| Mononuclear cells, CD2+ T cells and T subsets (CD4+, CD8+) from HLA-typed malaria-naive donors were stimulated with isolated surface antigens (Ags) from Plasmodium falciparum merozoites (MSP183, MSP136, MSP2). Cell responses in lymphocyte proliferation assays were MHC-class II and mainly DR restricted. Donors could be grouped into high, non or low responders according to the proliferative response. The high responders possessed the combination DR7/DRw53 as a common HLA-restriction element. Non and low responders did not have this Ag combination, but some were characterized by DQwl. Individual donors did not show any Ag dependent response. CD45RA+ (naive, non-stimulated) enriched T cells from high-responders were strongly stimulated by the merozoite Ags,... |
