Mosquito immune responses to Plasmodium parasites that limit malaria transmission.

The mosquito immune system is a major barrier that malaria parasites must overcome for their successful development and disease transmission. At each developmental stage in the vector, Plasmodium parasites can be potentially targeted by the mosquito innate immune responses, which involve epithelial, humoral, and cellular components. The immune response to Plasmodium ookinetes can be powerful and some of the underlying effector mechanisms are well characterized. However, the defense responses to oocysts and sporozoites appear to be less effective and are less well understood. Plasmodium parasites are under constant pressure to avoid elimination by evading and/or manipulating the mosquito immune system. Understanding the intricate interaction between Plasmodium parasites and the mosquito immune system is fundamental to understand the epidemiology of malaria transmission and to devise innovative control strategies.