Development of <i>Plasmodium</i>‐specific liver‐resident memory CD8⁺ T cells after heat‐killed sporozoite immunization in mice

Abstract Malaria remains a major cause of mortality in the world and an efficient vaccine is best chance reducing disease burden. Vaccination strategies for liver stage that utilise injection live radiation‐attenuated sporozoites (RAS) confer sterile immunity, which mediated by CD8 + memory T cells, with liver‐resident cells (T RM ) being particularly important. We have previously described TCR transgenic mouse, termed PbT‐I, where all recognize specific peptide from Plasmodium . PbT‐I form upon RAS are capable protecting mice against challenge infection. Here, we utilize this system to examine whether nonliving sporozoites, killed heat treatment (HKS), could trigger development ‐specific cells. found HKS vaccination induced formation spleen liver, importantly, were fewer number than RAS. Crucially, showed was significantly higher when combined glycolipid α‐galactosylceramide as adjuvant. In future, work lead antimalaria strategy does not require providing greater utility.