Production of anti-PfEMP1 Polyclonal Antisera in Rats and Mice.

Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IEs) bind various host receptors via members of the P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) family expressed on the surface of the IEs. Antibody reagents are needed to investigate interactions between specific PfEMP1 proteins and receptors expressed by human endothelial cells. This protocol describes the production of rat and mouse polyclonal anti-PfEMP1 antibodies. Polyclonal antibodies are relatively easy to produce and have advantages compared to monoclonal antibodies (see Chapters 28 - 30 ) for some applications. An ELISA-based method to test the polyclonal antibodies before their use in more advanced procedures is also presented.