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Dinc R. Leishmania Vaccines: the Current Situation with Its Promising Aspect for the Future. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2022; 60:379-391. [PMID: 36588414 PMCID: PMC9806502 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2022.60.6.379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a serious parasitic disease caused by Leishmania spp. transmitted through sandfly bites. This disease is a major public health concern worldwide. It can occur in 3 different clinical forms: cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral Leishmaniasis (CL, MCL, and VL, respectively), caused by different Leishmania spp. Currently, licensed vaccines are unavailable for the treatment of human Leishmaniasis. The treatment and prevention of this disease rely mainly on chemotherapeutics, which are highly toxic and have an increasing resistance problem. The development of a safe, effective, and affordable vaccine for all forms of vector-borne disease is urgently needed to block transmission of the parasite between the host and vector. Immunological mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Leishmaniasis are complex. IL-12-driven Th1-type immune response plays a crucial role in host protection. The essential purpose of vaccination is to establish a protective immune response. To date, numerous vaccine studies have been conducted using live/attenuated/killed parasites, fractionated parasites, subunits, recombinant or DNA technology, delivery systems, and chimeric peptides. Most of these studies were limited to animals. In addition, standardization has not been achieved in these studies due to the differences in the virulence dynamics of the Leishmania spp. and the feasibility of the adjuvants. More studies are needed to develop a safe and effective vaccine, which is the most promising approach against Leishmania infection.
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Kumari D, Mahajan S, Kour P, Singh K. Virulence factors of Leishmania parasite: Their paramount importance in unraveling novel vaccine candidates and therapeutic targets. Life Sci 2022; 306:120829. [PMID: 35872004 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease and remains a global concern for healthcare. It is caused by an opportunistic protozoan parasite belonging to the genus Leishmania and affects millions worldwide. This disease is mainly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions and is associated with a high risk of public morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Transmission of this deadly disease is aggravated by the bite of female sand-fly vectors (Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia). With time, significant advancement in leishmaniasis-related research has been carried out to cope with the disease burden. Still, the Leishmania parasite has also co-evolved with its host and adapted successfully within the host's lethal milieu/environment. Thus, understanding and knowledge of various leishmanial virulence factors responsible for the parasitic infection are essential for exploring drug targets and vaccine candidates. The present review elucidates the importance of virulence factors in pathogenesis and summarizes the major leishmanial virulence molecules contributing to the parasitic infection during host-pathogen interaction. Furthermore, we have also elaborated on the potential contribution of leishmanial virulence proteins in developing vaccine candidates and exploring novel therapeutics against this parasitic disease. We aim to represent a clearer picture of parasite pathogenesis within the human host that can further aid in unraveling new strategies to fight against the deadly infection of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diksha Kumari
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Shavi Mahajan
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Parampreet Kour
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Kuljit Singh
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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The History of Live Attenuated Centrin Gene-Deleted Leishmania Vaccine Candidates. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040431. [PMID: 35456106 PMCID: PMC9025045 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, caused by an infection of the Leishmania protozoa, is a neglected tropical disease and a major health problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with approximately 350 million people worldwide at risk and 2 million new cases occurring annually. Current treatments for leishmaniasis are not highly efficacious and are associated with high costs, especially in low- and middle-income endemic countries, and high toxicity. Due to a surge in the incidence of leishmaniases worldwide, the development of new strategies such as a prophylactic vaccine has become a high priority. However, the ability of Leishmania to undermine immune recognition has limited our efforts to design safe and efficacious vaccines against leishmaniasis. Numerous antileishmanial vaccine preparations based on DNA, subunit, and heat-killed parasites with or without adjuvants have been tried in several animal models but very few have progressed beyond the experimental stage. However, it is known that people who recover from Leishmania infection can be protected lifelong against future infection, suggesting that a successful vaccine requires a controlled infection to develop immunologic memory and subsequent long-term immunity. Live attenuated Leishmania parasites that are non-pathogenic and provide a complete range of antigens similarly to their wild-type counterparts could evoke such memory and, thus, would be effective vaccine candidates. Our laboratory has developed several live attenuated Leishmania vaccines by targeted centrin gene disruptions either by homologous recombination or, more recently, by using genome editing technologies involving CRISPR-Cas9. In this review, we focused on the sequential history of centrin gene-deleted Leishmania vaccine development, along with the characterization of its safety and efficacy. Further, we discussed other major considerations regarding the transition of dermotropic live attenuated centrin gene-deleted parasites from the laboratory to human clinical trials.
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Abstract
Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoan Leishmania parasites that are transmitted through female sandfly bites. The disease is predominantly endemic to the tropics and semi-tropics and has been reported in more than 98 countries. Due to the side effects of anti-Leishmania drugs and the emergence of drug-resistant isolates, there is currently no encouraging prospect of introducing an effective therapy for the disease. Hence, it seems that the key to disease control management is the introduction of an effective vaccine, particularly against its cutaneous form. Advances in understanding underlying immune mechanisms are feasibale using a variety of candidate antigens, including attenuated live parasites, crude antigens, pure or recombinant Leishmania proteins, Leishmania genes encoding protective proteins, as well as immune system activators from the saliva of parasite vectors. However, there is still no vaccine against different types of human leishmaniasis. In this study, we review the works conducted or being performed in this field.
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Volpedo G, Pacheco-Fernandez T, Bhattacharya P, Oljuskin T, Dey R, Gannavaram S, Satoskar AR, Nakhasi HL. Determinants of Innate Immunity in Visceral Leishmaniasis and Their Implication in Vaccine Development. Front Immunol 2021; 12:748325. [PMID: 34712235 PMCID: PMC8546207 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.748325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is endemic to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world and is transmitted by the bite of an infected sand fly. The multifaceted interactions between Leishmania, the host innate immune cells, and the adaptive immunity determine the severity of pathogenesis and disease development. Leishmania parasites establish a chronic infection by subversion and attenuation of the microbicidal functions of phagocytic innate immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Other innate cells such as inflammatory monocytes, mast cells and NK cells, also contribute to resistance and/or susceptibility to Leishmania infection. In addition to the cytokine/chemokine signals from the innate immune cells, recent studies identified the subtle shifts in the metabolic pathways of the innate cells that activate distinct immune signal cascades. The nexus between metabolic pathways, epigenetic reprogramming and the immune signaling cascades that drive the divergent innate immune responses, remains to be fully understood in Leishmania pathogenesis. Further, development of safe and efficacious vaccines against Leishmaniasis requires a broader understanding of the early interactions between the parasites and innate immune cells. In this review we focus on the current understanding of the specific role of innate immune cells, the metabolomic and epigenetic reprogramming and immune regulation that occurs during visceral leishmaniasis, and the strategies used by the parasite to evade and modulate host immunity. We highlight how such pathways could be exploited in the development of safe and efficacious Leishmania vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Volpedo
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Parna Bhattacharya
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Timur Oljuskin
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Ranadhir Dey
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Abhay R Satoskar
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
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Volpedo G, Huston RH, Holcomb EA, Pacheco-Fernandez T, Gannavaram S, Bhattacharya P, Nakhasi HL, Satoskar AR. From infection to vaccination: reviewing the global burden, history of vaccine development, and recurring challenges in global leishmaniasis protection. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:1431-1446. [PMID: 34511000 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1969231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem and the second most lethal parasitic disease in the world due to the lack of effective treatments and vaccines. Even when not lethal, leishmaniasis significantly affects individuals and communities through life-long disabilities, psycho-sociological trauma, poverty, and gender disparity in treatment. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the most relevant and recent research available on Pubmed and GoogleScholar highlighting leishmaniasis' global impact, pathogenesis, treatment options, and lack of effective control strategies. An effective vaccine is necessary to prevent morbidity and mortality, lower health care costs, and reduce the economic burden of leishmaniasis for endemic low- and middle-income countries. Since there are several forms of leishmaniasis, a pan-Leishmania vaccine without geographical restrictions is needed. This review also focuses on recent advances and common challenges in developing prophylactic strategies against leishmaniasis. EXPERT OPINION Despite advances in pre-clinical vaccine research, approval of a human leishmaniasis vaccine still faces major challenges - including manufacturing of candidate vaccines under Good Manufacturing Practices, developing well-designed clinical trials suitable in endemic countries, and defined correlates of protection. In addition, there is a need to explore Challenge Human Infection Model to avoid large trials because of fluctuating incidence and prevalence of leishmanasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Volpedo
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ryan H Huston
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Erin A Holcomb
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Parna Bhattacharya
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Abhay R Satoskar
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Coutinho De Oliveira B, Duthie MS, Alves Pereira VR. Vaccines for leishmaniasis and the implications of their development for American tegumentary leishmaniasis. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019; 16:919-930. [PMID: 31634036 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1678998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The leishmaniases are a collection of vector-borne parasitic diseases caused by a number of different Leishmania species that are distributed worldwide. Clinical and laboratory research have together revealed several important immune components that control Leishmania infection and indicate the potential of immunization to prevent leishmaniasis. In this review we introduce previous and ongoing experimental research efforts to develop vaccines against Leishmania species. First, second and third generation vaccine strategies that have been proposed to counter cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis (CL and VL, respectively) are summarized. One of the major bottlenecks in development is the transition from results in animal model studies to humans, and we highlight that although American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL; New World CL) can progress to destructive and disfiguring mucosal lesions, most research has been conducted using mouse models and Old World Leishmania species. We conclude that assessment of vaccine candidates in ATL settings therefore appears merited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Coutinho De Oliveira
- Pós-Graduação em Inovação Terapêutica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil.,Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, Brazil
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8
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Dikhit MR, Kumar A, Das S, Dehury B, Rout AK, Jamal F, Sahoo GC, Topno RK, Pandey K, Das VNR, Bimal S, Das P. Identification of Potential MHC Class-II-Restricted Epitopes Derived from Leishmania donovani Antigens by Reverse Vaccinology and Evaluation of Their CD4+ T-Cell Responsiveness against Visceral Leishmaniasis. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1763. [PMID: 29312304 PMCID: PMC5735068 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the most neglected tropical diseases for which no vaccine exists. In spite of extensive efforts, no successful vaccine is available against this dreadful infectious disease. To support vaccine development, an immunoinformatics approach was applied to screen potential MHC class-II-restricted epitopes that can activate the immune cells. Initially, 37 epitopes derived from six stage-dependent, overexpressed antigens were predicted, which were presented by at least 26 diverse MHC class-II allele. Based on a population coverage analysis and human leukocyte antigen cross-presentation ability, six of the 37 epitopes were selected for further analysis. Stimulation with synthetic peptide alone or as a cocktail triggered intracellular IFN-γ production. Moreover, specific IgG antibodies were detected in the serum of active VL cases against P1, P4, P5, and P6 in order to evaluate the peptide effect on the humoral immune response. Additionally, most of the peptides, except P2, were found to be non-inducers of CD4+ IL-10 against both active VL as well as treated VL subjects. This finding suggests there is no role of these peptides in the pathogenesis of Leishmania. Peptide immunogenicity was validated in BALB/c mice immunized with a cocktail of synthetic peptide emulsified in complete Freund’s adjuvant/incomplete Freund’s adjuvant. The immunized splenocytes induced strong spleen cell proliferation upon parasite re-stimulation. Furthermore, increased IFN-γ, interleukin-12, IL-17, and IL-22 production augmented with elevated nitric oxide (NO) synthesis is thought to play a crucial role in macrophage activation. In this investigation, we identified six MHC class-II-restricted epitope hotspots of Leishmania antigens that induce CD4+ Th1 and Th17 responses, which could be used to potentiate a human universal T-epitope vaccine against VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manas Ranjan Dikhit
- BioMedical Informatics Division, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India.,Department of Immunology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Akhilesh Kumar
- Department of Immunology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Sushmita Das
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Budheswar Dehury
- Biomedical Informatics Centre, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Odisha, India
| | - Ajaya Kumar Rout
- Biotechnology Laboratory, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Fauzia Jamal
- Department of Microbiology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Ganesh Chandra Sahoo
- BioMedical Informatics Division, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Roshan Kamal Topno
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Krishna Pandey
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - V N R Das
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Sanjiva Bimal
- Department of Immunology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Pradeep Das
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
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9
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Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Polytope DNA Vaccine Against Cutaneous Leishmaniosis In Vivo. HEALTH SCOPE 2017. [DOI: 10.5812/jhealthscope.63159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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10
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Not All Antigens Are Created Equally: Progress, Challenges, and Lessons Associated with Developing a Vaccine for Leishmaniasis. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2017; 24:CVI.00108-17. [PMID: 28515135 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00108-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
From experimental models and the analyses of patients, it is well documented that antigen-specific T cells are critical for protection against Leishmania infection. Effective vaccines require both targeting to the pathogen and an immune stimulant to induce maturation of appropriate immune responses. While a great number of antigens have been examined as vaccine candidates against various Leishmania species, few have advanced to human or canine clinical trials. With emphasis on antigen expression, in this minireview we discuss some of the vaccine platforms that are currently being explored for the development of Leishmania vaccines. It is clear that the vaccine platform of choice can have a significant impact upon the level of protection induced by particular antigens, and we provide and highlight some examples for which the vaccine system used has impacted the protective efficacy imparted.
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Kaur S, Kaur T, Joshi J. Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of DNA vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice. J Biomed Res 2016; 30:304-13. [PMID: 27533939 PMCID: PMC4946321 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.30.20150125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study was designed to examine the protective efficacy of DNA vaccines based on gp63 and Hsp70 against murine visceral leishmaniasis. Inbred BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously twice at an interval of three weeks with pcDNA3.1(+) encoding T cell epitopes of gp63 and Hsp70 individually and in combination. Animals were challenged intracardially with 107 promastigotes of Leishmania donovani 10 days post immunization and sacrificed 1, 2 and 3 months post challenge. The immunized animals revealed a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in splenic and hepatic parasite burden as compared to the infected controls. Maximum reduction in parasite load (P < 0.05) was observed in animals treated with a combination of pcDNA/gp63 and pcDNA/Hsp70. These animals also showed heightened DTH response, increased IgG2a, elevated Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-2) and reduced IgG1 and IL-10 levels. Thus, mice immunized with the cocktail vaccine exhibited significantly greater protection in comparison to those immunized with individual antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukhbir Kaur
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
| | - Tejinder Kaur
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
| | - Jyoti Joshi
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
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Duthie MS, Reed SG. The Emergence of Defined Subunit Vaccines for the Prevention of Leishmaniasis. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s40475-014-0024-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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13
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Abstract
Parasitic diseases caused by protozoan and helminth parasites are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Unfortunately, at present, there is no vaccine against any human parasitic disease. Conventional vaccine methods have largely failed against parasitic infections. This is due, in part, to the complexity of the parasite life cycle, the ability of the parasite to evade the immune system, and difficulties in identifying and eliciting the desired protective immune responses. The discovery of DNA vaccines has renewed hope for vaccine development against parasites. In the last decade, DNA vaccines were successful in inducing at least partial protection against several parasitic diseases. This review discusses the latest developments in DNA vaccines against tropical parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akram A Da'dara
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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14
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Mutiso JM, Macharia JC, Kiio MN, Ichagichu JM, Rikoi H, Gicheru MM. Development of Leishmania vaccines: predicting the future from past and present experience. J Biomed Res 2013; 27:85-102. [PMID: 23554800 PMCID: PMC3602867 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.27.20120064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2012] [Revised: 07/14/2012] [Accepted: 08/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease that ranges in severity from skin lesions to serious disfigurement and fatal systemic infection. Resistance to infection is associated with a T-helper-1 immune response that activates macrophages to kill the intracellular parasite in a nitric oxide-dependent manner. Conversely, disease progression is generally associated with a T-helper-2 response that activates humoral immunity. Current control is based on chemotherapeutic treatments which are expensive, toxic and associated with high relapse and resistance rates. Vaccination remains the best hope for control of all forms of the disease, and the development of a safe, effective and affordable antileishmanial vaccine is a critical global public-health priority. Extensive evidence from studies in animal models indicates that solid protection can be achieved by immunization with defined subunit vaccines or live-attenuated strains of Leishmania. However, to date, no vaccine is available despite substantial efforts by many laboratories. Major impediments in Leishmania vaccine development include: lack of adequate funding from national and international agencies, problems related to the translation of data from animal models to human disease, and the transition from the laboratory to the field. Furthermore, a thorough understanding of protective immune responses and generation and maintenance of the immunological memory, an important but least-studied aspect of antiparasitic vaccine development, during Leishmania infection is needed. This review focuses on the progress of the search for an effective vaccine against human and canine leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Muli Mutiso
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Karen, Nairobi 24481-00502, Kenya;
- Department of Zoological Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi 43844-00100, Kenya.
| | - John Chege Macharia
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Karen, Nairobi 24481-00502, Kenya;
| | - Maria Ndunge Kiio
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Karen, Nairobi 24481-00502, Kenya;
| | - James Maina Ichagichu
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Karen, Nairobi 24481-00502, Kenya;
| | - Hitler Rikoi
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Karen, Nairobi 24481-00502, Kenya;
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Dumonteil E. DNA Vaccines against Protozoan Parasites: Advances and Challenges. J Biomed Biotechnol 2012; 2007:90520. [PMID: 17710244 PMCID: PMC1940056 DOI: 10.1155/2007/90520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2006] [Accepted: 03/21/2007] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past 15 years, DNA vaccines have gone from a scientific curiosity to one of the most dynamic research field and may offer new alternatives for the control of parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. We review here some of the advances and challenges for the development of DNA vaccines against these diseases. Many studies have validated the concept of using DNA vaccines for both protection and therapy against these protozoan parasites in a variety of mouse models. The challenge now is to translate what has been achieved in these models into veterinary or human vaccines of comparable efficacy. Also, genome-mining and new antigen discovery strategies may provide new tools for a more rational search of novel vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Dumonteil
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales “Dr. Hideyo Noguchi”, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, 97000 Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
- *Eric Dumonteil:
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Evaluation of Leishmania donovani protein disulfide isomerase as a potential immunogenic protein/vaccine candidate against visceral Leishmaniasis. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35670. [PMID: 22539989 PMCID: PMC3335089 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Accepted: 03/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In Leishmania species, Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) - a redox chaperone, is reported to be involved in its virulence and survival. This protein has also been identified, through proteomics, as a Th1 stimulatory protein in the soluble lysate of a clinical isolate of Leishmania donovani (LdPDI). In the present study, the molecular characterization of LdPDI was carried out and the immunogenicity of recombinant LdPDI (rLdPDI) was assessed by lymphocyte proliferation assay (LTT), nitric oxide (NO) production, estimation of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-12) as well as IL-10 in PBMCs of cured/endemic/infected Leishmania patients and cured L. donovani infected hamsters. A significantly higher proliferative response against rLdPDI as well as elevated levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 were observed. The level of IL-10 was found to be highly down regulated in response to rLdPDI. A significant increase in the level of NO production in stimulated hamster macrophages as well as IgG2 antibody and a low level of IgG1 in cured patient's serum was observed. Higher level of IgG2 antibody indicated its Th1 stimulatory potential. The efficacy of pcDNA-LdPDI construct was further evaluated for its prophylactic potential. Vaccination with this construct conferred remarkably good prophylactic efficacy (∼90%) and generated a robust cellular immune response with significant increases in the levels of iNOS transcript as well as TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-12 cytokines. This was further supported by the high level of IgG2 antibody in vaccinated animals. The in vitro as well as in vivo results thus indicate that LdPDI may be exploited as a potential vaccine candidate against visceral Leishmaniasis (VL).
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Singh B, Sundar S. Leishmaniasis: vaccine candidates and perspectives. Vaccine 2012; 30:3834-42. [PMID: 22475861 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.03.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2012] [Revised: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania is a protozoan parasite and a causative agent of the various clinical forms of leishmaniasis. High cost, resistance and toxic side effects of traditional drugs entail identification and development of therapeutic alternatives. The sound understanding of parasite biology is key for identifying novel drug targets, that can induce the cell mediated immunity (mainly CD4+ and CD8+ IFN-gamma mediated responses) polarized towards a Th1 response. These aspects are important in designing a new vaccine along with the consideration of the candidates with respect to their ability to raise memory response in order to improve the vaccine performance. This review is an effort to identify molecules according to their homology with the host and their ability to be used as potent vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhawana Singh
- Infectious Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, UP, India
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18
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Vaccine candidates for leishmaniasis: A review. Int Immunopharmacol 2011; 11:1464-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2011.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2010] [Revised: 04/13/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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19
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Mazumder S, Maji M, Das A, Ali N. Potency, efficacy and durability of DNA/DNA, DNA/protein and protein/protein based vaccination using gp63 against Leishmania donovani in BALB/c mice. PLoS One 2011; 6:e14644. [PMID: 21311597 PMCID: PMC3032732 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2010] [Accepted: 01/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite Leishmania, is fatal in the absence of treatment. At present there are no effective vaccines against any form of leishmaniasis. Here, we evaluate the potency, efficacy and durability of DNA/DNA, DNA-prime/Protein-boost, and Protein/Protein based vaccination against VL in a susceptible murine model. Methods and Findings To compare the potency, efficacy, and durability of DNA, protein and heterologous prime-boost (HPB) vaccination against Leishmania donovani, major surface glycoprotein gp63 was cloned into mammalian expression vector pcDNA3.1 for DNA based vaccines. We demonstrated that gp63 DNA based vaccination induced immune responses and conferred protection against challenge infection. However, vaccination with HPB approach showed comparatively enhanced cellular and humoral responses than other regimens and elicited early mixed Th1/Th2 responses before infection. Moreover, challenge with parasites induced polarized Th1 responses with enhanced IFN-γ, IL-12, nitric oxide, IgG2a/IgG1 ratio and reduced IL-4 and IL-10 responses compared to other vaccination strategies. Although, vaccination with gp63 DNA either alone or mixed with CpG- ODN or heterologously prime-boosting with CpG- ODN showed comparable levels of protection at short-term protection study, DNA-prime/Protein-boost in presence of CpG significantly reduced hepatic and splenic parasite load by 107 fold and 1010 fold respectively, in long-term study. The extent of protection, obtained in this study has till now not been achieved in long-term protection through HPB approach in susceptible BALB/c model against VL. Interestingly, the HPB regimen also showed marked reduction in the footpad swelling of BALB/c mice against Leishmania major infection. Conclusion/Significance HPB approach based on gp63 in association with CpG, resulted in robust cellular and humoral responses correlating with durable protection against L. donovani challenge till twelve weeks post-vaccination. These results emphasize the potential of DNA-prime/Protein-boost vaccination over DNA/DNA and Protein/Protein based vaccination in maintaining long-term immunity against intracellular pathogen like Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumyabrata Mazumder
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Mithun Maji
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Amrita Das
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Nahid Ali
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
- * E-mail:
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20
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Nejad-Moghaddam A, Abolhassani M. Epitope mapping of a common 57 kDa antigen of Leishmania species by monoclonal antibodies. Vaccine 2010; 28:6036-40. [PMID: 20615488 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.06.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2009] [Revised: 06/14/2010] [Accepted: 06/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BALB/c mice were immunized with freeze-thawed promastigote of Leishmania infantum. Five monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were selected, four IgM (designated as P1A9, P2G8, P5E3 and P6B3) and one IgG1 (P3D2). ELISA and Western blot analysis suggested that all monoclonal antibodies are specific to a band of 57 kDa antigen of L. infantum as well as other three Leishmania species (L. tropica, L. major and L. donovani). ELISA additivity tests revealed four epitopes on 57 kDa antigen as defined by four IgM monoclonal antibodies. Three distinct epitopes were recognized by P1A9, P2G8, and P6B3 antibodies and one epitope recognized by P5E3 antibody that shared with P2G8, and P6B3 epitopes. The 57 kDa protein was purified with affinity column and was shown to possess proteolytic activity. It seems that 57 kDa protein is the major surface Leishmania antigen (gp63) that has been used as subunit vaccine with appropriate adjuvant and induced protection against L. major infection in BALB/c mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Nejad-Moghaddam
- Hybridoma Lab., Dept. of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Pasteur Ave., Tehran 13164, Iran
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21
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Sachdeva R, Banerjea AC, Malla N, Dubey ML. Immunogenicity and efficacy of single antigen Gp63, polytope and polytopeHSP70 DNA vaccines against visceral Leishmaniasis in experimental mouse model. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7880. [PMID: 19956549 PMCID: PMC2780826 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2009] [Accepted: 09/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Polytope approach of genetic immunization is a promising strategy for the
prevention of infectious disease as it is capable of generating effective cell
mediated immunity by delivering the T cell epitopes assembled in series.
Leishmaniasis is a significant world wide health problem for which no vaccine
exists. In this study we have compared immunogenicity and efficacy of three
types of DNA vaccines: single antigen Gp63 (Gp63/pcDNA), polytope (Poly/pcDNA)
and Polytope fused with hsp70 (Poly/hsp/pcDNA) against visceral leishmaniasis in
susceptible BALB/c mice. Mice vaccinated with these plasmids generated strong
Th1 immune response as seen by dominating IFN-γ over IL-10 cytokine.
Interestingly, cytotoxic responses generated by polytope DNA plasmid fused with
hsp70 of Leishmania donovani were significantly higher when
compared to polytope and single antigen Gp63 vaccine. Challenge studies revealed
that the parasite load in liver and spleen was significantly lower with
Poly/hsp/pcDNA vaccination compared to other vaccines. Therefore, our study
indicates that polytope DNA vaccine is a feasible, practical and effective
approach for visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakhee Sachdeva
- Department of Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education
and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Nancy Malla
- Department of Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education
and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Mohan Lal Dubey
- Department of Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education
and Research, Chandigarh, India
- * E-mail:
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22
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Laddy DJ, Weiner DB. From Plasmids to Protection: A Review of DNA Vaccines Against Infectious Diseases. Int Rev Immunol 2009; 25:99-123. [PMID: 16818367 DOI: 10.1080/08830180600785827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The field of DNA vaccine development began over 16 years ago with the observation that plasmid DNA could be injected into and expressed in vivo and drive adaptive immune responses. Since then, there has been great interest in developing this technology to create a new generation of vaccines with the ability to elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses from an inherently innocuous injection. However, DNA vaccines have yet to proceed past phase I/II clinical trials in humans--primarily due to a desire to induce more potent immune responses. This review will examine how DNA vaccines function to induce an immune response and how this information might be useful in future vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominick J Laddy
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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23
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Ali SA, Rezvan H, McArdle SE, Khodadadi A, Asteal FA, Rees RC. CTL responses to Leishmania mexicana gp63-cDNA vaccine in a murine model. Parasite Immunol 2009; 31:373-83. [PMID: 19527453 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2009.01111.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Immunity to Leishmania is believed to be strongly dependent upon the activation of Th1 immune responses, although the exact role of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) has not yet been determined. The aims of this study were to establish a suitable cytotoxicity assay to measure CTL activity and to compare immunity induced by Leishmania mexicana gp63 cDNA via i.m. injection and gene gun immunization in the BALB/c mouse model. The CTL activity was evaluated by short-term (51)Cr-release cytotoxicity assays against CT26 tumour cells transfected with L. mexicana gp63 cDNA and dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA) as targets. The results clearly demonstrated that higher protection to L. mexicana infection was induced by gene gun DNA-immunization vs. i.m. injection. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity of splenocytes was observed in mice immunized either with L. mexicana gp63 cDNA or SLA and long-lived CTL activity was observed in immunized and/or re-challenged mice but not naïve mice infected with the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Ali
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton, Nottingham, UK.
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24
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Chico V, Ortega-Villaizan M, Falco A, Tafalla C, Perez L, Coll J, Estepa A. The immunogenicity of viral haemorragic septicaemia rhabdovirus (VHSV) DNA vaccines can depend on plasmid regulatory sequences. Vaccine 2009; 27:1938-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.01.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2008] [Revised: 01/14/2009] [Accepted: 01/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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25
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Launois P, Tacchini-Cottier F, Kieny MP. Cutaneous leishmaniasis: progress towards a vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 2008; 7:1277-87. [PMID: 18844599 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.7.8.1277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniases are vector-borne diseases due to the protozoan parasite Leishmania . Since no prevention method is available and as current therapy is costly, often poorly tolerated and not always efficacious, the development of alternative therapies, including vaccines, constitutes the priority in the fight of Leishmania infection. This review focuses on recent advances in the development of vaccines against leishmaniasis, with emphasis on the cutaneous form. Indeed, the fact that recovery from leishmaniasis is associated with immunity against new infection provides a rational basis for the development of vaccination strategy against infection with Leishmania . Evidence from animal studies demonstrate that protection can be achieved following infection with live-attenuated Leishmania as well as through immunization with purified proteins or DNA vaccines. In addition, recent results have shown that immunization against the saliva of the insect vector could have synergistic effects with conventional vaccination. Finally, vaccination using dendritic cells was recently demonstrated as a possible tool for Leishmania vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Launois
- WHO-Immunology Research and Training Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Chemin des Boveresses, 155, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland.
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26
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Ahmed SBH, Touihri L, Chtourou Y, Dellagi K, Bahloul C. DNA based vaccination with a cocktail of plasmids encoding immunodominant Leishmania (Leishmania) major antigens confers full protection in BALB/c mice. Vaccine 2008; 27:99-106. [PMID: 18951941 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2008] [Revised: 08/15/2008] [Accepted: 10/06/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite the lack of effective vaccines against parasitic diseases, the prospects of developing a vaccine against leishmaniasis are still high. With this objective, we have tested four DNA based candidate vaccines encoding to immunodominant leishmania antigens (LACKp24, TSA, LmSTI1 and CPa). These candidates have been previously reported as capable of eliciting at least partial protections in the BALB/c mice model of experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. When tested under similar experimental conditions, all of them were able to induce similar partial protective effects, but none could induce a full protection. In order to improve the level of protection we have explored the approach of DNA based vaccination with different cocktails of plasmids encoding to the different immunodominant Leishmania antigens. A substantial increase of protection was achieved when the cocktail is composed of all of the four antigens; however, no full protection was achieved when mice were challenged with a high dose of parasite in their hind footpad. The full protection was only achieved after a challenge with a low parasitic dose in the dermis of the ear. It was difficult to determine clear protection correlates, other than the mixture of immunogens induced specific Th1 immune responses against each component. Therefore, such an association of antigens increased the number of targeted epitopes by the immune system with the prospects that the responses are at least additive if not synergistic. Even though, any extrapolation of this approach when applied to other animal or human models is rather hazardous, it undoubtedly increases the hopes of developing an effective leishmania vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Ben Hadj Ahmed
- Laboratory of Immunology, Vaccinology and Molecular Genetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13, Place Pasteur BP-74, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere, Tunisia
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27
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Ferreira JHL, Gentil LG, Dias SS, Fedeli CEC, Katz S, Barbiéri CL. Immunization with the cysteine proteinase Ldccys1 gene from Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi and the recombinant Ldccys1 protein elicits protective immune responses in a murine model of visceral leishmaniasis. Vaccine 2008; 26:677-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.11.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2007] [Revised: 11/13/2007] [Accepted: 11/16/2007] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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28
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Thirugnanam S, Pandiaraja P, Ramaswamy K, Murugan V, Gnanasekar M, Nandakumar K, Reddy MVR, Kaliraj P. Brugia malayi: comparison of protective immune responses induced by Bm-alt-2 DNA, recombinant Bm-ALT-2 protein and prime-boost vaccine regimens in a jird model. Exp Parasitol 2007; 116:483-91. [PMID: 17442307 PMCID: PMC2763209 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2007.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2006] [Revised: 02/28/2007] [Accepted: 02/28/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Immunization of jirds with Bm-alt-2 elicited partial protection against challenge infection with the filarial parasite Brugia malayi. In this study, we initially compared the protective immune responses elicited following immunization with recombinant Bm-ALT-2 protein regimen and Bm-alt-2 DNA regimen. These studies showed that protein vaccination conferred approximately 75% protection compared to DNA vaccination that conferred only 57% protection. Analysis of the protective immune responses showed that the protein immunization promoted a Th2-biased response with an increase in IL-4, IL-5 and IgG1 responses, whereas, the DNA vaccine promoted a Th1-biased response with profound IFN-gamma and IgG2a responses. Since protein vaccination gave better results than DNA vaccination, we then wanted to evaluate whether a prime-boost vaccination that combined DNA prime and protein boost will significantly increase the protective responses induced by the protein vaccine. Our results suggest that prime-boost vaccination had no added advantage and was comparatively less effective (64% protection) than the Bm-ALT-2 protein alone vaccination. Prime boost vaccination generated mixed Th1/Th2 responses with a slightly diminished Th2 responses compared to protein vaccination. Thus, our results suggest that Bm-ALT-2 protein vaccination regimen may be slightly better than prime-boost vaccine regimen and the mechanism of protection appears to be largely mediated by a Th2-biased response.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Helminth/biosynthesis
- Antibodies, Helminth/blood
- Antigens, Helminth/genetics
- Antigens, Helminth/immunology
- Brugia malayi/immunology
- Cytokines/biosynthesis
- Cytokines/genetics
- DNA, Helminth/immunology
- Diffusion Chambers, Culture
- Disease Models, Animal
- Elephantiasis, Filarial/prevention & control
- Gerbillinae
- Helminth Proteins/genetics
- Helminth Proteins/immunology
- Immunity, Cellular
- Immunization/methods
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Male
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Th2 Cells/immunology
- Vaccines/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kalyanasundaram Ramaswamy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Rockford, IL 61107, USA
| | - Vadivel Murugan
- Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, India
| | - Munirathinam Gnanasekar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Rockford, IL 61107, USA
| | - Krithika Nandakumar
- Jamnalal Bajaj Tropical Disease Research Centre, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram, India
| | - Maryada Venkata Rami Reddy
- Jamnalal Bajaj Tropical Disease Research Centre, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram, India
- Corresponding authors. Fax: +91 44 22542299. (M.V.R. Reddy), (P. Kaliraj)
| | - Perumal Kaliraj
- Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, India
- Corresponding authors. Fax: +91 44 22542299. (M.V.R. Reddy), (P. Kaliraj)
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29
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Abstract
Leishmaniaare protozoan parasites spread by a sandfly insect vector and causing a spectrum of diseases collectively known as leishmaniasis. The disease is a significant health problem in many parts of the world resulting in an estimated 12 million new cases each year. Current treatment is based on chemotherapy, which is difficult to administer, expensive and becoming ineffective due to the emergence of drug resistance. Leishmaniasis is considered one of a few parasitic diseases likely to be controllable by vaccination. The relatively uncomplicated leishmanial life cycle and the fact that recovery from infection renders the host resistant to subsequent infection indicate that a successful vaccine is feasible. Extensive evidence from studies in animal models indicates that solid protection can be achieved by immunisation with protein or DNA vaccines. However, to date no such vaccine is available despite substantial efforts by many laboratories. Advances in our understanding ofLeishmaniapathogenesis and generation of host protective immunity, together with the completedLeishmaniagenome sequence open new avenues for vaccine research. The major remaining challenges are the translation of data from animal models to human disease and the transition from the laboratory to the field. This review focuses on advances in anti-leishmania vaccine development over the recent years and examines current problems hampering vaccine development and implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Kedzierski
- Infection and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3050, Melbourne, Australia.
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30
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Martins DRA, Jeronimo SMB, Donelson JE, Wilson ME. Leishmania chagasi T-cell antigens identified through a double library screen. Infect Immun 2006; 74:6940-8. [PMID: 17000724 PMCID: PMC1698060 DOI: 10.1128/iai.02032-05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2005] [Revised: 01/21/2006] [Accepted: 09/15/2006] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Control of human visceral leishmaniasis in regions where it is endemic is hampered in part by limited accessibility to medical care and emerging drug resistance. There is no available protective vaccine. Leishmania spp. protozoa express multiple antigens recognized by the vertebrate immune system. Since there is not one immunodominant epitope recognized by most hosts, strategies must be developed to optimize selection of antigens for prevention and immunodiagnosis. For this reason, we generated a cDNA library from the intracellular amastigote form of Leishmania chagasi, the cause of South American visceral leishmaniasis. We employed a two-step expression screen of the library to systematically identify T-cell antigens and T-dependent B-cell antigens. The first step was aimed at identifying the largest possible number of clones producing an epitope-containing polypeptide by screening with a pool of sera from Brazilians with documented visceral leishmaniasis. After removal of clones encoding heat shock proteins, positive clones underwent a second-step screen for their ability to cause proliferation and gamma interferon responses in T cells from immune mice. Six unique clones were selected from the second screen for further analysis. The corresponding antigens were derived from glutamine synthetase, a transitional endoplasmic reticulum ATPase, elongation factor 1gamma, kinesin K39, repetitive protein A2, and a hypothetical conserved protein. Humans naturally infected with L. chagasi mounted both cellular and antibody responses to these proteins. Preparations containing multiple antigens may be optimal for immunodiagnosis and protective vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella R A Martins
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, SW34-GH, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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31
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Jaafari MR, Ghafarian A, Farrokh-Gisour A, Samiei A, Kheiri MT, Mahboudi F, Barkhordari F, Khamesipour A, McMaster WR. Immune response and protection assay of recombinant major surface glycoprotein of Leishmania (rgp63) reconstituted with liposomes in BALB/c mice. Vaccine 2006; 24:5708-17. [PMID: 16740346 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.04.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2006] [Revised: 04/25/2006] [Accepted: 04/25/2006] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In this study the ability of recombinant gp63 entrapped in liposomes to induce immune response and protection against L. major infection in susceptible BALB/c mice was studied. Liposomes containing rgp63 (Lip-rgp63) were prepared from egg lecithin and cholesterol using detergent solubilization method. Immunization of BALB/c mice with rgp63 alone conferred a partial protection while entrapment of rgp63 in liposomes significantly increased the rate of protection (P<0.05). The parasite burden of spleen in mice challenged with L. major was significantly (p<0.001) lower in group of mice immunized with rgp63 alone or Lip-rgp63, however, the least parasite burden was seen in Lip-rgp63 group. Both rgp63 alone and Lip-rgp63 elicited significant delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response compared to controls (p<0.01), however, the DTH response of PBS-rgp63 was less than the Lip-rgp63. Titration of anti-Leishmania IgG isotypes (IgG2a/IgG1) showed a preferential Th1 type of immune response only in mice immunized with Lip-rgp63. The results indicate that liposomes might be used as a suitable immunoadjuvant for development of Leishmania vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud R Jaafari
- School of Pharmacy, Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 91775-1365, Mashhad, Iran.
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32
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Saldarriaga OA, Travi BL, Park W, Perez LE, Melby PC. Immunogenicity of a multicomponent DNA vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis in dogs. Vaccine 2006; 24:1928-40. [PMID: 16310897 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.10.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2005] [Revised: 09/05/2005] [Accepted: 10/21/2005] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination of dogs, the domestic reservoir of Leishmania chagasi, could not only decrease the burden of canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL), but could also indirectly reduce the incidence of human VL. Intramuscular vaccination of foxhounds with a Leishmania multicomponent (10 antigen) DNA vaccine resulted in antigen-induced lymphoproliferative and IFN-gamma (but not IL-4) responses. This response was not augmented by co-administration of canine IL-12 or GM-CSF DNA adjuvants. The multicomponent DNA vaccine also induced a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to viable L. donovani promastigotes and led to a reduction of parasite burden in an in vitro intracellular infection model, and in the draining lymph node of dogs early after cutaneous challenge. Thus, the multicomponent DNA vaccine was effective in priming dogs for a parasite-specific type 1 cellular immune response, which was able to restrict parasite growth.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan/blood
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Antigens, Protozoan/immunology
- DNA, Protozoan/analysis
- Disease Reservoirs
- Dog Diseases/prevention & control
- Dogs
- Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/genetics
- Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/immunology
- Hypersensitivity, Delayed
- Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis
- Interleukin-12/genetics
- Interleukin-12/immunology
- Interleukin-4/biosynthesis
- Leishmania infantum/genetics
- Leishmania infantum/growth & development
- Leishmania infantum/immunology
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/prevention & control
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/veterinary
- Lymph Nodes/parasitology
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Protozoan Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Protozoan Vaccines/genetics
- Protozoan Vaccines/immunology
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar A Saldarriaga
- Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter Dr., Mailstop 151, San Antonio 78229-4404, TX, USA
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33
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Meykadeh N, Mirmohammadsadegh A, Wang Z, Basner-Tschakarjan E, Hengge UR. Topical application of plasmid DNA to mouse and human skin. J Mol Med (Berl) 2005; 83:897-903. [PMID: 15902389 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-005-0669-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2005] [Accepted: 03/03/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Gene expression following direct injection of naked plasmid DNA into the skin has been demonstrated in the past. Topical application of plasmid DNA represents an attractive route of gene delivery. If successful, it would have great prospects in skin gene therapy since it is painless and easy to apply. In this study, we analyzed the expression of plasmid DNA in vivo and in vitro following topical application of plasmid DNA in various liposomal spray formulations. Therefore, different concentrations of plasmid DNA expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (pEGFP-N1) were sprayed onto mouse or human skin once daily for three consecutive days and compared with direct injection. Gene expression was assessed 24 h after the final topical application of various liposomal DNA formulations. The results showed that EGFP mRNA and protein were detectable by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. However, epicutaneously applied EGFP plasmid DNA did not lead to microscopically detectable EGFP protein, when assessed by confocal laser microscopy or fluorescence-activated cell sorting in contrast to about 4% of fluorescent keratinocytes following intradermal injection. In an in vivo mouse model, the application of pEGFP-N1 DNA led to the generation of GFP-specific antibodies. These results indicate that topical spray application of pEGFP-N1 liposomal DNA formulations is a suitable method for plasmid DNA delivery to the skin, yielding limited gene expression. This spray method may thus be useful for DNA vaccination. To increase its attractiveness for skin gene therapy, the improvement of topical formulations with enhanced DNA absorption is desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuschin Meykadeh
- Department of Dermatology, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Saravia NG, Hazbón MH, Osorio Y, Valderrama L, Walker J, Santrich C, Cortázar T, Lebowitz JH, Travi BL. Protective immunogenicity of the paraflagellar rod protein 2 of Leishmania mexicana. Vaccine 2005; 23:984-95. [PMID: 15620471 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2004.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2003] [Revised: 07/19/2004] [Accepted: 07/26/2004] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Paraflagellar rod proteins (PFR) are a potent immunogen against experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection. PFR are highly conserved among kinetoplastid parasites. We therefore evaluated the immunogenicity of the Leishmania mexicana pfr-2 gene and protein product in the hamster model of American cutaneous leishmaniasis. Immunization with pfr-2 DNA-induced specific antibody, confirming immunogenicity. Subsequent challenge with 10,000 and 500 stationary phase L. mexicana promastigotes respectively, resulted in delayed appearance of lesions, and significant reduction in lesions post infection in male hamsters, yet exacerbated lesions in female hamsters. Immunization with recombinant PFR-2 protein (rPFR-2) prevented lesion development in female hamsters challenged with L. panamensis, but was ineffective against L. mexicana. Nevertheless, prime boost immunization of female hamsters with rPFR and pfr-2 DNA significantly reduced lesion size following challenge with 500 L. mexicana promastigotes, supporting the relevance of PFR-2 as a potential vaccine constituent.
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Affiliation(s)
- N G Saravia
- Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas, Apartado Aéreo 5390, Cali, Colombia.
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35
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Abstract
The term leishmaniasis refers collectively to various clinical syndromes that are caused by obligate intracellular protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Approximately 350 million people in 8 countries are estimated to be threatened by the disease. The World Health Organization estimated that there are 12 million cases of all forms of leishmaniasis worldwide, with over 500,000 new cases of visceral disease occurring each year. Most of the drugs commonly used to treat different forms of leishmaniasis are toxic and have unacceptable side effects. Moreover, cases of drug resistant leishmaniasis are on the rise. Due to non-existence of effective vaccine to date, improved immunoprophylactic approaches still remain desirable to combat leishmaniasis. Antileishmanial vaccines developed around the globe are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monidipa Ghosh
- The Division of Immunology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India
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36
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Ahmed SBH, Bahloul C, Robbana C, Askri S, Dellagi K. A comparative evaluation of different DNA vaccine candidates against experimental murine leishmaniasis due to L. major. Vaccine 2004; 22:1631-9. [PMID: 15068845 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2003.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Over the past few years, several reports of DNA vaccines against murine cutaneous experimental leishmaniasis came out with promising but sometimes discordant results. The present studies were designed to compare, under similar conditions, the protective effects in the highly susceptible BALB/c mice of DNA vaccine candidates encoding to various Leishmania major antigens. The candidate DNA vaccines encode to the following antigens: LACK, PSA2, Gp63, LeIF and two newly identified p20 and Ribosomal like protein, in addition to different truncated portions of the LACK antigen. The most promising gene was LACK and it is more protective when it is used as a p24 truncated form. Furthermore, the presence of a tandem repeats of immunostimulating sequences (ISS) in the plasmid backbone played an important adjuvant effect in the observed protective effect induced by the DNA vaccine encoding to the LACKp24. Nevertheless, neither of the DNA vaccine candidates was able to mount a full protection in BALB/c mice challenged with a highly virulent L. major strain. Further improvements of the DNA vaccination approach are still needed to design a fully protective vaccine against leishmaniasis. Three directions of investigations are currently explored: DNA vaccines using a cocktail of antigens; Prime/Boost approach; and association of immune modulators with the candidate antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Ben Hadj Ahmed
- Laboratory of Immunology, Vaccinology and Molecular Genetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13, Place Pasteur BP-74, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere, Tunisia
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37
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Tsagozis P, Tseveleki V, Probert L, Dotsika E, Karagouni E. Vaccination with Plasmids Encoding the Leishmania Major GP63 Glycoprotein and CD40L Results in a Partial Suppression of the Inflammatory Reaction after Experimental Infection. EUR J INFLAMM 2004. [DOI: 10.1177/1721727x0400200207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of an effective vaccine against leishmaniasis is the aim of an intensive research effort, to bring relief to thousands of people worldwide. DNA vaccination is a promising approach in this direction, since it is able to generate a strong cellular immune response. We tested whether the co-administration of a plasmid encoding a truncated gp63 gene, that allows extracellular secretion of the encoded protein, and a plasmid encoding for CD40L could induce a protective response in genetically susceptible BALB/c mice and reduce the local inflammatory swelling after infection with Leishmania major. We document that vaccination with the combination of plasmids for gp63 and CD40L reduced inflammatory swelling, while vaccination with the truncated gp63-encoding plasmid resulted in an exacerbation of the local inflammatory reaction. These preliminary data indicate that the CD40L expression plasmid is consequently an efficient adjuvant for the induction of protective responses in the context of a DNA vaccination against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - V. Tseveleki
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institut Pasteur Hellenique, Athens, Greece
| | - L. Probert
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institut Pasteur Hellenique, Athens, Greece
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38
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Zadeh-Vakili A, Taheri T, Taslimi Y, Doustdari F, Salmanian AH, Rafati S. Immunization with the hybrid protein vaccine, consisting of Leishmania major cysteine proteinases Type I (CPB) and Type II (CPA), partially protects against leishmaniasis. Vaccine 2004; 22:1930-40. [PMID: 15121305 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2003.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2003] [Accepted: 11/06/2003] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cysteine proteinases (CPs) are enzymes that belong to the papain superfamily, which are found in a number of organisms from prokaryotes to mammals. On the parasitic protozoan Leishmania, extensive studies have shown that CPs are involved in parasite survival, replication and the onset of disease, and have, therefore, been considered as attractive drugs and/or vaccine targets for the control of leishmaniasis. We have previously shown that cysteine proteinases, Type I (CPB) and Type II (CPA), in Leishmania major (L. major), delivered as recombinant proteins or in plasmid DNA, induce partial protection against infection with the parasite in BALB/c mice. We had shown that the level of protection was greater if a cocktail of cpa and cpb containing DNA constructs was used. Therefore, to reduce the costs associated with the production of these vaccine candidates, a construct was developed, whereby the cpa and cpb genes were fused together to give rise to a single hybrid protein. The genes were fused in tandem where the C-terminal extension (CTE), encoding region of CPB, was located at the 3' of the fused genes, and ultimately expressed in the bacterial expression construct pET-23a. The expression of the CPA/B hybrid protein (60 kDa) was verified using rabbit anti-CPA and anti-CPB antibodies by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. The protective potential of the CPA/B hybrid protein against the infection with Leishmania was then assessed in BALB/c mice. The animals were vaccinated with CPA/B, challenged with live L. major promastigotes, and the degree of protection was examined by measuring footpad lesion sizes. It was found that there was a delay in the expansion of lesions size compared to control groups. Furthermore, an immunological analysis of antibody isotypes, before and after infection, showed high levels of IgG2a compared to IgG1 (more than five-fold) in the CPA/B hybrid protein vaccinated group. In addition, a predominant Th1 immune response characterized by in vitro IFN-gamma production was observed, along with little, if any, IL-5 production. This finding indicates that the hybrid CPA/B is able to elicit a protective immune response against L. major in the mice model. In addition, 54% of individuals tested, who had recovered from cutaneous leishmaniasis, produced more than 50 pg/ml IFN-gamma, in response to the CPA/B hybrid protein in an in vitro assay, demonstrating the importance of cysteine proteinases as targets of immune response in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azita Zadeh-Vakili
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box 11365-6699, Tehran, Iran
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Wu JJ, Huang DB, Pang KR, Tyring SK. Vaccines and immunotherapies for the prevention of infectious diseases having cutaneous manifestations. J Am Acad Dermatol 2004; 50:495-528; quiz 529-32. [PMID: 15034501 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2003.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Although the development of antimicrobial drugs has advanced rapidly in the past several years, such agents act against only certain groups of microbes and are associated with increasing rates of resistance. These limitations of treatment force physicians to continue to rely on prevention, which is more effective and cost-effective than therapy. From the use of the smallpox vaccine by Jenner in the 1700s to the current concerns about biologic warfare, the technology for vaccine development has seen numerous advances. The currently available vaccines for viral illnesses include Dryvax for smallpox; the combination measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine; inactivated vaccine for hepatitis A; plasma-derived vaccine for hepatitis B; and the live attenuated Oka strain vaccine for varicella zoster. Vaccines available against bacterial illnesses include those for anthrax, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis. Currently in development for both prophylactic and therapeutic purposes are vaccines for HIV, herpes simplex virus, and human papillomavirus. Other vaccines being investigated for prevention are those for cytomegalovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, hepatitis C, and dengue fever, among many others. Fungal and protozoan diseases are also subjects of vaccine research. Among immunoglobulins approved for prophylactic and therapeutic use are those against cytomegalovirus, hepatitis A and B, measles, rabies, and tetanus. With this progress, it is hoped that effective vaccines soon will be developed for many more infectious diseases with cutaneous manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jashin J Wu
- Center for Clinical Studies, Houston, Texas, USA
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40
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Smooker PM, Rainczuk A, Kennedy N, Spithill TW. DNA vaccines and their application against parasites--promise, limitations and potential solutions. BIOTECHNOLOGY ANNUAL REVIEW 2004; 10:189-236. [PMID: 15504707 DOI: 10.1016/s1387-2656(04)10007-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
DNA or nucleic acid vaccines are being evaluated for efficacy against a range of parasitic diseases. Data from studies in rodent model systems have provided proof of principle that DNA vaccines are effective at inducing both humoral and T cell responses to a variety of candidate vaccine antigens. In particular, the induction of potent cellular responses often gives DNA vaccination an immunological advantage over subunit protein vaccination. Protection against parasite challenge has been demonstrated in a number of systems. However, application of parasite DNA vaccines in large animals including ruminants, primates and humans has been compromised by the relative lack of immune responsiveness to the vaccines, but the reasons for this hyporesponsiveness are not clear. Here, we review DNA vaccines against protozoan parasites, in particular vaccines for malaria, and the use of genomic approaches such as expression library immunization to generate novel vaccines. The application of DNA vaccines in ruminants is reviewed. We discuss some of the approaches being evaluated to improve responsiveness in large animals including the use of cytokines as adjuvants, targeting molecules as delivery ligands, electroporation and CpG oligonucleotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Smooker
- Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Biology, RMIT University, Bundoora 3083, Australia
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41
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Culley FJ, Olszewska W. Physical trauma of vaccination acts as a wake-up call to dangers in the skin. Immunology 2003; 110:291-2. [PMID: 14632654 PMCID: PMC1783056 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2567.2003.01740.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona J Culley
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK.
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42
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Sukumaran B, Tewary P, Saxena S, Madhubala R. Vaccination with DNA encoding ORFF antigen confers protective immunity in mice infected with Leishmania donovani. Vaccine 2003; 21:1292-9. [PMID: 12559811 DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(02)00352-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The gene ORFF is part of the multigenic LD1 locus on chromosome 35 that is frequently amplified in Leishmania. The function of ORFF is unknown. The gene encoding ORFF was cloned into a eukaryotic expression vector downstream to the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. BALB/c mice were injected intramuscularly with ORFF DNA and challenged with Leishmania donovani promastigotes. Vaccination with ORFF gene induced both humoral and cellular immune response against ORFF, which provided significant level of protection against challenge with L. donovani. A qualitative PCR was used to determine whether activation of Th1 cells develops selectively in response to this ORFF DNA vaccine. The results indicated that mRNA for IFN-gamma was significantly induced in immunized mice. No significant change in IL-4 mRNA expression was observed in mice immunized with ORFF DNA vaccine versus mice immunized with control plasmid. Thus, DNA immunization may offer an attractive alternative strategy against leishmaniasis.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan/biosynthesis
- Antibodies, Protozoan/immunology
- Antigens, Protozoan/biosynthesis
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Antigens, Protozoan/immunology
- COS Cells
- Chlorocebus aethiops
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Immunity, Cellular
- Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis
- Interferon-gamma/genetics
- Interleukin-4/biosynthesis
- Interleukin-4/genetics
- Leishmania donovani/genetics
- Leishmania donovani/immunology
- Leishmania donovani/isolation & purification
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/immunology
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/parasitology
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/prevention & control
- Liver/immunology
- Liver/parasitology
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Muscle, Skeletal/immunology
- Plasmids/genetics
- Plasmids/immunology
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Protozoan Proteins/biosynthesis
- Protozoan Proteins/genetics
- Protozoan Proteins/immunology
- Protozoan Vaccines/immunology
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Spleen/immunology
- Spleen/parasitology
- Th1 Cells/immunology
- Transfection
- Vaccination
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Bindu Sukumaran
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
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43
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Abstract
The different cutaneous leishmaniases are distinct in their etiology, epidemiology, transmission, and geographical distribution. In most instances cutaneous leishmaniasis is limited to one or a few skin ulcers that develop at the site where the parasites were deposited during the bite of the sandfly vector. Lesions typically heal spontaneously after several months but some lesions can be large and follow a chronic, more severe course. Protective immunity is usually acquired following cutaneous infection with Leishmania spp., so prevention of disease through prophylactic immunization appears to be feasible. Since vaccination with live, virulent parasites is associated with an unacceptable rate of adverse events, attention has turned to the use of killed or attenuated parasite vaccines and defined subunit vaccines. Whole parasite vaccines have the advantage of delivering multiple antigenic epitopes that may be necessary for initiation of a broad-based immune response. Persistent or repeated immune-stimulation by parasite antigens and/or sustained expression of interleukin-12 appear to be critical elements in the development of durable immunity. A number of purified or recombinant antigens, when co-administered with a vaccine adjuvant, appear promising as vaccine candidates against cutaneous leishmaniasis. The sustained expression of recombinant Leishmania antigens by vaccination with DNA is an attractive approach because it mimics the persistent antigenic stimulation of subclinical infection. Effective vaccine-induced immunity must generate an antigen-specific memory T cell population that, upon exposure to the infecting parasite, rapidly produces a type 1 effector T cell response that leads to interferon-gamma-mediated activation of infected macrophages to kill the intracellular parasites. This parasite-directed recall response must be prompt and of sufficient magnitude to overcome the subversive effect that the intracellular infection has on macrophage effector function. It is unlikely that vaccination against cutaneous leishmaniasis would induce sterile immunity, but a small number of parasites are likely to persist subclinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter C Melby
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Medical Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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44
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Abstract
The present studies were designed to examine the requirements of dose, route of inoculation and constituent antigens for the maintenance of complete and long lasting protection against cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major conferred by a cocktail DNA vaccine encoding the Leishmania antigens LACK, LmST11 and TSA. Vaccination of C57Bl/6 mice with LACK DNA alone resulted in partial protection, whereas the combination of LmST11 and TSA provided stronger, though still incomplete protection compared to the combination of all three Ag DNAs. When intradermal (i.d), intramuscular (i.m.), and subcutaneous (s.c.) vaccination routes were compared, i.d. immunization reduced by five-fold the dose necessary to maintain complete protection. In vivo depletion of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells provided direct evidence that both populations are necessary to mediate complete protection. These results establish intradermal vaccination using DNA encoding multiple Leishmania antigens as a way to optimize priming of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells necessary for potent and durable protection against cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan/biosynthesis
- Antigens, Protozoan/therapeutic use
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- DNA, Protozoan/therapeutic use
- Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
- Drug Administration Routes
- Immunity, Cellular/immunology
- Immunologic Memory/immunology
- Leishmania major/immunology
- Leishmania major/isolation & purification
- Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/pathology
- Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/prevention & control
- Lymphocyte Depletion
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- Vaccination/methods
- Vaccines, Attenuated/therapeutic use
- Vaccines, DNA/therapeutic use
- Vaccines, Inactivated/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Méndez
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Room 126, Building 4, Center Dr MSC 0425, Bethesda, MD 20892-0425, USA
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45
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Serezani CHC, Franco AR, Wajc M, Umada Yokoyama-Yasunaka JK, Wunderlich G, Borges MM, Uliana SRB. Evaluation of the murine immune response to Leishmania meta 1 antigen delivered as recombinant protein or DNA vaccine. Vaccine 2002; 20:3755-63. [PMID: 12399206 DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(02)00354-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The meta 1 gene of Leishmania is conserved across the genus and encodes a protein upregulated in metacyclic promastigotes. Meta 1 constitutive overexpressing mutants show increased virulence to mice. In this paper, both meta 1 recombinant protein and plasmids bearing the meta 1 gene were tested for their antigenicity and potential for inducing protective immunity in mice. Vaccination with the recombinant protein induced a predominant Th2-type of response and did not result in protection upon challenge with live parasites. Surprisingly, the expected reversal to a CD4(+) Th1-type of response upon genetic immunisation by the intramuscular route was not observed. Instead, vaccination with either the meta 1 gene alone or in fusion with the monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-3 cDNA induced a Th2-type of response that correlated with lack of protection against infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Henrique Cardoso Serezani
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av Prof Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, CEP 05508-900 Brazil
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46
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Garg N, Tarleton RL. Genetic immunization elicits antigen-specific protective immune responses and decreases disease severity in Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Infect Immun 2002; 70:5547-55. [PMID: 12228281 PMCID: PMC128309 DOI: 10.1128/iai.70.10.5547-5555.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2002] [Revised: 04/12/2002] [Accepted: 07/12/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunity to Trypanosoma cruzi requires elicitation of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to extracellular trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. In this study, the effectiveness of the T. cruzi trans-sialidase family (ts) genes ASP-1, ASP-2, and TSA-1 as genetic vaccines was assessed. Immunization of mice with plasmids encoding ASP-1, ASP-2, or TSA-1 elicited poor antigen-specific cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity and T. cruzi-specific antibody responses. Codelivery of interleukin-12 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor plasmids with antigen-encoding plasmids resulted in a substantial increase in CTL activity and antibody production and in increased resistance to T. cruzi infection. In pooled results from two to four experiments, 30 to 60% of mice immunized with antigen-encoding plasmids and 60 to 80% of mice immunized with antigen-encoding plasmids plus cytokine adjuvants survived a lethal challenge with T. cruzi. In comparison, 90% of control mice injected with empty plasmid DNA died during the acute phase of infection. However, the pool of three ts genes provided no greater protection than the most effective single gene (ASP-2) either with or without coadministration of cytokine plasmids. Importantly, the extent of tissue parasitism, inflammation, and associated tissue damage in skeletal muscles during the chronic phase of T. cruzi infection in mice immunized with antigen-encoding plasmids plus cytokine adjuvants was remarkably reduced compared to mice immunized with only cytokine adjuvants or empty plasmid DNA. These results identify new vaccine candidates and establish some of the methodologies that might be needed to develop effective vaccine-mediated control of T. cruzi infection. In addition, this work provides the first evidence that prophylactic genetic immunization can prevent the development of Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Garg
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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47
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Coler RN, Skeiky YAW, Bernards K, Greeson K, Carter D, Cornellison CD, Modabber F, Campos-Neto A, Reed SG. Immunization with a polyprotein vaccine consisting of the T-Cell antigens thiol-specific antioxidant, Leishmania major stress-inducible protein 1, and Leishmania elongation initiation factor protects against leishmaniasis. Infect Immun 2002; 70:4215-25. [PMID: 12117930 PMCID: PMC128156 DOI: 10.1128/iai.70.8.4215-4225.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of an effective vaccine against Leishmania infection is a priority of tropical disease research. We have recently demonstrated protection against Leishmania major in the murine and nonhuman primate models with individual or combinations of purified leishmanial recombinant antigens delivered as plasmid DNA constructs or formulated with recombinant interleukin-12 (IL-12) as adjuvant. In the present study, we immunized BALB/c mice with a recombinant polyprotein comprising a tandem fusion of the leishmanial antigens thiol-specific antioxidant, L. major stress-inducible protein 1 (LmSTI1), and Leishmania elongation initiation factor (LeIF) delivered with adjuvants suitable for human use. Aspects of the safety, immunogenicity, and vaccine efficacy of formulations with each individual component, as well as the polyprotein referred to as Leish-111f, were assessed by using the L. major challenge model with BALB/c mice. No adverse reactions were observed when three subcutaneous injections of the Leish-111f polyprotein formulated with either MPL-squalene (SE) or Ribi 529-SE were given to BALB/c mice. A predominant Th1 immune response characterized by in vitro lymphocyte proliferation, gamma interferon production, and immunoglobulin G2A antibodies was observed with little, if any, IL-4. Moreover, Leish-111f formulated with MPL-SE conferred immunity to leishmaniasis for at least 3 months. These data demonstrate success at designing and developing a prophylactic leishmaniasis vaccine that proved effective in a preclinical model using multiple leishmanial antigens produced as a single protein delivered with a powerful Th1 adjuvant suitable for human use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhea N Coler
- Infectious Disease Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98104, USA.
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48
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Schallig HDFH, Oskam L. Molecular biological applications in the diagnosis and control of leishmaniasis and parasite identification. Trop Med Int Health 2002; 7:641-51. [PMID: 12167091 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3156.2002.00911.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Molecular biology is increasingly relevant to the diagnosis and control of infectious diseases. Information on DNA sequences has been extensively exploited for the development of polymerase chain reaction-based assays for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis and the identification of parasite species. It has also led to the use of cloned antigen for serodiagnosis. It is expected that the sequencing of the Leishmania major genome and the genomes of other Leishmania species will enable important progress in further improving diagnosis and control. The ability to use genome data to clone and sequence genes, which, when expressed, provide antigens for vaccine development, will increase the possibilities for rational vaccine development. Moreover, DNA on its own will provide the basis for the development of DNA vaccines that may overcome some of the problems encountered with protein-based vaccines. One of the greatest threats to parasite control is the development of drug resistance in parasites. Knowing the molecular basis of drug resistance and the ability to monitor its development with sensitive and specific DNA-based assays for 'resistance alleles' may aid maintaining the effectiveness of available anti-Leishmania drugs. Finally, techniques such as microarrays and nucleic acid sequence-based amplification will eventually allow rapid screening for specific parasite genotypes and assist in diagnostic and epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henk D F H Schallig
- Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen (KIT), Biomedical Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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VandenDriessche T, Thorrez L, Naldini L, Follenzi A, Moons L, Berneman Z, Collen D, Chuah MKL. Lentiviral vectors containing the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 central polypurine tract can efficiently transduce nondividing hepatocytes and antigen-presenting cells in vivo. Blood 2002; 100:813-22. [PMID: 12130491 DOI: 10.1182/blood.v100.3.813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
High-titer self-inactivating human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)-based vectors expressing the green fluorescent protein reporter gene that contained the central polypurine and termination tract and the woodchuck hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element were constructed. Transduction efficiency and biodistribution were determined, following systemic administration of these improved lentiviral vectors. In adult severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, efficient stable gene transfer was achieved in the liver (8.0% +/- 6.0%) and spleen (24% +/- 3%). Most transduced hepatocytes and nonhepatocytes were nondividing, thereby obviating the need to induce liver cell proliferation. In vivo gene transfer with this improved lentiviral vector was relatively safe since liver enzyme concentration in the plasma was only moderately and transiently elevated. In addition, nondividing major histocompatibility complex class II-positive splenic antigen-presenting cells (APCs) were efficiently transduced in SCID and normal mice. Furthermore, B cells were efficiently transduced, whereas T cells were refractory to lentiviral transduction in vivo. However, in neonatal recipients, lentiviral transduction was more widespread and included not only hepatocytes and splenic APCs but also cardiomyocytes. The present study suggests potential uses of improved lentiviral vectors for gene therapy of genetic blood disorders resulting from serum protein deficiencies, such as hemophilia, and hepatic disease. However, the use of liver-specific promoters may be warranted to circumvent inadvertent transgene expression in APCs. In addition, these improved lentiviral vectors could potentially be useful for genetic vaccination and treatment of perinatal cardiac disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry VandenDriessche
- Center for Transgene Technology and Gene Therapy, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology-University of Leuven, Belgium.
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50
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Campos-Neto A, Webb JR, Greeson K, Coler RN, Skeiky YAW, Reed SG. Vaccination with plasmid DNA encoding TSA/LmSTI1 leishmanial fusion proteins confers protection against Leishmania major infection in susceptible BALB/c mice. Infect Immun 2002; 70:2828-36. [PMID: 12010969 PMCID: PMC128002 DOI: 10.1128/iai.70.6.2828-2836.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently shown that a cocktail containing two leishmanial recombinant antigens (LmSTI1 and TSA) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) as an adjuvant induces solid protection in both a murine and a nonhuman primate model of cutaneous leishmaniasis. However, because IL-12 is difficult to prepare, is expensive, and does not have the stability required for a vaccine product, we have investigated the possibility of using DNA as an alternative means of inducing protective immunity. Here, we present evidence that the antigens TSA and LmSTI1 delivered in a plasmid DNA format either as single genes or in a tandem digene construct induce equally solid protection against Leishmania major infection in susceptible BALB/c mice. Immunization of mice with either TSA DNA or LmSTI1 DNA induced specific CD4(+)-T-cell responses of the Th1 phenotype without a requirement for specific adjuvant. CD8 responses, as measured by cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte activity, were generated after immunization with TSA DNA but not LmSTI1 DNA. Interestingly, vaccination of mice with TSA DNA consistently induced protection to a much greater extent than LmSTI1 DNA, thus supporting the notion that CD8 responses might be an important accessory arm of the immune response for acquired resistance against leishmaniasis. Moreover, the protection induced by DNA immunization was specific for infection with Leishmania, i.e., the immunization had no effect on the course of infection of the mice challenged with an unrelated intracellular pathogen such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Conversely, immunization of BALB/c mice with a plasmid DNA that is protective against challenge with M. tuberculosis had no effect on the course of infection of these mice with L. major. Together, these results indicate that the protection observed with the leishmanial DNA is mediated by acquired specific immune response rather than by the activation of nonspecific innate immune mechanisms. In addition, a plasmid DNA containing a fusion construct of the two genes was also tested. Similarly to the plasmids encoding individual proteins, the fusion construct induced both specific immune responses to the individual antigens and protection against challenge with L. major. These results confirm previous observations about the possibility of DNA immunization against leishmaniasis and lend support to the idea of using a single polygenic plasmid DNA construct to achieve polyspecific immune responses to several distinct parasite antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Campos-Neto
- Infectious Disease Research Institute. Corixa Corporation, Seattle, Washington 98104, USA.
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