title: Oral immunization with Acanthamoeba castellanii mannose-binding protein ameliorates amoebic keratitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garate
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alizadeh
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Neelam
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Niederkorn
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Panjwani
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins