Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can persist as memory cells (mTregs) in both infectious and non-infectious settings. However, their functional behavior, phenotypic stability, and suppressive properties upon antigen re-exposure remain poorly understood. Emerging evidence suggests that mTregs exhibit enhanced proliferation and suppressive capacity upon re-encountering the same antigen, a feature that may be critical in recurrent infections such as malaria. In malaria, Tregs are known to modulate immune responses and influence acute disease outcomes, suggesting that mTreg recall may play a significant role in long-term immunity. This review explores the biology of Treg memory, with a focus on malaria, and examines the immunological implications of maintaining a suppressive mTreg population in malaria immunity.
Keywords: Plasmodium; T cells; Tregs; malaria; memory.
© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The American Association of Immunologists. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.