T cell immunity in malaria

Immunity to malaria is a complex process. In malaria endemic areas, sustained clinical immunity develops gradually. Protective immunity to malaria comprises both antibody-dependent and antibody-independent effector mechanisms. Although, the relative roles of B and T cells differ in different malaria systems and different stages of the parasite, T cells are essential for the induction and maintenance of immunity against malaria. T cell-derived soluble factors are believed to be important mediators of cellular effector mechanisms. The efficacy of an antigen as a malaria vaccine depends to a great extent on the T cell recognition sites and the nature of the responses induced by these determinants. In order to select suitable epitopes in an immunogen, an understanding of the definition of antigenic sites recognized by T cells and characterization of the nature of the T cell responses induced in malaria endemic populations is important.