Abstract
BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated the protective role of antibodies against malaria. Young children are known to be particularly vulnerable to malaria, pointing to the evolution of naturally acquired clinical immunity over time. However, whether changes in antibody functionality track with the acquisition of naturally acquired malaria immunity remains incompletely understood. METHODS: Using systems serology, we characterized sporozoite- and merozoite-specific antibody profiles of uninfected Malian children before the malaria season who differed in their ability to control parasitemia and fever following Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) infection. We then assessed the contributions of individual traits to overall clinical outcomes, focusing on the immunodominant sporozoite CSP and merozoite AMA1 and MSP1 antigens. RESULTS: Humoral immunity evolved with age, with an expansion of both magnitude and functional quality, particularly within blood-stage phagocytic antibody activity. Moreover, concerning clinical outcomes postinfection, protected children had higher antibody-dependent neutrophil activity along with higher levels of MSP1-specific IgG3 and IgA and CSP-specific IgG3 and IgG4 prior to the malaria season. CONCLUSIONS: These data point to the natural evolution of functional humoral immunity to Pf with age and highlight particular antibody Fc-effector profiles associated with the control of malaria in children, providing clues for the design of next-generation vaccines or therapeutics.