Malaria is the most deadly parasitic disease, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Malaria parasites have been associated with their hosts for millions of years. During the long history of host-parasite co-evolution, both parasites and hosts have applied pressure on each other through complex host-parasite molecular interactions. Whereas the hosts activate various immune mechanisms to remove parasites during an infection, the parasites attempt to evade host immunity by diversifying their genome and switching expression of targets of the host immune system. Human intervention to control the disease such as antimalarial drugs and vaccination can greatly alter parasite population dynamics and evolution, particularly the massive applications of antimalarial drugs in recent human history. Vaccination is likely the best method to prevent the disease; however, a partially protective vaccine may have unwanted consequences that require further investigation. Studies of host-parasite interactions and co-evolution will provide important information for designing safe and effective vaccines and for preventing drug resistance. In this essay, we will discuss some interesting molecules involved in host-parasite interactions, including important parasite antigens. We also discuss subjects relevant to drug and vaccine development and some approaches for studying host-parasite interactions.

疟疾是最致命的寄生虫病，影响了全世界成千上万人。疟疾寄生虫已与其宿主联系了数百万年。在宿主-寄生虫共同进化的悠久历史中，寄生虫和宿主都通过复杂的宿主-寄生虫分子相互作用对彼此施加压力。宿主在感染过程中激活了多种免疫机制以去除寄生虫，而这些寄生虫则试图通过使它们的基因组多样化并切换宿主免疫系统靶标的表达来逃避宿主免疫。人为控制该疾病（例如抗疟药和疫苗接种）的干预措施可以极大地改变寄生虫种群的动态和演变，尤其是在最近的人类历史上大规模应用抗疟药。接种疫苗可能是预防该病的最佳方法；但是，部分保护性疫苗可能会产生不良后果，需要进一步研究。宿主-寄生虫相互作用和共同进化的研究将为设计安全有效的疫苗和预防耐药性提供重要信息。在本文中，我们将讨论一些参与宿主-寄生虫相互作用的有趣分子，包括重要的寄生虫抗原。我们还将讨论与药物和疫苗开发相关的主题以及研究宿主与寄生虫相互作用的一些方法。宿主-寄生虫相互作用和共同进化的研究将为设计安全有效的疫苗和预防耐药性提供重要信息。在本文中，我们将讨论一些参与宿主-寄生虫相互作用的有趣分子，包括重要的寄生虫抗原。我们还将讨论与药物和疫苗开发相关的主题以及研究宿主与寄生虫相互作用的一些方法。宿主-寄生虫相互作用和共同进化的研究将为设计安全有效的疫苗和预防耐药性提供重要信息。在本文中，我们将讨论一些参与宿主-寄生虫相互作用的有趣分子，包括重要的寄生虫抗原。我们还将讨论与药物和疫苗开发相关的主题以及研究宿主与寄生虫相互作用的一些方法。