Seroreactivity of Populations Living in Endemic Area of Burkina Faso to Plasmodium falciparum Alpha-Helical Coiled Coil Proteins Motifs by Protein Microarray

The naturally acquired immunity is one of the models of immunity that is exploited for malaria antigens discovery. We have used multiplex protein microarrays of 92 P. falciparum alpha-helical coiled coil protein motifs to screen plasma samples obtained from 1113 children and adults belonging to three sympatric ethnic groups from malaria endemic area of Burkina Faso. We have investigated the influence of some factors such as age, ethnicity, hemoglobin genotype and sex on the antigens reactivity and the IgG antibody level. We also investigated specifically, the influence of the factors mentioned above on the 36 antigens with the highest antibody prevalence and intensity. As expected, the findings of the study confirmed the positive correlation between age, antigens reactivity and IgG antibody level. Except for three antigens (MSP2_3D7, MR260, and As182.20), the IgG level was higher in adults compared to children. The Fulani ethnic group recognized more antigens with the highest IgG values compared to the sympatric groups of Mossi and Rimaibe, except for six antigens (LR166, LR146, AS182.15, MR214, MR236A, and MSP3). In General, the hemoglobin type and sex did not have any influence on the IgG antibody reactivity and intensity. Except for four antigens (MR232, MR261A, MSP2_3D7, and NANP) 10), there was statistically no IgG intensity difference between people with normal hemoglobin genotype (AA) and the non-(AA) volunteers. Our study has demonstrated that protein microarrays of alpha-helical coiled-coil proteins motifs are suitable to screen the naturally acquired immunity. The findings of the study should be considered in any strategy for new antigen related to alpha-helical coiled coil protein segments discovery for a potential vaccine clinical development.