[PDF][PDF] Th1-like plasmodium-specific memory CD4+ T cells support humoral immunity

RA Zander, R Vijay, AD Pack, JJ Guthmiller… - Cell reports, 2017 - cell.com
Cell reports, 2017cell.com
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 …
Summary
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.
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