Identification of antigens recognized by T cells in human leishmaniasis: analysis of T-cell clones by immunoblotting.
Immunity in human leishmaniasis is mediated by sensitized T lymphocytes; however, the antigens involved in eliciting this immunity have not been defined. We describe the generation of human T-lymphocyte clones derived from two patients with healed leishmaniasis. By use of one- and two-dimensional cellular immunoblotting techniques, we directly identified the parasite antigens recognized by these clones. To our knowledge, these are the first leishmanial antigens identified to which CD4+, gamma interferon-producing T cells from immune individuals have been shown to respond, the strategy may be of general use for the identification of antigens involved in immunity in this disease.
Melby
P C
PC
Section of Immunology and Cell Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Sacks
D L
DL
D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007892:Leishmania braziliensis / Q000276:immunology; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000276:immunology; D007897:Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous / Q000276:immunology; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000939:Epitopes