| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: The saliva of mosquitoes has an important role in the transmission of several diseases, including malaria, and
contains substances with vasomodulating and immunomodulating effects to counteract the host physiological mechanisms
and enhance pathogen transmission. As immunomodulatory components, salivary gland proteins can induce the generation
of specifi c IgG antibodies in the host, which can be used as specifi c biomarkers of exposure to Anopheles sundaicus.
The objective of this study was to identify immunogenic proteins from the salivary glands of Anopheles sundaicus by
reaction with sera from individuals living in malaria-endemic areas who are thus exposed to Anopheles mosquitoes.
Methods: IgG antibodies targeting salivary gland proteins in serum samples from individuals living in malaria-endemic areas
were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera from healthy individuals living in non-endemic areas
were used as negative controls. Determination of the presence of salivary gland immunogenic proteins was carried out by
western blotting. Results: Sixteen bands appeared in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with molecule
weights ranging from 22 to 144kDa. Among the exposed individuals, IgG responses to salivary gland proteins were variable.
Protein bands with molecular weights of 46, 41, 33, and 31kDa were the most immunogenic. These immunogenic proteins were
consistently recognized by pooled serum and individual samples from people living in malaria-endemic areas but not by negative
controls. Conclusions: These results support the potential use of immunogenic proteins from the salivary glands of Anopheles
as candidate markers of bite exposure or in malaria vaccines. | en_US |
