Th1-like Plasmodium-Specific Memory CD4+ T Cells Support Humoral Immunity

Cell Rep. 2018 Apr 24;23(4):1230-1237. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.04.048.

Abstract

Effector T-cells exhibiting features of either T helper 1 (Th1) or T follicular helper (Tfh) populations are essential to control experimental Plasmodium infection and are believed to be critical for resistance to clinical malaria. To determine whether Plasmodium-specific Th1- and Tfh-like effector cells generate memory populations that contribute to protection, we developed transgenic parasites that enable high-resolution study of anti-malarial memory CD4 T-cells in experimental models. We found that populations of both Th1- and Tfh-like Plasmodium-specific memory CD4 T-cells persist. Unexpectedly, Th1-like memory cells exhibit phenotypic and functional features of Tfh cells during recall and provide potent B-cell help and protection following transfer, characteristics that are enhanced following ligation of the T-cell co-stimulatory receptor OX40. Our findings delineate critical functional attributes of Plasmodium-specific memory CD4 T-cells and identify a host-specific factor that can be targeted to improve resolution of acute malaria and provide durable, long-term protection against Plasmodium parasite re-exposure.

Publication types

  • Published Erratum