%0 Journal Article
%T Murine immune responses to a Plasmodium vivax-derived chimeric recombinant protein expressed in Brassica napus
%A Choonghee Lee
%A Hyung-Hwan Kim
%A Kyung Mi Choi
%A Kyung Won Chung
%A Yien Choi
%A Mi Jang
%A Tong-Soo Kim
%A Nam-Jun Chung
%A Ho-Gun Rhie
%A Ho-Sa Lee
%A Youngjoo Sohn
%A Hyuck Kim
%A Sung-Jae Lee
%A Hyeong-Woo Lee
%J Malaria Journal
%D 2011
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1475-2875-10-106
%X A synthetic chimeric recombinant 516 bp gene encoding containing PvMSP-1, a Pro-Gly linker motif, and PvCSP was synthesized; the gene, named MLC, encoded a total of 172 amino acids. The recombinant gene was modified with regard to codon usage to optimize gene expression in Brassica napus. The Ti plasmid inducible gene transfer system was used for MLC chimeric recombinant gene expression in B. napus. Gene expression was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), beta-glucuronidase reporter gene (GUS) assay, and Western blot.The MLC chimeric recombinant protein expressed in B. napus had a molecular weight of approximately 25 kDa. It exhibited a clinical sensitivity of 84.21% (n = 38) and a clinical specificity of 100% (n = 24) as assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Oral immunization of BALB/c mice with MLC chimeric recombinant protein successfully induced antigen-specific IgG1 production. Additionally, the Th1-related cytokines IL-12 (p40), TNF, and IFN-¦Ã were significantly increased in the spleens of the BALB/c mice.The chimeric MLC recombinant protein produced in B. napus has potential as both as an antigen for diagnosis and as a valuable vaccine candidate for oral immunization against vivax malaria.Plasmodium vivax, a causative agent of relapsing benign tertian malaria, is the second most important malaria-causing species; it afflicts several hundred million people annually [1,2]. Malaria constitutes a major health problem and is closely associated with socioeconomic burden in many temperate and most tropical countries. The malaria situation of Korea peninsula is also not different from other countries. It reemerged in the early 1990s after two decade-long absence. Following government intervention, reported cases of malaria decreased over the course of several years. However, it is unlikely that malaria has been completely eradicated from Korea; not only is there a steady influx of travelers and workers from countries where malaria is endemic
%U http://www.malariajournal.com/content/10/1/106