptide. These were HLA-DR 5 group and HLA-DQA1 *0.601, *0101-0102-0104, HLA-DQB1 *0301, and HLA-DPB1 *0.101-2601 alleles. Allelic distribution was similar in individuals presenting with (74%) or without (26%) a malaria attack during a 20-week follow-up conducted when malaria was hyperendemic. Despite repeated immunological measures that better identify the responders, no relationship was found between HLA class II allele and the cellular or antibody responses to Pf155/RESA epitopes. If immune responses to Pf155/RESA epitopes or susceptibility to malaria attacks are genetically regulated, the data suggest the HLA class II region is not involved.