In vitro leishmanicidal activity of a monoclonal antibody mimicking a yeast killer toxin.
The microbicidal effect of a monoclonal antiidiotypic antibody, mimicking the activity of a yeast killer toxin, characterized by a wide antimicrobial spectrum, has been evaluated in vitro against two relevant species of protozoan parasites, Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum. The antiidiotypic antibody exerted a significant and dose-dependent antileishmanial activity against parasite promastigotes in comparison to an irrelevant isotype-matched monoclonal antibody. This is the first demonstration that an antibody, which had been already shown to be fungicidal and bactericidal, may also exert a direct microbicidal activity against protozoa.
Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, S. Luigi Hospital, Italy.
Dianella
D
Savoia
Claudio
C
Avanzini
Stefania
S
Conti
Valter
V
Magliani
Raffaele
R
Frazzi
Luciano
L
Polonelli
D000818:Animals; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003470:Culture Media; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D055646:Killer Factors, Yeast; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D051379:Mice; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003470:Culture Media; D055646:Killer Factors, Yeast; D009183:Mycotoxins