Recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing GP46/M-2 protect against Leishmania infection.

Abstract

Leishmania is a genus of parasitic protozoa capable of causing a spectrum of human diseases. The GP46/M-2 membrane glycoprotein has been demonstrated in a murine model system to elicit a protective immune response against infection with Leishmania amazonensis; in highly susceptible BALB/c mice, immunization leads to significant protection against infection. In the present study, for induction of long-term immunological effects, two recombinant vaccinia viruses, derived from the wild type and attenuated variant 48-7 and expressing the GP46/M-2 protein, were constructed; to ensure safety, we used the attenuated vaccinia virus mutant (48-7) as a live vector. Susceptible BALB/c mice immunized with either GP46/M-2-recombinant vaccinia virus were significantly protected against infection with L. amazonensis; 45 to 76% of the animals were completely protected (sterile) against a challenge inoculum of 10(3) infective organisms. The protectively immunized animals demonstrated T- and B-cell-dependent immunological responses; both lymphokine responses as well as antibody responses and long-term memory are indicative of T-cell activation. This first report of the use of a recombinant vaccinia virus to induce protection against a Leishmania infection indicates that recombinant vaccinia viruses should be of value in the design of a safe and effective vaccine against this parasitic disease.

• Authors: D McMahon-Pratt, D Rodriguez, J R Rodriguez, Y Zhang, K Manson, C Bergman, L Rivas, J F Rodriguez, K L Lohman, N H Ruddle
• Journal: Infection and immunity (Infect Immun) Vol. 61 Issue 8 Pg. 3351-9 (Aug 1993) ISSN: 0019-9567 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8335366 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Membrane Glycoproteins
• Protozoan Proteins
• Protozoan Vaccines
• Vaccines, Synthetic
• surface glycoprotein GP46-M-2, Leishmania

Topics

• Animals
• Female
• Leishmania mexicana (immunology)
• Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous (prevention & control)
• Membrane Glycoproteins (immunology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Protozoan Proteins (immunology)
• Protozoan Vaccines (immunology)
• Vaccination
• Vaccines, Synthetic (immunology)
• Vaccinia virus (genetics, immunology)