Malaria reinfection creates special immune cells, says major study:

Malaria reinfection creates special immune cells, says major study:

Static GK   /   Malaria reinfection creates special immune cells, says major study:

Change Language English Hindi

The Hindu: Published on 29 May 2025:

 

Why in News:

A major study published in Science Immunology has identified a specific type of immune cell — TR1 cells — as key players in the body’s immune response to repeated malaria infections. This breakthrough could revolutionize vaccine development and treatment approaches for malaria and potentially other infectious diseases.

 

Background:

Malaria, caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, is a life-threatening disease especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Children often experience multiple infections per year and gradually develop clinical immunity. Earlier, the immune response was thought to be dominated by TH1 cells.

 

Key Findings:

  • TR1 cells, although a minority, made up nearly 90% of malaria-specific helper T-cells.
  • TR1 cells have high memory and clonal fidelity, even over long periods.
  • Their presence and abundance increase with reinfection, correlating with parasite load.
  • TH1 cells, previously considered key, do not expand upon reinfection, unlike TR1.

 

Methodology:

A longitudinal study (MUSICAL project) tracked immune cells across several infections using cutting-edge techniques like single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing.

The study followed the same individuals over hundreds of days and used genetic “barcoding” to identify and trace specific T-cell clones.

 

Significance:

It challenges previous understanding and shifts focus from TH1 to TR1 cells in malaria immunity.

Opens up avenues for TR1-targeted vaccines and host-directed therapies.

Offers a new model for understanding and tackling other infectious diseases.

 

Potential Impact:

Can revolutionize how malaria vaccines are developed by targeting TR1 cell behavior.

May lead to better immunity without severe illness — a potential game-changer in malaria-endemic regions.

Basis for immunological studies in other complex diseases like tuberculosis, dengue, etc.

 

Way Forward:

  • Further research on TR1 cells’ mechanisms and epigenetic programming.
  • Clinical trials for vaccines focusing on stimulating TR1 cells.
  • Broader application of single-cell immunology in public health research.
Other Post's