Mutant/mutation
The mutant expresses the hepatocyte-erythrocyte protein of 17 kDa (Hep17) tagged with a dominant CD4 T cell epitope from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). The transgene is integrated into the silent 230p locus.
(HEP17 is EXP1 (exported protein 1); PY17X_0928700)

Protein (function)

Phenotype
Epression of the transgene in blood stages (Hep17 tagged with the immunodominant GP61–80 CD4 T cell epitope (amino acids 61–80 from LCMV glycoprotein).

Additional information
The study of memory CD4 T cell responses against Plasmodium has been hampered by the lack of defined parasite-derived T cell epitopes that are necessary for their identification and interrogation of function. Thus, whether distinct Plasmodium-specific Th1- and Tfh-like memory CD4 T cell subsets either persist, exhibit plasticity during recall responses, or differentially support protective immunity are not well known. To overcome these obstacles and address these questions, we generated transgenic P. yoelii parasites engineered to encode the hepatocyte-erythrocyte protein of 17 kDa (Hep17) tagged with a dominant CD4 T cell epitope from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Hep17 9EXP1, exported protein 1) is found in the parasitophorous vacuole, host cytoplasm, and on the surface of merozoites, and immunization with recombinant Hep17 stimulates protective immunity. With these reagents, we identified that both Th1- and Tfh-like Plasmodium-specific memory CD4
T cells form, persist.

Other mutants