Assessment of a vaccinia virus vectored multi-epitope live vaccine candidate for Plasmodium falciparum

We constructed a live recombinant vaccinia virus vaccine candidate containing a synthesised hybrid gene termed 'HGFSP' encoding circumsporozoite protein (CSP), major merozoite surface antigen-1(MSA1), major merozoite surface antigen-2 (MSA2), and ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA) of Plasmodium falciparum, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tetanus toxin (TT) epitopes. Anti-recombinant vaccinia virus rabbit sera and IgG were tested in inhibition experiments in vitro. Results showed that the recombinant vaccinia virus had some capability to inhibit the growth of P. falciparum in vitro. The sera of rabbits, rats, and mice immunised with recombinant virus showed obvious IL-2 activity 4-6 weeks after immunisation. The interferon (IFN) level of sera from these animals 6 weeks after immunisation was significantly higher than before immunisation. These results indicate that the recombinant vaccinia virus can stimulate cell mediated responses (Th1 cell response) in immunised animals, and has the capability to inhibit multiplication of in vitro cultured P. falciparum. Thus this recombinant vaccinia virus is an appropriate vaccine candidate for further evaluation in Aotus monkey or human clinical trails.