RTS,S/AS02A malaria vaccine-induced IGG responses equally recognize native-like fucosylated and nonfucosylated plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite proteins

Abstract

The RTS,S/AS02A malaria vaccine is based on the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP), which is O- fucosylated on the sporozoite surface. We determined whether RTS,S/AS02A-induced immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies recognize vaccine-like nonfucosylated PfCSP better than native- like fucosylated PfCSP. Similar to previous vaccine trials, RTS,S/ AS02A vaccination induced high anti-PfCSP IgG levels associated with malaria protection. IgG recognition of nonfucosylated and fucosylated PfCSP was equivalent, suggesting that PfCSP fucosylation does not affect antibody recognition.