Evaluation of the role of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the recognition of proteins expressed in reticulocytes infected with Plasmodium vivax

Objectives

*Original title in Portuguese: Avaliação do papel dos linfócitos T CD8+ no reconhecimento de proteínas expressas em reticulócitos infectados com Plasmodium vivax

This research program consists of three projects. In the first project, entitled “The role of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MO-DCs) in Malaria”, it will evaluate the emergence of MO-DCs and their pathogenic role in experimental Malaria. In a second project entitled “Recognition and destruction of P. vivax-infected reticulocytes by cytotoxic T lymphocytes”, it will present evidence that P. vivax-infected reticulocytes express HLA-I (MHC class I) and are destroyed by CD8+ T lymphocytes from patients with Malaria. Therefore, the study intends to evaluate the competence of reticulocytes in the presentation of antigens via HLA-I, as well as the mechanism of destruction of intracellular parasites by cytotoxic CD8+T lymphocytes. Finally, the third project, entitled “Immunology of asymptomatic Malaria and the effect of innate and acquired immune responses on Plasmodium transmission” intends to identify biomarkers of the innate and acquired immune response that are predictive of the prognosis of the disease and transmission of Plasmodium to the mosquito.