A synthetic malaria vaccine elicits a potent CD8(+) and CD4(+) T lymphocyte immune response in humans. Implications for vaccination strategies

We report the first synthetic peptide vaccine eliciting strong CD8(+) and C D4(+) T lymphocyte responses in humans. The vaccine, representing the C-ter minal region of the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum (amin o acids 282-383) was well tolerated and strong sporozoite-specific antibodi es were elicited. In addition, robust lymphocyte proliferation responses we re equally elicited with concomitant in vitro production of IFN-gamma, cruc ial in the elimination of the parasite. Most importantly, we also observed the development of CD8+ T lymphocyte responses decisive in the immunity to malaria. The latter finding opens new, possibly safer, avenues for vaccinat ion strategies when a CD8(+) T cell response is needed.