A CD4+ T cell clone (A1.6) was derived from spleen cells of mice immunized with irradiated sporozoites. This T cell clone recognizes an antigen that is shared by sporozoites and blood forms of Plasmodium berghei and differs from the circumsporozoite protein. Clone A1.6 displays cytotoxic activity, produces IFN-gamma and IL-2 in vitro, and recognizes the plasmodial antigen in the context of the class II I-Ed molecule. Passive transfer of this CD4+ clone into naive mice resulted in a high degree of protection against sporozoite challenge.