A T cell clone directed at the circumsporozoite protein which protects mice against both Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium berghei

Abstract

Clone B is a cytotoxic T cell clone induced by immunization with Plasmodium yoelii sporozoites which recognizes an epitope on both the P. yoelii and Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite proteins. It is CD8, uses the V beta 8.1 TCR, and is Kd restricted. When adoptively transferred, it protects mice against infection by both species of malaria sporozoites, and this protection is dependent on IFN-gamma. Clone B cells are more broadly reactive and protective than previously described murine T cell clones against malaria. Clone B may be an important model for immune protection against the spectrum of variant parasites in nature.