The naturally acquired immunity in severe malaria and its implication for a PfEMP-1 based vaccine.

Malaria vaccine development has so far been largely focused on antigens involved in parasite invasion pathways rather than on antigens associated with severe disease and naturally acquired immunity. Individuals repeatedly exposed to Plasmodium falciparum will eventually become immune to severe disease. Parasite-derived antigens expressed on the infected red blood cell (iRBC) surface are the main targets of protective immunity and can be explored as a rational alternative in development of an anti-malaria vaccine.