Serologic responses to the PfEMP1 DBL-CIDR head structure may be a better indicator of malaria exposure than those to the DBL-α tag

Background Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein-1 (PfEMP1) antigens play a critical role in host immune evasion. Serologic responses to these antigens have been associated with protection from clinical malaria, suggesting that antibodies to PfEMP1 antigens may contribute to natural immunity. The first N-terminal constitutive domain in a PfEMP1 is the Duffy binding-like alpha (DBL-alpha) domain, which contains a 300 to 400 base pair region unique to each particular protein (the DBL-alpha "tag"). This DBL-alpha tag has been used as a marker of PfEMP1 diversity and serologic responses in malaria-exposed populations. In this study, using sera from a malaria-endemic region, responses to DBL-alpha tags were compared to responses to the corresponding entire DBL-alpha domain (or "parent" domain) coupled with the succeeding cysteine-rich interdomain region (CIDR). Methods A protein microarray populated with DBL-alpha tags, the parent DBL-CIDR head structures, and downstream PfEMP1 protein fragments was probed with sera from Malian children (aged 1 to 6 years) and adults from the control arms of apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) vaccine clinical trials before and during a malaria transmission season. Serological responses to the DBL-alpha tag and the DBL-CIDR head structure were measured and compared in children and adults, and throughout the season. Results Malian serologic responses to a PfEMP1's DBL-alpha tag region did not correlate with seasonal malaria exposure, or with responses to the parent DBL-CIDR head structure in either children or adults. Parent DBL-CIDR head structures were better indicators of malaria exposure. Conclusions Larger PfEMP1 domains may be better indicators of malaria exposure than short, variable PfEMP1 fragments such as DBL-alpha tags. PfEMP1 head structures that include conserved sequences appear particularly well suited for study as serologic predictors of malaria exposure.