Anti-malarial humoral immunity: the long and short of it

Abstract

Humoral immunity is critical for limiting Plasmodium parasite infections and the severity of malaria. Naturally acquired immunity against malaria occurs inefficiently and protection is relatively short-lived. Here we review recent advances and explore emerging hypotheses regarding the molecular and cellular pathways that regulate Plasmodium parasite-specific B cell responses and durable anti-malarial humoral immunity.

Keywords: Antibody; Malaria; Memory B cell; Metabolism; Plasma cell; Plasmablast.