A transphyletic anti-infectious control strategy based on the killer phenomenon.
A strategy for the prevention and control of candidiasis, pneumocystosis, and tuberculosis, based on the idiotypic network of the yeast killer effect has been envisaged. Anti-idiotypic antibodies representing the internal image of a candidacidal, pneumocysticidal, and mycobactericidal killer toxin from Pichia anomala and idiotypes of killer toxin-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies mimicking the specific cell wall receptor of sensitive microorganisms might provide a unique approach for engineering innovative antibiotics and vaccines active against taxonomically unrelated pathogenic microorganisms. The rationale of the strategy relies on a phenomenon of microbial competition which has been mutated by the immune system in the response to natural infections.
Conti
S
S
Istituto di Microbiologia, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirugia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Italy.
Magliani
W
W
Gerloni
M
M
Salati
A
A
Dieci
E
E
Arseni
S
S
Fisicaro
P
P
Polonelli
L
L
D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D055646:Killer Factors, Yeast; D007778:Lactobacillus; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000235:genetics; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010843:Pichia; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019076:Transgenes
D004337:Drug Carriers; D055646:Killer Factors, Yeast; D009183:Mycotoxins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C087906:killer toxin, Pichia