Follicular helper T (TFH) cells in the B cell differentiation during the immune response to P. chabaudi AS

• Grant number: 11/02662-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2011
• End date: May 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Regina D'Império Lima
• Grantee: Sheyla Ines Castillo Mendez
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Malaria causes over one million deaths annually, primarily among children. Immunity to malaria in areas of extremely high risk of transmission is only acquired after repeated infections and antibodies play a key role in this process. Humoral response in murine malaria during the early phase of infection is characterized of a polyclonal B cell activation. As the disease progresses a specific B cell response is generated, guaranteeing complete parasite clearance and protection against subsequent infection. Recently, a particular subtype of CD4 T cell known as follicular helper T cell (TFH) has been identified as regulators of the many facets of the development of effector and memory B cells. Previous studies showed that T-B cell interaction through CD28 molecule is essential to generate specific IgG2a and protective immunity against P. chabaudi infection. The main purpose of this project is to evaluate the influence of TFH on the B cell differentiation during the immune response against P. chabaudi malaria. This project is justified for the opportunity to: a) understand the importance of the T-B cell interaction during malaria immunity; b) establish the main characteristics of the CD4+ T cell population responsible for the B cell activation during infection; c) develop strategies aiming to improve the humoral immunity. This project is divided in four parts with a specific goal which is in agreement of our group research. We believe that these results will contribute to the understanding of malaria disease.