Last Updated: 09/07/2026

Unraveling human CD8 T cell immunity to malaria liver stages – IMMALIV

Objectives

The objective of this study are:

  • To determine whether human T cells are able to eliminate LS and to determine the effector mechanisms involved;
  • To validate in human settings novel LS Ags identified as protective in rodent models; and
  • To identify correlates of protection in humans.
Principal Investigators / Focal Persons

Valerie Soulard

Partner Institutions

Institut Pasteur, France

Rationale and Abstract

Malaria remains a major cause of death and morbidity worldwide and no efficacious vaccine is available. The liver stage (LS), an obligatory and asymptomatic phase of parasite’s life cycle, is an ideal vaccine target but the knowledge of human immunity to LS is scarce. Very few antigens (Ags) are known and their protective potential is unknown. An original in vitro system method will be employed. This project offers a unique opportunity of unravelling totally unknow aspects of human immunity to malaria LS, a field largely unexplored due to its technical challenging nature, that will be overcome through various complementary expertises. Implementation of this project is expected to provide crucial information for the design of future malaria vaccines.

Date

Dec 2021 — Dec 2024

Total Project Funding

$535,103

Funding Details
National Research Agency (ANR) France, France

Grant ID: ANR-21-CE15-0025
EUR 485,676
Country / Project Site(s)

France

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