Abstract

Numerous efforts to understand the functional roles of antibodies demonstrated that they can protect against malaria. However, it is unclear which antibody responses are the best correlates of immunity, and which antibody functions are most important in protection from disease. Understanding the role of antibodies in protection against malaria is crucial for antimalarial vaccine design. In this review, the specific functional properties of naturally acquired and vaccine-induced antibodies that correlate to protection from the blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum malaria are re-examined and the gaps in knowledge related to antibody function in malarial immunity are highlighted.

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S.J.R and J.G.B receive support from a Program Grant from The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia, ID 1092789. J.G.B is also supported by a NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship. The Burnet Institute is supported by the NHMRC Independent Research Institutes Infrastructure Support Scheme, and a Victoria State Government Operational Infrastructure.