A high molecular weight antigen in Plasmodium falciparum recognized by inhibitory monoclonal antibodies

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Abstract
Inhibitory monoclonal antibodies which bind to some isolates of [the human parasite] P. falciparum from Papua New Guinea, but not from other areas, bound to a 220 kD antigen. By immunofluorescence microscopy this antigen was shown to be located both within the schizont cytoplasm and also within the schizont infected erythrocyte, but external to the schizont itself. Even at antibody concentrations which caused > 70% inhibition of parasite multiplication, accumulation of schizont stages or aggregates of merozoites were not seen, consistent with inhibition occurring at a point after the release of merozoites. The antigen may be present on merozoites; the quantity was below the limit of detection. The large amount of antigen released by rupturing schizonts may be a mechanism used by the parasite to evade immunological attack.