Prospects and Pitfalls of Pregnancy-Associated Malaria Vaccination Based on the Natural Immune Response to Plasmodium falciparum VAR2CSA-Expressing Parasites

Table 1

Evidence providing support for the integral role of VAR2CSA in placental malaria.

Evidence	Reference
Placental parasites selectively transcribe the var2csa gene	[58, 72, 84]
The var2csa gene is relatively conserved between PAM variants	[58, 85]
The var2csa gene is required for pRBC to adhere to CSA	[86]
If the var2csa gene is knocked out or deleted, adhesion to CSA no longer occurs	[84, 87]
VAR2CSA is selectively expressed on the surface of pRBC that are identified in PM	[88]
VAR2CSA binds specifically to CSA expressed on the placenta	[89, 90]
Men and non-pregnant women do not produce VAR2CSA-specific IgG	[62, 88]
Levels of VAR2CSA-specific IgG correlate with parity	[88, 91]
High levels of VAR2CSA-specific IgG protect from adverse outcomes	[88]
VAR2CSA is a target of naturally acquired IgG reactive with the surface of placental pRBC	[92]