Ecklu-Mensah, G.Olsen, R.W.Bengtsson, A.Ofori, M.F.Kusi, K.A.Koram, K.A.Hviid, L.Adams, Y.Jensen, A.T.R.2019-11-272019-11-272019-09-19Olsen RW, Ecklu-Mensah G, Bengtsson A, Ofori MF, Kusi KA, Koram KA, Hviid L, Adams Y, Jensen ATR. 2019. Acquisition of IgG to ICAM-1-binding DBLβ domains in the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 antigen family varies between groups A, B, and C. Infect Immun 87:e00224-19. https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00224-19.https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00224-19.http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/33870Research ArticlePlasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) is an important malaria virulence factor. The protein family can be divided into clinically relevant subfamilies. ICAM-1-binding group A PfEMP1 proteins also bind endothelial protein C receptor and have been associated with cerebral malaria in children. IgG to these PfEMP1 proteins is acquired later in life than that to group A PfEMP1 not binding ICAM-1. The kinetics of acquisition of IgG to group B and C PfEMP1 proteins binding ICAM-1 is unclear and was studied here. Gene sequences encoding group B and C PfEMP1 with DBL domains known to bind ICAM-1 were used to identify additional binders. Levels of IgG specific for DBL domains from group A, B, and C PfEMP1 binding or not binding ICAM-1 were measured in plasma from Ghanaian children with or without malaria. Seven new ICAM-1-binding DBL domains from group B and C PfEMP1 were identified. Healthy children had higher levels of IgG specific for ICAM-1-binding DBL domains from group A than from groups B and C. However, the opposite pattern was found in children with malaria, particularly among young patients. Acquisition of IgG specific for DBL domains binding ICAM-1 differs between PfEMP1 groups.enPfEMP1Plasmodium falciparumantibodiesimmunitymalariaArticle