Oral immunization with Acanthamoeba castellanii mannose-binding protein ameliorates amoebic keratitis.
Acanthamoeba castellanii mannose-binding protein (MBP) mediates adhesion of the amoebae to corneal epithelial cells, a key first step in the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), a devastating corneal infection. In the present study, we demonstrate that oral immunization with recombinant MBP ameliorates AK in a hamster animal model and that this protection is associated with the presence of elevated levels of anti-MBP immunoglobulin A in the tear fluid of the immunized animals.
Garate
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Alizadeh
H
H
Neelam
S
S
Niederkorn
J Y
JY
Panjwani
N
N
D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D048248:Acanthamoeba castellanii; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods*; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D013666:Tears / Q000276:immunology
D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins