The mechanism of protective immunity during erythrocytic stage malaria: The role of γδ T cells

Abstract

Malaria remains one of the most serious infectious diseases with the high morbidity and mortality among children in the world. Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites of genus Plasmodium. An efficient vaccine for malaria has not successfully developed for the eradication yet. Thus, to support malaria vaccine development, we have to uncover the mechanisms for protective immunity against Plasmodium infection. We have clarified γδ T cell-related protective immunity against erythrocytic stages of malaria parasites by using low virulent Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Here we summarize recent advances, including our studies, in understanding mechanisms of immune response to erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium infection.