How past malaria exposure changes early immune protection before parasites reach the blood
Integrating human and non-human primate data to understand the acquisition of pre-erythrocytic immunity in the face of previous malaria exposure
['FUNDING_U01'] · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11325275
This project compares immune responses in people and monkeys to show how prior malaria infections change protection by vaccines that act before parasites enter the bloodstream.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PORTLAND, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11325275 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare vaccinated non-human primates that have had prior malaria infections with ones that have not, directly examining immune cells in the liver at single-cell detail. They will match those detailed primate tissue results with blood samples from people vaccinated in both malaria-endemic (for example, sub-Saharan Africa) and non-endemic regions. By integrating the two datasets, the team aims to find immune patterns linked to weaker vaccine protection in people who previously had malaria. Those patterns could point to ways to improve vaccines or vaccination schedules for people living in places where malaria is common.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people enrolled in pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine trials, including those with prior malaria exposure in endemic regions and malaria-naïve volunteers in non-endemic regions.
Not a fit: People who are not at risk for malaria, who do not receive these vaccines, or whose health prevents vaccination may not gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help design vaccines or strategies that give better protection to people living in malaria-endemic areas.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human work shows prior malaria alters vaccine responses, but combining primate liver tissue data with human blood samples at single-cell resolution is a new and more detailed approach.
Where this research is happening
PORTLAND, UNITED STATES
- OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY — PORTLAND, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WILDER, BRANDON KEITH — OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: WILDER, BRANDON KEITH
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.