The galactose-inhibitable surface lectin of Entamoeba histolytica, a possible candidate for a subunit vaccine to prevent amoebiasis.
Invasive amoebiasis, a spectrum of diseases caused by the enteric protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, constitutes a major health problem mainly in tropical and subtropical countries with poor sanitary conditions. The different forms of the disease are characterized by massive tissue lesions. Amoeba-induced tissue destruction requires an intimate contact between E. histolytica trophozoites and host cells. This contact is predominantly mediated by a galactose-inhibitable lectin located on the surface of the amoebae. Therefore, the lectin is considered a prime candidate for the development of a vaccine to prevent amoebiasis. This communication reports on recent developments in characterizing the structure and function of the E. histolytica surface lectin and its use as a subunit vaccine.
Lotter
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Bernhard Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
Tannich
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D000818:Animals; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic
D037102:Lectins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; C052452:galactose inhibitable adherence protein, Entamoeba histolytica