Highlights

Novel discoveries about the role of memory CD8 T cells in mediating immunity to liver-stage malaria are informing methods of resolving historical issues of malaria vaccine efficacy and implementation.

Liver resident memory (Trm) cells are essential to mediate sterilizing immunity against liver-stage malaria after whole-parasite immunization in mouse models. Circulating memory CD8 T cell contributions to protection remain undefined.

Mechanisms of liver Trm cell generation, maintenance, and protective function are active areas of investigation.

The unique hepatic microenvironment appears to dictate phenotypic characteristics and motility dynamics of local liver Trm cells at homeostasis.