Abstract
The major surface protease of Leishmania major, gp63, has been suggested as a vaccine candidate for cutaneous leishmaniasis. In this study gp63 was purified from L. major promastigotes. A panel of human T-cell clones recognizing this protein were generated from individuals who had previously had self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis. The T-cell clones expressed CD4, and the alpha chain of the T-cell antigen receptor. GP63 reactive T-cell clones activated by antigen or by immobilized anti-CD3 antibody released relative large amounts of interferon-gamma and no or little interleukin-4, thereby resembling Th1 cells. Autologous mononuclear cells and Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell lines were equally efficient in presenting the antigen to the T cells. The gp63 reactive T cells induced resistance to infection in cultured human macrophages by L. major. The data confirm that human CD4+ T cells recognizing gp63 can take part in the host defence against L. major infections.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Scandinavian Journal of Immunology |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Pages (from-to) | 629-35 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| ISSN | 0300-9475 |
| Publication status | Published - 1994 |
