Proteins involved in cytoadhesion of plasmodium falciparum ring-stage-infected erythrocytes, antibodies which bind to the proteins, and methods for detecting infection, stage of infection and vaccines for protecting against infection

Abstract

The present invention provides hybridomas and antibodies which specifically react with native P. falciparum at a surface of ring stage infected erythrocytes and uses thereof.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A hybridoma cell that produces an antibody which specifically reacts with native  Plasmodium falciparum  protein at a surface of ring-sage infected erythrocytes and does not specifically react with mature trophozoite and schizonte infected erythrocytes.  
   
   
       24 . The hybridoma cell of  claim 23 , which is hybridoma Pf26G1/B4 deposited at the CNCM on Feb. 23, 2001 under accession number I-2635.  
   
   
       25 . An antibody produced by the hybridoma cell of  claim 23 .  
   
   
       26 . A composition comprising the antibody of  claim 25  and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
   
   
       27 . A method of inhibiting cytoadhesion of ring-stage infected erythrocytes to endothelial cells of brain and placenta in an individual, the method comprising administering the antibody of  claim 25  to the individual in an amount sufficient to inhibit cytoadhesion or ring-stage infected erythrocytes to endothelial cells of brain and placenta.  
   
   
       28 . A method of inhibiting merozoite invasion of erythrocytes in an individual, the method comprising administering the antibody of  claim 25  to the individual in an amount sufficient to inhibit merozoite invasion of erythrocytes.  
   
   
       29 . A method of treating malaria in an individual, the method comprising administering the antibody of  claim 23  to the individual to treat malaria in the individual.  
   
   
       30 . An antibody which binds to an isolated ring surface protein-1 (RSP-1).  
   
   
       31 . The antibody of  claim 30 , which is a monoclonal antibody.  
   
   
       32 . The antibody of  claim 30 , which is a polyclonal antibody.  
   
   
       33 . A composition comprising the antibody of  claim 30  and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
   
   
       34 . A composition comprising the antibody of  claim 31  and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
   
   
       35 . A composition comprising the antibody of  claim 32  and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
   
   
       36 . A method of inhibiting cytoadhesion of ring-stage infected erythrocytes to endothelial cells of brain and placenta in an individual, the method comprising administering the antibody of  claim 30  to the individual in an amount sufficient to inhibit cytoadhesion or ring-stage infected erythrocytes to endothelial cells of brain and placenta.  
   
   
       37 . A method of inhibiting merozoite invasion of erythrocytes in an individual, the method comprising administering the antibody of  claim 30  to the individual in an amount sufficient to inhibit merozoite invasion of erythrocytes.  
   
   
       38 . A method of treating malaria in an individual, the method comprising administering the antibody of  claim 30  to the individual to treat malaria in the individual.