biostudies-literatureOyong DAWellcome Trust103784https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8718734biostudies-literatureUnknown75<h4>Background</h4>Protective malarial antibodies are acquired more rapidly in adults than children, independently of cumulative exposure, however the cellular responses mediating these differences are unknown. CD4 T-follicular helper (Tfh) cells have key roles in inducing antibodies, with Th2-Tfh cell activation associated with antibody development in malaria. Whether Tfh cell activation in malaria is age dependent is unknown and no studies have compared Tfh cell activation in children and adults with malaria.<h4>Methods</h4>We undertook a comprehensive study of Tfh cells, along with B cells and antibody induction in children and adults with malaria. Activation and proliferation of circulating Tfh (cTfh) cell subsets was measured ex vivo and parasite-specific Tfh cell frequencies and funcEBioMedicineAdults with Plasmodium falciparum malaria have higher magnitude and quality of circulating T-follicular helper cells compared to children.PMC8718734200909/Z/16/ZPrice RNBoyle MJAndrew DSoon MSFChan JAOyong DABeeson JGKenangalem EMinigo GWines BDOlver SDLoughland JRVarelias ACollinge ADAnstey NMHogarth PMfalseAdults with Plasmodium falciparum malaria have higher magnitude and quality of circulating T-follicular helper cells compared to children.<h4>Background</h4>Protective malarial antibodies are acquired more rapidly in adults than children, independently of cumulative exposure, however the cellular responses mediating these differences are unknown. CD4 T-follicular helper (Tfh) cells have key roles in inducing antibodies, with Th2-Tfh cell activation associated with antibody development in malaria. Whether Tfh cell activation in malaria is age dependent is unknown and no studies have compared Tfh cell activation in children and adults with malaria.<h4>Methods</h4>We undertook a comprehensive study of Tfh cells, along with B cells and antibody induction in children and adults with malaria. Activation and proliferation of circulating Tfh (cTfh) cell subsets was measured ex vivo and parasite-specific Tfh cell frequencies and func2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Jan2026-06-03T10:55:21.206Z2022-02-11T14:59:15.413ZS-EPMC87187343496876010.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103784