Novel VAR2CSA Immunogens and Methods of Use Thereof

The invention provides immunogen polypeptides comprising fragments of VAR2CSA protein expressed by P. falciparum as potential second-generation placental malaria vaccine candidates. VAR2CSA is the leading antigen target for a placental malaria vaccine, where associated antibody titers are correlated with protection. Aspects of the inventive immunogen polypeptides comprise all or portions of the chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) binding regions of VAR2CSA, as identified by a structural study of VAR2CSA conducted by the inventors, that possess great sequence conservation among P. falciparum strains when compared to competing clinical vaccine candidates PRIMVAC and PAMVAC. Also provided are methods of using the immunogen polypeptides for vaccination and treatment of disease.