Malaria vaccine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vaccine against malaria comprising a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal part of the circumsporozoite protein of a Plasmodium species, in which polypeptide one or more pairs of cysteine residues are oxidized, and optionally a suitable carrier and/or adjuvant and/or biodegradable microcapsules for use in humans.

1 . A vaccine against malaria, in particular for use in humans, comprising a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal part of the circumsporozoite protein of a  Plasmodium species , which polypeptide at least comprises the four terminal cysteines from which at least one pair is oxidized, the vaccine optionally further comprising a suitable carrier and/or adjuvant and/or biodegradable microspheres.  
     
     
         2 . A vaccine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the circumsporozoite protein is of  Plasmodium falciparum.    
     
     
         3 . A vaccine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the circumsporozoite protein is of  Plasmodium falciparum strain NF 54.  
     
     
         4 . A vaccine as claimed in claims  1 - 3 , wherein the polypeptide consists of at least 42 consecutive amino acids derived from the C-terminal part of the circumsporozoite protein.  
     
     
         5 . A vaccine as in claims  1 - 4 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the C-terminal amino acids 342 to 383 of  Plasmodium falciparum  NF54.  
     
     
         6 . A vaccine as in claims  1 - 5 , wherein all cysteines are oxidized.  
     
     
         7 . A vaccine as in claims  1 - 6 , wherein the adjuvant is Montanide™.  
     
     
         8 . A vaccine as claimed in claim  1 - 7  for use in the prophylaxis of malaria.  
     
     
         9 . Use of a vaccine as claimed in claims  1 - 7  in the prophylaxis of malaria.  
     
     
         10 . Polypeptide for use in a vaccine against malaria, which polypeptide has the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal part of the circumsporozoite protein of a Plasmodium species, which polypeptide comprises the four terminal cysteines from which at least one pair is oxidized.  
     
     
         11 . A polypeptide as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the circumsporozoite protein is of  Plasmodium falciparum.    
     
     
         12 . A polypeptide as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the circumsporozoite protein is of  Plasmodium falciparum  strain NF54.  
     
     
         13 . A polypeptide as claimed in claims  10 - 12 , which polypeptide consists of at least 42 consecutive amino acids derived from the C-terminal part of the circumsporozoite protein.  
     
     
         14 . A polypeptide as in claims  10 - 13 , which polypeptide comprises the C-terminal amino acids 342 to 383 of  Plasmodium falciparum  NF54.  
     
     
         15 . A polypeptide as in claims  10 - 14 , wherein all cysteines are oxidized.  
     
     
         16 . Polypeptide as claimed in claims  10 - 15  for use in a vaccine against malaria.  
     
     
         17 . Use of one or more polypeptides as claimed in claims  10 - 15  for the preparation of a vaccine against malaria.