Mechanisms of pathogenesis and immunity to malaria

Unlike other infections in which one single encounter with the pathogen is enough to induce long-lasting protection, immunity to malaria might take decades to develop in endemic areas. The Hansen lab investigates mechanisms by which Plasmodium infections prevent the acquisition of immunity. This work is undertaken in order to design therapeutic approaches to improve the induction of immune responses to the Plasmodium parasite, including effective anti-malaria vaccines. Clinical immunity to malaria is largely dependent on effective antibody responses. The acquisition of antibody-mediated immunity requires generation of high-affinity antibody-secreting cells and memory B cells, a process that is facilitated by T follicular helper cells in secondary lymphoid organs. In collaboration with partners in malaria-endemic countries, our group investigates how the induction of antibody-mediated immunity is dysregulated during symptomatic a well as asymptomatic non-febrile malaria and how constant exposure to Plasmodium parasites over time modulates the development of these responses.