Epitope mapping and protective immunity elicited by adenovirus expressing the Leishmania amastigote specific A2 antigen : correlation with IFN- and cytolytic activity by CD8+ T cells.

Abstract
A2was identified as an amastigote virulence factor of Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani and as a candidate antigen for vaccine development against visceral leishmaniasis. Here, predicted hydrophilic, class I and II MHC-binding synthetic peptides were used to define epitopes recognized by A2-specific antibodies, CD8+ T and CD4+ T cells, respectively. Immunization of BALB/c mice with adenovirus expressing A2 (AdA2) resulted in lowantibody response, contrasting with high levels of IFN-_ producing CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells specific for A2. Further, A2-specific CD8+ T cells from immunized mice were capable of lysing sensitized target cells in vivo. Finally, we demonstrated an association of A2-specific T cell responses and reduced parasitism in both liver and spleen from mice immunized with AdA2 and challenged with L. (L.) chagasi.
Description
Keywords
Leishmaniasis, Recombinant vaccine, Epitope mapping
Citation
RESENDE, D. de M. et al. Epitope mapping and protective immunity elicited by adenovirus expressing the Leishmania amastigote specific A2 antigen : correlation with IFN- and cytolytic activity by CD8+ T cells. Vaccine, v. 26, p. 4585-4593, 2008. Disponível em: <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X08006932>. Acesso em: 28 ago. 2014.