The Antibody Series 2023 – Portugal
Conference dates: SEPTEMBER 6-8, 2022
Location: Vidago Palace, Portugal
Speaking session
Title: High-throughput isolation and characterisation of monoclonal antibodies against PfRH5 – the leading blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate
Speaker: Kirsty McHugh, PhD, Senior Postdoctoral Scientist, University of Oxford
Date: September 7, 2023
Time: 10:15 – 10:35 WEST
Abstract: Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and new interventions are urgently needed. The P. falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 (PfRH5) antigen is a leading blood-stage vaccine candidate. Vaccines targeting PfRH5 have demonstrated antibody-mediated efficacy in clinical trials, but high, durable titers of inhibitory antibodies must be induced, a challenge which is difficult to meet with current generation vaccines. Our group have generated a broad panel of over 200 anti-PfRH5 monoclonal antibodies from PfRH5-vaccinated UK adult volunteers. By combining high throughput epitope binning using the Carterra LSA platform with in vitro parasite growth inhibition assays we have revealed the diverse antigenic landscape of PfRH5 and identified inhibitory epitopes to a fine resolution. These results will help inform our next-generation vaccine design.