Intraerythrocytic administration of a synthetic Plasmodium antigen elicits antibody response in mice, without carrier molecules or adjuvants.

Abstract The synthetic peptide (NANP) 20 , reproducing the tandem-repeated epitope of the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium ( Laverania ) falciparum , was entrapped into murine, autologous erythrocytes by a hypotonic dialysis method. Mice immunized intravenously with minute amounts of encapsulated peptide produced considerable antibody titres. This result indicates that intraerythrocytic antigen administration may have a potential as an immunization system for humans, since it dispenses with adjuvants and carrier molecules.