Mapping functional humoral correlates of protection against malaria challenge following RTS,S/AS01 vaccination.

Journal Abstract: Vaccine development can be hampered by a lack of clear correlates of protection. Suscovich et al. applied systems serology to samples from studies with the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine to understand which antibody functions were associated with protection from controlled malaria challenge, as magnitude of antibody response alone was not predictive. Systems serology revealed that a very small number of parameters involving engagement of innate immune cells could predict protection; this was confirmed with data from two additional studies. Experiments with antibodies in vitro or administered to mice further demonstrated the importance of Fc-mediated functions and innate immunity for protection from malaria parasites. This study emphasizes that finding correlates of protection requires investigation beyond measuring antibody abundance.