Monoclonal antibodies to stage-specific, species-specific, and cross-reactive antigens of the rodent malarial parasite, Plasmodium yoelii

Abstract

Hybridoma cell lines (18) were used to study species-specific, stage-specific and serological cross-reactive antigens of the rodent [mouse] malarial parasite. P. yoelii. Specificity and location of plasmodial antigens were determined by indirect fluorescent-antibody analysis. A minimum of 12 distinct plasmodial antigens could be distinguished by the 18 hybridomas. Antigens were found on the surface or within the cytoplasm of the parasite but not on the surface of erythrocytes from infected animals. The majority (11 of 12) of antigens were present in all erythrocytic stages of the parasite but 1 was stage-specific for merozoites. Additional studies showed that 6 of 18 of the monoclonal antibodies identified species-specific antigens, 2 of 18 recognized antigens confined to related rodent malarial parasites (P. berghei, P. vinckei and P. chabaudi); 8 of 18 detected cross-reactive antigens common to rodent, primate (P. knowlesi, P. falciparum) and avian (P. gallinaceum) malarias.