title: Polysaccharides, mimotopes and vaccines for fungal and encapsulated pathogens.
abstract: Vaccination is a rational alternative to treatment for Cryptococcus neoformans infections, as these infections are currently intractable in immunocompromised (including HIV-infected) individuals. Vaccines composed of the cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), the key C. neoformans virulence factor, elicit protective antibodies in mice, although deleterious antibodies can also be induced. By contrast, polysaccharides are poor immunogens in HIV-infected humans and others with B-cell defects. Peptide mimotopes of GXM can induce protective immunity to C. neoformans in mice, however, our knowledge of the mechanisms of mimotope-induced protection is incomplete and further work is needed if polysaccharide- or mimotope-based vaccines are to be used to manage C. neoformans infection.
authors.affiliation: Divn of Infectious Diseases, Room 709 Forchheimer Bldg, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. pirofski@aecom.yu.edu
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pirofski
mesh_terms: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005657:Fungal Vaccines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000097:blood / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D005657:Fungal Vaccines; D011134:Polysaccharides; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate