Plasmodium Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase Beta (PI4Kβ): An Emerging Target at the Interface of Parasite Biology and Host Immunity

Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase beta (PI4Kβ) is an essential lipid kinase in Plasmodium species, central to intracellular signaling, vesicular trafficking, and parasite development. Recent insights suggest PI4Kβ also plays a key role in modulating host immune responses. Through regulation of protein export, immune evasion mechanisms, and extracellular vesicle formation, PI4Kβ influences the immune landscape during malaria infection. Notably, inhibition of PI4Kβ disrupts parasite survival and may enhance immune recognition by impairing virulence factor trafficking and improving antigen presentation. Targeting PI4Kβ offers a promising dual-action strategy-direct antiplasmodial effects coupled with immunomodulation. This review explores PI4Kβ's emerging role at the interface of parasite survival and host immunity, highlighting its therapeutic potential as both an antiparasitic and immunomodulatory target. Further investigation is warranted to evaluate its role in antigen processing, vaccine responsiveness, and combinatorial immunotherapy. PI4Kβ stands out as a next-generation target for integrated malaria intervention strategies.