Abstract |
Leprosy is of interest to immunologists because the varied clinical manifestations of the disease correlate closely with the immunological spectrum. Resistance to infection is dependent on appropriate cell-mediated immunity, but patients with the lepromatous form fail to respond to antigens of M. leprae. In vitro studies have revealed the existence of T-suppressor cells of the phenotype CD8+, CD3+, HLA-DR+, FcR+, 9.3-, which are restricted by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens. Several new candidate vaccines against leprosy have been effective in breaking immunological unresponsiveness and engendering cell-mediated immunity in lepromatous leprosy patients, including the combination of BCG+ killed M. leprae. Because BCG has unique adjuvant properties, we have begun to use molecular genetic approaches to develop BCG into a multivaccine vehicle capable of immunizing simultaneously against several pathogens. Both phage-based and plasmid-based strategies have been successfully developed for introducing selectable markers into BCG for the first time.
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Authors | B R Bloom, P Salgame, V Mehra, H Kato, R Modlin, T Rea, P Brennan, J Convit, L Lugozi, S Snapper |
Journal | Immunology. Supplement
(Immunol Suppl)
Vol. 2
Pg. 87-9; discussion 91-2
( 1989)
ISSN: 0953-4954 [Print] England |
PMID | 2680926
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Bacterial Vaccines
(immunology)
- Developing Countries
- Humans
- Leprosy
(immunology)
- Mycobacterium leprae
(immunology)
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