Comparison of CD4 T-Cell Response in Plasmodium falciparum and vivax Malaria
Issued Date
2026-04-15
Resource Type
ISSN
00221899
eISSN
15376613
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105037655175
Pubmed ID
41757944
Journal Title
Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume
233
Issue
4
Start Page
e891
End Page
e901
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Infectious Diseases Vol.233 No.4 (2026) , e891-e901
Suggested Citation
Nalubega M., Soon M.S.F., Andrew D., Ortega-Pajares A., Canning J., Dooley N., Loughland J.R., Engwerda C., Kenangalem E., Price R.N., Minigo G., Anstey N.M., Oyong D.A., Boyle M.J. Comparison of CD4 T-Cell Response in Plasmodium falciparum and vivax Malaria. Journal of Infectious Diseases Vol.233 No.4 (2026) , e891-e901. e901. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiag115 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/116657
Title
Comparison of CD4 T-Cell Response in Plasmodium falciparum and vivax Malaria
Author's Affiliation
Monash University
Nuffield Department of Medicine
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
Charles Darwin University
Menzies School of Health Research
Burnet Institute
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Department of Infectious Diseases
Papuan Health and Community Development Foundation
Nuffield Department of Medicine
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
Charles Darwin University
Menzies School of Health Research
Burnet Institute
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Department of Infectious Diseases
Papuan Health and Community Development Foundation
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Plasmodium falciparum and vivax are parasites responsible for most malaria cases globally. In areas where these species coexist, individuals gain protection from P vivax more rapidly, and important biological differences between species may affect immune responses. CD4 T cells are key drivers of immunity to malaria as effector and helper cells, with T follicular helper cells having key roles in antibody development. Comparative studies on CD4 T cell responses between these species are limited. Methods: We assessed CD4 T cells in adults with either P falciparum or P vivax malaria. Activation and proliferation of CD4 T cells were measured ex vivo, and functional capacity was determined by intracellular cytokine staining via flow cytometry. Results: The phenotype, activation, and proliferation of CD4 T cell subsets were largely comparable between species. However, within the peripheral T follicular helper (pTfh) cell compartment, there was some evidence for species-dependent activation, with relatively increased pTfh1 cells in P falciparum infection. Additionally, in P falciparum, increased IL-10 production was detected, including within IL-21–producing CD4 T cells. Conclusions: While activation and function of CD4 T cells in malaria are largely comparable, some species-dependent responses are detected within the pTfh-cell compartment that may affect antibody development.